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338 for elk hunting- Build a lightweight rifle

I've got a 338 rum that comes in at 12lbs 13oz which includes a Harris bipod, tbac 338 ultra and a 5.5-22x56 nxs. It's fairly heavy all done up but man it's a friggin hammer. I lugged it all over this season and that rifle took 10 animals with the average shot being 625 yards. Wouldn't Change a thing about it.
 
I know it's not really what you asked for…and this thread is now 2 years old, but a pretty good solution to build a lightweight .338 that can be very capable is a 338 SS. It's by no means a 338 LA or LAI but it's ballistically the same or slightly better than a 338WM. Mine is fantastic.
 
Lightweight and big recoil usually don't go well together. I personally wouldn't want a 338 Lapua in a rifle any less than 11-12lbs. I have shot one that was about 15lbs with a big brake and it was manageable but I couldn't imagine something much lighter than that. Not really the recoil punishing you, but trying to see your hits and controlling it for precision shots.
That was my first thought. :)
 
I currently have a 338 lapua, it comes in at 14.4 lbs. Im looking at building a light weight 338 lapua or Improved shooting 300gn bergers. I elk hunt with my current rifle but would like to drop a few pounds with all the hiking we do. Just returned from WY and hiked 32 miles in 5 days. Our group went 5 for 5 on cows.

Anyone have experience with a light weight rifle in these calibers?
Would you go improved or standard 338 lapua?
Or go with a 338Edge. Magnum boltface vs the Lapua Bolt face. So lighter action possible. Doesn't require as long of a barrel either. 300g Berger's at 2850 but you'd have better killing potential with a Barnes 280g LRX IMO. Even a Nosler 250g or 300g would work great.

Then there is the 33Nosler with almost identical ballistics as above

Lmk, I've built several.
 
The 33 Nosler isn't really close to either of the other big 33s. 2400-2600 with 300s and 2600-2800 with 250s is what the 33N churns at the muzzle. 338 Lapua is pushing 300s around 2850. The 250s around 2970. The 33N would be a great lightweight option but it's not in the same club with the 338 Lapua performance wise. It shines with lighter bullets for sure and for reducing recoil, they may be the best option.
 
Got an Edge for sale.
$2900 for rifle and custom ammo,
$4200 for everything.
 

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I have nothing 338 win mags and 338-378 Weatherby accuratemarka .I have a light weight model 70 stainless 338 win mag with a boss in it .I let a friend in alaaka use it 7 years he shot 7 moose from 15 yards to 350 yards all died in their tracks .That rifle weighs 6.5 pounds and kicks like a mule without the ported boss .I shot some 3/4 inch groups at 200 yards with it .I think with 225 grain boattails it would be a good 500 yards elk rifle its 7 3/4 pounds loaded with a 3x10x50 nikon monarch scope .
My 338-378 accumark weathetby is 9 pounds loaded with a 6x20 x44 nikon monarch on it .I loved it for alaska.I put that rifle through total torture and that scope and it never failed .That rifle never rusted jammed or failed ever in 10 years of all Alaska could give it .I shot a caribou running st 460 yards with it one of my best shots ever then the 11 year old boy with me shot two with one shot at 450 yards accidently got both of them .I loved that gun in Alaska. I have three of them but I want one with a 32 inch barrel that makes the 338-378 Weatherby the ultimate long range rifle .Mine shoot .25 inch groups at 100 yards and 1 inch at 300 yards .
 
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