338-378 Weatherby or .338 Lapua?

[LA50SHOOTER]

The Sako’s are reaching well above what I’m willing to pay for a store bought gun. If Im going to push $4500 then I’d most definitely be having a full custom built at that point. I guess I’ll wait out the gun rush and just use the 50 again for a while before having something built. Thanks for the input guys..

Having built several in 338 Lapua Imp. I can say that the Action you choose is an important part of the process. - If your looking at a Repeater then I'll recommend a BAT Model HR which can adapt to the long Watts box magazine. @Alex Wheeler has done several larger calibers on the model HR by BAT.
I personally am a single shot user and I've used both the BAT model "M" and the model "L" and also have one on the magnum sized Savage model 112. (The BAT HR model is a better repeater action than the Savage 112). - I think that if you "price out components" and get a good smith you could do a rifle on a BAT action in 338 Lapua or an Improved version for close to $3500. not counting the optics package. - I Don't recommend Remington Model 700's for the big case head. - Also, Defiance and I believe Kelbly's both make a correctly sized action for the .590 dia. case head as well as Barnard and Pierce.

Good Luck on Your Project if you move ahead on it.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

If it must be a repeater I would go 338 norma improved. You can throat it out for the 300s like it should be and they will fit in a box. The 338 Lapua is over 4" with the right freebore. When it comes to repeaters in this class, nothing matches the Bat HR, its all I use for these. They will handle the increased bolt thrust. They run the same sized lugs as their cheytac action. https://forum.accurateshooter.com/threads/338-300-norma-improved-35-degree.3995847/

 

[dkhunt14]

I’m all ears, please tell me how to do it. I’m being serious, the only customs I’ve had built were $7,000 plus guns.

PM sent. Matt

 

[338 dude]

I’m thinking about buying or building a 338-378 Weatherby or a 338 Lapua, anyone with information good or bad id appreciate some insight and even more so on a gun choice. I’m not looking to spend a fortune on a gun, maybe around $3,500 give or take for a hunting rifle plus optics. I’m looking for something different to play with in terms of a new pig gun, they can never be to dead I’ve been using a 375 H&H and 416 Rem Mag but the range sucks at best however devastating at close range.

338 Lapua!

 

[284winner]

I built a few alot cheaper then that. Matt

I didn't personally chamber my 338 LM imp BUT I built it otherwise and total cost was 2200.00 total including the brake and all machine work. McMillan A5 adjustable. Stiller TAC338 action. Broughton Barrel. Shilen Trigger. PT&G Bottom Metal. CIP Accurate Mag. Ross Brake. Chambering, Brake Threading included. It's easily doable building a great custom rifle for under 2300.00. Full disclosure, stock was bought second hand never used in-letted from McM for Stiller TAC action. I'm sure if you purchased it from a custom shop, it'd be over double that. To the OPs point, I've never owned a 378 Wby BUT I can't imagine the extra 120 grains of powder would be worth the trade off. The 338 LM improved is a wicked cartridge. If I wanted more gun, I'd go into the .375 because that IS a decent step up.

 

[LA50SHOOTER]

The biggest challenges that I see are the increased costs of components and the availability of them. (Powder and Bullets) - The rifle by itself IMO is very doable (not counting optics) for $3500. (or under)

 

[dkhunt14]

The biggest challenges that I see are the increased costs of components and the availability of them. (Powder and Bullets) - The rifle by itself IMO is very doable (not counting optics) for $3500. (or under)

Right now, that is the problem for a lot of cartridges. From pistol ammo to powder and primers. Brass is getting hard to find and prices of everything seems to be going up.

One thing about 338 Lapua brand brass, is I wore the first barrel out with 100 pieces and starting on the second barrel with the same brass. Matt

 

[284winner]

The biggest challenges that I see are the increased costs of components and the availability of them. (Powder and Bullets) - The rifle by itself IMO is very doable (not counting optics) for $3500. (or under)

I'm running a Sightron 10-50x60 ZS model and have well under 3500.00 in the complete package so you can do it complete for that price as well

 

[Alex Wheeler]

Action 1750
barrel 375
brake 75
trigger 250
bdl floor plate 160
wyatts box 75
mcmillan w/ full inlet 800

$3500 just in parts
At best you could knock off about 700 on a lesser action or find used stuff. You cant build a top quality rifle for $3500 anymore. You can if you find some used stuff and can do some of your own work like bedding.

 

[geralton4]

I've got a 338-378 Accumark and I've pushed 300 gr SMKs a little over 3000 but that was hard on brass ) using RL 33. I'm still going around 2950 and brass is living longer.

