.338 vs .50

E

eli polite

Gunny Sergeant
Minuteman
Mar 9, 2010
1,304
30
49
delaware
#1
i just made a post asking about .338 lapua actions because i will be starting a new build very soon. but just when i thought i had nailed down my decision on caliber i "MAY" be back on the fence.

here is why... i started looking for reloading brass and bullets and i discovered it is more expensive to reload a lapua than it is to reload a .50.

i can find good .50 brass for around $1
.338 lapua if i can find the brass its at least $2 most of the time more.

and the same for the actual bullets. it seams to be easier to find .50 reloading gears as well. so now i am thinking of just building a .50 instead of the .338 if the cost of reloading is roughly 1/2

any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. why would i do .338 over .50 if the .50 is cheaper to shoot?
 
#3
Re: .338 vs .50

Well, 1st off the 338LM is inherently more accurate, so it depends on the rifles intended purpose. 2nd, if you are comparing match reloading components in both calibers, the 50BMG is CONSIDERABLY more costly to reload for.

I think you may also be comparing quality 338 Lapua brass (the only available brass) to inexpensive 50 (pulled) brass, not apples to apples.

Kirk R
 
#4
Re: .338 vs .50

I have and shoot both ctg. Once you go to the 50bmg you really narrow down your resale if wanted. The 50 is narrowed down to a special field of shooters. You also have to concider the price of a 50. I have a Barrett M99, for that price range you can set up a 338L soup to nuts. Not to mention you have to get a special press for the 50. Even if you went on the cheep side and go with a Lee kit its still going to run you over $150.00. Add a $100.00 for RCBS or Hornady. Primers are apx $150.00 for 500.
All the extras for the 50 add up quickly. Heres somethings to think about
Mil brass apx $1-1.50
M33 heads $.50-1.00
H50 BMG powder apx $20.00 lb 28 rnds per lb@245gr load
Primers $150.00 pre 500.
Press kit $150.00-250.00(depending on brand)
Each round has it's pros and cons. Its all up to your wallet and what you want to do with it.
 
#6
Re: .338 vs .50

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: epdesign</div><div class="ubbcode-body">...
here is why... i started looking for reloading brass and bullets and i discovered it is more expensive to reload a lapua than it is to reload a .50.
... </div></div>

You must be looking at the cheapest 50 components and the most expensive 338 ones. Apples to apples comparo:

-338 300 gr SMK = ~$0.60
-50 750 gr Amax = $2+

-CCI 250 Primer = ~ 3.5 cents a piece
-CCI 35 Primers = ~ 35 cents a piece

-Over twice the amount of powder burned per shot

The only thing that may be cheaper in initial investment is brass for the 50, if you're looking at Lapua for the 338. It's not even going to get close to making up for the huge price difference of everything else.

I am switching to 338 Edge from 50 BMG for really long range stuff because of the cost difference. Trust me, match quality 50 ammo is spendy to shoot, even if you reload.
 
#7
Re: .338 vs .50

Yup, it's a pretty common mistake to compare match quality .338LM components (pretty much the only stuff available) to mil-surp .50bmg.

.50bmg is an impressive round with a particular mission (anti-material) that can't be matched by smaller cartridges.

But when you compare apples to apples the .50 is a much more expensive round and doesn't compare as favorably in the precision game.

In the long run you won't be satisfied until you have both.
 
#8
Re: .338 vs .50

I think that everyone else has pretty well nailed this one down for you, but again just to keep up the dead horse beating...when you actually compare the costs of reloading MATCH/PRECISION ammo for both rounds, the BMG is considerably more expensive to reload for than anything in the .338 class.
 
#9
Re: .338 vs .50

Other then what everyone has stated, you may want to consider what ranges in your area allow 50s for the most part the 338s can be shot at most of the ranges – then again this statement tends to relate to different parts of the country – yes there are places to shoot both.
 
#10
Re: .338 vs .50

And really the brass isn't too bad buy Lapua brass when its on sale at midway for 220. If you don't load to hot and anneal it every 3 reloads you should easily get 10 to 12 loads out of it. thats .17 cents to .22 cents in the cost of brass per reload.

So my calculations are

20 cents for Lapua brass (if you get 10 reloads)
53 cents for SMK 300gr when you buy the 500 pack
3.5 cents per primer
1 dollar in powder.

Not positive on the powder I think there is 7000 grains in a 5lb keg? or 8lb? But anyways if you buy all your components on sale it should only be 2 dollars a shot which isn't much for match quality ammo.
 
