50 BMG or 338 LM

BBSE120

BBSE120

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I have been seriously looking at purchasing a 50 BMG, and am definitely interested in the PGW LRT-3. I went to PGW today and was given a tour of the facility by one of the owners, Ross. Very impresssed with their product and haven't found any negative reviews on the web. Ross seemed to advise against the 50 BMG, and strongly suggested the Timberwolf in .338 LM, as a much more practical gun. I would have to agree, as the 50 BMG LRT-3 is a beast of a gun, and not that practical, but I have my mind set on owning a 50 BMG. Either option would just be used for long range target shooting.

If anyone has one or both of these calibers and would weigh in to help me make a final decision, it would be greatly appreciated.
 
either is good, both is better.

just for paper why are you concerned with weight, length, etc?

there are lighter shorter options if you plan to carry them for a while, hunt, etc with it.
 
no need to handload really unless you want to and will shoot enough to pay off the equipment quickly, cheapest 338 Lapua is $3ea and 50 BMG is $4ea for factory ammo
 
I'm not overly concerned with wieght or size, but many ranges don't accept 50 BMG's and may need be hauled or carried somewhere that I can shoot it. Plus, the 50BMG case is almost the size of a coffin and would be difficult to fit in my vehicle. Still leaning toward the 50 BMG however.
 
Went through this very seem dilemma. The 338LM is the only round designed from the ground up for snipe work, while the 50BMG is a so called "material" round developed for machine guns etc. You'll may get better accuracy with the 338LM. You can shoot it more places ie ranges that don't allow 50BMG etc. Both are cool rounds. So on paper I would have opted for the 338LM. But... I've always wanted a 50!

A buddy of mine has a 338 and a 50. Both are Barnard action, Lilja barrel and Robertson Composite stocks. Same rifles in parts. So I asked him. He told me I really likes both of course, but if he could only have one then it would be the 50BMG. He found it simply more fun to shoot and the one he looked forward to shooting.

I went 50 and have no regrets with that decision. Either is cool, but get the one you really want. You can always pick up a 338 at a later date.
 
Ross and I agree on very little, but in this instance I would agree with him. The 338 is more of a daily driver than a 50 is.
Make NO mistake, the 50 is still the all time favorite for me, but I have places to shoot them.
My suggestion is to consider where you have the availability to shoot 1. More and more ranges are setting 338 as the upper limit caliber restriction.
If you have a place to shoot a 50, then go for it, there is very little available in caliber selection that is more fun to shoot.
 
Epoxy7 said:
Went through this very seem dilemma. The 338LM is the only round designed from the ground up for snipe work, while the 50BMG is a so called "material" round developed for machine guns etc. You'll may get better accuracy with the 338LM. You can shoot it more places ie ranges that don't allow 50BMG etc. Both are cool rounds. So on paper I would have opted for the 338LM. But... I've always wanted a 50!

A buddy of mine has a 338 and a 50. Both are Barnard action, Lilja barrel and Robertson Composite stocks. Same rifles in parts. So I asked him. He told me I really likes both of course, but if he could only have one then it would be the 50BMG. He found it simply more fun to shoot and the one he looked forward to shooting.

I went 50 and have no regrets with that decision. Either is cool, but get the one you really want. You can always pick up a 338 at a later date.
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I disagree. If ur hand loading for both rifles the 50bmg is just as accurate as the 338 lapua. In windy conditions the 50bmg is the hands down winner.

Considering your almost exactly the same cost to load for either rifle why not get twice as much bang for your buck. 50bmg For sure.

Also don't forget. If ur doing only long range shooting you will be using big heavy long VLD bullets they will most likely be to long for a magazine. Consider going single shot, cutting costs and gaining accuracy. Though the LRT 3 looks very cool and just because u have a magazine does not mean u have to use it.

Just my thoughts
 
I have tons of experience with both of these calibers and I always prefer the 338 over the 50. The 50 is brutal on your body and ears after about 30 rounds. And as others have said, you can't shoot it everywhere. And if you have neighbours close by they will hate you more than anything. 300gr Bergers out of the 338 will easily be as accurate as anything you can shoot out of the 50. The 338 is actually man portable and you can take it hunting! And if you are looking to the future, there is no chance the 338 will ever be prohibited and taken away from you. Admit it guys! it could happen. I love both so much but the 338 is the easy winner for me.
 
swissinn said:
I have tons of experience with both of these calibers and I always prefer the 338 over the 50. The 50 is brutal on your body and ears after about 30 rounds. And as others have said, you can't shoot it everywhere. And if you have neighbours close by they will hate you more than anything. 300gr Bergers out of the 338 will easily be as accurate as anything you can shoot out of the 50. The 338 is actually man portable and you can take it hunting! And if you are looking to the future, there is no chance the 338 will ever be prohibited and taken away from you. Admit it guys! it could happen. I love both so much but the 338 is the easy winner for me.
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I agree that the 338 is much more portable and you can take it hunting a lot easier then you can a 50 cal. I would not say theres no chance that the 338 won't ever get taken away thats for sure.

I think the 50 being hard on your body all depends on what muzzle brake you use and how much the rifle you are shooting weighs. What model of 50 cal do you have experience with? What brake did it have on it?

