The same old dead horse, but I still would like some sort of idea, reason, or logic, other than pure greed, as to this; ??Why does everything that has .338 Lapua Magnum in front of it cost so much, compared to basically the same items in different calibers. Look at calibers very close to the .338 LM and see how much less all items are costing. Why, why, why.?? And it's not just reloading components and ammo. Look at scope mounts and rings, etc. Why ?? Is it like the cost of gasoline...? The public is getting royally gouged just because they can?? I am paying it, like everyone else because it's the caliber that I want,but why am I required to pay so much more just to have a caliber that is not on the average gun shops shelves or displays. Thanks to anyone who can give any type of answer.
.338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
- Thread starter VanLin
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Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
As you already know its the "LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND."
I am in the same boat.. I own a modded out MLR in .338LM..
Simply.. there is just not many companies that make brass for it thus keeping the brass prices high...
However... look at the cost of Hornady vs Lapua... Hornady brass is VERY reasonable.
I think in time as the round keeps getting more popular and gun companies keep building the rifle the cost associated with the ammo and components will come down...
In short.... KEEP BUYING AND BUILDING the rifles
Matt.
As you already know its the "LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND."
I am in the same boat.. I own a modded out MLR in .338LM..
Simply.. there is just not many companies that make brass for it thus keeping the brass prices high...
However... look at the cost of Hornady vs Lapua... Hornady brass is VERY reasonable.
I think in time as the round keeps getting more popular and gun companies keep building the rifle the cost associated with the ammo and components will come down...
In short.... KEEP BUYING AND BUILDING the rifles
Matt.
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mm128</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As you already know its the "LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND."
I am in the same boat.. I own a modded out MLR in .338LM..
Simply.. there is just not many companies that make brass for it thus keeping the brass prices high...
However... look at the cost of Hornady vs Lapua... Hornady brass is VERY reasonable.
I think in time as the round keeps getting more popular and gun companies keep building the rifle the cost associated with the ammo and components will come down...
In short.... KEEP BUYING AND BUILDING the rifles
Matt. </div></div>
Bigger is better and better costs more cash.
250gr or 300gr match grade bullets vs. 155gr/168gr/175gr, so do the math on costs of lead/copper/zinc, per item.
Brass cases...what twice as much material than a 308 case, or three times that found in a 223?
Uses more powder, too, so factory ammo is going to cost more.
Economies of scale also play a role. Bullet runs and brass runs aren't as large and as frequent, so manufactures have to charge more to recoup tooling and start up costs.
Recoil is bigger and badder, so scopes and rings and rails all need to be bullet proofed, moreso than with a 223 or 308.
Stuff like that.
Chris
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: mm128</div><div class="ubbcode-body">As you already know its the "LAW OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND."
I am in the same boat.. I own a modded out MLR in .338LM..
Simply.. there is just not many companies that make brass for it thus keeping the brass prices high...
However... look at the cost of Hornady vs Lapua... Hornady brass is VERY reasonable.
I think in time as the round keeps getting more popular and gun companies keep building the rifle the cost associated with the ammo and components will come down...
In short.... KEEP BUYING AND BUILDING the rifles
Matt. </div></div>
Bigger is better and better costs more cash.
250gr or 300gr match grade bullets vs. 155gr/168gr/175gr, so do the math on costs of lead/copper/zinc, per item.
Brass cases...what twice as much material than a 308 case, or three times that found in a 223?
Uses more powder, too, so factory ammo is going to cost more.
Economies of scale also play a role. Bullet runs and brass runs aren't as large and as frequent, so manufactures have to charge more to recoup tooling and start up costs.
Recoil is bigger and badder, so scopes and rings and rails all need to be bullet proofed, moreso than with a 223 or 308.
Stuff like that.
Chris
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
Have you actually seen Lapua .338LM brass?
It is the holy grail of brass cases! sorta...
But yeh, it is very pricey stuff. But if you can afford a .338LM rifle and a good scope theres no reason why you shouldnt be able to afford the ammo.
