.338
Which one would consider being a long range, harder hitter?
I am looking at a .338 RUM, but I would like peoples' opinions on the .338 win mag, .338 RUM, and the .338 Lapua, I would love the Lapua, but it is out of my price range.
Thanks for any input.
I am looking at a .338 RUM, but I would like peoples' opinions on the .338 win mag, .338 RUM, and the .338 Lapua, I would love the Lapua, but it is out of my price range.
Thanks for any input.
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They all hit hard enough to kill anything on the planet - go with the win mag - it's a classic and for good reason. 0 -
How much recoil can you comfortably handle?
What's your defination of "long range"
What are you planning to shoot "at" that range?
How much money are you willing to spend on the rifle AND optics (don't faint when you see $1200 scopes being suggested)
BTW, the RUM dosn't give up anything to the Lapua in the real world, and only a very small amount on paper. If you reload, have a 338-300RUM built, that one does match the Lapua on paper, beats it in the real world, and does so in a much less expensive package.0 -
akadye006,
Welcome to the GB forums!
"Which one would consider being a long range, harder hitter?"
What's your idea of 'long range'?
Hard hitter for what reason, hunting? If yes, which big game species?
You need to determine the ranges you want shoot and at what before making any decisions about a cartridge and the bullets needed to accomplish your goal. Any of those three cartridges is superb for hunting as long as you can handle the recoil. There are enough top quality bullets available now to insure that you have some variety, choice and performance unlike some of the other so-called 'tactical' cartridges.
When the .338 tactical craze hit a number of years ago, lots of gunsmiths and shooters jumped on the bandwagon to discover everything they could about this .338 Lapua and what made it so special. It turns out that that there is really nothing special about it other than several countries have opted to use so-called 'sniper systems' chambered for this cartridge. Proper advertising, lots of pushing by contractors on the government officials responsible for weapon systems and the ever-present frenzy for anything tactical from the general public.
That article linked in the above post is not necessarily one of the better sources needed to quantify the attributes of any cartridge let alone the .338 RUM. The author doesn't even know the proper use of the term caliber as opposed to cartridge. The other point that is missed completely in his assessment of the RUM performance is the fact that the proprietary muzzle brake essentially makes that barrel at least 2" shorter than the barrel would be otherwise. This has an impact on the velocity figures quoted in the short run and in the potential for better harmonics and accuracy node without the brake and a longer barrel.
The only disadvantage you will suffer will be in your mind if you choose the RUM over the Lapua. No matter what other opinions are, the cartridges are virtually identical and perform as such. The .338 WM will be a little slower simply because it doesn't hold as much powder but it is a superb cartridge and well worth looking into simply due to cost and availability if for no other reasons.
Be sure to take recoil into any of your considerations. It can be substantial when you get into this level of cartridges. You might want to get together with some shooters that use any of these cartridges and see if you can get some trigger time behind some rifles chambered for these cartridges.
Best.0 -
Go with the .338 RUM...it even outperforms the .338 Lapua with some loadings. I don't think you will be dissappionted. 0 -
And no mention of the 338-378 Weatherby Mag?
The 338 RUM woulds be less costly to shoot for a non-reloader,0 -
I have a 338 win mag and have killed my share of elk and deer with it,used it for over 20 years now, I know it's a lot of over kill for deer but I shoot it well, and have never wounded an animal. the recoil is not that bad unless you shoot a winchester model 70, the recoil on those things are killers. 0 -
uncle joe has a 338 lapua, built on a 1903 action, 26" douglas barrel, Barnes muzzel break, Richards micro lam stock, leupold scope of some sorts its easily a $2500 gun.
its a heavy gun id bet nearly 20lbs doesn't kick much more than a 30-06. It will shoot a country mile.
Father in law has a 338 built on a mauser action. not as heavy no break kicks like a mule. shoot a country mile0 -
quote:Originally posted by nononsense
That article linked in the above post is not necessarily one of the better sources needed to quantify the attributes of any cartridge let alone the .338 RUM. The author doesn't even know the proper use of the term caliber as opposed to cartridge. The other point that is missed completely in his assessment of the RUM performance is the fact that the proprietary muzzle brake essentially makes that barrel at least 2" shorter than the barrel would be otherwise. This has an impact on the velocity figures quoted in the short run and in the potential for better harmonics and accuracy node without the brake and a longer barrel.
The only disadvantage you will suffer will be in your mind if you choose the RUM over the Lapua. No matter what other opinions are, the cartridges are virtually identical and perform as such. The .338 WM will be a little slower simply because it doesn't hold as much powder but it is a superb cartridge and well worth looking into simply due to cost and availability if for no other reasons.
It would seem that despite the 'ignorance' of the author, you are saying the same thing he is - that there is little to no difference between the two. The point of the article seems to be that the RUM is the equal of the Lapua, and a good bit more economical to own. At least that is what I got from it and why I referenced it.
For what it's worth, the author states a 28" barrel was used on his rifle. I know of a number of guys using barrels as short as 22" getting chrono times not too far off the numbers for a 26" barrel (less than 70fps difference), so bfd.
