I personnally love the caliber. I just started hand loading my own so now I can afford to shoot it as often as I want :)

I think it is more than enough caliber in a rifle to handle anything that walks on this planet. I understand about the Afrian game laws on game, however with proper bullet it will do the job none the less. Jim Carmicheal killed a lion or two and Cape Buffalo as well with a .338 magnum. It is more on recoil to the body, than most hunters can handle! I started to get one, than out came the Ultra mags etc. I know have a 300 Ultra mag in a model 70 Winchester and the 338/300 Ultra mag in a model 70 Winchester. They are all long range heavy hitting calibers.

You probably won't like my opinion, but you asked so here it is.

First, I consider it to be a highly capable cartridge, good for just about any big game on earth. I say "about" because I would prefer a larger diameter (not necessarily more energy or velocity) if going up against the big/mean stuff in Africa. In those places where a .375 is the minimum for big African game the the a .338 Lapua becomes just another inadequate rifle.

Second, after Africa, I consider it more than is necessary for anything in North America and most of the rest of the world. Once again, though, I would prefer a larger diameter in some cases, such as against bison or Big Bears. (My Marlin .45-70 fills the bill nicely.)

Third, although cases are becoming easier to get, I don't think they have fallen in price to anything near what is "normal" for more common cases.

Fourth, the recoil of the heaviest .338 Lapua loads makes my .45-70 "Rhino Blaster" loads (460g hardcast @ 1812fps) weep with envy. No thanks!

Fifth, resale will be more difficult than a Win Mag or RUM, at least in my circles. Not that I sell firearms very often, but it does happen and I do think about it when making new purchases.

Finally, if I was going to go with a really heavy .338. it would probably be the .338 RUM -- more oomph than the Lapua when wanted, downloadable to .Win Mag oomph otherwise. Most likely, though, I would stick with a Win Mag -- If a .338WM doesn't have the reach-out-and-touch I need, more probably won't help.

That said, I'm glad you're excited about your Lapua and hope you have a ton of fun with it!

You probably won't like my opinion, but you asked so here it is.

First, I consider it to be a highly capable cartridge, good for just about any big game on earth. I say "about" because I would prefer a larger diameter (not necessarily more energy or velocity) if going up against the big/mean stuff in Africa. In those places where a .375 is the minimum for big African game the the a .338 Lapua becomes just another inadequate rifle.

Second, after Africa, I consider it more than is necessary for anything in North America and most of the rest of the world. Once again, though, I would prefer a larger diameter in some cases, such as against bison or Big Bears. (My Marlin .45-70 fills the bill nicely.)

Third, although cases are becoming easier to get, I don't think they have fallen in price to anything near what is "normal" for more common cases.

Fourth, the recoil of the heaviest .338 Lapua loads makes my .45-70 "Rhino Blaster" loads (460g hardcast @ 1812fps) weep with envy. No thanks!

Fifth, resale will be more difficult than a Win Mag or RUM, at least in my circles. Not that I sell firearms very often, but it does happen and I do think about it when making new purchases.

Finally, if I was going to go with a really heavy .338. it would probably be the .338 RUM -- more oomph than the Lapua when wanted, downloadable to .Win Mag oomph otherwise. Most likely, though, I would stick with a Win Mag -- If a .338WM doesn't have the reach-out-and-touch I need, more probably won't help.

That said, I'm glad you're excited about your Lapua and hope you have a ton of fun with it!