Yes its very expensive to shoot, but its not the kind of thing most people go out and just blaze away at the range.
The way I shoot, If i shot a .338LM like i shoot my .308 i would have to rebarrel after 10 range trips!!!
IMO .338LM should be something that experienced reloaders delve into... that or .338EDGE if the budget is a little tight. Work your way straight into an efficient load development regime that conserves the barrel.
10 Rounds to determine max load
30 Rounds on a ladder test
20 Rounds confirming ELR loads
In theory your barrel should still be good for at least 900 more rounds and you have your loads pretty much sorted.
Have you actually seen Lapua .338LM brass?
It is the holy grail of brass cases! sorta...
But yeh, it is very pricey stuff. But if you can afford a .338LM rifle and a good scope theres no reason why you shouldnt be able to afford the ammo.
Yes its very expensive to shoot, but its not the kind of thing most people go out and just blaze away at the range.
The way I shoot, If i shot a .338LM like i shoot my .308 i would have to rebarrel after 10 range trips!!!
IMO .338LM should be something that experienced reloaders delve into... that or .338EDGE if the budget is a little tight. Work your way straight into an efficient load development regime that conserves the barrel.
10 Rounds to determine max load
30 Rounds on a ladder test
20 Rounds confirming ELR loads
In theory your barrel should still be good for at least 900 more rounds and you have your loads pretty much sorted.
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you actually seen Lapua .338LM brass?
It is the holy grail of brass cases! sorta...
But yeh, it is very pricey stuff. But if you can afford a .338LM rifle and a good scope theres no reason why you shouldnt be able to afford the ammo.
Yes its very expensive to shoot, but its not the kind of thing most people go out and just blaze away at the range.
The way I shoot, If i shot a .338LM like i shoot my .308 i would have to rebarrel after 10 range trips!!!
IMO .338LM should be something that experienced reloaders delve into... that or .338EDGE if the budget is a little tight. Work your way straight into an efficient load development regime that conserves the barrel.
10 Rounds to determine max load
30 Rounds on a ladder test
20 Rounds confirming ELR loads
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">In theory your barrel should still be good for at least 900 more rounds and you have your loads pretty much sorted.</span></span> </div></div>
Actually, a good friend of mine just rebarreled his AIAWSM 338LM after about 4000 rounds. So, I think it's quite reasonable. If you want to talke about short barrel life, how about the 375 CT?
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: vman</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Have you actually seen Lapua .338LM brass?
It is the holy grail of brass cases! sorta...
But yeh, it is very pricey stuff. But if you can afford a .338LM rifle and a good scope theres no reason why you shouldnt be able to afford the ammo.
Yes its very expensive to shoot, but its not the kind of thing most people go out and just blaze away at the range.
The way I shoot, If i shot a .338LM like i shoot my .308 i would have to rebarrel after 10 range trips!!!
IMO .338LM should be something that experienced reloaders delve into... that or .338EDGE if the budget is a little tight. Work your way straight into an efficient load development regime that conserves the barrel.
10 Rounds to determine max load
30 Rounds on a ladder test
20 Rounds confirming ELR loads
<span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">In theory your barrel should still be good for at least 900 more rounds and you have your loads pretty much sorted.</span></span> </div></div>
Actually, a good friend of mine just rebarreled his AIAWSM 338LM after about 4000 rounds. So, I think it's quite reasonable. If you want to talke about short barrel life, how about the 375 CT?
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
I've shot the 338LM since 3/06, so I'm aware of the costs associated with shooting one and reloading the caliber.
The Finnish army tested the Sako TRG-42 barrel out to about 4000 rounds before accuracy dropped below their standard. I'm right at about 1000 rounds through mine and slowing down a bit.
Chris
I've shot the 338LM since 3/06, so I'm aware of the costs associated with shooting one and reloading the caliber.
