i've been shooting 308 for a while in a remington 700 and want to try a different cartridge i also want to do some longer range shooting i'm leaning towards a sako trg 338 lapua but i'm also considering custom setups my main concern is the lack of match grade ammo is reloading the only option?
338
- Thread starter bigdawg
- Start date
For long range precision shooting, take a good long hard look at the 7mm magnums. There's a new berger 180 gr VLD out there that's causing a bit of a stir in the LR shootng world. It won't carry quite as much downrange thump as the 338 lapua, but the trajectory shouldn't be too far off, and it's burining a lot less powder which translates to cheaper shooting and less recoil.
And yeah, it pretty much goes without saying that reloading is your only real option when it comes to true precision and long range work, especially in the less common cartridges and bullet combinations
And yeah, it pretty much goes without saying that reloading is your only real option when it comes to true precision and long range work, especially in the less common cartridges and bullet combinations
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daniellybbert
CGN Regular
too be honest if your looking at long range precision you need to reload to maximize your groupings
also if you want to shoot the 338lm you need to reload cuz at 150-220 bucks a box of 20 its pretty tough to aford to shoot it
once you get the brass your just buying regular reloading components (relatively cheap)
daniel
also if you want to shoot the 338lm you need to reload cuz at 150-220 bucks a box of 20 its pretty tough to aford to shoot it
once you get the brass your just buying regular reloading components (relatively cheap)
daniel
A custom stick will cost as much or more as a TRG-42 if you're basing it on a Rem 700 platform and building it with the similar features as the Sako.
Some costs to consider:
(1) Remington SPS $580
(2) Aftermarket fully adjustable stock $900-$1,200
(3) Match grade barrel $400
(4) Muzzle brake $300
(5) Related gunsmithing and ancillary items $700-$1000
If you consider some of the other higher end actions like BAT, Surgeon, PGW, Banard, or any others, the cost will rise dramatically. The cost of these actions alone will be close to 1/2 that of the TRG to begin with.
All these things don't include tax or shipping. The main benefit being you can get exactly what you want including stock options and your cartridge of choice.
The downside is that customs generally speaking do not hold their resale value as well as some of the high performance factory rifles. And there is no gaurantee that it will perform any better than what is available as an off the shelf item. Choose your gunsmith wisely. It could possibly be the most important decision you make.
The lead time on a custom stick varies but one can assume anywhere from 6-12 months for completion from the day the ordering of components starts. It could take more or less time depending on circumstances. My current custom rifle will be completed in a couple weeks and will have taken about 4 months total.
I'm with you on the Sako. I'd truly love to own one to see what they are like. By all reports they are phenomenal rifles and a joy to shoot. Actions as smooth as glass.
Whatever you decide on, don't cut any corners. Do it right and get whatever it is you want. Shoot the Hell out of it and enjoy every opportunity to shoot it.
Some costs to consider:
(1) Remington SPS $580
(2) Aftermarket fully adjustable stock $900-$1,200
(3) Match grade barrel $400
(4) Muzzle brake $300
(5) Related gunsmithing and ancillary items $700-$1000
If you consider some of the other higher end actions like BAT, Surgeon, PGW, Banard, or any others, the cost will rise dramatically. The cost of these actions alone will be close to 1/2 that of the TRG to begin with.
All these things don't include tax or shipping. The main benefit being you can get exactly what you want including stock options and your cartridge of choice.
The downside is that customs generally speaking do not hold their resale value as well as some of the high performance factory rifles. And there is no gaurantee that it will perform any better than what is available as an off the shelf item. Choose your gunsmith wisely. It could possibly be the most important decision you make.
The lead time on a custom stick varies but one can assume anywhere from 6-12 months for completion from the day the ordering of components starts. It could take more or less time depending on circumstances. My current custom rifle will be completed in a couple weeks and will have taken about 4 months total.
I'm with you on the Sako. I'd truly love to own one to see what they are like. By all reports they are phenomenal rifles and a joy to shoot. Actions as smooth as glass.
Whatever you decide on, don't cut any corners. Do it right and get whatever it is you want. Shoot the Hell out of it and enjoy every opportunity to shoot it.
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Long Range Canuck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Athabasca Alberta aka God's Country
Take a zip over to Canadiangunslingers web site there are a couple of precision .338LM rifles that have just been completed and they are beautiful. You can't miss them in the precision rifle thread.
Hi bigdawg
I own a TRG-42 in .338LM and love it, as do most owners of this rifle.
Some points to consider:
1) Add a thou to the basic pricetag of the TRG for "options" necessary to bring the rifle to its full operational "joypoint".
