In the market for a .338 LM rifle?
- Thread starter Bcviking
- Start date
I think if you want bang for the buck then the savage 110 HS precision at around $1300 gives you that. Its surprisingly nice (relatively) to shoot off the bench. This when it only weighs around 10 lb and from a rest without a bipod added.
I would go as far as saying its not just bang for the buck but value for money. IMHO. But I am the type that buys stevens 200s.
However Savage quality is not Sako quality. If your the kind of guy that can afford it and likes the nicer things then maybe the TRG might better suit your purpose.
One of the members here recently stated that he did not see the point in buying a "cheap" rifle to shoot 338 LM. Its a reasonable point but one I don't agree with. At the end of the day the main thing is if they shoot to your expectation.
I would go as far as saying its not just bang for the buck but value for money. IMHO. But I am the type that buys stevens 200s.
However Savage quality is not Sako quality. If your the kind of guy that can afford it and likes the nicer things then maybe the TRG might better suit your purpose.
One of the members here recently stated that he did not see the point in buying a "cheap" rifle to shoot 338 LM. Its a reasonable point but one I don't agree with. At the end of the day the main thing is if they shoot to your expectation.
6mm Shooter
CGN Regular
- Location
- White City, SK
You do not even get one bang for a buck when you shoot a 338lapua.
i plan on reloading it .. whats the cheapest you can churn it out per round?
I would think about a US made rifle but the last Savage and Remington i bought both had defects right out of the box that needed repair .. they dont make stuff in the US like they used to. im going to stick to European bolt guns now.
Hotwheels81
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- South of GP
PGW
Sako or Blazer
Savage or Remington
If your going to invest in a rifle you plan to keep a loonnggg time PM Mystic precision or Juanvaldez or ATRS and start with a "from scratch" build... That way you get "what you want" not "what most people should be happy with".
Having said that, the Savage HS for $1300 is a nice rifle, so are the TRG's I have seen...
You could also get in touch with Sean @ North Shore Rifles in Ontario - he's a site sponsor..look at this newest build post; he mentioned it being available in .338LM.
Good luck in your search - love me some .338 LM!
Good luck in your search - love me some .338 LM!
Just a quick calculation for a 250 Gr SMk load. With costs from ATRS website, and assuming brass life expectancy of 7 reloads, the cost would be $1.94/shot. I load my 338 Edge a little hotter than the 338LM, but the brass is considerably cheeper. Using the the same 250 SMK (more powder though) and same life expectancy for brass, my cost per shot is $1.63
Savage looks to be putting out some accurate 338 LM rifles that are very affordable
Cost per shot:
300$ for 100 pc lapua brass
50$ for 100 300 gr SMK's
32$ per pound of Alliant RL 25 (bought in 5lb jugs)
43$ for 1000 Fed 215M primers.
Assuming 10 reloads per case (usually more) and I use a 87 gr load, my cost per shot is;
(300/1000)=0.30
(50/100)= 0.50
(43/1000)= .043
(32/7000)*87)= 0.40
Total= $1.24 per shot.
Cost per shot:
300$ for 100 pc lapua brass
50$ for 100 300 gr SMK's
32$ per pound of Alliant RL 25 (bought in 5lb jugs)
43$ for 1000 Fed 215M primers.
Assuming 10 reloads per case (usually more) and I use a 87 gr load, my cost per shot is;
(300/1000)=0.30
(50/100)= 0.50
(43/1000)= .043
(32/7000)*87)= 0.40
Total= $1.24 per shot.
My mistake - a quick check found $50 / 50 = approx $1.74 per shot. I stockpiled a few 500 count bulk boxes of 300SMK's several years ago, and am still working through them, so its been awhile since I needed to buy some. Brings up a good point though - the "cheapest" way to shoot the 338 LM (or any other) is to buy bulk once you find a pet load, and then forget about the $$ and just shoot and enjoy.
Weatherby TRR
I just purchased a Weatherby TRR and I am happy with it. Its a great shooter out of the box and with a little load devlopment I think it will really shine. At first I wasn't keen on the internal 2 round mag but I single feed it most of the time anyway. Frontier firearms is where I got mine, check it out.
I just purchased a Weatherby TRR and I am happy with it. Its a great shooter out of the box and with a little load devlopment I think it will really shine. At first I wasn't keen on the internal 2 round mag but I single feed it most of the time anyway. Frontier firearms is where I got mine, check it out.
PGW Timberwolf C14 Sean at North Shore Barrels also does great work!
Cost of reloading
Once fired brass $135 per 100 if you prep the brass like I do and some others here they will last 20 + reloads
So really you can get it down to $2 or less depending where you buy your powder and primers
Sean at North Shore Barrels also does great work!Cost of reloading
Once fired brass $135 per 100 if you prep the brass like I do and some others here they will last 20 + reloads
So really you can get it down to $2 or less depending where you buy your powder and primers
If you can get say 10 firings out of once fired brass then costs drop significantly.
Less than $1.40 a round before tax. Once your over 10 firings on the brass it must be almost like your depositing money in the bank every shot.
If one could get that lovely metering and cheap powder US869 to shoot then 338 LM life would be even better.
EDIT: I just realized my calculations are out compared to DG above. Its not unknown for me to be wrong but for my own peace of mind I will stick with my calculations.
Less than $1.40 a round before tax. Once your over 10 firings on the brass it must be almost like your depositing money in the bank every shot.
If one could get that lovely metering and cheap powder US869 to shoot then 338 LM life would be even better.
EDIT: I just realized my calculations are out compared to DG above. Its not unknown for me to be wrong but for my own peace of mind I will stick with my calculations.
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