.338 Lapua, what am I missing here?

[Tim K]

Idle curiosity here. I'd like to know why there's so much interest in .338 Lapua and the other similar cartridges. The ballistics are inferior to the .50 in every respect, and cost to shoot is roughly the same. Is it just that the rifles are lighter?

[birddog]

It's all in a name, .338 Lapua just sounds bad ass. That and other things I don't understand, I actually agree with your first statement.

[Hoser]

The rifles are lighter, have good downrange energy, easy to suppress and dont kick like a mule.

And there is also the Ninja factor... The 338 not as high on the chart as the 50, but it is more Ninja-esque than a 308.

[Monky]

Some people are men and some aren't.

[kidicarus13]

Quite a few ranges do not allow 50BMG

[J]

Many long range competitions that I have seen don't allow 50 either. Not that you would want to lug one on something like the 24hr challenge anyways.

[C Ward]

338's as a rule are way more accurate than 50's with any projectile other than lathe turned solids . 50's are also one of the most temperamental in regards to ammo . Balistically with other than solids the 338 is the same or better except for energy .

[Dinosdeuce]

plus you don't need a special press to reload the 338 ninja.

Dino

[jimmym40a2]

there have been some good new bullets that make the 338 even more attractive.

[Hoser]

As a comparison...

I shot a railroad tie stood on end at 600 yards with both a 308 loaded with 175 gn Sierras and with my 338 and 300 gn Bergers.

The first shot with the 308 did not exit. Not even close.

The 338 exited out the back side with about a 45-50 caliber hole.

I tell people if you want to kill it, a 308 is fine. If you want to kill it and/or break it and can afford it, get a 338 or a 50.

[ray1970]

dont kick like a mule.


That's probably a matter of opinion. [Coffee]

[Monky]

.50 doesn't kick like a mule. It's like shooting a 12g. You can fire it standing if you're a man and can hold it up.

[Hoser]

I dont know what kind of 12 gauge ammo and guns you are using, but there is a huge difference to me anyway.

A suppressed 50 is not fun to shoot as far as recoil goes. And when you start pushing 750-800 gn bullets fast, they suck even with a good brake.

I had a McMillan bolt gun for a long time. Didnt kick that bad, but it weighed 34 lbs and had K&P brake.

Now days I have a Barrett 82 and a Accuracy International AX-50. The 82 is fun, but too loud and not that accurate. The AI is very accurate, but its light weight equals more recoil.

http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac105/puebloshooter/Hoser82A1.jpg

http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac105/puebloshooter/hoserblast1.jpg

http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac105/puebloshooter/DSC02791.jpg

[ray1970]

http://i890.photobucket.com/albums/ac105/puebloshooter/hoserblast1.jpg



That's an awesome picture. But two words come to mind... "Holy crap!" [Shock]

[Tim K]

You wear a Nomex hat for that shot?

[Hoser]

You wear a Nomex hat for that shot?

Every shot with that beast is like that. A split second of flash and then a really loud boom.

[Madusa]

Here's the deal, 338 LM uses less powder than 50 BMG, so the powder burn is more consistent with 338 LM , but 50 BMG picks up at about 1700yds because 50 BMG Bullets have a higher sectional density. One is not better, they're different.

[Monky]

Every shot with that beast is like that. A split second of flash and then a really loud boom.

I love when it catches people off guard.

I don't think the 82 was ever made as a purpose built sniper rifle. Granted it's fun to use it as one..but when shooting a .50 you don't have to go for a head shot for a kill shot. Using the irons on it is fun and 'different'. Never used a set like it. Took some getting used to.

I've never used anything but milsurp ammo.. close to 700grn but not over. I would LOVE to run some match loads through it, but I can't bring myself to buy any when I'm not that awesome at dialing in my scope. I've only stretched her out to 800 yds and I can hit what I'm aiming at. But certainly not w/a grouping that's impressive.

I do love firing it though. I got so many angry texts monday when people starting seeing that I was firing it standing (nearly needed fusion on l4/l5) but I was released by my doc last week :)

I love the concussion. Feeling the 'boom'.

[Hoser]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v104/RePete/338LM.jpg

[TheBelly]

So, how much of the cost can be displaced by reloading? How many do you reload at a time? Are the savage 110 series of .338 any decent?

[Hoser]

You can get well under $2 a shot if you consider you can get 10+ reloads out of Lapua brass.

There is one guy that shoots the 338 matches in Raton that has a savage. He seems happy with it.


So, how much of the cost can be displaced by reloading? How many do you reload at a time? Are the savage 110 series of .338 any decent?

[C Ward]

About 1.25 to 1.75 depending on components and brass life . The Savage rifles in 338 have had chamber issues . The 2 that I have seen were both sticking case's . The one the guy has sold it and got a TRG .