2) YES! You'll want to reload. "I'll defer to the experts on this matter."
3) If you wish to compete, stick with the status quo. Don't go TRG-42. Rules prohibit its use.
If you can live with the above conditions, go for it! This is a splendidly customizable system and a joy to shoot.
I own a TRG-42 in .338LM and love it, as do most owners of this rifle.
Some points to consider:
1) Add a thou to the basic pricetag of the TRG for "options" necessary to bring the rifle to its full operational "joypoint".
2) YES! You'll want to reload. "I'll defer to the experts on this matter."
3) If you wish to compete, stick with the status quo. Don't go TRG-42. Rules prohibit its use.
If you can live with the above conditions, go for it! This is a splendidly customizable system and a joy to shoot.
I have a USO T-Pal 5-25X with Horus 37 lit reticle, ELER eyepiece and 35mm tube.
bigdawg, you really can't afford NOT to get into reloading right away with this rig. I generally don't hold with the issue of reloading to save $$ but when you save $4.00 per cartridge reloading .338LM its a difficult proposition to ignore . After 1000 rds, you'll have paid for the rifle.
bigdawg, you really can't afford NOT to get into reloading right away with this rig. I generally don't hold with the issue of reloading to save $$ but when you save $4.00 per cartridge reloading .338LM its a difficult proposition to ignore . After 1000 rds, you'll have paid for the rifle.
I also own a TRG 42 and have nothing bad to say about them except the price of their accessories, that is outrageous. They do shoot very well, are superbly engineered and are a functional piece of kit. But you can get other aftermarket accessories for considerably less ie. Uncle Mikes Rear Sling Swivels @ 2 for $20 opposed to 1 Sako brand for $80!
As for the reloading, yes it is a must for price as well as accuracy. Having the ability to fine tune your loads is very important in the long range game especially.
Ivo
As for the reloading, yes it is a must for price as well as accuracy. Having the ability to fine tune your loads is very important in the long range game especially.
Ivo
- Location
- behind the grassy knoll
Airborn_69 said:Another winner is the special order available Model 40XS in .338LM
The only problem is that Remington STILL has not set any production date for ANY rifle chambered in 338 Lapua, this info is directly from the Remington production manager, last week, when I was told by a dealer who ordered these rifles at last years SHOT show and was supposed to get them in late 2006, that Remington was still screwin the pooch on the Lapua's. It is not that I do not believe him, he seems very honest and upfront, but I wanted to hear it for myself.
I have this week asked to have my deposit transferred to an HS HRT rifle that actually IS in production.
KK
I am sure you could get the Rem700 300rum and open up the Bolt face slidly, rebarral with a Ted Gailer 338, It would cost around $1500..., the Bolt face for the 300Rum is alittle smaller than the 338lapua boltface, but it posible to open up...
Long Range Canuck
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Athabasca Alberta aka God's Country
GunBoy said:
I always wonderd what that file in my Swiss Army Knife was for!!
Sorry can't help myself sometimes.
- Location
- behind the grassy knoll
GunBoy said:
I suspect the genius's at Remington have looked into this already and have decided it is DANGEROUS!! Several well respected gunsmiths have raised concerns here before, Guntech went so far as to ask the NOT to do it.
There is NOT enough boltface left to take a Lapua which is likely why Remington has never made a 416 Rigby from factory either.
I would suggest that if Remington could do something that simple we would not be having this debate.
Airborne69 I am not going to call the boys from Graval agency BSers, but they are in the business to TAKE orders for sales, it looks good to Big Green, whether or not they can supply, well thats another matter, but at least they got orders. HWSNBN ordered many ( 40 is the number I was told) of these rifles over a year ago, being told by these same reps that production of the 338 Lapua caliber rifles was "going to be" in Sept 2006, then Oct 2006, then Jan 2007, now the reps say Sept 2007 and the production manager at Remington, with whom I have spoken to, says there is no set production date yet.
There were quite a few of us who put down deposits on these rifles back then. I have done alot of business with this fellow, and he has always been 100% honest in all my dealings. He called all of us with deposits within a day or 2 of the show in Edmonton to ask what we all wanted to do, stay the course and keep waiting, get a refund of deposit , upgrade to the HS at a very sharp deal or go full custom.
I am not , as I said going to call BS on the boys at Graval but you can draw your own conclusions as to where I stand.
Can't wait for my HS to arrive.
KK
knockknock said:
They could be, as said above, they are in the sales business thus lying is an everyday thing with these guys as long they can back it up of course..We'll see what happens but myself & Gunboy are looking elsewhere for a .338 platform also..Sept 07, like you said, highly unlikely...
So in this case, I take your word...