The Finnish army tested the Sako TRG-42 barrel out to about 4000 rounds before accuracy dropped below their standard. I'm right at about 1000 rounds through mine and slowing down a bit.
Chris
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
I have had my LM for a long time. Lets put it this way when I got mine, Black Hills 338LM was 65.00 a box. How many of the Lapua shooters remember those prices for Black Hills..
I went Lapua thinking that it would be as readily available like the 50 BMG. I was wrong.
As for the prices I still cant see the cost except for that the only ammo that you can buy is MATCH GRADE. not ball ammo. This was designed as a caliber for sniping and long range precision shooting.
anyone please feel free to chime in if I am wrong let me know...
I have had my LM for a long time. Lets put it this way when I got mine, Black Hills 338LM was 65.00 a box. How many of the Lapua shooters remember those prices for Black Hills..
I went Lapua thinking that it would be as readily available like the 50 BMG. I was wrong.
As for the prices I still cant see the cost except for that the only ammo that you can buy is MATCH GRADE. not ball ammo. This was designed as a caliber for sniping and long range precision shooting.
anyone please feel free to chime in if I am wrong let me know...
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: esromvre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have had my LM for a long time. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Lets put it this way when I got mine, Black Hills 338LM was 65.00 a box.</span></span> How many of the Lapua shooters remember those prices for Black Hills..
I went Lapua thinking that it would be as readily available like the 50 BMG. I was wrong.
As for the prices I still cant see the cost except for that the only ammo that you can buy is MATCH GRADE. not ball ammo. This was designed as a caliber for sniping and long range precision shooting.
anyone please feel free to chime in if I am wrong let me know...
</div></div>
How about a box of 100 brand new Lapua 338 LM brass went for $90 dollars at Cabela's, and I was screaming bloody murder. Only wished that picked up a boat load of that. Would have been one hell of an investment that's for sure.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: esromvre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have had my LM for a long time. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Lets put it this way when I got mine, Black Hills 338LM was 65.00 a box.</span></span> How many of the Lapua shooters remember those prices for Black Hills..
I went Lapua thinking that it would be as readily available like the 50 BMG. I was wrong.
As for the prices I still cant see the cost except for that the only ammo that you can buy is MATCH GRADE. not ball ammo. This was designed as a caliber for sniping and long range precision shooting.
anyone please feel free to chime in if I am wrong let me know...
</div></div>
How about a box of 100 brand new Lapua 338 LM brass went for $90 dollars at Cabela's, and I was screaming bloody murder. Only wished that picked up a boat load of that. Would have been one hell of an investment that's for sure.
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: esromvre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have had my LM for a long time. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Lets put it this way when I got mine, Black Hills 338LM was 65.00 a box.</span></span> How many of the Lapua shooters remember those prices for Black Hills..
I went Lapua thinking that it would be as readily available like the 50 BMG. I was wrong.
As for the prices I still cant see the cost except for that the only ammo that you can buy is MATCH GRADE. not ball ammo. This was designed as a caliber for sniping and long range precision shooting.
anyone please feel free to chime in if I am wrong let me know...
</div></div>
How about a box of 100 brand new Lapua 338 LM brass went for $90 dollars at Cabela's, and I was screaming bloody murder. Only wished that picked up a boat load of that. Would have been one hell of an investment that's for sure. </div></div>
I wasn't in at $90 per 100, but I did get 2 boxes of 100 at $250 shipped from a 'master' Lapua dealer off of Ebay in early '06.
I then picked up a case of 1000 for $1565 delivered from Petibone in '07, before they jacked the prices up to $180, or so, per 100.
Chris
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: DesertHK</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: esromvre</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have had my LM for a long time. <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">Lets put it this way when I got mine, Black Hills 338LM was 65.00 a box.</span></span> How many of the Lapua shooters remember those prices for Black Hills..
I went Lapua thinking that it would be as readily available like the 50 BMG. I was wrong.