#12
Re: .338 vs .50

im not a hunter so game is not an issue it will be strictly for target. not that im against hunting i have done some hunting.

i ruled out the .50 a while back just because my wife and kids will learn to shoot it as well. so i ruled out the .50 for recoil and manageability. my wife is 100lbs and a 6' 35lb .50 is not manageable. i shoot .50 several times a year and love it.


i know that building this rifle is expensive and it is not a concern. what is a concern is that the operation cost of it does not go beyond what i am comfortable with. as long as i can keep the rounds rite around $4.00 a round i will be happy. not including loading equipment.

i have never loaded for this type of rifle the only loading i have done is for hand guns. and i want to learn I'm ( ITCHING TO LEARN!!!)

so forgive the indecisive switch here.
 
#13
Re: .338 vs .50

oh and the range i will be using is 1000 yards max and you can shoo what you ant as long as it does not interfere with others. so if i wanted to go ahead with the .50 i would have to shoot during off times. eventually i will have both but i am thinking that starting with the .338 is the way to go
 
#15
Re: .338 vs .50

Ok so with the new adjustments powder is only .27 for 95 grains of RL25. So really with the same numbers 1 shot could cost as little as 1.05. But thats if you get 10 reloads a case even if you get only 6 reloads thats only a 1.30 a shot which really isn't that much when you compare it to shooting solid .375 and .50
 
#16
Re: .338 vs .50

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: oldreliable45120</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I have and shoot both ctg. Once you go to the 50bmg you really narrow down your resale if wanted. The 50 is narrowed down to a special field of shooters. You also have to concider the price of a 50. I have a Barrett M99, for that price range you can set up a 338L soup to nuts. Not to mention you have to get a special press for the 50. Even if you went on the cheep side and go with a Lee kit its still going to run you over $150.00. Add a $100.00 for RCBS or Hornady. Primers are apx $150.00 for 500.
All the extras for the 50 add up quickly. Heres somethings to think about
Mil brass apx $1-1.50
M33 heads $.50-1.00
H50 BMG powder apx $20.00 lb 28 rnds per lb@245gr load
Primers $150.00 pre 500.
Press kit $150.00-250.00(depending on brand)
Each round has it's pros and cons. Its all up to your wallet and what you want to do with it.</div></div>
Oh come on a .50 press isn't that expensive a new Hollywood will only set you back $1,100 or so
DSC07463.jpg

and you can buy dies one at a time like my Hollywood micrometer seater die. Heck they are only $350 bucks when you can get them.
DSC07617-1.jpg

When you are in a hurry it only takes 3 or 4 hours to prep 50 cases. I think your just whiney. Get the .50 it's fun!
Picture045.jpg

Picture041.jpg

Picture046.jpg
 
#18
Re: .338 vs .50

I'm surprised no one mentioned that shooting 50 rounds of .338LM is a fun day while shooting the same amount of .50BMG isn't exactly a pleasant experience.
 
#20
Re: .338 vs .50

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Dogtown</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm surprised no one mentioned that shooting 50 rounds of .338LM is a fun day while shooting the same amount of .50BMG isn't exactly a pleasant experience. </div></div>

You mean like I did a few posts back?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Jer</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Even if everything were equal shoot both... your shoulder will tell you which one to shoot long term. lol</div></div>
 
#21
Re: .338 vs .50

I have both and I shoot more of the 338LM than the 50 BMG. BTW, I shoot the 750 AMAX rouns. So, it's fun to shoot the 50 BMG, but not cheaper than the 338 LM.
 
#22
Re: .338 vs .50

A 107 recoil is dampened because it is a semi auto. Try the same thing in a M99, or AR50, and you'll pretty much hate life. The recoil, and concussive blast will typically hit you by your 10th round. After that its downhill.
 
#23
Re: .338 vs .50

At the 50 cal shoot out west of Limon, CO in April I get to shoot my brother in laws bolt 50 at a mile (shooting tracers at a semi trailer and just wait for the flash). way fun, but like everyone said, after ten or so rnds, the concussive blast really REALLY wears on a guy, while the recoil is def manageable...
 
#24
Re: .338 vs .50

I guess I'd echo the same thoughts as above. I have both. I love shooting the 338 LM. I put 50 rounds through it every time that I take it to the range. I usually stop after 10 rounds of the 50 because my head feels like someone hit me in the face with a sledgehammer. Even if costs were equal, I'd go with the 338 LM. Of course, you'll spend more with the 338 LM, because you'll shoot it more....

CWJ
 
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