Opinion on .338 Lapua

[GunsRBadMMMMKay]

To the point..... .338 Lapua, is it worth the money? We have wanted to add a longer range rifle to the collection for a while, and the wife has had her mind set on one of these Lapua rifles (I think she seen them on Discovery channel lol). Thinking about saving and trying to pick one up this summer but wondering if I shouldn't just try to convince the wife that a .50bmg would be a better choice since I think they are cheaper to shoot and both of us are going to need a lot of practice. What do you guys think?

[Hoser]

It is easier to afford an accurate 338 than it is an accurate 50 BMG. And the muzzle blast and recoil from a 50 gets old in a hurry.

I have both and have had both for 7-10 years. If both my 50s went away tomorrow I would not make an attempt to replace them. My 338 would get replaced in a hurry.

[GunsRBadMMMMKay]

So is it inherently more accurate since the round was designed towards the purpose vs 50bmg being adopted to the purpose of long range accuracy? Have you shot the Savage rifles? They seem to be the more affordable ones I have found online........

[Delfuego]

To the point..... .338 Lapua, is it worth the money?

How far are you really shooting? I don't think I would want to shoot a 338L at anything under 800-1000y. $5 a pull is a lot and recoil is no joke either.

More to the point, it sounds like your wife is on board so the answer is yes!!!

[bellavite1]

Question is: do you reload?
When I was reloading a 338 LM I believe i was about $1 a pop, maybe closer to two.
Can you afford a steady practice with it and do you actually shoot far enough to need it?
I do my best to shoot my rifles at least once a week, sometimes twice.
With the 338 LM it adds up real quick, and with a max range at the GGC of 550 yds it does not make any sense, a 308 is plenty.
But hey, if you are set on 338LM I just so happen to have a Nightforce for sale, which will take you out there without falling apart after 5 shots..

[XC700116]

How much bolt gun shooting have you done? Neither a 338 nor a 50 are "first long range rifles" If you haven't learned recoil management, and the other fundamentals of LR shooting, you'll waste more than the cost of another rifle trying to learn on one of the big boys in ammo alone. Also on the Savage 110's in 338 Lapua, they are NOT a fun rifle to shoot for long strings of fire (ie learning LR shooting).

[ray1970]

And the muzzle blast and recoil from a 50 gets old in a hurry.

You should post up that photo of you shooting yours. The one with the blast that can be seen in the picture. That's one of my all time favorite photos.

[GunsRBadMMMMKay]

I'm guessing if I spring for the rifle, we'll start looking for for places to shoot it that will allow the range to make it worthwhile. As to how far we need to shoot......how far does anyone need to shoot The other question...no, I don't reload yet but want to get into it. Every time I look at a reloading set it's just easier/cheaper to buy more ammo - even with my .338 win mag. I realize if I did the math i could be saving on ammo in the long run by reloading but that initial set up cost and the hit and miss supplies keep turning me off of it.

IDK how often we will get to practice, but if the wife's on board and I can get the cash set aside I might as well do it, I just wasn't sure if the ammo price difference between the lapua and a browning was going to be worth it performance wise. Hell, even if I only shoot it once a month it will be fun Now to see how fast i can set aside a few grand lol. Must fight urge to buy more milsurps.....at least till fall.

[ray1970]

You have to do something with the overtime money. Wife probably prefers a new rifle over hookers and blow.

[MarkCO]

I have shot a few as stage guns in matches, about 20 rounds out one that belonged to an ICE agent, so limited input...

I would like one, but I can not justify the expense of one at this point. While I know there are "shortcuts" here and there, the .338LM does not seem like a good place try and take one. At $2/round in reloading, I would plunk down the cash to get one from a reputable builder and not consider a "factory" production rifle as an option. That is the opinion I have held on the .338LM for a few years now.