338 question

[b0nes]

Will a 338 win mag with a 30 inch barrel rival a 338 lapua with a standard 26 inch barrel? I've searched high and low on the forums and can't find a straight answer for this question. I know they say around 25 fps per inch gain on average, does anyone have hands on experience with these two?

 

[Bubblehide]

The Lupua is going to have the advantage with heavier bullets at longer ranges, as the capacity is slightly larger. The Lupua brass is better quality, more expensive, but will last longer. The Lupua will produce faster Muzzel velocity.

 

[Bubblehide]

Sorry, I didn't respond directly to your barrel length question. I spent the entire day writing reports, so I'm a little burnt out. I have never done a side by side barrel length study on these calibers. But to venture a guess based on experience with other calibers. A longer barrel generally produces slightly more velocity. However, I seriously doubt that those extra 4 inches will push the velocity up to or past the Lupua with a 26 inch barrel, with heavy bullets (like 250 or heavier, hell even 215) due to the larger capacity of the Lupua. This is all subject to distance, and I am referring to 1000+ yards.

 

[pyroducksx3]

The 338 win and 338 Lapua are in two totally different leagues. I'd take a 26" Lapua anyday anytime over a 30" win mag.

 

[b0nes]

Thanks for the replies, all good information, I have heard of the superior lapua brass and that is a huge bonus for the reloader. The reason I'm asking is because I was doing some reading in the nosler on line data and they have the win mag listed with rl22 and a 250 gr accubond at 2745 with a 24 inch barrel, the lapua is listed with the same powder, bullet, and a 26 inch barrel at 2941 fps. If you were to add 6 inches in barrel to the win mag (at 25 fps per inch) wouldn't that be right at the heels of the lapua? I know that the lapua case holds substantially more powder (30 grains!) But I know pressure is the real enemy. Am I wrong? Do we not have slow enough powders to actually utilize a 30 plus inch barrel in a 338 win mag? Thanks in advance for any info.

 

[b0nes]

Also I apologize for the poor grammar and run on sentences.

 

[pyroducksx3]

If you are trying to get a 338 win mag to compete with a 338 Lapua you are going to end up with a rifle that has a unnecessarily long barrel and be at Red line or over pressure. Could you do it? Maybe you could get close but would still be under what a 338 Lapua accomplishes in a balanced rifle and not taking it to super high pressures. In short the 338 win mag was never intended to compete with the Lapua.

 

[pyroducksx3]

I personally hunt with a 30" 5 port slab braked 338 Lapua Improved. The rifle is super long and not really very handy in the woods. In fact it finishes at like 56" I think. In short it's a pain in the ass hauling it all over but.. what it gives me is a 300 gr bullet going 3066 fps. And for that it's worth carrying the awkwardly long rifle. I really don't think a 30" barreled 338 win mag will give you what can be achieved with a 26" barreled 338 Lapua will give you. So dealing with the hassle that comes with such a long rifle to have less performance seems counter productive. If this is just theoretical supposition then that's one thing. If you are considering a real world build then theirs no question forget about the 338 win mag and start a 338 lapua. If your looking to stay on a standard mag bolt face look at a 338 RUM or 338 Edge as thelse were specifically designed to compete with the Lapua on a standard mag bolt face.

 

[b0nes]

Fair enough, my biggest issue is I'm not quite set up to reload yet. The win mag has a great selection of good factory ammo at half the price of the lapua. I figured if I could push a 250 at 2800 it would reach out further than I should be shooting at an animal. I'm comfortable out to 500 but the more I look at it a good old 300 wm would probably cover the vast majority of my hunting. It would be awesome to be able throw a big ol bullet at steel @1000 but to do it in a hunting situation would take time and money I don't have. Thanks for all the replies they were very helpful.

 

[pyroducksx3]

The 300 win mag is a solid performer. That's the route I'd look at. Lots of factory loads in very good high bc bullets. The 300 win mag will cover 90% if not more of the shooting even longrangers want to do

 

[GKPrice]

IF you are into wildcats there's the 338/300 Win Mag - I understand the bullet numbers don't say it but when I shot the 338 Win Mag (for a very long time) I made many many one shot kills at the 500 yard class ranges shooting 200 accubonds and every one in my log book shows a one shot DRT - My point ? Don't sell the 338 Win Mag short, it has recoil but is a wonderful sweet spot round that can be used in a light weight rifle platform - FYI, Nosler and Norma make good 338 win mag brass

 

[GKPrice]

The 300 win mag is a solid performer. That's the route I'd look at. Lots of factory loads in very good high bc bullets. The 300 win mag will cover 90% if not more of the shooting even longrangers want to do

VERY good point here

 

[2001precision]

I personally hunt with a 30" 5 port slab braked 338 Lapua Improved. The rifle is super long and not really very handy in the woods. In fact it finishes at like 56" I think. In short it's a pain in the ass hauling it all over but.. what it gives me is a 300 gr bullet going 3066 fps. And for that it's worth carrying the awkwardly long rifle. I really don't think a 30" barreled 338 win mag will give you what can be achieved with a 26" barreled 338 Lapua will give you. So dealing with the hassle that comes with such a long rifle to have less performance seems counter productive. If this is just theoretical supposition then that's one thing. If you are considering a real world build then theirs no question forget about the 338 win mag and start a 338 lapua. If your looking to stay on a standard mag bolt face look at a 338 RUM or 338 Edge as thelse were specifically designed to compete with the Lapua on a standard mag bolt face.

Well I’m 10 years behind you, but I’m heading in the same direction you already went. .338 Lapua Improved at 28” with the most effective 5 port brake I could find. I plan on being close to 3,000 with a 300gr projectile. Not many people choose this route for hunting…