do a search on stuck cases in the Savage 338 LM,,,some shoot and extract fine but many many people have had serious trouble with stuck cases,,most reputable gunsmiths say the Savage bolt is not large enough in dia to handle the thrust created by the 338 LM case,,not one barrel company that sells prefit/chambered Savage barrels will sell you a barrel in 338 LM,,
I bought mine used and Savage would not warranty it since it was bought 2nd hand so instead of pushing it off on someone else I stripped it down and sold everything I could and threw the barrel and action in the river,,
it would stick cases with Lapua Brass loaded with 82 grs H1000 and 300 OTMs at 2450 fps,,at 86 grs and 2600 fps it would lock the bolt,,
I had a smith check my head space and it was good,got extractor from Savage ,turned necks for more clearance and bought 500$ of Lapua brass,,sad part was it would shoot lights out 250 AND 300 gr bullets but you had to keep a cleaning rod to extract cases,,Lapua cases,,
I would get the 300 Win Mag and shoot the 215 or 230 Hybirds as they will knock the crap out of stuff also and more than likely will function properly,,the 338 LM is a large round IMO needing a larger action than a Savage or Rem 700,,
good luck with your decision,,
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/savage-11-111-338-lapua-case-sticking-problems-90207/
