.338 Lapua...worth the effort and cost?

[ChromeHound]

I am considering building a .338 Lapua for an elk rifle. I won't be using it much, if at all for target/benchrest shooting. The ammo, even components for reloading seem to be really expensive. For owners of the LM, what benefits have you seen over say a .338 win mag? I went down the Google Rabbit hole and there are some opinions out there that the LM was made for shooting armored people from rested positions and might not be the best choice for shooting large animals from unrested positions. Looking for opinions from people that have used, carried and hunted with the LM.

 

[Geewhiz]

I have a 338 rum which is for all intents and purposes, the same as a lapua. The thing is big and heavy, but every time I lay down to shoot something with it I sure am glad I have it. Mine with a suppressor and bipod and a nightforce on it is 12.8 lbs, but man it hits hard. I'm shooting a 300 gr berger at 2729, that's almost 5000 ft/lbs of energy at the muzzle.

If you're looking for a light weight compact timber rifle then it's not your huckleberry, but if you're looking for a long range elk hammer, it will knock the socks off of those rokslide 223's.

To all the critics, I know I know, obviously none of that energy matters if you can't hit the broad side of a barn, that's why it's important to learn to shoot.

 

[Quicksilver]

Are you set on a .338 caliber? A 300 Norma improved running a 245 berger is ballistically better than a Lapua and a 300 berger in a hunting configuration. 26” barrel for example. Less recoil and the elk most likely won’t know the difference. After owning both it would be hard for me to build a .338 Lapua, if anything I’d neck it down to a 30 cal, improve it, and get even more of an edge on a 300 nmi. 245 berger at 3100-3200fps is bad medicine.

That being said…the first time I shot something with a 300 berger I was hooked

 

[huntnful]

300 Norma Improved with 245 LRHT’s or 250 A-tips would be a better route IMO. I’ve been down this rabbit hole a few times haha.

 

[Quicksilver]

I noticed a recoil increase going from 215 Bergers to 245 Bergers, expect even more with a 300 berger. My rifle is 11.25lbs with bipod also. So having a slightly lighter rifle in a big 30 cal configuration is a better route in my opinion. 10-11lb rifle, not too heavy and not too light. With a good bipod you’ll be spotting your impacts.

 

[ChromeHound]

I am just getting into custom rifle building and looking to learn by starting some rifle projects. I'm not set on .338 but I already own a .300wsm (which I love). My plan is to build something bigger (hence the .338 question) and something smaller. Right now I'm leaning towards 6.5PRC for the smaller option.

 

[huntnful]

I am just getting into custom rifle building and looking to learn by starting some rifle projects. I'm not set on .338 but I already own a .300wsm (which I love). My plan is to build something bigger (hence the .338 question) and something smaller. Right now I'm leaning towards 6.5PRC for the smaller option.

The 300 WSM isn’t even comparable to the 300 NMI. Caliber wise, of course they’re the same. But performance wise, 2 different leagues for sure.

300 NMI and 6.5 PRC makes for an excellent duo to have in the safe for sure.

 

[180ls1]

I hunt with a guy that uses one and it certainly hammers.

I was considering one but went the 300 PRC route and it is more than enough.

How far are you shooting elk? That 300WSM with quality hand loads is perfect elk medicine.

 

[BAKPAKR]

If you are leaning towards using Berger bullets, availability of 30 cal 230 gr Hybrid Targets and 245 gr Elite Hunters has been much better than 338 cal 250 gr and 300 gr Elite Hunters.

 

[sierracharlie338]

I’ll go against the grain. I love my 338. It’s not a hunting rifle but I still hunt with it despite the 20lb weight penalty (no not western pack hunting) It’s currently sitting in the safe because it needs a new scope but once I get one on it I will start shooting it again. I always wanted a 338 and am glad I have one just because.

 

[ChromeHound]

I hunt with a guy that uses one and it certainly hammers.

I was considering one but went the 300 PRC route and it is more than enough.

How far are you shooting elk? That 300WSM with quality hand loads is perfect elk medicine.