As for the prices I still cant see the cost except for that the only ammo that you can buy is MATCH GRADE. not ball ammo. This was designed as a caliber for sniping and long range precision shooting.
anyone please feel free to chime in if I am wrong let me know...
</div></div>
How about a box of 100 brand new Lapua 338 LM brass went for $90 dollars at Cabela's, and I was screaming bloody murder. Only wished that picked up a boat load of that. Would have been one hell of an investment that's for sure. </div></div>
I wasn't in at $90 per 100, but I did get 2 boxes of 100 at $250 shipped from a 'master' Lapua dealer off of Ebay in early '06.
I then picked up a case of 1000 for $1565 delivered from Petibone in '07, before they jacked the prices up to $180, or so, per 100.
Chris
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
Exactly why mine (.338) sits in the safe where it will be until sanity is restored to the .338 Lapua market. It is not supply and demand in this instance, its lets see how high we can go. Even the dies are overpriced and it aint that much more steel, brass, etc. Yes it is bigger but not enought to justify the huge price increases since Ob@ama got elected.
Stop shooting it for a while all of us and that shit will come down.
$5 a shot puhleeze.
P.S. If they could find a way to call a particular powder "338 Lapua Magnum powder" , theyd charge five times as much for that too.
Exactly why mine (.338) sits in the safe where it will be until sanity is restored to the .338 Lapua market. It is not supply and demand in this instance, its lets see how high we can go. Even the dies are overpriced and it aint that much more steel, brass, etc. Yes it is bigger but not enought to justify the huge price increases since Ob@ama got elected.
Stop shooting it for a while all of us and that shit will come down.
$5 a shot puhleeze.
P.S. If they could find a way to call a particular powder "338 Lapua Magnum powder" , theyd charge five times as much for that too.
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: woodspider</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Exactly why mine (.338) sits in the safe where it will be until sanity is restored to the .338 Lapua market. It is not supply and demand in this instance, its lets see how high we can go. Even the dies are overpriced and it aint that much more steel, brass, etc. Yes it is bigger but not enought to justify the huge price increases since Ob@ama got elected.
Stop shooting it for a while all of us and that shit will come down.
$5 a shot puhleeze.
P.S. If they could find a way to call a particular powder "338 Lapua Magnum powder" , theyd charge five times as much for that too. </div></div>
Wish I was in the powder market there... You could be on to something...
Just kidding
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: woodspider</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Exactly why mine (.338) sits in the safe where it will be until sanity is restored to the .338 Lapua market. It is not supply and demand in this instance, its lets see how high we can go. Even the dies are overpriced and it aint that much more steel, brass, etc. Yes it is bigger but not enought to justify the huge price increases since Ob@ama got elected.
Stop shooting it for a while all of us and that shit will come down.
$5 a shot puhleeze.
P.S. If they could find a way to call a particular powder "338 Lapua Magnum powder" , theyd charge five times as much for that too. </div></div>
Wish I was in the powder market there... You could be on to something...
Just kidding
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
I think that there is some of a "mystique" surrounding the 338LM. Anytime I put mine on the firing line, people will ask me what caliber is blowing shit off the benches. When they find out what it is, their reaction is quite interesting. THE 338LM DEMANDS AWE AND RESPECT! LOL
I think that there is some of a "mystique" surrounding the 338LM. Anytime I put mine on the firing line, people will ask me what caliber is blowing shit off the benches. When they find out what it is, their reaction is quite interesting. THE 338LM DEMANDS AWE AND RESPECT! LOL
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: woodspider</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Exactly why mine (.338) sits in the safe where it will be until sanity is restored to the .338 Lapua market. It is not supply and demand in this instance, its lets see how high we can go. Even the dies are overpriced and it aint that much more steel, brass, etc. Yes it is bigger but not enought to justify the huge price increases since Ob@ama got elected.
Stop shooting it for a while all of us and that shit will come down.
$5 a shot puhleeze.
