I know the cost efficient rem700 police and savage .338 but I'd like to build my own. Any ideas on good parts combos and places to get them? Not looking to go in to debt or anything this is just an over time LR precision build
Ideas for .338 lapua mag build?
- Thread starter Crawmagnum
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Re: Ideas for .338 lapua mag build?
I don't know anything about the 338 Lapua that is inexpensive. I currently shoot a 277 cal wildcat based on the 338 Lapua case and am also in the process of building another wildcat that will be a 338 Lapua Improved variant.
To develop the full potential of the cartridge, your seating depth will be such that you will not be able to have a repeating rifle w/o going with one of the longer CIP magazines which require modifications to both the std. LA actions, stocks and bottom metal. The Lapua case head is larger than the std. magnum case head requiring a special bolt (which in turn may require special modifications to the action.
My first Lapua was built on a std. Rem 700 Mag LA. The bolt face had to be opened, leaving precious little metal surrounding the case head itself. back then, there were few alternatives, so this was the solution. Today, there are other alternatives, and most gunsmiths won't even entertain the notion of opening & using a std. mag bolt face for reasons of safety and liability. Maybe you can find one....
The magazine in the std. Rem magnum configuration is just a tad too short to feed loaded 338 Lapua cases, especially when using the longer 300 gr. bullets. You can purchase aftermarket bottom metal and longer magazines, but nearly all require modifying the bolt stop to increase the throw of the bolt, along with the removal of some metal from the lower part of the action and recutting / re-inletting the stock for the new bottom metal. The cheaper way around this (and the one my rifle has) is to simply glue the follower to the bottom of the action, which effectively makes it a single shot. I have never found this arrangement to be a hinderance, as most LR shots take time to set up anyway.
My current build sidesteps these issues. I have a Stiller TAC-338 action on order. The platform is a McRee's Gen-5 folder with CIP magazine. Neither of which I would describe as inexpensive.
I believe your best route to do an inexpensive build is to buy a used/donor Rem 700 or Savage LA Mag action and then replace the bolt and go with different bottom metal. The other big 338's, such as the 338 EDGE and 338 RUM have the same head case measurements as your std. magnums and cycle well in std. length actions. These two cartridges are inexpensive to build as usually no modification to the bolt or bottom metal are required. The 338 Norma Mag has the diameter head as the Lapua, but it is shorter and will also cycle in std. length magnum actions. I'm sure others will chime in as well with what they have experienced. Good Luck.
I don't know anything about the 338 Lapua that is inexpensive. I currently shoot a 277 cal wildcat based on the 338 Lapua case and am also in the process of building another wildcat that will be a 338 Lapua Improved variant.
To develop the full potential of the cartridge, your seating depth will be such that you will not be able to have a repeating rifle w/o going with one of the longer CIP magazines which require modifications to both the std. LA actions, stocks and bottom metal. The Lapua case head is larger than the std. magnum case head requiring a special bolt (which in turn may require special modifications to the action.
My first Lapua was built on a std. Rem 700 Mag LA. The bolt face had to be opened, leaving precious little metal surrounding the case head itself. back then, there were few alternatives, so this was the solution. Today, there are other alternatives, and most gunsmiths won't even entertain the notion of opening & using a std. mag bolt face for reasons of safety and liability. Maybe you can find one....
The magazine in the std. Rem magnum configuration is just a tad too short to feed loaded 338 Lapua cases, especially when using the longer 300 gr. bullets. You can purchase aftermarket bottom metal and longer magazines, but nearly all require modifying the bolt stop to increase the throw of the bolt, along with the removal of some metal from the lower part of the action and recutting / re-inletting the stock for the new bottom metal. The cheaper way around this (and the one my rifle has) is to simply glue the follower to the bottom of the action, which effectively makes it a single shot. I have never found this arrangement to be a hinderance, as most LR shots take time to set up anyway.
My current build sidesteps these issues. I have a Stiller TAC-338 action on order. The platform is a McRee's Gen-5 folder with CIP magazine. Neither of which I would describe as inexpensive.
I believe your best route to do an inexpensive build is to buy a used/donor Rem 700 or Savage LA Mag action and then replace the bolt and go with different bottom metal. The other big 338's, such as the 338 EDGE and 338 RUM have the same head case measurements as your std. magnums and cycle well in std. length actions. These two cartridges are inexpensive to build as usually no modification to the bolt or bottom metal are required. The 338 Norma Mag has the diameter head as the Lapua, but it is shorter and will also cycle in std. length magnum actions. I'm sure others will chime in as well with what they have experienced. Good Luck.