Coyote Hunter .338 Remultra Mag has more oomph than a .338 Lapua! ??? I don't think so. Downloadable yes. a .338 lapua is superior to the .338 Rem Um if we are comparing Factory loads then yes they are close to the same but Handloading the lapua will smoke!!! the UM everytime. I agree that the .338 Lapua is a slight overkill for North American game but hey when you want to reach out and touch something the lapua is great! i couldn't think of anything better for putting the hurt on some long range critters other than say a 300 Tomahawk or a .408 Chey-Tac just my 2 cents... Keith

Coyote Hunter .338 Remultra Mag has more oomph than a .338 Lapua! ??? I don't think so. Downloadable yes. a .338 lapua is superior to the .338 Rem Um if we are comparing Factory loads then yes they are close to the same but Handloading the lapua will smoke!!! the UM everytime. I agree that the .338 Lapua is a slight overkill for North American game but hey when you want to reach out and touch something the lapua is great! i couldn't think of anything better for putting the hurt on some long range critters other than say a 300 Tomahawk or a .408 Chey-Tac just my 2 cents... Keith


kac1345 -

Here's the data from Hodgdon. The Lapua "smokes" the RUM with the 200g bullet -- beating it by all of 33fps. But it loses the race with all the other bullets except the 300g, for which Hodgdon did not provide data for the RUM.



338 LAPUA MAGNUM CASE: NORMA
BBL: 24" PR: FEDERAL 215M
TWIST: 1:9" TRIM: 2.714"
160 GR. BAR XFB (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.500"
H4350 92.7 3432 53,100 CUP
175 GR. BAR XFB (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.460"
H4350 88.0 3264 52,600 CUP
185 GR. BAR XBTC (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.575"
H4350 91.0 3283 52,700 CUP
200 GR. SPR SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.525"
RETUMBO 104.0C 3189 52,600 CUP
210 GR. NOS PART (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.525"
RETUMBO 102.0C 3142 52,600 CUP
215 GR. SIE SPBT (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.550"
RETUMBO 104.0C 3125 51,900 CUP
225 GR. NOS PART (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.550"
RETUMBO 102.0C 3040 52,300 CUP
250 GR. HDY SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.550"
RETUMBO 98.0C 2853 52,000 CUP
275 GR. SFT SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.460"
RETUMBO 89.0 2671 52,700 CUP
300 GR. SIE HPBT (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.600"
RETUMBO 94.0C 2654 53,400 CUP
C = Compressed Charge

338 REMINGTON ULTRA MAG CASE: REMINGTON
BBL: 24" PR: REMINGTON 9 1/2M
TWIST: 1:10" TRIM: 2.750"
160 GR. BAR XFB (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.500"
H4350 94.5 3473 62,700 PSI
175 GR. BAR XFB (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.500"
H4350 91.5 3332 62,900 PSI
185 GR. BAR XBTC (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.570"
H4350 91.0 3301 62,800 PSI
200 GR. SPR SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.590"
H4350 89.5 3156 63,000 PSI
210 GR. NOS PART (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.540"
H1000 102.0C 3153 62,900 PSI
215 GR. SIE SPBT (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.590"
H1000 102.0C 3127 62,800 PSI
225 GR. NOS PART (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.550"
H1000 100.0C 3058 63,000 PSI
250 GR. HDY SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.580"
H1000 98.0C 2923 62,400 PSI
275 GR. SFT SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.490"
H1000 91.0C 2729 62,700 PSI

kac1345 -

Here's the data from Hodgdon. The Lapua "smokes" the RUM with the 200g bullet -- beating it by all of 33fps. But it loses the race with all the other bullets except the 300g, for which Hodgdon did not provide data for the RUM.



338 LAPUA MAGNUM CASE: NORMA
BBL: 24" PR: FEDERAL 215M
TWIST: 1:9" TRIM: 2.714"
160 GR. BAR XFB (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.500"
H4350 92.7 3432 53,100 CUP
175 GR. BAR XFB (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.460"
H4350 88.0 3264 52,600 CUP
185 GR. BAR XBTC (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.575"
H4350 91.0 3283 52,700 CUP
200 GR. SPR SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.525"
RETUMBO 104.0C 3189 52,600 CUP
210 GR. NOS PART (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.525"
RETUMBO 102.0C 3142 52,600 CUP
215 GR. SIE SPBT (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.550"
RETUMBO 104.0C 3125 51,900 CUP
225 GR. NOS PART (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.550"
RETUMBO 102.0C 3040 52,300 CUP
250 GR. HDY SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.550"
RETUMBO 98.0C 2853 52,000 CUP
275 GR. SFT SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.460"
RETUMBO 89.0 2671 52,700 CUP
300 GR. SIE HPBT (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338" COL: 3.600"
RETUMBO 94.0C 2654 53,400 CUP
C = Compressed Charge

