Range Report Poor mans Lapua?

[dk17hmr]

Any thoughts on using a 338 win mag with a longer barrel for long range shooting? Im thinking about setting up a 28" 338 win mag barrel on my Times Precision right bolt left port action, which currently has a Kreiger 300wsm barrel on it. The port is long enough that I can get an empty 338 win mag case out but I would need to pull the bolt to get a loaded round out, which I have to do with the 300wsm anyways.

I know the Win mag wont match the Lapua but I think with a longer barrel it might be pretty close....250gr SMK's going about 2800fps will still be super sonic out to 1 mile at my elevation.

300wsm empty

338 win mag empty

I already load for the 338 win mag and I know it would work in my action. I really thought I wanted an edge but since I am all geared up for the win mag it makes more sense to just get another barrel for this rifle...Any thoughts?

 

[opshin556]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

I think in the end with all the effort, granted a bit less money, but NOT getting the results and always looking at that guy with the .338 at the range, you will be solely disappointed for not either selling that rifle and scraping up some money.
If you want the performance of a .45, you dont buy a .40.
A .338 lapua does what is was designed to do so well because it was a purposely built sniper round.
save up and get what you really want.
just my .02

 

[Stonewall2]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

I had a customer build a .338 Win on a Ruger #1.
I sent it to Douglas for a 30 " barrel -match chamber throated, 1.25- 1" at the crown.

Bedded in a custom glass stock this rifle shot under 1" -5 shot groups at 200 yards .
Standard loads gave 250 gr 2850-2900 fps.


It worked.

Glenn

 

[dk17hmr]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

Thats what I wanted to hear. Weight is a non issue with this rifle since it is not a mountain rifle. Im thinking with 250gr SMKs and the new high BC 250s Berger is making it would make a great, cheap, long range rifle.

 

[Mike 338]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

I like the Win Mag quite a bit but wouldn't toss it into the conversation as the Lapua. It would make a great long range rifle but the Lapua is for Ultra Long Range.

I've always been curious why more people don't build 338 Win Mags and really wring the performance out of them. Personally, I don't want to shoot 1+ miles. I don't have that kind of time and the additional $ of the Lapua loads wouldn't go unnoticed either. The more sedate speeds should extend barrel life as well. More isn't always better. It's just more. For a military sniping cartridge, the Lapua makes quite a bit of seance but for banging away at small objects (or big game) at fairly long distances, the 338 Win Mag ought to work great. Got me a barrel in that same caliber on order as well.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

go with the 338 edge, same balistics as the lapua out of a 28 inch barrel, it will be single load only of course but that is the only lapua equivalent I know of.

 

[Mod Adahy]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: attherange</div><div class="ubbcode-body">go with the 338 edge, same balistics as the lapua out of a 28 inch barrel, it will be single load only of course but that is the only lapua equivalent I know of. </div></div>

Edge is no comparison to the lapua. 300smk out of a lapua is pushing it at 2800. My edge with a 27" gets the same bullet to 2950.

 

[coldboremiracle]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

338-300wm?? And I could be wrong but the edge is pretty close to the Lapua in price, Im sure someone will confirm or deny that shortly.

 

[buffybuster]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

.338-.375Ruger? The .375Ruger necked down to .338?

Should still fit in a standard length action.

 

[Mod Adahy]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: coldboremiracle</div><div class="ubbcode-body">338-300wm?? And I could be wrong but the edge is pretty close to the Lapua in price, Im sure someone will confirm or deny that shortly. </div></div>

Lapua is no where near the edge in performance. Price, maybe.

 

[leadbullet]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

I stand corrected, go edge FTW

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

I like longer barrels, and honestly believe that as one enters the combined Magnum/LR environment, they become more appropriate.

I like them for their ability to wring out the velocity <span style="font-style: italic">without</span> mandating hotter loads. To my mind, they are a bore/throat preservation strategy. Magnums could probably use a little help in this area, anyway.

I think your configuration has a good potential in is own light, and needs not endure any comparison to others, like the 338 Lapua. Enjoy it for what it is and leave the comparisons for others.

Greg

 

[Stonewall2]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

Greg said it all.

The recoil will be quite a bit less than the .338 Lapua making this a lot more fun to actually shoot.

Glenn

 

[Chingon]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

How far are you trying to shoot this thing? 1500 yards, Lapua. Less, you are probably good with a .300wm. Are you punching holes or trying to take game? Do you usually take game over 500 yards?

Don't get me wrong its your build and you can do whatever you want but the Devil's Advocate in me has to ask those questions.

 

[dk17hmr]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Chingon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How far are you trying to shoot this thing? 1500 yards, Lapua. Less, you are probably good with a .300wm. Are you punching holes or trying to take game? Do you usually take game over 500 yards?.......</div></div>

Yes on all of those questions. I shoot my 300wsm out to (so far with a hit) 1780 yards. I have enough left in the scope to get me to 2000 yards and I have tried but I cant spot my bullet splashes at that range to make adjustments, none of my friends are into long range so they dont come out with me. I have kills on p-dogs slightly passed 1000 yards and lately have been giving them hell in the 600-750 yard range with a little 25-223 pushing a 100gr Nosler Ballistic tip at 2760FPS. If I were to build a 338 win mag barrel for this rifle it would be for shooting steel at extended ranges (as far as my scope would let me) and if I ever draw a desert elk tag here in Wyoming.

My 25-223 is actually giving me a new out look on long range rounds, the BC of those 100gr BTs is pretty low, at only .393, and with a muzzle velocity of only 2760fps it is flipping dogs off mounds, in the wind, at 721 yards (confirmed longest kill with this rifle). Velocity isnt everything if you dont have accuracy. Learning to shoot a rifle well takes trigger time, plain and simple. I think the lapua or edge would brake me. Since I already load for the 338 win mag and I know it will fit in my action that is why I am looking at it.

Im not trying to compare the 338 win mag to a Lapua or the Edge other than it looks like I can get pretty close to book velocity if I run a longer barrel....all with less powder which means better barrel life and more shooting.

Personally I think the Lapua and the Edge, although great rounds, are over rated for most people that own them and shoot less than 1000 yards.

 

[5RWill]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

Poor mans .338 lapua is a .338 RUM. IMO.

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: Poor mans Lapua?

My approach is to start with as much case capacity as I figure my canary ass can stand, then pick a bore diameter that uses it most efficiently.

These days, that's a .30-'06 case capacity and a 7mm bore, i.e the .280 Rem.

If I ever get the chance again to shot beyond 1000yd, that will be plenty enough gun for me. A .280 with a heavy 26" barrel. 1:9" twist, and 168gr SMK's oughta be a sound combination. If I can get 175's to stsbilize, so much the better.

Basically, the .30-'06 can be made, with a few very slick loadings, to duplicate .300WM ballistics. IMHO, the .280 can get there with less recoil, and for what I'm most likely to be doing out there, i.e. defeating the wily paperbeast, it's got quite enough performance ontarget.

Greg