 

[284winner]

Action 1750
barrel 375
brake 75
trigger 250
bdl floor plate 160
wyatts box 75
mcmillan w/ full inlet 800

$3500 just in parts
At best you could knock off about 700 on a lesser action or find used stuff. You cant build a top quality rifle for $3500 anymore. You can if you find some used stuff and can do some of your own work like bedding.

It's doable Alex. It just depends on an individual's ability to find parts and do the work. Otherwise, your correct. Nothing is free but a person can really save if they shop smart and have a little talent.

 

[shoot4fun]

The Sako’s are reaching well above what I’m willing to pay for a store bought gun. If Im going to push $4500 then I’d most definitely be having a full custom built at that point. I guess I’ll wait out the gun rush and just use the 50 again for a while before having something built. Thanks for the input guys..

It is, IMO, going to be difficult to get what you want for what you want to spend it appears.
I'm wondering if you're including optics in the budget?
Maybe looks at the, dare I say, Savage 338LM rifle offerings. Most everyone I know that has one of them is happy with it and they had $$ left for that expensive brass.

 

[davidjoe]

I've got a 338-378 Accumark and I've pushed 300 gr SMKs a little over 3000 but that was hard on brass ) using RL 33. I'm still going around 2950 and brass is living longer.

I’m always thinking in target shooting volume terms but the Weatherby MV Accumark NIB is really not a bad hunting gun option for a few shots an outing, at far less than the prices talked about. It’s been a long time, but I bought a new Accumark 30-378 for about 1,800, and I don’t think prices have changed much. My original barrel will last my lifetime. And, when the Savage was in an HS stock with box mag it was an astounding value.

Posts over the years have shown that you’ll get 50 FPS more with the Weatherby.

 

[284winner]

I'm guessing today the prices are up compared to when I built mine. Add 20% maybe to those costs

 

[Ol Thumper]

I have plenty of powder and primers to feed one long term however I will need brass and bullets but I can locate those without a problem. The price range is without optics, I plan on using a VX 6 but might go with a NF on this one.

I’m not the type to cut corners so it would appear my budget is simply going to need to be increased to solve the dilemma. Throw more money at it they say lol. On a build like this can I purchase all the parts myself and then send them to the gunsmith “You Guys Choose”? I’ve never built anything like this before so I’m a virgin lol

 

[284winner]

I have plenty of powder and primers to feed one long term however I will need brass and bullets but I can locate those without a problem. The price range is without optics, I plan on using a VX 6 but might go with a NF on this one.

I’m not the type to cut corners so it would appear my budget is simply going to need to be increased to solve the dilemma. Throw more money at it they say lol. On a build like this can I purchase all the parts myself and then send them to the gunsmith “You Guys Choose”? I’ve never built anything like this before so I’m a virgin lol

There's cutting quality corners and cutting cost corners. There not the same. I think I cut corners in cost by getting a second hand stock. The Action(800.00) was a close out(going out of business)at the shop I purchased it at. Butch sold me a new Shilen trigger(115.00), great price. Ross Brakes(37.00 shipped) are hard to beat price wise and i purchased the Sightron 10-50x60 scope(700.00) here used in the classifieds. Alex sold me a Broughton barrel(350.00) here on the forum. I could have went with a BAT action and spent 1000.00 more. Could have went with a NightForce scope and dropped another 1000.00 as well. Another 2K does put the complete rifle in the 5500.00 price range. It's really just the personal preference of the shooter. Either way, I'm real happy with this rifle and it's performance over all. Not sure I'd do anything different if money were no object. It was a fun project as most rifle builds are.

 

[scope eye]

A shooting buddy of mine has a 700P in 338LM I think it was like $1200.00 It was well worth the money.

Dean

 

[Ol Thumper]

This thing has ran off the rails , I’m simply going to have a gun built to my desires and I’m changing rounds since I’m going all out granted I can find someone to take on the project right now. I’m thinking way outside the box now, 375 or 408 CT. I think the 375 would be more of what Im looking for. Thoughts on this round?

 

[dkhunt14]

This thing has ran off the rails , I’m simply going to have a gun built to my desires and I’m changing rounds since I’m going all out granted I can find someone to take on the project right now. I’m thinking way outside the box now, 375 or 408 CT. I think the 375 would be more of what Im looking for. Thoughts on this round?

In my opinion, those are specialty rounds for extreme long range shooting. The bullet selection isn't that great. Alot of powder to burn and barrel life may not be to your liking. A 338 Lapua, 338 Ultra or a few others surely are plenty big enough to shoot pigs. Matt

 

[lb-ft]

Oh wow. And I thought I was on the path to owning one. My they’ve gone up in price quite a lot these past 9 months since I last checked.