.338 Lapua not accurate enough?

[Sling]

If the .338 Lapua is such a long range marvel, why isn`t it used in 1000yds benchrest? I`ve read that now certain places are having 1 mile matches (1760yds) and the big Lapua isn`t doing so well. Is it case design? Too much torque? With the high BC bullets available and high quality loading components, you would think it would be setting records. Maybe I will try the 338 Norma.

 

[BigDMT]

Norma is a better choice

I believe it's not used in benchrest competition very much because the folks to either side of you would probably want to bend that barrel over your head after dealing with the muzzle blast ;D

 

[Sling]

I understand the neighbors don`t like the blast but I dont go to matches worrying about how they feel about me. When I build a match rifle, I want the best accuracy, best wind bucking, cartridge going. Just seems if the 338 Lapua is so great, why isn`t it breaking records?

 

[barnesuser28]

have you tried shooting 10-20 rounds in quick secession from an unbraked 338 Lapua pushing a 300 grain bullet going 2850 fps? It aint fun...

 

[Steve Blair]

I understand the neighbors don`t like the blast but I dont go to matches worrying about how they feel about me. When I build a match rifle, I want the best accuracy, best wind bucking, cartridge going. Just seems if the 338 Lapua is so great, why isn`t it breaking records?

[br]
There is more to accuracy than just the cartridge. Rifle handling vs. recoil is one issue as is human tolerance over many rounds. I would gladly put my .300 WSM up against a .338 Lapua for accuracy at a mile. I've done a lot of shooting with .50 BMG at 1600 meters and know that dealing with that much recoil can be a problem obtaining consistent accuracy. Most disciplines eventually settle into a fairly narrow cartridge range that fits the characteristics of the competition. It seems that .338 Lapua does not have a niche.

 

[BigDMT]

I understand the neighbors don`t like the blast but I dont go to matches worrying about how they feel about me. When I build a match rifle, I want the best accuracy, best wind bucking, cartridge going. Just seems if the 338 Lapua is so great, why isn`t it breaking records?

Who says the 338 Lapua is "so great" on this website??? ??? I dont recall people round here going crazy over it...

Its a good long range round, its just too brutal to the shooter for rapid firing in compeition.

 

[Raptor]

The 338 Lapua was never designed to be a "Competition" round. It was designed for sniping at long ranges where "ONE" or two shots are usually all the shooter will be taking.

It was designed for its wind bucking ability and the ability to deliver energy on target at extreme ranges. I believe most BR shooting does not allow muzzle brakes in competions so the big Lapua would be to brutal to shoot for most anyone.

As far as longrange accuracy I think that in the right set up it could run with the best of them if the shooter could hold up behind it.

 

[stenger]

I have a 338 lapua bench gun it shoots tiny groups with no brake. I use it for long range ground hog shooting. It will shoot but the right person has to be driving it.

 

[jonbearman]

Ground hogs,you gotta be kidding.

 

[CatShooter]

I understand the neighbors don`t like the blast but I dont go to matches worrying about how they feel about me. When I build a match rifle, I want the best accuracy, best wind bucking, cartridge going. Just seems if the 338 Lapua is so great, why isn`t it breaking records?

[br]

I've done a lot of shooting with .50 BMG at 1600 meters and know that dealing with that much recoil can be a problem obtaining consistent accuracy.

I own a 50-BMG... an AR-50 and shoot it often - it is easy to shoot 100 rounds at a sitting, recoil is easy.

Unfortunately, the muzzle break (the size of a toaster) is lethal at 30 feet on both sides.

 

[BigDMT]

I have a 338 lapua bench gun it shoots tiny groups with no brake. I use it for long range ground hog shooting. It will shoot but the right person has to be driving it.

WOW. I never considered ground hogs so important that I would waste that kind of money on them

 

[Sling]

The 1 mile matches held not far from me allow any gun, cartridge, and muzzlebrakes. It just seems like everyone shooting 1 mile and beyond want the 338. I understand the bigger bullets have more downrange energy but when your killing steel or paper, energy doesnt matter. I have a 408 Cheytac in a 35lb gun and its a delight to shoot all day long. But its used for targets beyond 2500yds. I like the 338`s but I believe case design has alot to do with accuracy. I`ll probably go 338 Norma.

 

[BigDMT]

Like I said, the 338 Norma is a better choice. Holds every advantage over the older design of the 338 Lapua.

 

[M14AMU]

Damn....I didn't know that....especially since I've shot some 10 round groups with it out of a TRG-42 from 1400 yards...that I could cover with my baseball cap....not including the bill!

 

[Outrider27]

For what it was designed for, I don't think there was or is any question of the accuracy capabilities of the 338 Lapua. In a long range sniper environment, it just works, but that's not the same as benchrest or any other competition. Consider that when Corporal Gregory Harrison made his one shot kills at 2703 yards (the gunner and the assistant gunner), he made a third, much more difficult one shot kill - he put one round into the reciever, disabling the machine gun. Two kills on mansized targets at over a mile and a half is impressive in the extreme; personally, I find the reciever shot mind boggling.

But if I was going to shoot, say, a one mile match, I would leave my 338 Lapua at home unless I could shoot it with the muzzle brake, and there just aren't many matches that allow that, and for good reason, as anyone that has ever been in the vacinity of a braked 338 Lapua or 50 BMG can attest.

 

[Ing. Michael W. Mayerl]

If the .338 Lapua is such a long range marvel, why isn`t it used in 1000yds benchrest? I`ve read that now certain places are having 1 mile matches (1760yds) and the big Lapua isn`t doing so well. Is it case design? Too much torque? With the high BC bullets available and high quality loading components, you would think it would be setting records. Maybe I will try the 338 Norma.

That simple:

- on 1000 yard a hot 6,5mm bullet with high weight and BC do the same than the 338 Lapua but with much less recoil
- on 1760 yards the 408 CheyTac, 460 Steyr, 50 BMG etc are the better choice

 

[people]

Sorry but the 50bmg is not a better choice at a mile. Sure the 50 hits with more power than the 338LM can ever hope to but accuracy wise the 338LM holds the edge on accuracy.

The gap is not as far as it once was because there are better everything for the 50’s but they still are not there yet.


As stated before the 338LM was designed for hunting yes for the two legged pray. As a shooter we have so many rounds to pick from if we are only wanting to poke holes in paper

 

[M14AMU]

ACCURACY lies in the eye of the beholder!!

 

[CaptainMal]

I know where I shoot they ban them because they bust up the gongs.

Each time I end up on a bench next to someone's "cannon" is a bad time for me. Even with proper ear protection the concussion rocks your entire body, making it quite unpleasant for everyone around those things.

Best for participation to keep the big guns out in a field, away from others. Don't give a hoot how they shoot. Just sorry that they shoot and force me to leave.

 

[Raythemanroe]

I think with all the worries to muzzle blast you would be one up with a .338 just from the mental side of it! I believe in Williamsport you can't have a brake the points back.