Why is Fed. 50cal a third of the price for the 338 Lapua?

[skeeterIII]

I have several Barrett's and can buy Federal XM33C for $237 a case of 100 rounds (Palmetto State Armory) yet the 338 Lapua costs about $800-$900 for the cheapie Hornady Match. Even the very accurate Hornady 750 grain A-Max in 50 cal BMG is about $55 for a box of 20 and is more accurate than the Hornady 285 grain Match 338 Lapua especially out of the Barrett 99A1.

Do you think the price of 338 Lapua will come down in price?

Looks like I will be forced to reload but why the price difference between the 50cal A-Max and the other 338 Lapua?

 

[Redmanss]

I'm an outsider to the mass ammo production industry, but I would venture to guess it's brass availability, projectile production, and loading machinery availability along with general supply and demand. Anything with "Laupa" is still Gucci in the shooting world...

Big bore match ammo virtually demands reloading if you don't want to pay to play. I stick to short actions being stuck in the cramped east.

 

[Ledzep]

Reload. I was reloading FMJ, AP, API, APIT etc. for about $1.50 a round when I had my .50. You should be able to do 338's for less than $2 a pop reloading.

 

[steeltraps]

I buy used 338 lapua brass for 125 dollars a 100 pieces used. I get h-1000 buy 8 lbs for 160. Buy the time I buy 300 gr otms and primers in bulk I still have 2.50 plus in them!

 

[71firebird400]

Brass- Lapua $250/100, assuming 10 firings per case it works out to $0.25/firing
Bullets- Sierra 300SMK $300/500, $0.60
Primers- Federal 215M $40/1000, $0.04
Powder- Retumbo $160/8lbs; 92 grains. $0.26

Total: $1.15/rd

 

[mosquitoshooter]

Brass- Lapua $250/100, assuming 10 firings per case it works out to $0.25/firing
Bullets- Sierra 300SMK $300/500, $0.60
Primers- Federal 215M $40/1000, $0.04
Powder- Retumbo $160/8lbs; 92 grains. $0.26

Total: $1.15/rd

Exactly! The only difference in my math is I use H 1000 instead of retumbo

 

[biffj]

I think the big difference is in the ammo itself. Anything from federal that says XM is reject and if they didn't sell it to you they'd be pulling it down for components. Cheap price for you and they save money (make money?) by not having to rework. From what I've heard the rejection isn't for safety issues but because its out of spec for whatever contract it was made for. This will of course affect accuracy and no one I know has claimed any sort of reliable accuracy for any of the XM ammo from fed. Having said that I have heard of a number of issues with the xm193 .223 ammo which has caused some blow ups.

As for hornadys selections I can't help. Prices are frequently based on volume produced and I'd guess there is a lot more .50 BMG produced than .338LM.


Frank

 

[jfields]

Brass- Lapua $250/100, assuming 10 firings per case it works out to $0.25/firing
Bullets- Sierra 300SMK $300/500, $0.60
Primers- Federal 215M $40/1000, $0.04
Powder- Retumbo $160/8lbs; 92 grains. $0.26

Total: $1.15/rd

This matches my cost as well. I shoot the 300 OTMs, so it's a little higher, but I got several jugs of Retumbo and H1000 a while back locally for a little less than $160. I shoot 20-40 rounds a trip usually. $50 seems reasonable for an afternoon of great fun!

 

[71firebird400]

This matches my cost as well. I shoot the 300 OTMs, so it's a little higher, but I got several jugs of Retumbo and H1000 a while back locally for a little less than $160. I shoot 20-40 rounds a trip usually. $50 seems reasonable for an afternoon of great fun!

Agreed; it's not terribly expensive if you reload and buy in quantity. I can actually beat the prices I listed, but admit I am very opportunistic about purchasing reloading components. I tried to use real world numbers that one could find at the drop of a hat. If you're willing to wait and cherry pick the good deals you can get closer to $1.00/rd.

 

[Tristian19]

Brass- Lapua $250/100, assuming 10 firings per case it works out to $0.25/firing
Bullets- Sierra 300SMK $300/500, $0.60
Primers- Federal 215M $40/1000, $0.04
Powder- Retumbo $160/8lbs; 92 grains. $0.26

Total: $1.15/rd

+1
Sounds just about right to me. [emoji6]

* Whether Retumbo or H1000 my rig likes both at same charge weight.

sent via Tapatalk

 

[sib1948]

I think the novelty of a 50 cal beating you up after 20 rounds at the range has worn off. 338LM much more accurate and forgiving to the shooter with much better trigger and less weight to lug around. Law of supply and demand!

 

[mosquitoshooter]

I think the novelty of a 50 cal beating you up after 20 rounds at the range has worn off. 338LM much more accurate and forgiving to the shooter with much better trigger and less weight to lug around. Law of supply and demand!

I do agree with this. My 50 was fun to shoot but merely hauling it from my safe to my truck was a chore. Plus, even if you reload the 50 for "match grade accuracy", it is $3 a pop. Just the 750 Hornady Amax bullets are $2 each. My GAP 338 LM is much more accurate and 1/3 of the cost to shoot with reloading than the 50. With the 50, if you want a round that just goes boom, i can reload for around $1 a piece. To me however, a 1.5 MOA round is not worth $1 a trigger pull. Plus, the 50 BMG is not really good on my left ear Tinnitus!!! Even if I double up on hearing protection!!

 

[leadbullet]

fed makes a lot more of .50 than lapua makes 338 and maybe the exchange rate is not in our favor. Thes are not fact just a guess.
cheers.