Design a 338 Lapua-if you were going to buy one, what would it be?

[rbros]

10 twist works fine, but with the newer bullets coming online, the 9.3 twist is the way to go.  Also, if you want a repeater in the Edge, you will want either a Remington or custom action.  The Savage just doesn't work for that application.  The OAL is to long and turns it into a singleshot.

[Rob]

I have always been a fan of a bolt action.  Other than auto loading and a little bit of recoil reduction, is there any benefit to semi-auto actions?

[yorketransport]

If I wanted to build a 338 Lapua from scratch, I'd use a custom action. By the time you were done working over a factory action, you wouldn't really be saving any money.  If I wanted a relatively inexpensive Lapua, I'd look at one of the new Savages in 338.

I went through this a couple of months ago while trying to decide what gun to put under a Leupold Mk 4 6.5-20x that I aquired. I came to the conclusion that the 338 Lapua doesn't have the "wow" factor like it did a few years ago. I ended up going with a modified 375 RUM which I call the 375 Box Monkey Magnum  (my company's name is Box Monkey Distribution Inc., that's where the name came from) It's basically a 375 RUM AI throated for the 350gr Sierra MK with the shoulder pushed forward .13".  My logic is that you spend all the time and money to build a custom gun. Why not have a custom caliber as well? Just a thought.

Andrew

[jeepasaurusrex]

Cheytac M200 chambered in 338 Laupa

[Elk whack master]

Whats the difference between all the differnt 338 brands. is it the bullet lenght or what? big price difference in 338 ammo.  Looking into getting one so just started doing research on it. Sorry if this is a stupid  question.

[alwinearcher]

I dont know a ton about rifles or long range shooting, but I have had one of Shawn Carlocks .338 edge rifles since this spring and it amazes me every time I shoot it!
I have never shot a lapua, but I dont think you can go wrong with the .338 Edge!

[yorketransport]

Whats the difference between all the differnt 338 brands. is it the bullet lenght or what? big price difference in 338 ammo.  Looking into getting one so just started doing research on it. Sorry if this is a stupid  question.

They all have different performance thresholds. Here's a general idea of what the different calibers will do with 300gr bullets based on printed load data:
338 Win Mag: 2400-2450fps
330 Dakota: 2500-2550fps
340 Weatherby:2550-2650fps
338 RUM: 2600-2650fps
338 Lapua: 2600-2675fps
338 Edge: 2800-2950fps
338/378 Weatherby: 2850-2950fps

Some of these can go faster when aggressively handloaded (the RUM, Weatherbys and Lapua), but in my experience these numbers are pretty average.

The Edge is the wildcat 338/300 RUM, so no ammo is avaliable. It seems to be more popular every year. It's sort of the economical alternative to the Lapua. You get the same performance using any standard action that can accept the RUM cartridges. The Lapua needs a larger bolt face, which is easy to do but does require extra $. Brass is less expensive for the RUM, but you are pretty much limited to Remington brass which isn't bad, but it certainly isn't up there with Lapua brand brass.

The others can all be bought over the counter, but they'll cost you a premium price. Plan on paying nearly at least $75 a box for the Weatherbys.

Andrew

[longrangekiller]

i like the sako 338 personaly

[high country]

Resale is gonna be best on an ai. If that matters not, there are some good recipies listed. The lapua brass is legendary, but I have been pretty impressed with rum life. Bat is right down the road from me and I like what I have seen, although I don't own one of theirs yet.

[carpsniperg2]

I like the sako in the 338 lapua. I have a 340wby and the 2 are very close in ballistics. If I was having one built, which I was going to before I found my 340wby. I would go with the edge if you can handload.

[CAMPMEAT]

Question: Who actually does long range shooting? If you don't, don't believe what these guys are telling you with all this fancy stuff. We shot today and some guys had plain jane .308 700 BDL's with good optics shooting 800 + yards, not a problem. Here's my Savage Model 10 LE 308, 20 inch barrell with a Surefire Brake, Millett 4x16 50 Tactical Scope. I've shot steel at 877 yrds with factory ammo. You don't need expensive. I can't download the Lapua picture, it's too big and can't resize it.

[addicted]

How about the desert tactical.... 

[Rob]

i like the sako 338 personaly

Why?  What makes this your choice?

[Rob]

How about the desert tactical.... 

Why?  What makes this one stand out from others?

[high country]

Rob, what is the most important stuff to you? You can have a full custom built by any number of smiths, there are very few who's name on the gun will make it worth what you invest in it....but it will be what you ask for. If you have the cash, an accuracy international is easy to sell for a fair price. All guns when you get to the lapua are going to be pretty accurateas nobody chambers a pos in lapua, it is too expensive to feed to market to the budget crowd. pretty much you just decide what exactly you want and pay your money and take your chances. Ai, mcmillan, gap, kampfeld, str, Greg tannel, long rifles, carlock.....they all build tac style rifles that you will likely be happy with. Rbros sounds like they have a good thing going, although I have never seen one myself. It boils down to calling the smiths and telling them your goals....including delivery time and writing the check. Expect to see it next year sometime.