Talk me out of a 338 lapua magnum

[Robin]

I would look at it more like drinking a fine wine, or Bourbon. I won't be partaking it as much as the regular off the shelf stuff, but when I do it will be mindful, and savoring every hit. Take your enjoyment where you can find it, somethings are worth more than the money that affords the opportunity.

 

[Marine Cpl]

Yea if I had said "talk me into" I prolly would have ordered it by now. I was looking for negative things that maybe I haven't thought of.

Cost and availability are the main things as you know.

Maybe what you haven't though of is that you probably won't be engaging LIVE targets over 1300 yards. The USMC preaches a 1000 yard effective range with the .308. Many men have died at the hands of a .308 at that distance and even further at about 1300 yards so in the unlikely scenario that you need to kill something living at that distance, the .308 has you covered.

With the .338, your effective range is extended further but you'll most likely never ever engage a target to kill whether man or animal over 1000 yards anyway. If the plan is just shooting steel or paper at ranges up to 1300 yards, a .308 will still reach out.

So it all boils down to if you need the KILLING power at ranges over 1300. If you do, then the .338 still serve you. Then there is the just because factor. Nothing wrong with that.

 

[Blimey]

I have one and love it.
As far as recoil, mine kicks less than my 308, very manageable recoil.
I have a 400 and 1000 yard range on my property and im working on 1500 and 2000.
At 1000 yards im shooting 3 inch groups. Of course ive only fired 57 rounds at that range. If youre accurate at 100 yards with a 243, you will be accurate with the Lapua at 1000. Put the crosshairs on the target and squeeze the trigger. Almost done with the 2000 yard range, ill let you know how that goes.

Are you seriously getting 3" groups at 1000 yards? Like often...?

 

[Criticalt]

Are you seriously getting 3" groups at 1000 yards? Like often...?

After sighting it in at 200 yards, I moved out 200 yards at a time until I was at 1000.
Ive shot 2 groups of 5 rounds, both were within 3 inches. I have a bipod on front and sandbag in back.

 

[meketrefe]

Let me try to clarify and few things and also dispel some rumors and myths...

The round is in fact inherently accurate by design, there is no doubt.
When we say the rifle is not easy to drive we do not refer to effective or perceive recoil but the
amount of torque forces and movement involved in any heavy magnum. These are not ideal bench guns and
the best thing one can do is to go prone.
Any super magnums in light rifles is an absurd concept and that is why sales on them do so bad on average like
the example of the RUM above.

These super magnums target/tactical rifles need heavy barrels and substantial weight to be effective. My magnums
are all above 14lbs and are threaded for muzzle brakes.

The LM gained a wonderful reputation in military use due to the additional momentum at extended long range.
As a result with all the marketing behind a lot of people felt they needed to experience the power of the round but
99% of the civilians do not need it. Still it is a very accurate round for a very limited % of tactical and practical
shooting competitions.

But also in those competitions you have other rounds that shoot flatter and further and score higher than the lapua magnum
with less recoil and expense. Some of them are popular in F class competition too and have won more medals than
any other caliber will ever win. The 7mm RSAUM (LA) is one of those. Another one is the venerable 7mm Rem Mag.

In tactical use the popular WinMag with 230gr vergers is another one that holds its own against the lapua magnum very
effective past the mythical mile. This caliber was Chris Kyle's favorite round that made him so popular with insane long range
kills.

The only shortcoming of the winmag is not being able to use even longer bullets due to the max coal imposed by the case
but something that has been resolved with other casings derived from the RUM and new 375 ruger cases w/o getting
too much into overbored cases that are too long anyway like the RUM.

But the winmag will continue its popularity due to the fact that is established as service cartridge, reasonable cost and
proven track record.
We don't see more proliferation in commercial markets of other easier to shoot, easier to own top performers just
because the classics do so well but there are really simple recipes to shoot flatter and further than the 338 LM.
You see them in competitions all over.

The LM is in fact capable of very tight groups at 1000 yards with the prefect conditions. So several other calibers even
easier.

The key question here is how much energy and speed one thinks one needs at 1000yds or a mile and specially why.
Most people will have a hard time rationalizing why other than because they simply want it.

I think most people who try the LM will fall in love, but if they tried other very effective long range cartridges
that are also super accurate, I am sure they will fall in love with them too and will save them money.

But those are not the main stream / fashion so one has to also think how important is to be fashionable.

In terms of energy in practical terms there also lots to spare with any of those so car doors and much tougher
targets are not a problem. 6mm, 6.5mm, 270 cal... those are too light for long range hunting or tactical use
but when you step in the 7mm 175gr-195gr and 30cal 210-240gr and 338 250gr-300gr then the momentum
upon impact is more than plenty for many tactical and also hunting applications to hunt with authority even
at long ranges. It is a matter of knowing the limitations and training something most people will never do
in their lifetimes anyway.

 

[WileyX585]

I have one! I love it but yes it does get pricey to shoot. But down here I have a couple 1000+ ranges not to mention private land to shoot it on. Beats the hell out of shorting my .50 price wise tho lol. Either one is a blast, and well worth it if you have the range.

 

[Blimey]

After sighting it in at 200 yards, I moved out 200 yards at a time until I was at 1000.
Ive shot 2 groups of 5 rounds, both were within 3 inches. I have a bipod on front and sandbag in back.

Very impressive. Not just from the gun but you need to be steady as all get out to do that.

 

[Criticalt]

I have one! I love it but yes it does get pricey to shoot. But down here I have a couple 1000+ ranges not to mention private land to shoot it on. Beats the hell out of shorting my .50 price wise tho lol. Either one is a blast, and well worth it if you have the range.

Some people will just never get it. "So snd so is more accurate"," this one is cheaper", that one shoots flatter" who gives a fuck!!
I bought my Savage LM because I love it. I dont care whats better. Ive shot almost every caliber out there and I like the look, the history...etc of the Lapua. Im no expert but my buddy that I bought my Lapua from sure as hell is. 25 years in the Army training long range shooting, then 10 years post Army shooting competitively.

 

[Marine Cpl]

In all fairness, the OP did ask to be talked out of it. Some listed some points that he may not have considered and others wrote books.

In the end it's up to him if he wants it.

 

[phatfarmerbob]

In all fairness, the OP did ask to be talked out of it. Some listed some points that he may not have considered and others wrote books.

In the end it's up to him if he wants it.

Yea this is exactly what I was hoping for...I figured I would get pros and cons.