"best" version of the .338?
- Thread starter logan1080
- Start date
Sorry if my broad generalization was only within 92%.
I was also considering the .338 until I found .50 BMG ammo cheaper than the Lapua Magnum.
I don't mean to take the .338 down a notch, it's an excellent cartridge. Unfortunately you end up paying more for the name than the performance.
Swissinn, I have the utmost respect for the work that Mr. Litz does but unfortunately my experience differs from his numbers. I'm talking about comparing 250gr Scenars to 300gr Scenars in my rifle, a PGW Timberwolf. Your experience or someone else's may differ.
Sand in your vag? If you've been a good girl maybe some Massengill will turn up in your christmas stocking
I don't need anything more than my regular old 338 Lapua. It is capable of shooting further than I am and it is easy to find reloading supplies for. Anything more is just a pissing contest to me. I have a hard time even finding anywhere I can shoot beyond 1000yds.
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Love my DTA SRS
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Love my DTA SRS
Sand in your vag? If you've been a good girl maybe some Massengill will turn up in your christmas stocking
Yes there is, would you care to lick it out?
Want a cartridge with only 15% more kinetic energy than a 300 WM at triple the cost?
If so, Lapua has the answer...
.338 Lapua Magnum!!!
"You can buy better, but you'll never pay more"
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Wow looks like someone got a little sensitive over this subject, maybe try getting your facts straight before you start calling people princesses. The OP asked which .338, there was no mention of a .30 cal in his post.
Wow looks like someone got a little sensitive over this subject, maybe try getting your facts straight before you start calling people princesses. The OP asked which .338, there was no mention of a .30 cal in his post.
Where does a 30 cal cartridge even enter this discussion? Stick to your 300WM if that's what you like using, none of us are bashing it... well, I mean I may start now, but...
No bashing the 30 cal! I love my .300 Lapua Magnum! Some on here might have a heart attack... It uses expensive 338 Lapua brass and expensive 230 Berger hybrids. I can assure you of one thing though! No 300 win mag will ever come close to its performance.
I don't see how mentioning an APPROXIMATE supersonic range could be confused with a fact. Funny how some people get all wound up soooo easily over something so trivial. How dare I low ball the supersonic range of the .338 by 100 meters! Time to take a deep breath, readjust your tiara and get back to shooting, PRINCESS!
MWAAAAAAHAAHAHAHA!
- Location
- calgary alberta
There are many that wince at $1.00 per shot, others of us have no issue waving bye bye to $5.00 or more, although I do go a little easy shooting my 20MM as every time I touch the trigger $75.00 goes down range.
I shoot both a 338 Lapua Improved and something I dubbed 300 Awesome, which is 338 Lapua Improved necked to 308 cal. Iget the 236 gr Chinchaga bullets doing 3400 FPS, there by needing 15.5 MOA to hit the 1000 yard gongs. To date I have not built another so have no additional feedback to share.
Swissinn I would love to talk further and compare notes on what your experiences are with the 338 Lapua necked to 30. Maybe another thread is in order so as to not hijack this 1?
OP
We build between 75 and 100 338 Lapua Improved chambered rifles per year. My own experience is that 300 gr SMKs leave the barrel at just over 3000 FPS, typically 3025 to 3050 seems to be the norm. They all seem to need about 19 MOA for the 1000 yard trip. We have several clients who push this caliber well beyond the 2000 yard mark. We also have a couple who push 208 gr Amaxs out of 300 win mags to 2200 yards, so yes it can be done.
The difference between a hot-rodded 30 cal and a 338 is very evident by how much the steel swings at the 1000 yard plus ranges.
The differences between the assorted chamberings is case capacity and velocity. 1 unique thing about the 338 Lapua Improved is casing life is seemingly endless. To date I have over 43 reloading from the same casings, this seems common for those of us shooting this particular chambering.
THe 330 Dakota is another 338 caliber worth noting, brass is available along with loading data,
the cartridge is based on a shortened 404 Jeffries case but I have also made the cases from RUM cases, they work very well.
Power wise it is nipping at the Lapua heels but it works through a standard 30-06 length action since the cases
are only 2.5" long just like the 30-06 cases, the cartridge come to within 50 to 100 fps of the Lapua and in cases where
one has a fast barrel will in fact beat the Lapuas. Very underestimated cartridge.
BB
the cartridge is based on a shortened 404 Jeffries case but I have also made the cases from RUM cases, they work very well.
Power wise it is nipping at the Lapua heels but it works through a standard 30-06 length action since the cases
are only 2.5" long just like the 30-06 cases, the cartridge come to within 50 to 100 fps of the Lapua and in cases where
one has a fast barrel will in fact beat the Lapuas. Very underestimated cartridge.
BB
- Location
- calgary alberta
Not ever owning a SAAMI spec style 338 Lapua, I honestly don't know how it compares. My last barrel ( I am on my 5th rifle now as guys keep throwing $$ at me for my personal guns and I seem to have little no power) I got 2785 rounds before it totally crapped out, at about 2100 to 2150 is where I started to notice accuracy starting to fall off. I AM rebarrelling this action and NOT selling this rifle!
Like any barrel how hot you run it will determine longevity to a large degree.
That seems pretty good for a hot-rod...more that what I would have expected actually.
Hmmm...my interest is peaking on this one!
