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

[ChromeHound]

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.

That's really helpful to know. I don't consider myself recoil sensitive either but it seems like the big .338's are a different animal when it comes to recoil. The 300 big magnums are looking more and more appealing.

 

[Tahoe1305]

I own a 338LM and have killed some game with it. I personally think it is WAY overkill for most situations.

Expensive to practice with, not very enjoyable to shoot, heavy to carry, plus destroys a lot of meat.

I’m a much bigger fan of modern or old 7mm cartridges. I think the best balance of elk killing power plus can be shot well in a “lighter” rifle (I’ll define as 9lb all in or under).

My 7wsm has similar ballistics to my 338LM in all things but energy where the LM nearly doubles. But unless your trying to drop an elk at a mile plus I don’t see it as a benefit.

 

[ChromeHound]

I own a 338LM and have killed some game with it. I personally think it is WAY overkill for most situations.

Expensive to practice with, not very enjoyable to shoot, heavy to carry, plus destroys a lot of meat.

I’m a much bigger fan of modern or old 7mm cartridges. I think the best balance of elk killing power plus can be shot well in a “lighter” rifle (I’ll define as 9lb all in or under).

My 7wsm has similar ballistics to my 338LM in all things but energy where the LM nearly doubles. But unless your trying to drop an elk at a mile plus I don’t see it as a benefit.

I had not considered the meat destruction. That's a good point

 

[Quicksilver]

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?

Much shorter overall length package, you get to use plans brass which in an improved form will last you multiple barrels before it gives up, those are the 2 big ones. On paper they look to be pretty close.

Don’t get these guys wrong, a .338 lapua you will not be disappointed with. But a lot of us do think that in this day and age a large 30 cal is a much better choice. Honestly your 300wsm will kill elk and any distance you can comfortably shoot from.

 

[ChromeHound]

Much shorter overall length package, you get to use plans brass which in an improved form will last you multiple barrels before it gives up, those are the 2 big ones. On paper they look to be pretty close.

Don’t get these guys wrong, a .338 lapua you will not be disappointed with. But a lot of us do think that in this day and age a large 30 cal is a much better choice. Honestly your 300wsm will kill elk and any distance you can comfortably shoot from.

Yeah, I was considering selling my WSM to fund the builds but I'm leaning away from that at this point. It's an elk killer for sure.

 

[RoseAllen]

If you are going to go 338 go all the way 338-terminator!!

 

[ChromeHound]

If you are going to go 338 go all the way 338-terminator!!

Sounds expensive

 

[Mojave]

I have owned two.

A Sako TRG-42 and a Blaser R8.

I enjoyed both.

The TRG didn't really kick, the R8 kicks a lot and is badly behaved torque wise. But it would be by weight and form function.

I still have the R8, but its use here in Europe is pretty limited.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I have owned two.

A Sako TRG-42 and a Blaser R8.

I enjoyed both.

The TRG didn't really kick, the R8 kicks a lot and is badly behaved torque wise. But it would be by weight and form function.

I still have the R8, but its use here in Europe is pretty limited.

Compared to my unbraked 300 RUM, my TRG-42 is a pussy cat, even with 300 grain Bergers. However, I wouldn’t want to carry it far due to its weight.