I’m definitely not saying the 338 is a bad caliber don’t get me wrong. It’s a great caliber, and yes it is also very accurate. But there is no way you can say a 750gr or 800gr bullet out of the 50cal is not going to be better in any amount of wind then a 250gr or 300gr out of the 338. Much less wind drift

Both great choices, if I was doing it I would go all the way and get the 50BMG
 
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swissinn said:
I have tons of experience with both of these calibers and I always prefer the 338 over the 50. The 50 is brutal on your body and ears after about 30 rounds. And as others have said, you can't shoot it everywhere. And if you have neighbours close by they will hate you more than anything. 300gr Bergers out of the 338 will easily be as accurate as anything you can shoot out of the 50. The 338 is actually man portable and you can take it hunting! And if you are looking to the future, there is no chance the 338 will ever be prohibited and taken away from you. Admit it guys! it could happen. I love both so much but the 338 is the easy winner for me.
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images
 
backdoorsally said:
I disagree. If ur hand loading for both rifles the 50bmg is just as accurate as the 338 lapua. In windy conditions the 50bmg is the hands down winner.

Considering your almost exactly the same cost to load for either rifle why not get twice as much bang for your buck. 50bmg For sure.

Also don't forget. If ur doing only long range shooting you will be using big heavy long VLD bullets they will most likely be to long for a magazine. Consider going single shot, cutting costs and gaining accuracy. Though the LRT 3 looks very cool and just because u have a magazine does not mean u have to use it.

Just my thoughts
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World's longest sniper shot is currently held by a British soldier Craig Harrison with a 338LM at 2,475 m (2,707 yd). Three shots, 2 insurgents and 1 machine gun was reported. The Canadian Rob Furlong with the 50BMG currently holds second longest 2,430 m (2,657 yd). I recall the third shot took down the enemy. Lots of 50's on the list, but more than a few 338LM as well. Again top spot right now is with a 338LM. It's a newer round compared to the 50 and was designed specifically as a sniper round.

I enjoy the 50 and am sticking with that. But... it wasn't an easy choice. The 338 LM has a lot going for it. Including a service record that's holding it's own with the 50 for sniping. No range use restrictions, and less recoil/muzzle brake concussion. But.. the 50 sends a freight train down range!!
 
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Epoxy7 said:
World's longest sniper shot is currently held by a British soldier Craig Harrison with a 338LM at 2,475 m (2,707 yd). Three shots, 2 insurgents and 1 machine gun was reported. The Canadian Rob Furlong with the 50BMG currently holds second longest 2,430 m (2,657 yd). I recall the third shot took down the enemy. Lots of 50's on the list, but more than a few 338LM as well. Again top spot right now is with a 338LM. It's a newer round compared to the 50 and was designed specifically as a sniper round.

I enjoy the 50 and am sticking with that. But... it wasn't an easy choice. The 338 LM has a lot going for it. Including a service record that's holding it's own with the 50 for sniping. No range use restrictions, and less recoil/muzzle brake concussion. But.. the 50 sends a freight train down range!!
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IF for every 100 people in the military shooting a 338 lapua at soft targets there are only 10 people shooting a 50BMG at soft target it’s not really surprising that a 338 lapua holds a longest kill record. Luck, skill or number of people using a brand of rifle or caliber of rifle really have nothing to do with determining its accuracy. If I was a sniper I would not want to pack a 50 around either. If I'm looking strictly for long range shooting accuracy and have a spot to shoot it then that’s a different story.

Lots of ranges also do not allow 338 lapua. That’s out of my local range template.

Just my 2 cents
 
Guys are shooting the standard 338 Lapua to 3000 yards so it can go the distance with the proper load. And it's pretty darn accurate too. Tough call between your two choices but I'd say go for the 50 if that's what you're set on. A little more expensive but I never base any decisions on what something costs to buy or shoot. It's a hobby so enjoy it while you can! In all honesty you'll probably end up owning both anyway, lol.
 
I think if you've got the money to buy, load and shoot a 50, you have money for both, so get both!

Our range only allows up to .338, so no 50 for me.
 
Discussing practical comparisons of the two cartridges does not tell the whole story.

Sometimes in order to be happy you have to make a decision based on raw emotion.

Same thing with sport bikes; Japanese bikes are better built, faster, and cheaper than Italian bikes, but your riding experience will be better on a Ducati/MV Agusta/Aprilia for intangible reasons.

If you want a 50, get the 50, even if it costs more and is more punishing to shoot. I doubt you'll ever regret getting it, like you may regret getting a 338LM when someone pulls out a 50 beside you.
 
There are some I teresting rounds in between the 338 lm and the 50 . Might be worth while to check out the cheytac stuff and the snipetacs . I have a 408 cheytac and a 338 snipetac and over all they hands down beat the 338 lm and at the same time they are still ballisticly better then a fifty . The only thing they give up to the 50 is energy . But on paper or steel it's a moot point anyways
 
backdoorsally said:
I agree that the 338 is much more portable and you can take it hunting a lot easier then you can a 50 cal. I would not say theres no chance that the 338 won't ever get taken away thats for sure.

I think the 50 being hard on your body all depends on what muzzle brake you use and how much the rifle you are shooting weighs. What model of 50 cal do you have experience with? What brake did it have on it?

I’m definitely not saying the 338 is a bad caliber don’t get me wrong. It’s a great caliber, and yes it is also very accurate. But there is no way you can say a 750gr or 800gr bullet out of the 50cal is not going to be better in any amount of wind then a 250gr or 300gr out of the 338. Much less wind drift

Both great choices, if I was doing it I would go all the way and get the 50BMG
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I shoot a suppressed MacMillan Tac 50. The noise is nothing but the recoil is horrendous. But this rifle doesn't apply to this debate. DG's LRT3 sucks the snot out of your face when you shoot it. It's hardly pleasant. I know a certain individual who has been hospitalized by shooting too much 50(concussion). The 300 grain Berger has a better BC and is more slippery than the 709 Sniper Elite round we shoot out of our Tac 50. So yes, The 338 can buck the wind better and stay supersonic longer than the 50 can in some instances.
 
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