338 REMINGTON ULTRA MAG CASE: REMINGTON
BBL: 24" PR: REMINGTON 9 1/2M
TWIST: 1:10" TRIM: 2.750"
160 GR. BAR XFB (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.500"
H4350 94.5 3473 62,700 PSI
175 GR. BAR XFB (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.500"
H4350 91.5 3332 62,900 PSI
185 GR. BAR XBTC (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.570"
H4350 91.0 3301 62,800 PSI
200 GR. SPR SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.590"
H4350 89.5 3156 63,000 PSI
210 GR. NOS PART (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.540"
H1000 102.0C 3153 62,900 PSI
215 GR. SIE SPBT (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.590"
H1000 102.0C 3127 62,800 PSI
225 GR. NOS PART (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.550"
H1000 100.0C 3058 63,000 PSI
250 GR. HDY SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.580"
H1000 98.0C 2923 62,400 PSI
275 GR. SFT SP (Maximum Loads) DIA. .338 COL: 3.490"
H1000 91.0C 2729 62,700 PSI


:-) Anybody else wants to jump in??? I"m looking at Sierra Edition 5 and it looks to me like Rum beats the lapua with a 250 by 50fps but it is also using a little over 2 grains more powder to do it? all the others the lapua has it beat with less powder.. like I said before Factory ammo may be close but when you start getting into handloading the lapua is far superior! the .338 Rum has the shoulder pushed back more than the .300 Rum so you start running into the problem of seating way!!! into the powder charge with the Rum which causes a loss of capacity .. unlike the .338 Lapua
there has been lots of discusion of the .338 Rum being the poor mans lapua meaning just that ..it just don't match the lapuas performance you are right thay are very close but case design is not that great for the .338 Rum... I guess people could look at it different ways myself when I think of a big .338 long range magnum I"m thinking of hi BC bullets like the 300smk not 200's you have to relize that most people want a rifle they can hunt with and use the mag box...not a problem with the lapua but the .338 Rum can have some problems when it comes to OAL with the heavier bullets.. Keith

This hurts! Who needs the 338 Lupua anyway? I have the 338/300 Ultra......don't really need it to hunt with, just an itch I scratched and got rid of. As was stated, if my .338 mag can't do the job, then I go to the big fellow in the rack. The 40 calibers on up.

Yes, we could get rid of about 2/3 the calibers in the industry today, however it would be a very boring time on the internet sights I am affraid as well as the barber shops. I say the more the merry, that is what makes the world go around. It would be a real delima to deal with if every man on the planet set his sights on a 5'6" Redhead for the church wedding, wouldn't it my fellow hunters and shooters. I rest my case.

One thing not mentioned is that the 338's can throw a big heavy 250gr bullet farther and flatter than a lighter 200gr bullet and with much more authority. I really like my 338 winmag, plenty of power for anything in north america, and yes you folks are right you can really reach out with these baby's with good accuracy, I do agree with coyote, that I rather use a bigger dia like a .458 450 Marlin guidegun on those big dangerous animals, but I'm sure the 338 would do the job well with the right bullet, like the 300gr Hawk would fit the bill :) I would rather use the standard win 338 cart plenty of power and believe me the animal could not tell 55fps more;) geeze LOL. Most animals I have seen hit with any 338 drop where they stood, of course with good shot placement. For many years Alaskans have used 30/06 for big browns/Griz, The 338mag's are a step up from the 30/06. 338's are A little light for africa Top 3 big game animals all else no problem. Aim small hit small. RAMbo.

kac1345 -

Don't keep us in the dark - just what ARE the Sierra bullet weights and max velocities for the Lapua and RUM?

