Opinion on .338 Lapua

[Groove]

Hi, anyone on this forum ever shot this ammunition ? Im considering of buying a weapon with this calibre and would like some first hand impression.

Thx for any answers !

[Brozozo]

It's heavy duty ****! Not for the amateur going vermin hunting. It's got great power and range. I've shot it with the Accuracy International and I it really lets you know what you're shooting!

[Groove]

So the kick is badass ?

On which distance did you shoot it ?

[D.Sigurdsson]

I personally have not shot a weapon with this caliber, but when a local gun shop had a open rifle day, they brought a SAKO TRG-42 in .338 Lapua and the power from that rifle was awesome.

They were shooting melons at 200+ m distance and the explosive energy from it was too cool. The range we were on had only 300m range.

I've heard nothing but good things of that caliber.

It packs a nice punch, a bud of mine shot the trg-42, he did not hold the rifle firmly enough so the rifle kicked him, and the scope hit is forehead, leaving a nice mark :)

http://gallery.bns-code.org/albums/riffildagur/DSC01047.jpg
Not sure if this is the .300 or .338 trg-42 (rifle on the left) one on the left is also a Sako but a 75 Varmint (I think) in 6.5x55

http://www.simnet.is/blindbylur/flags/mini/iceland.gif

[Groove]

thx for replying, the power the bullet carry on long range distance is awesome !

at 300 meters it still have over 4000(!) joule

[maw]

yes i have.
what would you like to know? specifically, are you asking about loads or actions?


Hi, anyone on this forum ever shot this ammunition ? Im considering of buying a weapon with this calibre and would like some first hand impression.

Thx for any answers !

[Brozozo]

So the kick is badass ?

On which distance did you shoot it ?

600 metres, I'm not trained as a sniper though.

[Groove]

yes i have.
what would you like to know? specifically, are you asking about loads or actions?


Hi, anyone on this forum ever shot this ammunition ? Im considering of buying a weapon with this calibre and would like some first hand impression.

Thx for any answers !

On which distance did you shoot with it ?

How is the kickback ?

Which weapon did u shoot it with ?

[Dennis G]

I luv'em

.338 Lapua aka 8.58x71mm

Originally developed to be the ultimate sniper round.

If you can afford the cost and tolerate the recoil the .338 Lapua is the ultimate sniper round. It flys flat, bucks the wind and hits like a truck.

300 grain HPBT @ 2,800 fps......yikes!

Regular hits on E-Type targets out to 1,300 meters.

Currently fielded by UK, Scandinavian & Canadian forces.

Most common platform is the Accuracy International Super Magnum rifle.

http://www.custer.com.au/Lap/pages/338Hist.html

edit :: I have a friend who regularly shoots 1,000+ yards

[Haiw]

Currently fielded by UK, Scandinavian & Canadian forces.
The Dutch as well.

[Poontang_Dan]

Add the frenchies.

[TacoDelRio]

I'll be an ass and point out that the .338 Remington Ultra Mag produces higher velocities at all ranges, and has more energy with a heavier bullet. :D

I'm fine with .308 though.

You must have alot of $$$$ to buy one of those Sako's. We sell them.

[Poontang_Dan]

There is a cartridge called .408 Cheytac which is trying to fill the gap between the .50 and the .338. The system that they sell for this cartridge is pretty amazing. Check it out at www.cheytac.com

I think it was introduced in Blackwater too and was well received.

[easyand]

Add the frenchies.

...and Italians (sako TRG and Acuracy)

[FDF_Hemppis]

Currently fielded by UK, Scandinavian & Canadian forces.


Sako TRG-42 is fielded by the FDF with the designation "8.6 TKiv 2000" :D

[MolliG]

Is the G22 (German AI) .338?

[maw]

[/quote]
On which distance did you shoot with it ?
i've shot the .338lm out to 1,000 yards at two ranges here in nc. one at blackwater and the other in the mountains.

How is the kickback ?
with a muzzle comp the recoil was comparable to a 12 gauge pump shooting slugs with a slightly faster impulse. some folks say the shooting a fifty compares to 12 guage slugs, i disagree. in my experience, shooting a fiifty has always been a major event for me. i can shoot slugs all day, i don't think i'd like to shoot a lightweight fifty all day.

Which weapon did u shoot it with ?[/quote]
the sako, the ai sm and two others. one of which was a dakota i believe. the other was an example of a batch submitted for acceptance to the army as a new long range platform. as i remember it had a manufacturers guarantee of 8" at 1500 yards. i didn't have enough time to verify the claim. but it was built by the company that holds the current 1000 yard record so i don't doubt it too much.

just remember, this cartridge is designed with range in mind. shooting it at 100 yards does nothing. if you typically only shoot out to 600-800 yards get a Tubbs in .308. heck, i've fired mk11 mod 0's that have consistently gotten 1" at 300 yards (call me out on it if you like).
the premise that states that a .223 will get tighter groups than a .308 (all things being equal) applies here. you'll only see the benefit further out.