Re: Ideas for .338 lapua mag build?
I had a .338 LM built by D&S Gun in Ft. Smith Arkansas
its built on a remington action and it works well but if you plan to use C.I.P. length mags in order to shoot the longer VLD .300 grain bullets you need a Magnum XL action the standard long action remington will work fine with SAMI spec mags
I started with an AI Chasis but then went with a A5 McMillan the A5 is more comfortable for me and of course I had to add bottom metal I sent the stock to CDI bottom metal in FL they CNC cut the stock to fit their metal for a great price. the rifle has a Kreiger Light Palma barrel at 30" plus a holland baffle break, used badger base and rings. I do wish I would of held out for a Surgeon action they are three times the money but I enjoy the rifle that mutch now that its finished.
I had a .338 LM built by D&S Gun in Ft. Smith Arkansas
its built on a remington action and it works well but if you plan to use C.I.P. length mags in order to shoot the longer VLD .300 grain bullets you need a Magnum XL action the standard long action remington will work fine with SAMI spec mags
I started with an AI Chasis but then went with a A5 McMillan the A5 is more comfortable for me and of course I had to add bottom metal I sent the stock to CDI bottom metal in FL they CNC cut the stock to fit their metal for a great price. the rifle has a Kreiger Light Palma barrel at 30" plus a holland baffle break, used badger base and rings. I do wish I would of held out for a Surgeon action they are three times the money but I enjoy the rifle that mutch now that its finished.
Re: Ideas for .338 lapua mag build?
Inexpensive and 338 Lapua - not words often used together in my experience.
If you are looking at building a custom you may find given the typical wait times for major components like the action, which can be months, and the barrel which, if you get one made to your spec, can also take months you might discover that you can get top shelf stuff since it probably won't be coming together overnight.
On top of all that is you will want to be loading, and reloading, your own ammo in all likelihood and given today's supply situation it might take a while just to get components.
I would suggest that you start by putting together your wish list of components and seeing in addition to the cost what the times involved in actually getting them are. Do the math and see where you end up.
By the way, the 338LM is a really fun caliber to shoot so long as you have access to long ranges to shoot - anything under about 500yds is just burning up barrel life, ammo etc. IMO. You should take that in to consideration as well I think.
Inexpensive and 338 Lapua - not words often used together in my experience.
If you are looking at building a custom you may find given the typical wait times for major components like the action, which can be months, and the barrel which, if you get one made to your spec, can also take months you might discover that you can get top shelf stuff since it probably won't be coming together overnight.
On top of all that is you will want to be loading, and reloading, your own ammo in all likelihood and given today's supply situation it might take a while just to get components.
I would suggest that you start by putting together your wish list of components and seeing in addition to the cost what the times involved in actually getting them are. Do the math and see where you end up.
By the way, the 338LM is a really fun caliber to shoot so long as you have access to long ranges to shoot - anything under about 500yds is just burning up barrel life, ammo etc. IMO. You should take that in to consideration as well I think.
Re: Ideas for .338 lapua mag build?
Thanks for all your input. I already have a rem700 in .308 and enjoy the platform. I might just go with the savage and build it up from there. I'm not looking really in to repeating more single load LR shooting only. I'm just getting in to reloading ever since this whole "situation" occurred and ammo became scarce. Well I've got a long way to go but thanks again everyone
Thanks for all your input. I already have a rem700 in .308 and enjoy the platform. I might just go with the savage and build it up from there. I'm not looking really in to repeating more single load LR shooting only. I'm just getting in to reloading ever since this whole "situation" occurred and ammo became scarce. Well I've got a long way to go but thanks again everyone
Re: Ideas for .338 lapua mag build?
Got a Savage and a Weatherby Accu mark at my local dealer if interested PM Me My gun does great with H 1000 powder.
And a very nice loaded HS Precission on consignment but its not cheap It has a Mark 4 and a Barrett bores on it.
Got a Savage and a Weatherby Accu mark at my local dealer if interested PM Me My gun does great with H 1000 powder.
And a very nice loaded HS Precission on consignment but its not cheap It has a Mark 4 and a Barrett bores on it.