Inquiring minds (mine!) want to know! :)

:-) Anybody else wants to jump in??? I"m looking at Sierra Edition 5 and it looks to me like Rum beats the lapua with a 250 by 50fps but it is also using a little over 2 grains more powder to do it? all the others the lapua has it beat with less powder.. like I said before Factory ammo may be close but when you start getting into handloading the lapua is far superior! the .338 Rum has the shoulder pushed back more than the .300 Rum so you start running into the problem of seating way!!! into the powder charge with the Rum which causes a loss of capacity .. unlike the .338 Lapua
there has been lots of discusion of the .338 Rum being the poor mans lapua meaning just that ..it just don't match the lapuas performance you are right thay are very close but case design is not that great for the .338 Rum... I guess people could look at it different ways myself when I think of a big .338 long range magnum I"m thinking of hi BC bullets like the 300smk not 200's you have to relize that most people want a rifle they can hunt with and use the mag box...not a problem with the lapua but the .338 Rum can have some problems when it comes to OAL with the heavier bullets.. Keith

I don't want to shoot either of them enough to conclusively say which one is more powerful - ouch!!!!

.338 Win is about all I care for off of the bench. Call me a wimp :D

Honestly, most .338 Lapua rifles are too heavy to take hunting. It is more of a tactical load than anything else. Hence most rifles chambered in this caliber is set-up to have a "tactical" appearance and function.

Now my AR 30 can shoot 1/2 MOA @ 300 all day long with just about every factory match loads. I wish I can say this about my HS Precision HTR .308

And yes, the .338 Lapua has authority, if anyone has doubts have him stand next to one and feel the muzzle shockwave when the gun goes off - I have made many believers at the range from the overpowering blast from the rifle.

Just remember, the .338 Lapua was invented as an anti-personnel round, not a game hunting round.

My friend has a 7lb .338 Lapua rifle and that gun HURTS, even with a FAT muzzle brake at the end. My AR-30 has one of the most efficient muzzle brakes in the industry and still, it is brisk.

Glad you like yours! It's more than I'd want to mess with. If I ever shoot anything that kicks that hard it will be because I'm about to get stomped by something big and angry, and then I'd prefer a bigger bore.

I do like hearing stories about good shooting experiences, though!

Glad you like yours! It's more than I'd want to mess with. If I ever shoot anything that kicks that hard it will be because I'm about to get stomped by something big and angry, and then I'd prefer a bigger bore.

I do like hearing stories about good shooting experiences, though!

The kick is almost identical to my .308 VERY mild. It is also comparable to a 12 gauge shooting bird shot.

However I am slowly removing a flintch I have developed from shooting the Lapua. It is not caused by the recoil, it is caused by the sound and shockwave from firing the gun. Today the shock wave blew down my spotting scope that was mounted on a tripod. It also set off three car alarms :)

I love this gun :D

The .338 Lapua and the .338 RUM are both great cartridges, and have the velocity to open up a heavy bullet way out there, which I know from experience the .338 Win. mag. does not. They are both incredibly accurate, and both have enough recoil to be fun. If it is too much, put a muzzle brake on it. Right now I am struggling with the decision to get a .338 RUM, which I have shot and like, or to get a .375 RUM. I want a bit more reach than .338 Win affords, and I want enough velocity to open up big bullets. I can hit 400 yd. elk with the Win, but double lung shots don't always take 'em down right away. Not enough velocity.
Years ago working in a gunshop there was a lot of arguing going on in the Keith/O'Conner vein. Big, slow bullet or small, fast bullet. One of the employees was a summer bear guard for a utility crew in AK. He related a few tales and said his answer was a big bullet going fast. That rather made the old discussion moot. I don't believe the argument about having too big a rifle has any merit. With the right bullet they don't ruin excessive meat, so what is the problem? Won't it kill the animal? Too big to do that? I think some people like to rag on magnum shooters as poor shots, or say the guy needs a bigger rifle for this reason or that (fill in the blank with an attack on the magnum shooter's masculinity or something equally unoriginal). Fact is, the guys with the mouse magnums wound more game or pass up more shots, one or the other. They also can't afford a powerful rifle or are afraid to shoot one. There isn't any such thing as too big a rifle until you get into field artillery.

