I am looking for a 338lm riffle I have looked at the savage, Remington 700, and berrett mrad. I have other savage rifle and like them. The Remington I have read can't handle long loaded ammo? The berrett Mrad looks very nice but I know nothing about them! It is also the most expensive! I do like the idea of quick change barrels but I do have lots of other rifles! So is the Barrett Mrad worth the extra money or is it just a name? How accurate are they? How Do they compare? Any other suggestions are greatly appreciated!!
- Thread starter Rlbol
- Start date
Rlbol
What is your budget? In .338 LM, Remington and Savage are on the lower end, Savage makes decent .338's and has the upper hand on the Remmy's.
Barret Mrad is a whole different concept; if you don't know about it, start looking. There are few reviews out there, Brandon Webb wrote one of them on Military.com with positive comments. http://kitup.military.com/2011/08/barrett-mrad-338-lapua-sniper-rifle-review.html
If you are thinking of spending around $6000 with the Mrad, you may also look at Sako TRG 42, AI rifles and custom builds. The Barrett, TRG and AI are factory rifles, so IF the rifle IS available, you can get it right away with no wait. A custom built, most of the time will have a waiting/building time between 4 months to a year, depending on a bunch of different factors.
Quality/accuracy wise, I know the Sako and AI are awesome, don't know much about the Barrett yet. For the Custom rifles, if you go with a top builder, they will be outstanding too.
Good luck on your quest.
Good shooting.
Ombre noire
What is your budget? In .338 LM, Remington and Savage are on the lower end, Savage makes decent .338's and has the upper hand on the Remmy's.
Barret Mrad is a whole different concept; if you don't know about it, start looking. There are few reviews out there, Brandon Webb wrote one of them on Military.com with positive comments. http://kitup.military.com/2011/08/barrett-mrad-338-lapua-sniper-rifle-review.html
If you are thinking of spending around $6000 with the Mrad, you may also look at Sako TRG 42, AI rifles and custom builds. The Barrett, TRG and AI are factory rifles, so IF the rifle IS available, you can get it right away with no wait. A custom built, most of the time will have a waiting/building time between 4 months to a year, depending on a bunch of different factors.
Quality/accuracy wise, I know the Sako and AI are awesome, don't know much about the Barrett yet. For the Custom rifles, if you go with a top builder, they will be outstanding too.
Good luck on your quest.
Good shooting.
Ombre noire
Rifle cost shouldn't be your main concern when getting a .338LM - they are very expensive to feed for most folks used to shooting cheap ammo. Also, you're wasting time and money if you don't plan to shoot it beyond 1400 yards, otherwise a .300WM makes a lot more sense. But if you're still committed to .338LM, then definitely consider the Sako TRG-42. It's probably the best value out there for that cartridge. There are cheaper options out there, but I think with these precision rifles you definitely get what you pay for. The more expensive rifles like Ashbury and AI are excellent, but you might not see much of a difference over a mid-level rifle in the short term (with the exception of price). The switch-barrel rifles like the DTA SRS and the Barrett MRAD (I say "switch barrel" loosely with this rifle as 2 years on there are still no conversion kits available) are more expensive but you get the added feature of being able to have one platform with many rifles. That's only attractive to people who have a interest in having multiple precision rifles and for me it was a big deal because I bought one high-end scope that serves 4 rifle conversions. But again, the entry price is much higher.
So if you're new to this and especially if you don't have any experience making your own match ammo, seriously consider a .300WM first. TRGs are also made for that cartridge. And if you're set on .338LM, then make the commitment but consider the above advice when choosing a rifle.
ETA: the biggest mistake I see with people buying these rifles is they go out and spend several thousand on a quality rifle, then skimp on the optics. I can't tell you how many TRGs, AIs and MRADs I've seen with Bushnell, Redfield or Burris scopes (et al). These are magnum rifles and they will beat the shit out of cheap optics. I'm not saying you NEED to get a high-end scope, but why spend so much on a quality race car only to put cheap tires on it?
So if you're new to this and especially if you don't have any experience making your own match ammo, seriously consider a .300WM first. TRGs are also made for that cartridge. And if you're set on .338LM, then make the commitment but consider the above advice when choosing a rifle.
ETA: the biggest mistake I see with people buying these rifles is they go out and spend several thousand on a quality rifle, then skimp on the optics. I can't tell you how many TRGs, AIs and MRADs I've seen with Bushnell, Redfield or Burris scopes (et al). These are magnum rifles and they will beat the shit out of cheap optics. I'm not saying you NEED to get a high-end scope, but why spend so much on a quality race car only to put cheap tires on it?
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I agree with Dogtown. Budget at least for a Nightforce, a Schmidt and Bender if you can afford it. If your rifle choice dictates that you have $500 for a scope and mount, don't bother.
And keep in mind most factory ammo runs $6 a round or more. Shit gets expensive in a hurry.
And keep in mind most factory ammo runs $6 a round or more. Shit gets expensive in a hurry.
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Pleistarchus
Guest
Not for nothing but if you do consider the MRAD you're also going to be getting a 300WM and a .308. They will be offering these conversion barrels by the end of the year. Got mine about 3 weeks ago with a 27" barrel. Also got my LongRangeAccuracy Bipod last week. Now waiting for the Bushnell XRS to ship March 19th......and away we go. MRAD is very solid rifle with a very impressive crisp and adjustable trigger. Though when done I'm in for about $8500. More than I wanted to spend but much cheaper than my therapist.
Thanks for the good information guys!
i think I was most curious in the quality of the Barrett and ifit was just another name or if the product justified the price? I did like the fell as well as the idea of the changeable barrels. Is it capable of that precise of headspace though? I am use to changeling barrels on savages as well as adjusting the head space with a barrel nut but I just didn't know if that kind of accuracy can be achevied by simply losing two bolts and inserting another barrel and tighting the bolts?
