338 Lapua caliber bolt action rifle? Or . . .

[JimGnitecki]

Can some of you take a few minutes to educate me a bit on 338 Lapua bolt rifles?

I have an LMT MWSE 308 semiauto AR type rifle that I am very pleased with. But I suspect that a bolt action rifle is a far different experience - simpler, less parts moving during firing, potential for greater precision, simpler to clean and maintain, supposedly easier to shoot, etc.

I am considering getting either a 308 or a 338. I know a fair bit about the strengths and weaknesses of the 308 cartridge, and know there are a lot of choices in 308 rifles.

338 Lapua rifles thigh are a mystery to me. I am attracted to the idea of a longer range and stronger terminal ballistics, but wonder about a few things:

- How bad is recoil if you do NOT have a 15 lb rifle (even if you do have a brake)? Are lighter weight rifles (12 lb or less) practical in 338 Lapua?

- What minimum barrel length is required to actually benefit from the 338 ballistics? 26 inch, or ?

- I'd want a long standard Picatinny rail so I can use my same Nightforce 12-42 x 56 Benchrest scope on it that currently sits on the LMT via LaRue QD riser mount. Which makes / models of 338 Lapua rifles have this feature?

- I'd want to use my Atlas bipod, preferably via its Picatinny rail mount, so that I could swap it from LMT to bolt rifle and back quickly and easily. Possible?

- Can I get a 338 Lapua rifle that has, or can be equipped with, a folding stock, or a stock that easily dismounts for transport and storage (50+ inch rifles are a bit of a challenge in an RV and in a Mustang coupe trunk

).

I actually got to handle a Savage 110 BA at a LGS today, and it struck me as pretty heavy, and the bolt was not what you'd call super smooth, but then for $1900 I guess you don't get that much sophistication. I suppose there are other makes / models with better finish and costlier measures taken to control weight? I DID find the ergonomics very nice in terms of fitting me. Very natural.

The cost of hand loading 338 Lapua does not scare me. I have calculated that $1.10 a round can be achieved with even great bullets, which is "only" (

) double what I spend on 308 cartridges.

Or, does it make much more sense to go with another 308, but this time in a bolt rifle?

I'd like to tap into the collective experience here . . .

Jim G

 

[Paul38]

Re: 338 Lapua caliber bolt action rifle? Or . . .

Mine is a GAP 15 lb. rifle and I use a AAC Titan silencer on it, I love it and there is very little recoil. But if your not shooting out to and over a 1000 yards there is really no use for it. But if you have room in your safe it's a needed weapon.

You won't regret owning one,

 

[Victor Co Heather]

Re: 338 Lapua caliber bolt action rifle? Or . . .

Hi Jim,


308 and 338 are not in the same class of rifle, they are like trying to compare a Ford F150 to a military grade hummer. The 308 is a practical everyday shooter for ranges from 50 yards to 1000 while the 338 LM is made for 500-2000 yard shooting.

I have both and the 338 is AWESOME for shooting at distance when you want to reach out and smack some steel. But I think you should be looking at a 308, since you will get a lot more out of it. If you need something with a bit more range then look at the 300 win mag, they will reach out to 12-1300 with some punch.

 

[TrooperBrian]

Re: 338 Lapua caliber bolt action rifle? Or . . .

Those are some interesting questions I'm hoping to have answered too. I'm just starting a build in .338LM, but it all depends on how far you want to shoot.

I've been able to hit silhouette steel at 1200 using a .308, a 1:10 twist barrel and 200gr SMKs. LOTS of elevation and not holding 1/3MOA anymore, but still certainly possible.

There is lots of wide open desert around here, so being able to push 1800 or more yards is not a big deal. I would certainly first consider the implications of range in your area. Also I can go out and shoot the .308, 100+ rounds a day suppressed and be alright. It makes me cringe thinking about doing that with a .338LM.

 

[bas402]

Re: 338 Lapua caliber bolt action rifle? Or . . .

If your worried about recoil - go with a 260
If you don't reload - go with a 308
The 338LM will take you out of both of the above!
Sully

 

[CMonty256]

Re: 338 Lapua caliber bolt action rifle? Or . . .

After reading over what you're looking for in a rifle, have you considered a Barrett 98B? I inherited one and its a great shooting rifle. However here is how it fulfills what you're looking for:

Recoil: With the included muzzle brake the felt recoil is on par with my 308 Bolt gun and less than a 12GA shotgun

Weight: w/o accessories the 27'' barrel model weighs 13.5lbs and the 20 weighs 12.4

Pic Rail: Full Length Picatinny rail on top with rails available for the sides and bottom

Portability: With a larger budget you could go for the MRAD w/ folding stock and barrel change capabilities or with the standard 98B you can disassemble it similar to an AR-15 with 2 take down pins holding the upper and lower receiver assemblies

Ive owned mine for about a year now and I am very pleased with it. It shoots sub MOA groups out to at least 700m (Which is the limit to my range) and holds.5" or less at 100.

Summary: If you're looking for a light weight, 338 LM repeater with a full length Pic rail and easily transportable then take a look at the Barrett 98B

Other options if you're set on 338LM would be to look at an Accuracy International AWSM or AX

Just my thoughts if you're seriously looking into 338 LM

 

[JimGnitecki]

Re: 338 Lapua caliber bolt action rifle? Or . . .

CMonty: Thanks for drawing the Barrett to my attention, but I think the cost is going to be a barrier.

I am also a bit concerned about ergonomics - it's very similar in ergo concept to an AR, and I have had to make some changes to the Stoner 15 I used to have, the Armalite AR-10 I used to have, and the current LMT because of the ergonomics. That Savage 110BA I shouldered today at the LGS had a geometry that fit me much better with no mods required. That shape is more what I am after.

Jim G

 

[JimGnitecki]

Re: 338 Lapua caliber bolt action rifle? Or . . .

402: I do reload and would load 338 if I go that direction.

I am pretty insensitive to recoil (I don't even notice the 308 recoil on my LMT MWSE), but the 338 Lapua DOES make twice the muzzle energy. That's why I am ASKING. I have no experience with a 338, so have to depend on what others here, who have fired both 308 and 338 REGULARLY (not just once or a few times) can tell me.

Jim G

 

[JimGnitecki]

Re: 338 Lapua caliber bolt action rifle? Or . . .

M.45: I have access to a range 1 hour away that has rifle ranges up to 1000 yards on site, so I have the room to shoot a long range rifle. That is in fact where I was this afternoon after my manager gave me the afternoon off!

I can't think of a more relaxing way to spend a couple of hours than shooting a precision long range rifle.

I am still learning. Today, after doing some more ladder testing at 100 yards (where I can clearly see the bullet holes), I tried for the first time shooting groups at 250 yards. I have a long way to go, but it was a GREAT start today.

Jim G