Why hasn't anybody mentioned the Weatherby 338-378?? On paper looks like it beats both the Lapua and RUM. None are exactly plinkers, and since there aren't too many 400 yards elk shoots in my neck of the woods, it's only managed to take out a few rebelious water mellons at the gravel pit. Not scientific, but a lot of fun. Yes, use the muzzle break and a thick "sissy pad". Don't know why I thought I needed one, but it is a blast. Next step is a .50BMG

I personnally love the caliber. I just started hand loading my own so now I can afford to shoot it as often as I want :)


Handloading should be simple, given the round is NOT belted. As was already suggested, it is the ONLY cartridge ever developed as a Military Sniper Cartridge from the very beginning... The US Navy began the research, and it was finalized by the folks @ Lapua. I think they did a splendid job of it. If I was into LONG RANGE HUNTING for big game, the .338 Lapua would be near the top of my list for the ultimate long range hunting rifle.

You might also find this article of interest - there's a NEW Military cartridge that's just been released at the other end of the power spectrum! The new Remington 6.8mm SPC. It will actually work in the tiny little Mini-Mauser CZ-527 actions!

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/remington_0303/

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/rifleshooter/ammunition/RSremington_0303C.jpg

..............."In addition to any role the 6.8mm Rem SPC will have as a military cartridge, I predict it will be extremely popular as a hunting cartridge for small- to medium-size game at ranges out to 300 yards or more as it is extremely flat-shooting. Remington is now producing the 6.8mm SPC in three loadings, all with 115-grain bullets. The MatchKing Ballistic Tip Hollowpoint will deliver 2,800 fps and 2,002 ft-lbs of energy. It will also be offered in a standard BTHP loading and in an FMJ version, both with the same muzzle velocity out of a 24-inch barrel.

Remington is expected to introduce rifles for the 6.8mm SPC soon, but at press time no specifics were available. One rumor is that a heavy-barrel tactical rifle will be introduced and possibly a Model Seven. Other makers are waiting anxiously to chamber AR-type rifles and carbines, and several ammunition companies plan to load the new round. Look for more news soon in the pages of RifleShooter."

John S...........The 300 Ultra mag outperforms the 338 Ultra mag passed the 500 yard marker. It is also more accurate when you get right down to bringing back the targets you shot at over the long haul.

I have both of them, so I kind know the outcome or results you might say. I'll keep the 300 Ultra for the long range elk and my 338 win mag for the dark timber elk.

I am not really sure what I am going to do with the 338/300 as of yet. I do know I won't be hunting elk with it anytime soon. I simply cannot shoot it as well as the 300 Ultra mag with the 180 grain bullets at long range (500 yards). I was using the 225 grain in the 338/300 Ultra mag. The bench work was not only boring but it gave me a headache too. My shoulder was OK, a little stiff two days later, but not bruised.

Thanks FullClip. I was wondering when someone was going to bring up the 338-378 Weatherby! I was looking at ballistic tables and it looks to me like the Weatherby has it beat by a bit. From a cartridge stand point, the only real advantage I see if any is that the Lapua isnt based off a non-belted magnum case, and as such headspaces off the sholder. The Weatherby round has been out for quiet sometime as a wild cat round unlike the Lapau which is a very recent development. I havent priced ammo for either but I bet there aint much difference there either, could be wrong though. I sure both are not carried by your local gunstore on a real regular basis for the most part and I bet they are pretty proud of it when they do have it!

The Lapua is a great round for long range target interdiction and light material targets. I see one of these guns in my future in some form or another. I just dont see what so suddenly exciting about this round when a comparable round has been availble for a while. Did I miss or over look some important aspect?

