338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

[Marriedman1]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

I agree with NOTAGURU....i sat down and went through all of this about a year ago..Having nothing at all to start with the 375 cost me $100.00 more than the same gun in a 338Lapua...and actually it was the die cost that was a little more...and some of the bullet choice...But i am glad i did it..but on bullet cost you can spend the same on a 338 bullet from the same guys if you want the good stuff...the 375 CHEYTAC is KINg of the hill...

 

[ERA]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

if you are seriously thinking of having only one rifle the answer is 338lm.

Resons

-Portable and lightweight when compared to chey tacs.
-Can be shot from kneeling, standing, sitting as well as prone. 375/408 tend to weight too much for nothing else than prone and supported sitting positions etc.
-can be loaded down for close range deer hunting etc.
-can be accurately shot up to 1500m and stretched out to 2000m
-availability and cost of ammo and components. edit:this absolutely true only in europe.

Still if you plan seriously shoot mostly between 1200-3000m i would definately go for 375 or 408 chey tac and leave 50bmg out of concideration. nobady in finland sels or makes 375/408 chey tac, but i am tempted to import one or to build one on a custom action. witch action do you recomend?

 

[wildcats]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: stenger</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I am building a 416 barrett on all match grade componets. i even had a reamer made for a tight neck chamber. i will give you all an update with my findings. it should be here any day! I talked with Dave from lehigh bullets and he said that a customer reported 3400FPS with a 416 grain bullet which produced a 23 inch group at 3000 yards. i need to see that to believe it but the velocity seems good and the case is awesome it should be fun.</div></div>
Stenger,
i'm building a similar setup on a BAT 50bmg action.
should be fun.

 

[justinwatt]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

Bobby,

I was just reading your response to my post and I was like WTF!?!? - Then i re-read my post and I realized that I made it sound like I was advocating the 338 over the 408. This was, needless to say, not my intention.

What I was trying to say is that I reccomend the 338 for the projectile and the 408 for the cartridge. I just purchased a rifle that is 408/338 - and I made the decision after talking with one of your cohorts =). He talked me out of going straight up 408 for a number of reasons, mainly the ones I listed. The 338 varients like the 408/338 he said are the best of both worlds.



Sorry for the confusion!

J.

 

[BLAWTON]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

I wasnt trying to say anything bad just putting my opinion out their (for what its worth). But when it comes down to a deciding factor for me is the fact that the 375 when shooting solids is gonna cost you a boat load more over shooting the 338/408 snipetac (improved) which are about 1/3 the cost or less. If you need the 2200+ range then the 375 is the best choice by far. If not then the 338 ST will get it done in a hurry. BTW It still takes awhile to run 700+ rounds out of them and burn the barrel up. I try not to use my cheytac unless im shooting 1500+. I have a 30/338 LM Improved for under that. It makes a bad enough mess out of most critters....

 

[justinwatt]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

oh I know you werent man I was just laughing that I honestly explained my opinion so horribly.

What type of burnout do you see on the snipetac sticks you work on? I heard with a chromoly lined barrel you would be looking at about 1500 rounds before it becomes bad? shooting 300 grain projectiles that is.


J.

 

[justinwatt]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

and btw - you guys build some bad ASS rifles =)

 

[Gettn2]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

Thought of this when I saw this thread ...

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=151881249

Would have to choose the LM since I hunt more than I shoot.

 

[Wild_Bill]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

if i had to chose and money was not a choice the 375 Snipr tac
but as i have just build a 338 Edge Improved i gues that shows that a 338 Lapua sized cartrige will get more use.

If you have the 338 LApua and a 50 dont bother with the 408 get a 375 Snipe Tac or a 338 Snipe tac and be done with it the only advantage with the 408 is bullet energy but you have the 50 that covers that so just build a 375 Snipe Tac and have the middle ground covered it will cream the 50 with everything except retained energy.

 

[BLAWTON]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: burnzone</div><div class="ubbcode-body">oh I know you werent man I was just laughing that I honestly explained my opinion so horribly.

What type of burnout do you see on the snipetac sticks you work on? I heard with a chromoly lined barrel you would be looking at about 1500 rounds before it becomes bad? shooting 300 grain projectiles that is.


J. </div></div>

700 rounds for the 338 is prob a low average. Yes if you loaded them down to the second or third node you might be able to break 1k and maybe even sneak up to 1500. But that i would say is the max you could squeeze out of it and every barrel may not get that much. I am working on a nitrided barrel that i hope to see get over 2k out of but that will take me some time to get done.

 

[BLAWTON]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Moroni</div><div class="ubbcode-body">you can use a 408 in Idaho as long as its under 16 lbs. but Im not shooting it if its under 16 lbs </div></div>

A 375 in 16lbs is not that bad at all. The 408 does kick a bit more and the 338 ST is just a little kitten.... I have build several of them for shooters in idaho and they have worked great and were fine to shoot. Sure the 20+ rifles dont move near as much but the only cheytacs i have shoot that wernt fun were closer to 11 pounds....

 

[hypertex]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

You know, I was pleasantly surprised at the recoil on the 338ST (my 8mm magnum kicks much, much more.)

 

[wadcutter]

Re: 338 LM vs. 408 Chey Tac

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Wild_Bill</div><div class="ubbcode-body">if i had to chose and money was not a choice the 375 Snipr tac
but as i have just build a 338 Edge Improved i gues that shows that a 338 Lapua sized cartrige will get more use.

</div></div>
Wild_Bill,
How is your 338 Edge "Improved"?
What sort of velocity you getting compared to a .408 Chey Tac?