Clever
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Why do so many people not like the 338 Lapua?
- Thread starter 57goldtopman
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RonS
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Me too. Can't tell where the darn things are going to go and if they happen to hit the target it looks like you hit it with a shotgun.
Clever
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12 will also
Clever
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11 twist can
57goldtopman
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Timber338.
actually was looking more for info regarding the terminal ballistics of the 338...short range.
I have shot quite a bit long range. used to own a sendero in 7mm rem and also 300ultra. the 7mm was the older non fluted barrel version...I really miss that rifle. anyway....always used Berger bullets....heaviest, high BC. I do understand the long range/heavy bullet/high BC concept. for long range shooting (assuming I go with the 338 Lapua) I will be shooting the Berger 300gr. no doubt in my mind. was more curious how that bullet or the Barnes 210 would perform on game at short ranges.
I may be headed to Maine for deer and possibly moose. Maine hunts tend to be shorter ranges. anywhere from lets say 25 yards to maybe 300 yards. I was trying to get a feel from experienced 338 hunters how these bullets perform at shorter ranges. that is why I would consider the 210 Barnes...shorter ranges only.
recoil wise...I am not too concerned about it. with the Savage FCP, it has a muzzle brake....wonderful. I attached a pic of a target of my custom 458 win mag at 100 yards....510gr bullet. off the bench. small group. loved it.
actually was looking more for info regarding the terminal ballistics of the 338...short range.
I have shot quite a bit long range. used to own a sendero in 7mm rem and also 300ultra. the 7mm was the older non fluted barrel version...I really miss that rifle. anyway....always used Berger bullets....heaviest, high BC. I do understand the long range/heavy bullet/high BC concept. for long range shooting (assuming I go with the 338 Lapua) I will be shooting the Berger 300gr. no doubt in my mind. was more curious how that bullet or the Barnes 210 would perform on game at short ranges.
I may be headed to Maine for deer and possibly moose. Maine hunts tend to be shorter ranges. anywhere from lets say 25 yards to maybe 300 yards. I was trying to get a feel from experienced 338 hunters how these bullets perform at shorter ranges. that is why I would consider the 210 Barnes...shorter ranges only.
recoil wise...I am not too concerned about it. with the Savage FCP, it has a muzzle brake....wonderful. I attached a pic of a target of my custom 458 win mag at 100 yards....510gr bullet. off the bench. small group. loved it.
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WildRose
Well-Known Member
Hey MR, your expertise is needed here:
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f126/nosler-150-accubond-long-range-149803/#post1056746
I really think a 338 is great near or far. I might personally lean towards the 225 TTSX as a close range bullet option, but now we're splitting hairs. Barnes bullets really shine up close at high velocity and obviously you know that. In terms of bullet performance I might also choose any accubond over any berger for close range, but that's a personal preference. All shots within those ranges would be double lung shots for me, or maybe neck shots if within 50.
I've shot antelope deer and elk at very close range with 338 bullets ranging from 200 to 250 grains.
As to anybody who doesn't like a 338 up close, that's fine other bullets will work too. I think the 338 will outshine the smaller calibers in the thick brush. I've shot elk that were standing right behind gamble oaks. Bullet passed through several small branches before reaching the elk, and still got a complete pass through on the elk. Smaller high velocity rounds have a higher chance for deflection and overall less energy.
Yes, any cartridge/bullet will work at shorter ranges for deer elk and moose. I have .308 and 7mm rifles and love them... but for hunting I like to keep things simple and become familiar with one setup. And over the past 20 years the 338 has just worked very well for me at any range I have found animals.
57goldtopman
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thanks for the info...perfect. just what I have been searching for. I am 95% sold on the Savage FCP 338 Lapua. I think that will be a great round to tinker with.
when I get home in April I will likely be looking for one.
when I get home in April I will likely be looking for one.
J E Custom
Well-Known Member
Interesting post , and many replies.
The original poster ask why so many people didn't like the 338 Lapua.
Obviously many people do like it so there is your answer.
It is funny to me how the likes and dis likes change over time. The debate over to much gun has been raging for many years, and will probably never be agreed on.
Years ago If you didn't own a 7 mm mag you weren't really a serious hunter .
Then came the 30 caliber era. now we are in the 338 error.
As bullets and powder get better, rifles with muzzle brakes are common and excepted, so people can shoot more powerful cartridges it will happen and even bigger calibers are on the horizon.
Do we need them for some game ? No. Will they work on deer size game ? Yes. Keep in mind that energy transfer is what is necessary to drop game in its tracks. this requires proper shot placement for the game and the bullet used.
Years ago, it was common to find the bullet just under the skin on the opposite side and normally the game fell where he stood. Now with bullets getting bigger allowing more range we are mostly getting pass trough's, so we have changed our shot placement to take advantage of the greater energy with these bullets and commonly take high shoulder shots (Considered a bad shot for the smaller cartridges in the past).
What it boils down to in my opinion is shoot what you want and except the outcome if you chose poorly.
There is really "NO" Bad cartridge or bullet, Just bad choices.
Just My Opinion
J E CUSTOM
The original poster ask why so many people didn't like the 338 Lapua.
Obviously many people do like it so there is your answer.
It is funny to me how the likes and dis likes change over time. The debate over to much gun has been raging for many years, and will probably never be agreed on.
Years ago If you didn't own a 7 mm mag you weren't really a serious hunter .
Then came the 30 caliber era. now we are in the 338 error.
As bullets and powder get better, rifles with muzzle brakes are common and excepted, so people can shoot more powerful cartridges it will happen and even bigger calibers are on the horizon.
Do we need them for some game ? No. Will they work on deer size game ? Yes. Keep in mind that energy transfer is what is necessary to drop game in its tracks. this requires proper shot placement for the game and the bullet used.