8baller, Thanks for the back-up. The Weatherby ammo goes about 80 bucks a box, so it ain't cheap and you won't find it on sale at Wal-Mart. But it reloads well and it's not the type of round you're going to plink away with all afternoon in the gravel pit. I save it for the "grand finale" and maybe shoot ten rounds once in a while for fun. Hunting wise, there's nothing up my way that needs this much power in the field. I also have the 30-378 and my older brother has the plain old 378, so lots of brass between us. I have thought about necking up and down just for fun to see how many casings I can destroy in the process, but have enough on hand now to last for years.
While the ballistics between all the rounds mentioned are real close, the Weatherby rifle has everything else beat by a mile when it comes to looks. That's something you can't rate on any table.

I try not to get involved with calibers that Forster does not make dies for:
http://www.forsterproducts.com/Pages/dies_order.htm

The 338 Lapua has Forster dies, the 338 RUM does not.

Pity, because the 338 RUM has cheaper brass and a smaller case head.

........The Lapua is a great round for long range target interdiction and light material targets. I see one of these guns in my future in some form or another. I just dont see what so suddenly exciting about this round when a comparable round has been availble for a while. Did I miss or over look some important aspect?

I think one item in favor of the Lapua, is that it offers ample performance, but does headspace on the shoulder instead of the belt, and this gives an advantage to using factory (machine) loaded ammo like the Military would prefer to use. Lapua also offers some awesome hunting & match bullets in .338, loaded to the same spec as their Precision Military Sniper Rounds.

http://www.nammo.com/smallarms/index.html

http://www.nammo.com/smallarms/military_338lapuamagnum.html

http://www.accuratereloading.com/338lmag.html

Chuck Hawks wrote a nice, short piece to compare the various Super 338 Mags....

http://www.chuckhawks.com/super_338_Mags.htm

.........338 Lapua Magnum

The .338 Lapua Magnum dates back to 1983 when it originated as a U.S. military project. The design goal was a 250 grain bullet at 3000 fps. Early experiments conducted by Research Armament Company in the U.S. used a necked down .416 Rigby case, but the ultimate version of the 8.58x71mm (.338 Lapua) is based on a new and unique case.

In 1987 Lapua of Finland commercialized the cartridge that now bears its name and secured CIP approval. (CIP is the European equivalent of SAAMI in the U.S.) Lapua and Norma of Sweden produce factory loaded ammunition in .338 Lapua. Rifles are offered by Dakota and Sako.

The .338 Lapua Magnum uses a large but conventional rimless bottleneck case. It has a rim diameter of .588", and an overall cartridge length of 3.681". It is an impressive looking cartridge.

I have seen reloading data that indicates that a 250 grain bullet can be driven at a MV of 3000 fps with ME of 4995 ft. lbs. from the .338 Lapua. Lapua factory loads drive a 250 grain Lock Base soft point bullet at a MV of 2974 fps or a 275 grain A-Frame bullet at a MV of 2581 fps. The 8.58x71mm military load uses a 250 grain spitzer-boat tail FMJ bullet at a MV of 2950 fps with muzzle energy (ME) of 4830 ft. lbs. This round is considered effective for sniping at 1500 meters!...........



http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=338+Lapua+Magnum+&btnG=Search


GOOD LUCK!

I agree from the outset that the Lapua head spacing of the shoulder vice the 338-378 Weatherby head spacing off the belt to be an advantage. That aside and looking at ballistics...what other advantages does the Laupa have over the Weatherby? It might sound like I am being a "hater" here, but I am really kinda curious. Did Weatherby use a barrel longer than 26 inches to arrive at their ballistic figures or is it possibly loaded to a higher pressure level than the Lapua? Is the barrel length on the AR-30 really long enough to burn all of that powder or would 3-4 more inches of barrel be worth the increase in velocity? Just thinking out aloud....

