Rifle Choice for Competition

[Beast61]

All,

New to the forum here, so apologies if this is the wrong place for this thread. I'm looking for input as to the right rifle to purchase. I've got it down to two weapons:

1) armalite ar-30a1 in .338 Lapua
2) Sako TRG-42 in .338 Lapua

I'm already reloading, so that cost is under control. I've been using a Horus scope. So, which would you choose? I'm planning on spending up to $4k for the system. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

 

[spclark]

Ummm, just what kind of competition do you have in mind?

338 Lapua's rather a stout choice of cartridge for just about anything currently being done in the US. Even if you're a big boy it'll take a hefty toll on your body over the course of a day's or weekend's match round count.

Keep in mind also that muzzle compensators / brakes are not permitted under the High Power Rules for NRA-approved events. You can use anything from .350 caliber down though so you're OK there if you really want to shoot 338Lap.

Cartridges more in the line of .30 caliber (.308WIN-size case head) or 7mm Short Action Ultra Mag (7SAUM) are more what gets used out to 1,000 yards for sling-style prone (most often with match sights) and F-Class (uses optics) as much because they're accurate as because they're (reasonably) inexpensive to shoot often.

 

[Immike]

The 338 is not a cartridge seen in competition very often. That should tell you something about the recoil effects it has. I witnessed a marine drop out of the Oak Ridge regional last year because it was crossing his eyes on the second day. Have you shot one all day yet? I don't want to discourage you to try competition and admire that decision but I could not compete with that much recoil for very long. To be competitive you have to use cartridges that perform well with manageable recoil or you will be competing with the rifle rather than the target. Barrel life and availability of quality components are considered in this decision as well.

 

[watercam]

Bear in mind two things:
A good 6mm cartridge with a 8" twist barrel (6BR, 6XC, 6x47 Lapua, to name a few) and 105 - 115 grain bullets will perform at 1000 yards just fine. You need to learn to read the wind (like all of those who can - I still have my challenges). I have seen many competitors using 7mmWSM, 300WSM, 300 Win. Mag. etc. for an edge on wind and it does work and it will be more 'wind resistant' but nothing is a laser beam to the target. I have seen one gentleman use a 338 Lapua one time - he sold it before the next match. A match consists of some 70 rounds+ a day over several days - it adds up.
It is possible to have a rifle built (or a good used one rebarreled to the cartridge of choice) for less than the cost of either of the two choices you listed.
I would strongly advise you to go watch a match and see who is using what equipment wise (including spotting scopes, matts, etc.) It will save you time and money and you can even volunteer to pull targets and learn scoring to boot.
Best of luck, see you on the line!

 

[navyrad8r]

Beast
welcome to the forum!
as the others have stated, I would suggest you go to a match or practice of the discipline you want to compete in. "buy a cup of coffee" for someone and have a chat. the .338 is a monster and the cool factor is high. But depending on your discipline you may be more competitive with another caliber. there are other calibers if you are a "recoil junkie" that can give you the punishment you crave. ;D
hell you could always get something else and then a 10ga shotgun with 3 1/2 shells.
back to the topic....IMHO just go to a match in your discipline, ask questions and make a good informed choice upfront then get the 338 later for the cool factor 8)
but I would go with the TRG if it was me..
cheers,
Doc

 

[CatShooter]

All,

New to the forum here, so apologies if this is the wrong place for this thread. I'm looking for input as to the right rifle to purchase. I've got it down to two weapons:

1) armalite ar-30a1 in .338 Lapua
2) Sako TRG-42 in .338 Lapua

I'm already reloading, so that cost is under control. I've been using a Horus scope. So, which would you choose? I'm planning on spending up to $4k for the system. Any suggestions would be appreciated!!

if you are going to shoot it a lot in one day, then definitely get the AR-30. The huge clam shell muzzle break on the AR family is the best in business - but at the price that it is also the loudest, and no one can be to either side of you when the gun goes off.

I own an AR-50, in 50-BMG and I have fired it 200 times in one day with no ill effects - but it will set off car alarms 75 feet away.

 

[nosualc]

Welcome to the forum!

To help, you have to tell us what form of competition you are interested in.

-nosualc

 

[Erik Cortina]

I own an AR-50, in 50-BMG and I have fired it 200 times in one day with no ill effects - but it will set off car alarms 75 feet away.

Some of us that have read some of your posts would disagree.

 

[ShootDots]

I own an AR-50, in 50-BMG and I have fired it 200 times in one day with no ill effects - but it will set off car alarms 75 feet away.

Some of us that have read some of your posts would disagree.

Now Erik, this is supposed to be a "fellowship of shooting brothers" here... You are being mean again!! Go sit in the corner with little Jack Horner!!