Years ago, it was common to find the bullet just under the skin on the opposite side and normally the game fell where he stood. Now with bullets getting bigger allowing more range we are mostly getting pass trough's, so we have changed our shot placement to take advantage of the greater energy with these bullets and commonly take high shoulder shots (Considered a bad shot for the smaller cartridges in the past).
What it boils down to in my opinion is shoot what you want and except the outcome if you chose poorly.
There is really "NO" Bad cartridge or bullet, Just bad choices.
Just My Opinion
J E CUSTOM
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Very well put. If I shoot an antelope in the shoulder at 75 yards with a 300 grain berger, that's not the rifles fault for blowing out the far side shoulder... it's my fault for choosing a poor place to put the bullet.
I believe the .338 is a fad. Similar to the tacti-cool idea. None of the negatives are stopping me from a .338 build...yes I want to be part of the fad too. Now I only do it because I can put a break on it. If no break was allowed, I'd stick to my 7 RM. I really like the "more room for error" that a .338 offers.
I remember watching a hunting show where the host was saying that one should have a .30 cal min for deer sized game because of the margin of error it provides. Thought and think that is over kill for deer but it sure does put them down.
With a good break, the .338 might be my "one and done" hunting rig.
The only real reason I would "hate" on a LM is because there are better cartridges out there if you reload for them.
Love this thread!
I think you could be on to something about a fad, but only to those who are really inexperienced. On the other hand, to experienced rifleman I would think it's more along the lines of evolution of performance. And performance is never out of style.
RonS
Well-Known Member
It did seem to be the end of a fad a while back. They were selling a lot of them and then all of a sudden there were a lot of them on the shelves at the gun stores I frequent. When asking why, the proprietors indicated that it had run it's course. People were tired of the cost and taking a beating when they touch off the rounds. Fast forward to today and all the rifles have sold. I only found one in my recent rounds of the stores looking for an FCP and it sounds like they are now hard to get. Then you run across threads like this and it looks like there are a lot of people out there who like them. As a military caliber, I don't think it will ever truly be a fad. We will see.
57goldtopman
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Do I think the 338 Lapua is just a fad? right now not sure but I hope not. as long as firearm companies keep making rifles and brass and components are available then I think it will be a strong ongoing option.
I don't feel the fad thing is related to the public but rather than manufacturers.
I don't think manufacturers are really on the bandwagon with what the public wants.
the are great cartridges out there that if allowed to prosper would do well.
take the 300 RUM and that family of cartridges for example. I think they are really great performers. Remington just did not follow up well enough to really help those survive...I think they are going by the way side. too bad too. I owned a Sendero 300 ultra. great rifle. had a brain fart and sold it. was considering getting another at this moment in my rifle hunt. I have a couple hundred rounds of brass just sitting at home. there are a few new Senderos available. but, no one can find any brass, anywhere. Seems like Remington in their infinite wisdom has decided to only sell loaded ammo. I cannot afford to only purchase loaded ammo. so, I won't purchase the rifle. most people who would consider this type of round are involved in reloading.
look at the 6.5x55 swede. I am not calling this a fad round. but great cartridge. in a modern rifle with better brass and higher power loads would run well with the 6.5 crowd. but for some reason the rifle companies don't make rifles in that round. maybe one here or there but the rifles designed do not exploit the long range accuracy potential of that cartridge. I shot and old military rifle in the swede. what a great shooting, smooth, fun time. would love to own one.
the WSM family of cartridges are great, accurate platforms. but once again the rifles being offered for these don't seem to exploit the potential of the cartridges.
I think what may be the saving grace of the 338 Lapua is the huge interest in long range shooting and hunting. seems like long range is here to stay and manufacturers are getting on the bandwagon selling products to promote this sport. just look at what has come out in the past 15 yrs or so....range finders with incredible capabilities, bullets with high BC, high power scopes with unreal glass, on and on.
as long as long range shooting/hunting is promoted I think many of the new "fad" cartridges will live on. we need them to.
I don't feel the fad thing is related to the public but rather than manufacturers.
I don't think manufacturers are really on the bandwagon with what the public wants.
the are great cartridges out there that if allowed to prosper would do well.
take the 300 RUM and that family of cartridges for example. I think they are really great performers. Remington just did not follow up well enough to really help those survive...I think they are going by the way side. too bad too. I owned a Sendero 300 ultra. great rifle. had a brain fart and sold it. was considering getting another at this moment in my rifle hunt. I have a couple hundred rounds of brass just sitting at home. there are a few new Senderos available. but, no one can find any brass, anywhere. Seems like Remington in their infinite wisdom has decided to only sell loaded ammo. I cannot afford to only purchase loaded ammo. so, I won't purchase the rifle. most people who would consider this type of round are involved in reloading.
look at the 6.5x55 swede. I am not calling this a fad round. but great cartridge. in a modern rifle with better brass and higher power loads would run well with the 6.5 crowd. but for some reason the rifle companies don't make rifles in that round. maybe one here or there but the rifles designed do not exploit the long range accuracy potential of that cartridge. I shot and old military rifle in the swede. what a great shooting, smooth, fun time. would love to own one.
the WSM family of cartridges are great, accurate platforms. but once again the rifles being offered for these don't seem to exploit the potential of the cartridges.
I think what may be the saving grace of the 338 Lapua is the huge interest in long range shooting and hunting. seems like long range is here to stay and manufacturers are getting on the bandwagon selling products to promote this sport. just look at what has come out in the past 15 yrs or so....range finders with incredible capabilities, bullets with high BC, high power scopes with unreal glass, on and on.
as long as long range shooting/hunting is promoted I think many of the new "fad" cartridges will live on. we need them to.
