Building my Rem 700 300WM vs 338 lapua mag

andygumpers

andygumpers

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So I have decided to build myself A custom 600+ meter range target/sniper rifle. I have started to assemble some parts for my build including A Night force 5.5-22X56mm Scope Night force rings and base. Also A AICS stock the 1.5 for A long action Remington 700 police. I am now debating if I should use the 300WM rifle I have or use A .338 Laupa magnum. I know there are up's and downs with both cartages price mainly. But I am wondering if anyone has an opinion on if the 338 is that much better to justify the extra cost over A 300WM. Since the parts I have now will work with either cartage it would be an easy swap. I am looking for any info for my build. Cheers Andrew
 
The 300 uses a smaller boltface that what the Lapua uses. I am not a fan of "modifying" a bolt so would replace it with a bolt engineered for the M16 extractor and larger boltface. This will increase the cost of making it into a Lapua in either case.
For out to 1000 yards the 300 will do everything a 338 Lapua will, only cheaper. Out beyond 1000 yards the Lapua will have a definite advantage.
I shoot both and love them equally so a coin flip would be needed.
If you want to go 338 but not through the hassle of converting the bolt, look at 338 Edge. Not sure how 338 Edge would work through AICS mags however.
 
I have them both (338 Edge).

What do you want to do with it?
Hunt?
Shoot long range?
Shoot extremely long range (1500+)?

From a hunters perspective the 338s have a lot of going for them. The 300Win is also a very good cartridge. Both are great LR hunters. The 30 cal has far more bullet choices for both target and hunting.

From a long range competitors perspective the 6mmbr, 223, 308 are likely the most competitive and popular...There are a lot of other good choices and a lot of classes to look at. If you build a big thumper with a brake you can't compete with it.
Take your time and figure out what you want to do.
 
The honest question(s) should be asked: How often past 600 and how far past 600?

The 300WM has still won more 1000 yard F-Class Competitions than any other cartridge. It is capable of shooting the ultra high BC 208 Amax at well in excess of 3100 fps, and is deadly accurate at long range. It is still capable of great accuracy beyond a mile.

The 338LM as Rick wisely points out, is a whole different set of gear, brass and bullets.

The other 30 cal to think about is the 300 RUM - it is the case from which the edge is derived. It is even more powerful than a 300WM.

Frankly, I don't care what gun, cartridge or bullet you (or anyone else) use(es) at that distance. You are well into the realm of being at the mercy of conditions, variances in components, and shooting skill. One cartridge is not going to be vastly superior to another. If it'll group tight at 100, then it's capable of grouping tight at great distance. Te rest is up to you.
 
That is what I also think I was just wondering about the .338 somthing different I thought about building. you are right I will only shoot past 600 yard less the %1 of the time I think i will just stick to the 300wm. Cheers and thanks Andrew
 
Ever consider the 7RM?

Very good LR ballistics. Less cost and less recoil.

Obtunded, never heard of the 300WM being used in F class. In fact, the only 30cal I heard of doing well was at this years US nats with a 300WSM.

I thought it was a 6.5-284 world until the last few years.

Jerry
 
mysticplayer said:
Obtunded, never heard of the 300WM being used in F class. In fact, the only 30cal I heard of doing well was at this years US nats with a 300WSM.

I thought it was a 6.5-284 world until the last few years.

Jerry
Click to expand...

In the early years of F Class the 6.5-284 was very popular
The 6.5-06 developed a small following due to the increased velocity
Then Mr. Ballard came onto the scene with a 7mm I thinks it's a straight 284 WIN
anyway he won events left and right with it over the last few years
In addition the Brits with 7MMs last year sent the US FClass team home humbled with thier 6.5-284s

Which brings us to this year where the 300 WSM took the big prize at the US F Class nationals

So the trend seems to be bigger is better

But does it stop there?

Or is the 338 next in line to shine?
(Not sure the rules alow it in match competition, might be too big)

Before you sign up for 338, better go visit Mahamed Ali, cause you're next.
Can anybody say brain damage?
 
One more thing

A good rule of thumb for long range shooting is the powder charge should be about 1/3 of the bullet weight

Wanna shoot 240 grain 30 cal, gonna need about 80 grain case capacity

180 grain 7mm, gonna need about 60 grain case capacity

142 grain 6.5mm, gonna need about 47.5 grains case capacity

115 grain 6mm, gonna need 38.5 grain case capacity

the 1/3 rule will get ya in the ball park, and if you find a few cases that are in that range to choose from, flip a coin, cause the difference at that point is just the nut behind the butt
 
fclassguy said:
Before you sign up for 338, better go visit Mahamed Ali, cause you're next.
Can anybody say brain damage?
Click to expand...