 

[MGYSGT]

As mentioned earlier, Muzzle Brakes are not allowed. Even if you could stand the recoil for 60 rounds with a muzzle brake. I'd be willing to bet, without one, you couldn't hit the target after 20 shots. Do yourself a favor and test fire one if you can, prior to buying.

 

[Shynloco]

Beast61,
I have to ask only because I've not seen a .338 used in competition before. Of course that doesn't mean it doesn't happen. So I'm curious, why have you chosen that caliber to compete with? Seems like there are more reason NOT to use that caliber than to actually use it. Thx.

Alex

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

Let me express my displeasure at some of the responses here so far.

I think we should be much more supportive of new members and not knock their proposed choices just because some of us think we know better. We know nothing about the OP except that he thinks he's a beast and he's probably 53 years old.

If he wants to use a .338LM in competition, I say let him and let's support him in his choice. As long as his equipment is competition legal, why should we care? The ArmaLite website shows the AR-30A1 to be about 15.5 pounds, so with a scope and rings, he should be comfortably within the F-Open specs. The rifle is $3800 with tax and delivery and that will leave him a good $200 for a quality scope and rings.



That said, I for one would love to see him shoot an F-class match with an unbraked .338LM. He will probably need that cart-mounted crane (davit or gantry) I mentioned in the other thread, to carry his ammo to the line. I think it would be entertaining to watch the various expressions that will be contorting his face sometime before the end of the first match as he burns close to a half pound of powder propelling a $5 bullet downrange. Where I get 1000 loads from an 8 pound keg, Beast61 will get about 18 rounds, just not quite enough for an F-class string.

So please, think of others before posting; try not to curtail the fun they will have watching Beast61 shoot in competition with his .338LM.

 

[spclark]

So please, think of others before posting; try not to curtail the fun they will have watching Beast61 shoot in competition with his .338LM.

Ummm... just noticed this:

http://www.accurateshooter.com/featured/338-lapua-mag-catastrophic-kaboom/

- today so if you're having fun watching someone - anyone - shooting a 338Lapua anywhere around you, I'd advise doing so at a safe distance until you're comfortable they know what they're doing with it.

Otherwise, the whole point is having fun, isn't it? Just don't hurt anyone in the pursuit, including yourself.

 

[Dgd6mm]

Beast61, welcome to the Forum. Sorry about the EGO's here. Could you please give alittle more info as of what type of Competition you will be shooting. The .338 LM is a smoking bad a-- round for LR Steel.

 

[gsg5pk]

I think 338LM will not friendly for shooter without Muzzle brake.




If you ask for tactical rifle in 338LM, I would prefer Sako TRG-42

 

[Turbulent Turtle]

So please, think of others before posting; try not to curtail the fun they will have watching Beast61 shoot in competition with his .338LM.

Ummm... just noticed this:

http://www.accurateshooter.com/featured/338-lapua-mag-catastrophic-kaboom/

- today so if you're having fun watching someone - anyone - shooting a 338Lapua anywhere around you, I'd advise doing so at a safe distance until you're comfortable they know what they're doing with it.

Otherwise, the whole point is having fun, isn't it? Just don't hurt anyone in the pursuit, including yourself.

Yeah, I saw that one when it was first posted. To be honest, I had never heard of a muzzle loader in .338 LM.

 

[GSPV]

"What kind of competition?" Pretty much covers it.

 

[3Ackleys]

I own an AR-50, in 50-BMG and I have fired it 200 times in one day with no ill effects - but it will set off car alarms 75 feet away.

Some of us that have read some of your posts would disagree.

Now that's funny right there I don't care who ya are

 

[bigdad1956]

Im new to the forum as well. I would like some opinions on something. I have a savage FP with a 20 inch barrel and i want to do some fclass meets. I was considering modifying it to more of an fclass rifle with a 28" brox barrel and an fclass stock. The cost ,with the barrel, stock, bedding and all the appropriate gunsmithing work, would be just under a grand. Its is a 308 and I reload for this caliber, as I have other b308's as well, and I doo like this caliber. I could by and fclass savage brand new in 6.5x284 for 1300$. The question, would this modification of my 308 be worthwhile, or should I go with the 6.5x284. Any comments would be appreciated.

 

[Erik Cortina]

Im new to the forum as well. I would like some opinions on something. I have a savage FP with a 20 inch barrel and i want to do some fclass meets. I was considering modifying it to more of an fclass rifle with a 28" brox barrel and an fclass stock. The cost ,with the barrel, stock, bedding and all the appropriate gunsmithing work, would be just under a grand. Its is a 308 and I reload for this caliber, as I have other b308's as well, and I doo like this caliber. I could by and fclass savage brand new in 6.5x284 for 1300$. The question, would this modification of my 308 be worthwhile, or should I go with the 6.5x284. Any comments would be appreciated.

It's not worth it. You are better off shooting what you have at midrange matches and save up to buy a used custom rifle. You can find a good custom rifle already setup for about $2K-$3K and sometimes less.