All in all, I dont think a difference of 100fps or so is gonna be noticed by a target. I saw both the Barret .50 BMG and the Lapua used at Kandahar the 6 weeks I was there. I didnt get the chance to shoot either but the blast from the .50 prone kicked up so much dust after being fired, that the team immeadiately moved to aviod potential morter or RPG fire. I have shot the Barret at the range and even on "swept" concrete deck, the dust kicked up from the muzzle blast is indeed horrendous. With the exception of material interdiction, I do think the Lapua is better suited to anti-personnel, more easily portable, and kicks up less dust in the prone firing position to better avoid detection, yet still has the ability to damage material targets adequately. Just my observations from my short stint in exotic lands getting shot at...

I do have a lot of interet in this round, gun and its aweful tempting to spring for one. The thought of loading one of Lost River Ballistics high B.C. slugs into one of these cases and letting that bad boy fly down range sounds like more fun than the law should allow.

I have got to agree with Scout, if I were to build a serious 1000 yd. target rifle the 338 Lapua would be at the top of the list.

Why hasn't anyone mentoined the 338 Excalibur yet? I have a 338WM, and I've been looking at some of the other 338's although the 338Wm will shoot fine at any distance I'm comfortable with hitting my taget at. I was just curious which is the actual big dog?

George

I had a chance to handle a lapua recently at a gun shop...it was a tactical build. Beautiful gun...BIG bullets.

Too much gun for me. I don't enjoy shooting guns with this much excessive recoil and muzzle blast. I prefer slower and heavy if given the choice.

If we are talking long-range precision antipersonal. I'd say this gun...combined with 2 hours practice on counter-strike each day...would take care of business.

Fourth, the recoil of the heaviest .338 Lapua loads makes my .45-70 "Rhino Blaster" loads (460g hardcast @ 1812fps) weep with envy. No thanks!
I'll skip straight to "Fourth". :eek:
And I'll own up to having "girly" shoulders. :p
But then I can't honestly see the attraction of magnums most of the time. :(

I am not too familiar with all the "this-vs-that" ballistics of this cartridge and ones that it compares to. However, I did spend a considerable amount of time forward-deployed with some British-Snipers that used a mag-fed bolt-gun chambered in this cartridge.

Very-impressive cartridge...I didn't care much for the enormous rifle-platform it was deployed from, or the logistics involving maintainence and sustainment in a combat/field environment....but the terminal effects of the cartridge on targets out to about 1500m was very-impressive.

Handloading should be simple, given the round is NOT belted. As was already suggested, it is the ONLY cartridge ever developed as a Military Sniper Cartridge from the very beginning... The US Navy began the research, and it was finalized by the folks @ Lapua. I think they did a splendid job of it. If I was into LONG RANGE HUNTING for big game, the .338 Lapua would be near the top of my list for the ultimate long range hunting rifle.

You might also find this article of interest - there's a NEW Military cartridge that's just been released at the other end of the power spectrum! The new Remington 6.8mm SPC. It will actually work in the tiny little Mini-Mauser CZ-527 actions!

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/ammunition/remington_0303/

http://www.rifleshootermag.com/rifleshooter/ammunition/RSremington_0303C.jpg

..............."In addition to any role the 6.8mm Rem SPC will have as a military cartridge, I predict it will be extremely popular as a hunting cartridge for small- to medium-size game at ranges out to 300 yards or more as it is extremely flat-shooting. Remington is now producing the 6.8mm SPC in three loadings, all with 115-grain bullets. The MatchKing Ballistic Tip Hollowpoint will deliver 2,800 fps and 2,002 ft-lbs of energy. It will also be offered in a standard BTHP loading and in an FMJ version, both with the same muzzle velocity out of a 24-inch barrel.

Remington is expected to introduce rifles for the 6.8mm SPC soon, but at press time no specifics were available. One rumor is that a heavy-barrel tactical rifle will be introduced and possibly a Model Seven. Other makers are waiting anxiously to chamber AR-type rifles and carbines, and several ammunition companies plan to load the new round. Look for more news soon in the pages of RifleShooter."

This cartridge sounds interesting..but how does it stand up to the 243 winchester?