Opinion on .338 Lapua

To the point..... .338 Lapua, is it worth the money? We have wanted to add a longer range rifle to the collection for a while, and the wife has had her mind set on one of these Lapua rifles (I think she seen them on Discovery channel lol). Thinking about saving and trying to pick one up this summer but wondering if I shouldn't just try to convince the wife that a .50bmg would be a better choice since I think they are cheaper to shoot and both of us are going to need a lot of practice. What do you guys think?

It is easier to afford an accurate 338 than it is an accurate 50 BMG. And the muzzle blast and recoil from a 50 gets old in a hurry.

I have both and have had both for 7-10 years. If both my 50s went away tomorrow I would not make an attempt to replace them. My 338 would get replaced in a hurry.

So is it inherently more accurate since the round was designed towards the purpose vs 50bmg being adopted to the purpose of long range accuracy? Have you shot the Savage rifles? They seem to be the more affordable ones I have found online........

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Originally Posted by GunsRBadMMMMKay

To the point..... .338 Lapua, is it worth the money?

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How far are you really shooting? I don't think I would want to shoot a 338L at anything under 800-1000y. $5 a pull is a lot and recoil is no joke either.

More to the point, it sounds like your wife is on board so the answer is yes!!!

Question is: do you reload?
When I was reloading a 338 LM I believe i was about $1 a pop, maybe closer to two.
Can you afford a steady practice with it and do you actually shoot far enough to need it?
I do my best to shoot my rifles at least once a week, sometimes twice.
With the 338 LM it adds up real quick, and with a max range at the GGC of 550 yds it does not make any sense, a 308 is plenty.
But hey, if you are set on 338LM I just so happen to have a Nightforce for sale, which will take you out there without falling apart after 5 shots.. [Coffee]

How much bolt gun shooting have you done? Neither a 338 nor a 50 are "first long range rifles" If you haven't learned recoil management, and the other fundamentals of LR shooting, you'll waste more than the cost of another rifle trying to learn on one of the big boys in ammo alone. Also on the Savage 110's in 338 Lapua, they are NOT a fun rifle to shoot for long strings of fire (ie learning LR shooting).

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Originally Posted by Hoser

And the muzzle blast and recoil from a 50 gets old in a hurry.

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You should post up that photo of you shooting yours. The one with the blast that can be seen in the picture. That's one of my all time favorite photos.

[Awesom]

I'm guessing if I spring for the rifle, we'll start looking for for places to shoot it that will allow the range to make it worthwhile. As to how far we need to shoot......how far does anyone need to shoot :p The other question...no, I don't reload yet but want to get into it. Every time I look at a reloading set it's just easier/cheaper to buy more ammo - even with my .338 win mag. I realize if I did the math i could be saving on ammo in the long run by reloading but that initial set up cost and the hit and miss supplies keep turning me off of it.

IDK how often we will get to practice, but if the wife's on board and I can get the cash set aside I might as well do it, I just wasn't sure if the ammo price difference between the lapua and a browning was going to be worth it performance wise. Hell, even if I only shoot it once a month it will be fun :) Now to see how fast i can set aside a few grand lol. Must fight urge to buy more milsurps.....at least till fall.

You have to do something with the overtime money. Wife probably prefers a new rifle over hookers and blow.

I have shot a few as stage guns in matches, about 20 rounds out one that belonged to an ICE agent, so limited input...

I would like one, but I can not justify the expense of one at this point. While I know there are "shortcuts" here and there, the .338LM does not seem like a good place try and take one. At $2/round in reloading, I would plunk down the cash to get one from a reputable builder and not consider a "factory" production rifle as an option. That is the opinion I have held on the .338LM for a few years now. :)

If I'm chambering 5 dollar bills every time, I'm gonna go for a rifle I'm not settling on. 338LM in one of those calibers if you're gonna shoot it, you might as well go for the moon. For me that'll be a Barrett MRAD, Accuracy International AIAW, or a Badger M2013 Custom.

I'll have to see how the next few months go, save, and window shop around.............and I guess I better call Huggy Bear and tell him to cancel the party at the Holiday Inn next weekend.

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Originally Posted by nisils14

If I'm chambering 5 dollar bills every time, I'm gonna go for a rifle I'm not settling on. 338LM in one of those calibers if you're gonna shoot it, you might as well go for the moon. For me that'll be a Barrett MRAD, Accuracy International AIAW, or a Badger M2013 Custom.

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Yeah I thought semi at first and seen the bad news rifle the other day and showed the wife too but we both agreed that a bolt is going to be the way to go. Are the Sako or Christianson rifles any good? The Barret's are a little too rail-ly looking I think. Also just seen this one on Gunbroker....won't be able to afford it before the auction ends but it looks cool http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=406100372

And thanks for the input on my pipe dream thread, people......even if it is just talk for now I appreciate the input, and hopefully the information being put out here can help other people dwelling on the same thing.

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Originally Posted by GunsRBadMMMMKay

Yeah I thought semi at first and seen the bad news rifle the other day and showed the wife too but we both agreed that a bolt is going to be the way to go. Are the Sako or Christianson rifles any good? The Barret's are a little too rail-ly looking I think. Also just seen this one on Gunbroker....won't be able to afford it before the auction ends but it looks cool http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/Vie...Item=406100372

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Sako TRG42's are GTG, good bang for your back rifle that one could buy. The Christensens' look like a fixed up Rem 700P to me, which you could buy bone stock one for 1600-1800.