I was not looking at these rifles from the stand point of pricing but was more curious in that the mrad is so much more expensive then the others.
i think I was most curious in the quality of the Barrett and ifit was just another name or if the product justified the price? I did like the fell as well as the idea of the changeable barrels. Is it capable of that precise of headspace though? I am use to changeling barrels on savages as well as adjusting the head space with a barrel nut but I just didn't know if that kind of accuracy can be achevied by simply losing two bolts and inserting another barrel and tighting the bolts?
I was not looking at these rifles from the stand point of pricing but was more curious in that the mrad is so much more expensive then the others.
Wanna bet? They have been saying the same thing every year and it keeps getting pushed back. They have shown NO COMMITMENT to actually offering the caliber conversions.
I think that the MRAD was and is worth every penny, I love mine. This is the first long range rifle I have ever owned so I am a bit one sided. Something that you get for the MRAD's price is the 30 MOA rail taper, folding stock, adjustable cheek piece and length of pull adjustment. Im a FFP guy so the length of pull is awesome. The adjustments make it easy for other shooters to adapt to your rifle, which is cool when you can switch off shooter and spotter. Add the Barrett 15/40 MOA rings and a TBAC 338BA (like me!) and you are good to go. The other quality of this rifle that I enjoy is that it is visually appealing, and I mean come on, for six grand it better be sexy, right?
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Pleistarchus
Guest
I am saying that if changing calibers is important, buy a DTA or AX PSR. Barrett probably will eventually release the conversions, but have blatantly blown every deadline to date, so it is hard to trust them. When they first hit the markets guys bought them because "caliber conversions will be out within months!"
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They may some day, but what he's trying to get at is that it's been two years now, lots of promises about conversion kits for other cartridges, and yet nothing is available. Personally, I think all of the Barrett rifles are overpriced, but that's just me. At least the MRAD can honestly be considered a precision rifle.
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Pleistarchus
Guest
It is fair to say I am new to the sport of shooting(7years). I took a leap from driving .308's to now .338LM. One thing I've learned about this industry is that everybody has an opinion but everyone knows the truth. Barrett, whether you love them or hate is tried, tested and true. Their products are in demand, new or used. Now I'm sure there are many rifles and/or rifle companies that are better........but are they as proven as Barrett. I had a DPMS LR308 that can hit the same hole at 100yards 8 out of 10 times. Yet if you ask someone whether they would choose a Noveske over a DPMS.....you know the answer. Another example I've been seeing with Optics...everybody swears to NF and S&B. Yet Bushnell even though they've been coming out lately with comparable products at less than half the price people wouldn't even consider trying them, let alone buy them. I think whether I want to sell the Barrett one day or pass it on to my son 20 years from now I can't go wrong. P.S. I got the money to buy the Barrett by selling a modified DPMS LR308 and a lefty AR15 on GunBroker about a month ago when the country seemed to be under siege by the Dems swearing to ban all AR's. Thank you Mr. Obama
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Pleistarchus
Guest
I have contacted them about this. I also believe everyone who owns one has contacted them about this. I also believe half of these owners have contacted them twice and about a quarter of them have been a pain in Barretts rear. What I'm trying to say is they are definitely being pressured and as arrogant as they can become because of their position in the Arms world they are business oriented and they know this can cause a kink in their armor.......at least that's what I'm hoping. But seriously they would be very stupid if they do not come up with something within the next twelve months. Twelve months will be my threshold....past that I'm getting my slingshot ready.
I have heard from more then one person. That it has been a long wait and there is no end in sight to the release of other barrels. The only other barrels I would be interested in would the 260 which would be very nice or a 408 cheytech which wouldn't happen!
As far as the rail and folding stock, yes that is nice but I already have 2 apo stocks with the same at a fraction of the price of the Barrett!
Now if they only made a folder in the less expensive bravo model I would be set.
Thanks again for the suggestions and advice!
As far as the rail and folding stock, yes that is nice but I already have 2 apo stocks with the same at a fraction of the price of the Barrett!
Now if they only made a folder in the less expensive bravo model I would be set.
Thanks again for the suggestions and advice!
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Pleistarchus
Guest
The good thing is that this thread has helped you narrow it down! Which was the purposeI think from the start....Yes. Hope you find it. Also I check the Accuracy International rifles in 260 as well to be an eye opener.
Love my MRAD and would never sell it. Light recoil and pleasure to shoot all day. Easy 0.5 MOA, but have only shot to 1/2 mile. As others have mentioned other barrel conversions still not available. Tired of waiting so just purchased a DTA SRS A1 in 308 22" threaded. Many other caliber conversions except 223, which SAC is working on both worth every penny. Can use 1 scope and suppressor for several barrels. The DTA is slightly more accurate than the MRAD. Both guns still shoot better than I do so far !!!
Money saved in the long run.
Money saved in the long run.
They finally released different length barrels (20, 24.5 and 27") for like 1100 bucks. They removed them after 2 days after they sent me an email saying they were there. Plus good luck EVER getting an email from them, i've prob emailed them 10 times about longer rails to put on my MRAD (i mean come on, you have 16" to put rails on but only give you 2x 4" and 1x 8" rail???) or at least specs for a rail to no avail.
If you're looking for something that can do easy caliber conversions then never buy on the promise that they will have the caliber conversion kits available. Always wait to buy the rifle after the kits are available. That way you're not waiting 2+ years for the kit like people have had to do with the MRAD. Just because a company says they will have them in a couple of months doesn't mean they will.
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