I've had a 338 LM for around twenty years. Doesn't get shot much, really. Ballistically, it is the same as the 338 Edge/RUM and 340 Wby. Buy the Savage, have fun. Go for a 50 next time. - dan
Educating myself for future 338 purchase, your opinions please!
- Thread starter Ryan500
- Start date
No for the .338 Lapua AI, they are loaded substantially longer. For mag fed a standard Lapua is the way to go.
Rick at ATRS is extremely knowledgeable about this subject and recommends single shot actions for the Improved version.
AI increases the case volume by expanding the shoulder to a 40 degree angle, it does nothing to the col. I agree they can be difficult to make feed though. - Dan
personal_aviator
Regular
- Location
- Onterrible
I have a 110BA and love it. I figure my reloading cost is down around $1.40/rd. the only thing I think I will change is the rail. I would like to get one without the side rails but I can wait on that. I think when this barrel is done I will switch to a .338AI Though. A bit more velocity for the same barrel length. If I remember correctly the mag is good for 3.850 or something along those lines.
Don't cheap out, on anything and you will be happy for many many years. As mentioned it really isn't that expensive, at under $2.00 a shot when hand loading. I usually shoot 20 rounds every month or more with other rifles taking up the rest of my shooting slack.
I have a Dakota T-76 Longbow. I love it and it shoots. I fit 2 in the internal blind (won't fit 3 at that length) and 1 in the chamber at 3.792" long, which is give or take .005-.010 off the lands. I mean it, do not cheap out. The Savage looks cool but I know guys that can't get it lower than .75 MOA. I also know someone trying to sell his Rem700 338 for the same reason. The factory barrel just isn't cutting it. The fit and feel of a custom or properly built rifle is unreal compared to standard factory (I own a Savage that I love and is a shooter - It is a 308, but it is not the Dakota).
Get great optics, many to choose from.
My choices on rifle be along these lines:
- Full custom
- TRG42
- PGW
- Dakota (if found used, rare in Canada and Dakota doesn't make them anymore - at least they don't list them anymore)
- HS HTR
- AI
- McMillan Bros 338
You will love shooting the 338, I do. Enjoy!
I have a Dakota T-76 Longbow. I love it and it shoots. I fit 2 in the internal blind (won't fit 3 at that length) and 1 in the chamber at 3.792" long, which is give or take .005-.010 off the lands. I mean it, do not cheap out. The Savage looks cool but I know guys that can't get it lower than .75 MOA. I also know someone trying to sell his Rem700 338 for the same reason. The factory barrel just isn't cutting it. The fit and feel of a custom or properly built rifle is unreal compared to standard factory (I own a Savage that I love and is a shooter - It is a 308, but it is not the Dakota).
Get great optics, many to choose from.
My choices on rifle be along these lines:
- Full custom
- TRG42
- PGW
- Dakota (if found used, rare in Canada and Dakota doesn't make them anymore - at least they don't list them anymore)
- HS HTR
- AI
- McMillan Bros 338
You will love shooting the 338, I do. Enjoy!
- Location
- calgary alberta
The 338 lapua AI or Improved do NOT feed well at all from the Accuracy Int. mags which are basically the same as what remington is using. The follower retainer gets in the way.
In my opinion there is NO mag that is really long enough for getting the most from this caliber if 1 plans to use the 300 gr bullets. To get them to go into the mag you have to seat the bullets so deeply accuracy is compromised and case capacity is also reduced unless you want to go with a heavily compressed load.
Trying to get a live round out of most of the repeater actions , short of pulling the bolt out is also a PITA.
Ideally an action with a 4.250" port and mag would be the answer.
- Location
- calgary alberta
- Location
- calgary alberta
Actually the case OAL is shorter by a few thou than the parent casing due to the shoulder being sharpened and moved back slightly.
On the 338 LAI version I came up with we got 9% more case capacity, the case in nearly straight walled.
I wouldnt fk with a savage 110B , go custom, figure out what bullet you want to shoot then research your barrel and twist for the round then call rick at ATRS. Then figure out what your other components you want, Action , stock , trigger ect
- Location
- Halifax, NS
I built a custom 338 Lapua several years ago. While I do reload for it and shoot it, it is mostly a safe queen - just too big for anything under 1000 yards and bloody annoying to everyone on the line at the range. I use my .308 Win and 7mm Rem Mag for everything under 1000, which is 95% of my shooting. If I was considering a 338 LM again, I would buy the Savage Model 110 FCP HS Precision Rifle in 338 Lapua Mag for ~ $1300, and spend the rest on great optics and reloading supplies, and never look back. Reports indicate (and I have no doubt) the savage will shoot in the same league of any 338 Rifle (custom or factory). And if it turns out that you love the 338, the Savage is easily upgradeable or you can sell it for $1000+/- and reinvest that money into a full custom, once you have a better idea of what the 338 is really all about.
- Location
- calgary alberta
Enter .338 Norma Mag
I am looking at that, I can not see how they can get near the same velocities as what the larger Lapua cased round does produce, but I guess time will tell. Once I build 1 and run it maybe I will become a believer. Or not.
SavageLapua
CGN Regular
- Location
- Mining brass near Red Deer
The AICS Mag that comes with the Savage and some of the Remingtons (I believe) have a stamp on the back that indicates 3.850". This is not the internal dimension, it is the external length. The internal measurement is in the 3.7" ball park... If mag length is a concern, Seekins Precision makes a bottom metal specifically for long seated .338LM rounds. The internal measurement is 3.900". It comes to $340USD. This would be a good way to go for a custom or an option for a synthetic stock.
I have a 110BA, it has no bottom metal (otherwise I would already have the Seekins). I'm considering a Manners T4A stock to replace the factory, but I think I'm going to hold off and build a custom rather than making major upgrades on the Savage. Likely another .338LM since I have a solid setup for handloading this caliber.
Good luck with your decision.
Anything .338 is a winner.
SL
I have a 110BA, it has no bottom metal (otherwise I would already have the Seekins). I'm considering a Manners T4A stock to replace the factory, but I think I'm going to hold off and build a custom rather than making major upgrades on the Savage. Likely another .338LM since I have a solid setup for handloading this caliber.
Good luck with your decision.
Anything .338 is a winner.
SL
That's case OAL Rick, not COL. I agree, all AI'ed cartridges end up a wee bit shorter then the parent case . Doesn't effect COL though. - dan
- Location
- calgary alberta
Yup you are right. I should not post when tired as hell.
