I recently started shooting a Sako in 338 Lapua and found the recoil is nothing short of intimidating. 338 Lapua carries 6000 to 7000 joules compared to 308 at 2600 to 3680 joules of energy The scope moves rearward about 3.5 inches bring it within an inch of my eye. Does a bipod reduce the recoil of this heavy hitter?
338 Lapua Recoil
- Thread starter gonemotorbikin
- Start date
Perhaps research your muzzle brake. I have a savage BA stealth 338 Lapua. The actual recoil with the brake that comes with it is surprisingly mild. The concussion from firing is not. I always wear plugs and ear protectors
Is it on your shoulder or are you free recoiling the shot. Mine is more like a 243 recoil.
My 338 LM can lift my eyelids if I stand beside it while someone else is shooting it.
Double up your hearing protection and shoot through a 10 inch hole in a plywood wall. It tames the muzzle blast right down. I am probably at 400 rounds down the pipe. Now hitting things past 2000 yards.
My 338 LM can lift my eyelids if I stand beside it while someone else is shooting it.
Double up your hearing protection and shoot through a 10 inch hole in a plywood wall. It tames the muzzle blast right down. I am probably at 400 rounds down the pipe. Now hitting things past 2000 yards.
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What kind of shooting positions are you using? If the scope/rifle moves back about 3.5 inches like you say then I would bet you’re not in an efficient shooting position.
With my 338 I shoot prone. Loading my bipod up properly I can spot my impacts through my scope.
- Location
- Fraser Valley, B.C.
I am in the process of building a .338 Lapua rifle as well. It will be used for ELR eventually. I picked a super effective and efficient muzzle brake so I would start with maybe looking at other brakes. Another option of course is adding weight to the rifle if it isn't already heavy. I wanted a longer and heavier barrel but for now its a 26" barrel. I plan to get the rifle in the 15 to 20lb range once its complete and potentially heavier in the future. Hopefully the recoil is mild otherwise I will have more work to complete.
What ammunition are you shooting?
B
What ammunition are you shooting?
B
I have the but of the rifle tucked into my shoulder but the recoil still forces the rifle back about 2.5 inches, yeh maybe I was overstating the recoil in the post
I've been shooting HSM
Seated, with rifle perched on rifle range table.
Hsm ammo what grain? HMS is running it kind of hot after I visit the website. Not heard of in my circle. And my circle is 58 members strong.
I suspect the muzzle brake is not the best. It should lift the shot off your shoulder, not into your shoulder.
Your best bet is reloading.
Prone is the best with the 338 lapua mag!
I suspect the muzzle brake is not the best. It should lift the shot off your shoulder, not into your shoulder.
Your best bet is reloading.
Prone is the best with the 338 lapua mag!
If being seated is your only option then I would consider screwing down a block of wood at the end of the range table. That way you can load up your rifles bipod against the wood and it’ll help tame the recoil.
I'm prety sure thats the one I've tried too. It was a Savage anyway, and with the brake on it, yeah the recoil wasn't too bad at all. Certainly no more than some much lighter hunting rifles I've had. Blasty sumbee tho!
OP could always move to a smaller caliber if one shoots flat enough for him. Why beat yourself up if you don't have to? Be in supreme control of what you shoot.
Thanks for the insight.