[maw]

i don't think that's the point. there are plenty of cartridges that have more power than 338lm. 500 nitro anybody?
there are also plenty of lightweight wildcats that go faster and further.
the .338lm is one of the best current compromises between energy and distance. in the same way that 7mm-08 is the most efficient (drag wise for it's diameter) bullet, followed by the .300 win mag. the .338lm was designed for long distance stability.


I'll be an ass and point out that the .338 Remington Ultra Mag produces higher velocities at all ranges, and has more energy with a heavier bullet. :D

I'm fine with .308 though.

You must have alot of $$$$ to buy one of those Sako's. We sell them.

[Claymore]

Is the G22 (German AI) .338?

No, it's .300 Win Mag.

http://www.waffenhq.de/infanterie/g22.html

[D.E. Watters]

(Sorry, the question was already answered.)

[Durandal]

I have not any military experience with it. Though I do know its issued.

So take my sportsman enthusiasts opinion with a grain of salt.

A great round. Not too sure I agree with the kick though. It seemed no different than shooting a .300 WSM. I shot mine through a AI AWP. Very nice indeed.

If I recall the muzzle break was factory, so the comparisons should be the same.

That is not to say it did not buck, it simply did not seem all that much as any of the rounds in that range. Less than a Taurus .454 Casul but more than .50 BMG RAI or M96. :)


Apples to oranges, I know...

Anyways, with decent optics you should be able to hit anything you want. It is a laser.

Of course, most of the rifles that fall into this caliber cost bucks and the ammo costs more than .50 BMG. Not for those of us on a budget for certain.

[Or4cle]

Well, Lapua .338 is quite a common ammo. used in Finland, doesn't matter if the object you are firing at is behing a tree :)

[martinexsquaddie]

well not exactly sure what a civillian would want with one unless you get your jollys shooting at 1000metres plus
under that not really worth the cost can't really think of anythink you'd need that round to hunt with (mind you I would'nt really want to meet anything you'd need a .338 to put down.)
in a military context gives you an ability to reach out and touch someone at extreme range and lots of secondary abilities to **** things over that a 7.62 would'nt give and a barret is just to heavy the AI .338 I could stalk with a barret well no

[Durandal]

well not exactly sure what a civillian would want with one unless you get your jollys shooting at 1000metres plus
under that not really worth the cost can't really think of anythink you'd need that round to hunt with...

People buy boats. People collect coins. Some people even collect thousands of those damn stuffed animals you get at McDonalds.

And some people like to shoot at a 1000 yards. ;)

I look at the airsoft crowd and wonder why the hell would ANYONE spend 2K in gear when all the shoot is a b.b. Get some mil-surplus woodland camo, your gun a mask and play.

Then I remind myself that we all we enjoy life differently. Which is a nice thing.

[HoboWithAK]

From what I understand, it's a damn fine load. However, it will make your wallet run away. Around 70$ a box for somewhat premium loads last time I checked, so you will want to invest in a reloading set with the proper dyes. And I wouldn't think the barrel life would extend more than 1.2/3 seconds, or about 1500 rounds. Moly it up and sacrafice a smidgen of accuracy and get 30% mo life. Maybe someone knows.

[martinexsquaddie]

sorry live in the uk theres about two places you can shoot over 1000 metres :roll: Don't target shoot just not worth the hassle plus the nearest range is half a days drive away.
its a great round but your really going have to love long distance shooting to get your moneys worth

[GazB]

I have not fired this round at all, but I have read some of the theory behind its use.

Basically (according to what I have read) the standard 308 loses a lot of effectiveness (ie accuracy and kinetic performance) when it becomes subsonic. This occurs at about 800m for most military 308s. The 50 cal AMR weapons are quite large and heavy and expensive to fire and are considered a bit of overkill at less than 1-1.2km so you get a small gap of between 800m and 1.2km where the 308 is failing... especially against protected targets and the 50 cal is a bit too big and fierce and expensive and heavy etc etc. The 338 Laupa is supposed to fill that gap and be the choice of round for the 800-1200m range, but lighter and cheaper than the 50 cal.

[Durandal]

sorry live in the uk theres about two places you can shoot over 1000 metres :roll: Don't target shoot just not worth the hassle plus the nearest range is half a days drive away.
its a great round but your really going have to love long distance shooting to get your moneys worth

No, I understand. It's both a geographical and cultural difference. Its cool.

I am fortunate enough to have 5 800+ meter ranges within a half day's drive and will have one of my own here in about a year and a half. ;)

37.2 acres with 75 foot berms and no one around. A pure joy.