I'm admittedly no expert, but I don't make it a practice to dismiss someone else because of the misuse of a word or two either.0 -
.338 RUM..."When it absolutely has to be killed today." 0 -
.338 Federal and i believe one is the .338-08 0 -
" And no mention of the 338-378 Weatherby Mag?"
-Mk 19
The best of the bunch.
Doug0 -
I have SAKO 338 Lapua MAg, I love it [:D], very cheap to shoot too, not[;)] 0 -
What about the .338 Winchester with Federal High Energy or Hornady Heavy Magnum ammo? 0 -
Had a 338 Win mag. Shot a 338 Ultramag. What a butt kicker off the bench. I bought a 300 Ultramag on the Remington SPS platform, no frills. Shoots lights out. Don't no if its available in 338 ulra though. Fairly economic for a 700 action. I paid $416 at Sportsman's Warehouse last year for it.[:)] 0 -
csi-cyberspace,
"I'm admittedly no expert, but I don't make it a practice to dismiss someone else because of the misuse of a word or two either."
It was not my intention to hurt your feelings with my comments.
It is my intention to point out the obvious flaws in articles written by supposed 'experts'. It's a good thing he has a military contract to make slings so he doesn't have to write for a living...
Anyway, this is an opinion thread and I'm entitled to my opinion just as you are entitled to your opinion. There is a significant amount of ballistic data that goes way beyond a simple discussion of barrel lengths and velocities. But it should be included with a topic that demands such detail as opposed to a topic such as this that is a request for opinions.
My apologies to akadye006 for sidetracking his thread.
Best.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Doug Wilson
" And no mention of the 338-378 Weatherby Mag?"
-Mk 19
The best of the bunch.
Doug
If I recall, that held the 1k bench record for a long time in the 70, 80's.0 -
My primary elk rifle is a 1960 M70 Alaskan 338 and I'm quite pleased with it, but if I know the shots will be long, or am shooting long range targets I prefer the 375 RUM. If I were keeping to the 338 bore, I'd opt for the 338 RUM. Primarily because I prefer the non-belted case, but the extra powder capacity doesnt hurt anything. 0 -
Thank you all for your information... Sorry for not communicating better... I am 19 years old in college, and pretty much enjoy the heavy recoil at the moment, I backed out of the .416 rigby because a larger cartridge will not make up for poor shooting...
I own most of the basic cartridges, 30-06, 30-30, etc. and owned a 350 rem mag at one point.
I am also a handloader...
Basically I am looking for a rifle that will drop an elk, lets say at 1000 yards. I am looking into seriously getting into long range shooting.
However, I am unique and enjoy the odd cartridge. I had looked at having the Lapua customly built for me, maybe on a magtech frame? or I think montana may have one? However, that is expensive also.
The gun will only be as good as the optics... So, if I am going to spend the money on an expensive gun, I am going to be spending the money on an expensive optic, rings, etc. Plus, I will probably looking into a bipod system...
Appreciate the information, keep it coming.
Brandon0 -
No BS You should try the Barrett .416[8D] 0 -
quote:Originally posted by nononsense
csi-cyberspace,
"I'm admittedly no expert, but I don't make it a practice to dismiss someone else because of the misuse of a word or two either."
It was not my intention to hurt your feelings with my comments.
...
Anyway, this is an opinion thread and I'm entitled to my opinion just as you are entitled to your opinion.
My apologies to akadye006 for sidetracking his thread.
Best.
Oh, no, nononesense, no "hurt feelings" here. And I didn't intend to impugn either your opinion nor your expertise. I was merely pointing out that the author was, in essence saying what you had said - that being that the RUM was an excellent alternative to the Lapua. At least that was my intent. My apologies to you if I came off any other way, and like you, my apologies to akadye006 for sidetracking his thread.0 -
...you did not say how far you want to reach out, but here is my 2 cents. I have a Ruger in .338 Win Mag and it shoots great. One thing you should consider is when you are going somewhere to hunt, can you find the ammo if you need more? Will they have the RUM or Lapua available in a smaller sporting goods store or a Wal-mart?
Moose0 -
my cousin got himself a AR 50, then he got a AR 30, hes also got
the AR 10T, M1A, M1 carbine. He loves the ar 50, he loves his AR 30.
he like the long distance shooting.0 -
quote:Originally posted by chrishiher
.338 Federal and i believe one is the .338-08
Same thing, the 338 Federal IS a 338-308 Win. The original wildcat version of this cartridge is/was called the 338 Ozark.0 -
Ok, finding ammo is not an issue, and I said I wanted to shoot 1000 yards or so... I believe the 338 federal is like a 30-06 necked up to a .338.
Thanks for your information from all of you. And no problem with side tracking the thread...0 -
Nutfinn the price of ammo is just stupidly high in Sweden to...
The americans dont know what they're complaining bout if they see our prices...[;)] What'its called in english "blymantlat"...=Leadpoints ? is the only one affordable from the factories.
Reloading is the way to go i figure.....0
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