I have a large purple bruise that travels from the anterior aspect of my deltoid down to the elbow. It is nasty.

Thought I would be a wise guy and shoot many rounds with an unbraked 6 lb 338 Winmag hunting rifle, prone in a t shirt.:redface:

Yup, the 338 is gonna ring your bell.
 
1000 Meter Caliber ????

Well Andy, I'm thinking you may have sold the FARM.
The rifle I bought from you I used at the Burns Lake shoot this year.
Unlimited class I shoot 8&5/8s my Son shot 10" these were 10 shot groups at 1042 yds. We are both happy with that.
Take care and thanks Bill
 
mysticplayer said:
Ever consider the 7RM?

Very good LR ballistics. Less cost and less recoil.

......

Jerry
Click to expand...

Good suggestion.

With the big slippery Bergers It is a similar performer with less recoil than the 300Win.

The 300Ultra an its kin are interesting, but no more practical than a fast 338. By the time you factor in barrel life they loose the economy of a 300Win....At least that is my opinion.
 
mysticplayer said:
Ever consider the 7RM?

Very good LR ballistics. Less cost and less recoil.
Click to expand...

...and much less barrel life.


Obtunded, never heard of the 300WM being used in F class. In fact, the only 30cal I heard of doing well was at this years US nats with a 300WSM.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you should actually participate more often then :D :nest: It was also #1 in NBRSA 1000 yard competition. Not sure what is on top currently. We'll see what rocks at Winnipeg in 2 weeks.

I thought it was a 6.5-284 world until the last few years.
Click to expand...

Over-all, it has been. Definitely more popular, still as good as a heavy 7 if using high BC bullets, fantastic inherent accuracy, barrel life that sucks. 260AI/mystic makes more sense, it is just a pain with brass. Actually, there are many choices that equal 6.5 Norma performance with better barrel life, but people follow the leader.

The US used it, and was beat by the brits using fast 7's at the FCWC 09. You should see their 7mm cartridge nomenclature. They were also kicking ass witht he 7mm Boo Boo, but if you think getting BULLETS is tough, try finding RWS brass.
 
Obtunded, would be at every match if time allowed. Oh well, kids do grow up....

But I seem to do ok at the matches I can get to :)

Oh, I try and keep my finger on what is going on in F class. Precious few 30's have been campaigned in F class. But we are moving to a world were recoil is trumped by ballistics.

In 1000yd BR, the winniest unlimited 30's are based off the 300Wby/STW case. Various 'cutesy' names have been used but their roots are off the full sized magnum case. Works really well.

Don't get me wrong, the 300WM is a wonderful cartridge inspite of its short neck (more bunk but that is another story) but the case capacity is small for the heavies and for LR BR where you don't shoot many rds anyways, faster better.

As for F class, between the 7's and 30's, LR ballistics are going to be similar for similar bore wear BUT recoil is going to be horrid in a 30. Not that the 7's are a pussycat.

A 7RSAUM/ Mystic/280AI can push a 180gr Berger VLD at 2950/3000fps for around 1000/1500rds of peak accuracy. A 7RM can easily hit 3100fps in a long barrel.

A 7 Dakota would be very interesting if you didn't like the belt. I know of a 7-376 Steyr that looks AWESOME and shooting very well in early development.

There are no shortage of cartridges and wildcats in the 60 to 70gr of powder capacity to build a 7mm F class zapper with. RWS is nice brass but you have so many other options that are much easier to get in NA.

If I were to build an all out 7mm F class laser, I would go 7RM and have a bushel of barrels to draw from.

You would need a Wby volume case to get a 208/210gr 30 going as fast. That would hurt ALOT and bore wear would be the same.

For me the 6.5 will remain the ideal mid distance cartridge and the 260AI/Mystic is so easy to tune. At 2900fps, the ballistics at 1000yds aren't too far off the other boomers but there is a difference and the spoils will go to the recoilproof shooters.

At the distances shot in BC, I dont think you will be giving up too much even in strong winds. Afterall, the 6BR is doing just fine and ballistically, not as good as any of the other options.

If you don't want to muck with case forming, why not the 6.5 Swede? Same case capacity but a bit more fuss with case stretching due to the case taper. Improve it and you have a wonderful cartridge.

When time allows and I get to go to bigger/longer events, F TR and the 223 looks like my kind of place.

Oops, a bit off topic...
Jerry
 
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