P.S. If they could find a way to call a particular powder "338 Lapua Magnum powder" , theyd charge five times as much for that too. </div></div>
I'm not too worried about the costs, as a $220 box of 100 cases should get you to 1000 cycles, or more, total. It's not a weapon to go out and blast 100 rounds with per session, so that gives you 10-15 visits, maybe more, if you keep it to 60...80 rounds per outing.
I have slowed down my shooting because I don't live near a long range range, so shooting at 100 has gotten passe', not because it costs $5 a pop, which it doesn't if you reload the cartridge.
Anyhow, like the guy above states, it's fun to have people come up and ask about the weapon.
I had one guy that was shooting next to me and my Sako TRG-42, who came over and stated "I could feel the air being sucked out of my lungs when you fired"...lol! Statements like that are worth $5 to me, alone.
Chris
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: woodspider</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Exactly why mine (.338) sits in the safe where it will be until sanity is restored to the .338 Lapua market. It is not supply and demand in this instance, its lets see how high we can go. Even the dies are overpriced and it aint that much more steel, brass, etc. Yes it is bigger but not enought to justify the huge price increases since Ob@ama got elected.
Stop shooting it for a while all of us and that shit will come down.
$5 a shot puhleeze.
P.S. If they could find a way to call a particular powder "338 Lapua Magnum powder" , theyd charge five times as much for that too. </div></div>
I'm not too worried about the costs, as a $220 box of 100 cases should get you to 1000 cycles, or more, total. It's not a weapon to go out and blast 100 rounds with per session, so that gives you 10-15 visits, maybe more, if you keep it to 60...80 rounds per outing.
I have slowed down my shooting because I don't live near a long range range, so shooting at 100 has gotten passe', not because it costs $5 a pop, which it doesn't if you reload the cartridge.
Anyhow, like the guy above states, it's fun to have people come up and ask about the weapon.
I had one guy that was shooting next to me and my Sako TRG-42, who came over and stated "I could feel the air being sucked out of my lungs when you fired"...lol! Statements like that are worth $5 to me, alone.
Chris
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
"I could feel the air being sucked out of my lungs when you fired"...lol! Statements like that are worth $5 to me, alone.
Chris </div></div>
+1
It also makes people leave where I shoot. People will pull up start to unload. One round get's me surprised looks while they hastily put their stuff back in the car and head elsewhere.
It's only money
I'm far from wealthy but loosing the 338 feels like I'm doing something.
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
"I could feel the air being sucked out of my lungs when you fired"...lol! Statements like that are worth $5 to me, alone.
Chris </div></div>
+1
It also makes people leave where I shoot. People will pull up start to unload. One round get's me surprised looks while they hastily put their stuff back in the car and head elsewhere.
It's only money
Re: .338 Lapua Magnum Brass, Bullets, etc Cost
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nefariousd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
"I could feel the air being sucked out of my lungs when you fired"...lol! Statements like that are worth $5 to me, alone.
Chris </div></div>
+1
It also makes people leave where I shoot. People will pull up start to unload. One round get's me surprised looks while they hastily put their stuff back in the car and head elsewhere.
It's only money
I'm far from wealthy but loosing the 338 feels like I'm doing something. </div></div>
Yeah, it's actually quite amusing when I say "fire in the hole" and no one takes me seriously till I let that first round go! That Holland Quick Discharge brake is vicious! It's funny to hear people yell "God-damn" and run for cover. I nicknamed my 338LM "The bench clearer."
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Nefariousd</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChrisGarrett</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
"I could feel the air being sucked out of my lungs when you fired"...lol! Statements like that are worth $5 to me, alone.
Chris </div></div>
+1
It also makes people leave where I shoot. People will pull up start to unload. One round get's me surprised looks while they hastily put their stuff back in the car and head elsewhere.
It's only money
Yeah, it's actually quite amusing when I say "fire in the hole" and no one takes me seriously till I let that first round go! That Holland Quick Discharge brake is vicious! It's funny to hear people yell "God-damn" and run for cover. I nicknamed my 338LM "The bench clearer."
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