Lots of good guidance here...

.338 for less than 1000 is a waste. It you only want to shoot to 1000, get a .300WM and call it a day.

As a starter, the Savage 110FCP is about the cheapest you are going to get into one. They are good shooters, but they can have a chamber issue if you get an early one. I wouldn't bother with the more expensive Remington MLR, it won't be any better of a shooter than the Savage, and is 40-50% more expensive.

The Sako TRG 42 is a great rifle, that is very accurate. There has been reports of weak stocks on them, and even a few people that have broken their stocks on them. If you intend to use the rifle in the field, matches etc, I would suggest upgrading to the KRG offerings.

Customs, off of the Badger action or Surgeon actions, would be a good option, but I would be willing to bet your going to see a 9-12 month wait for a custom. They will be hella good shooters.

A DTA would be a good option, and would allow for multiple calibers to play with for less than multiple guns. They have proven to be very accurate, and the couple of times I have shot them, they are a pleasure to shoot. One of the guys at Trigger Time has worked a few triggers on these and they get even better than they started out. Still not a perfectly tuned Jewell or otherwise, but damn good for a bullpup.

And of course, there is the AI. Hoser would be a much better resource about these, but the one that I have gotten to shoot was great. There is a reason they are considered the top tier. They are exceptionally accurate, and they just run. No matter what.

Bottom line, it's not a cheap round to get into. The rifles can be reasonable to extremely expensive, the glass necessary to keep up with the rifles is expensive, and the ammo is expensive (less so if you reload).

All that being said, it is a fun round. If your budget allows for it, and you want to start shooting distance, then by all means, go for it. You'll enjoy it.

I'm pretty sure Hoser has an AI in .338 for sale.

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Originally Posted by Tim K

I'm pretty sure Hoser has an AI in .338 for sale.

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Yup. Low mileage AX.

Start learning how to reload what you're already shooting and start gathering up the supplies you need for this madness.... especially while your putting $$$ aside for this 338LM project.
100 yards to even 2 miles... no one said this was gonna be a cheap hobby [LOL]

I say get your dream going and have fun with it. We're all burning up $$$$ here... and where it really matters most is if you're enjoying it [Beer]

Ohh... and yea... I would so go for it!

The worse part is I'm dancing around this too myself... since I found out that Efile for NFA items kinda got quicker on wait times.

.. but this is the can I'm looking to buy soon or some day for my dream 338LM [Coffee]

http://awcsystech.com/silencers/cent...undertrap.html

^^^This'll tame the recoil... I think [Beer]

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Originally Posted by GunsRBadMMMMKay

I'll have to see how the next few months go, save, and window shop around.............and I guess I better call Huggy Bear and tell him to cancel the party at the Holiday Inn next weekend.

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Originally Posted by islandermyk

Start learning how to reload what you're already shooting and start gathering up the supplies you need for this madness.... especially while your putting $$$ aside for this 338LM project.
100 yards to even 2 miles... no one said this was gonna be a cheap hobby [LOL]

I say get your dream going and have fun with it. We're all burning up $$$$ here... and where it really matters most is if you're enjoying it [Beer]

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I'll echo what IM said. You're not going to jump in to one for another month or so. Why not buy the components now, this way you have items on hand as needed. Should you go another caliber, believe me, what you have will make great barter material. I don't do long range / hi power, i do reload reload. Started an inventory way before i had a press.

I love my 338 Lupua. I also reload and wouldnt shoot it if I didnt. I shoot the Barrett 98B and love it. Just got back from a training course with an ol friend in Salt Lake. Before I got the dope right it was costing me an arm and a leg even reloading, but once I had all my data, I love it. Even with full value wind the bullet doesnt require as much hold over. My friend who is am ol Batt brother like myself shoots a Mcmillan 260 and the wind really affected his. Now we were shooting steel out to 1400 yards and hes a helluva a shot I am fair to good, but with the 338L it was a game changer from the 1000 and up between the 2. Its worth it if you can afford the optics to match he rifle. I put out close to $3000 on the optics. Im a big guy 6'5 250pds, so the recoil doesnt bother me a bit, now my Batt brother is normal sized and he had alot of jump when shooting it. But you get used to it and can keep it on the target through multiple shots pretty easily once you are used to the gun. I dont have any other experience with any other 338L but I have heard that the Barretts kick less then most other brands. But for sure take everyone's advice, if your going to shoot a 338 Lupua you better reload. I have my costs at about 1.50 a rd. I use a chargemaster and dont run mine hot. I use Lupua brass and Sierra MK250 grns. I run 84.5 Grns IMR 7828 and its perfect can hit the long long shots just fine and not getting alot of pressure. Its about midrange on the grns. Biggest thing is just getting all your data and DOPE, and having the optics to match your rifle, too much gun with not enough glass is no fun at all.

I still haven't got one....thought I was going to have some extra cash but between family and my tax return never showing up (someone got it, I'm sure...:p)it just hasn't happened. Maybe go put some time in on my win mag and look back into reloading, and put this idea on the back burner till I can really afford it. If I only had credit, LOL.