I'm shooting inside of 500 yards. It's a self imposed limit as the high prairie we hunt has shots out past 1000. I have the very unique opportunity of being taught by a master smith andy wife is super supportive of me learning the trade and eventually making a living off of it. It's a 3-5 year plan but these are the baby steps of my learning by building myself rifles. That way, if I screw it up, it's my own gear.

 

[ChromeHound]

I’ll go against the grain. I love my 338. It’s not a hunting rifle but I still hunt with it despite the 20lb weight penalty (no not western pack hunting) It’s currently sitting in the safe because it needs a new scope but once I get one on it I will start shooting it again. I always wanted a 338 and am glad I have one just because.
View attachment 794322

Lol, I have a Vortex Viper PST 4-24 with rings and caps that I will cut you a deal on

 

[sierracharlie338]

Lol, I have a Vortex Viper PST 4-24 with rings and caps that I will cut you a deal on

Ya don’t say!?!?

 

[waspocrew]

Is it needed for elk hunting? No. Is it a ton of fun? Hell yes!

I went with the 338 RUM and have been happy with it. As it sits, its about 17.5 lbs. 338 is definitely expensive, but so are a bunch of other things haha. If you want one, go for it!

 

[missjordan]

I love our 338 Lapua too. Killed a lot of elk with it. Not sure how much it weighs but probably 11-12lbs If I had to guess. Been running the Berger 300 grain and they’ve been money.

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[ChromeHound]

For those in the know about .300NMI is there an appreciable difference between that and 300RUM? Is it worth the custom reloading equipment, reamer and fire forming brass?

 

[Mike D Texas]

For those in the know about .300NMI is there an appreciable difference between that and 300RUM? Is it worth the custom reloading equipment, reamer and fire forming brass?

I don’t own a RUM but I do own a 300NMI. Ballistically they are very close. The difference is the NMI doesn’t need a 4” mag box to be optimized like the RUM will.

Regarding the 338 Lapua, if you have a need to purchase factory ammo, it’s probably the better choice. If you are a reloaded based on the numbers in post #2 above, my 338NMI outperforms the Lapua by a good margin. I shoot the 300OTM @ 2925 with a mild load. I do have a 28” barrel.


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[ChromeHound]

Is it needed for elk hunting? No. Is it a ton of fun? Hell yes!

I went with the 338 RUM and have been happy with it. As it sits, its about 17.5 lbs. 338 is definitely expensive, but so are a bunch of other things haha. If you want one, go for it!

View attachment 794343View attachment 794344

That's a damn fine looking gun. My last elk hunt, I did 34 miles in 4 days so I will appreciate something like that from afar. If I owned one, I would pack it with me just because I couldn't bear to be apart from it. Then, the regret after hiking with all of the weight

 

[WyOwen]

I have two 338 lapuas-

they are basically twins except barrel length and scope.

Both carbon six , same groove and twist. Both in xlr mg chassis with all the carbon.

The 20” with 4-32nx8 and suppressor is 11#’s

The 28” with 8-32nxs and suppressor is 13#’s


20” shoots 270eldx @ 2789 pushing it hard!

28” shoots 270eldx @ 2940


Both have been used and are effective hunting rigs.. I never considered myself to be recoil sensitive, but to be honest they kinda suck to shoot.

unless I am going to a very specific location where shots will be at least a 1000yards . i have no interest in taking them out of the safe.

For 99% of my hunting needs 6.5prc shooting 156 bergers has proven to been more than enough. 30gr less powder per bang, cheaper bullet, and way less recoil.

One last thing- I know bullet construction is a whole other thing but….

In 2023 I personally shot three cow elk with eldx bullets of different caliber and weight. All shots were same placement tight behind the shoulder broadside

.338- 270gr impact velocity 2114
.308-178gr. impact velocity 2329
.243-103gr. Impact velocity 2050

The cow that died the fastest got hit with the littlest bullet, coincidentally had the most damage internally.

 

[waspocrew]

That's a damn fine looking gun. My last elk hunt, I did 34 miles in 4 days so I will appreciate something like that from afar. If I owned one, I would pack it with me just because I couldn't bear to be apart from it. Then, the regret after hiking with all of the weight

I definitely don’t pack this one all over. Carried it for quite a while last year and I definitely started to notice the weight haha.