338 Lapua vs 300 Norma

[Autorotate]

I would build the one your likely to reload/shoot/practice with more often.

If it's a 100 round a year gun, unless you have .05% percentile shooting abilities, you won't develop or posses the proficiency to use either chambering to it's full potential, let alone see the energy/wind drift advantage of the 338s over a 300.

Hope that doesn't sound preachy. I've learned though my own experiences proficiency with THAT rifle at distance only comes through practice. If lugging a 18# rifle out on the weekend, or throwing 100 grain charges, or beating yourself into the ground with recoil becomes a chore, you likely won't shoot it enough to develop any proficiency with it.

So which one do you think you'll shoot more? That's the one I'd build.

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

I went through this myself. After a summer of getting proficient with 300gr smk's (600+ shots) I had simply had enough.

Even by the end getting very good groups downrange-with less then perfect form I could never spot my hits (12 lb. rifle to boot)

I tipped one elk and deer over with it and sold it shortly after the season ended.

I chuckle when I read of guys saying their 338's kick like a 308.....Ya right! Mine kicked like a mule even with a good brake runnin 300 gr. Bullets @ 2900 FPS.

For all practical purposes I don't see any more of a need then a 200-220 grain 30 caliber pushing 2800-3000 FPS.

 

[Pdvdh]

.223 for fun. .338 for work.

Recoil must be relative to each individual. If you're going to shoot 20 rounds per day, the pipsqueaks will ALWAYS be more enjoyable to shoot. No denying that. Only liars will claim otherwise. Just like a gun emitting no noise is more enjoyable than a howitzer with a sound/pressure wave that pounds your lungs and brains into scrambled eggs.

Shooting form and execution can be refined with many different cartridges. If you're only going to own one gun, then maybe you need to place more emphasis on that gun's recoil. If you already own a number of lightweight plinkers, maybe less emphasis on recoil during the cartridge selection.

223s only tickle 10' brown bear. 338s kill them! The deader the better.

 

[gohring3006]

My Lapua is 17 lbs.
It gives me more of a shove than a kick. As long as I get the rifle to slide on the rear bag, it doesn't bother me at all. I had a fairly rigid bipod on it that I couldn't load, it would hop clear out of the sight picture. That was quickly changed.

 

[TXAoudadKlr]

I have a 300AX and a 338LM. All said and done they have similar KE. 5000-5200ftlbs. Personally in your case I'd lean to the 300NM. There's no free lunch with a bigger round and honestly I think a bigger 300 gives the best compromises in performance and shooting/recoil characteristics for the shooter.

 

[longrangehunterII]

I went through this myself. After a summer of getting proficient with 300gr smk's (600+ shots) I had simply had enough.

Even by the end getting very good groups downrange-with less then perfect form I could never spot my hits (12 lb. rifle to boot)

I tipped one elk and deer over with it and sold it shortly after the season ended.

I chuckle when I read of guys saying their 338's kick like a 308.....Ya right! Mine kicked like a mule even with a good brake runnin 300 gr. Bullets @ 2900 FPS.

For all practical purposes I don't see any more of a need then a 200-220 grain 30 caliber pushing 2800-3000 FPS.

Bingo! Right on the money, and why even during the In-Motion Targets ELR Match at the Miller Ranch this past weekend I still got my butt kicked!! Even by much smaller cases, i.e. 6.5x47 L, 6.5 SAUM 4's in hunting weight rifles I might add. A few PRS guys still had issues with their stuff coming apart do to the heavy recoil on even some not huge 7mm's.

In some ways, less is more, but I'm not here to sway anyone. I went down the 338 LM long ago, and not to long after everyone wanted one, I soon saw them put up For Sale. Shoot more, and shoot more often and you'll be happy you did. Besides, it's cheaper on the pocket book too with a downsized case.

Everyone is welcome to their own opinion, and freedom to choose.... and rightfully so!

 

[gohring3006]

I have several longrange rifles, from 243 up to 338 Lapua.
I shoot my Lapua probably 5 times per hour. I'll burn 50 6.5 creeds in that time. I will always have a Lapua bolt face action. It's not about the money to me, if it was, I would choose a cheaper hobby.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

I went through this myself. After a summer of getting proficient with 300gr smk's (600+ shots) I had simply had enough.

Even by the end getting very good groups downrange-with less then perfect form I could never spot my hits (12 lb. rifle to boot)

I tipped one elk and deer over with it and sold it shortly after the season ended.

I chuckle when I read of guys saying their 338's kick like a 308.....Ya right! Mine kicked like a mule even with a good brake runnin 300 gr. Bullets @ 2900 FPS.

For all practical purposes I don't see any more of a need then a 200-220 grain 30 caliber pushing 2800-3000 FPS.

Curious what brake you were using?

Steve

 

[jrock]

I defiantly agree that a smaller round for practice is the way to go. But at some point, I feel I have to settling in for some Big round practice. If braked, I don't see a lot of difference in recoil fatigue. My braked 338 NM shoots 300 grains and kicks as much as my 9 lb 6.5 SAUM. I could probably shoot 40+ rounds before any fatigue set in. I wouldn't own a Big gun without a break.

 

[gohring3006]

I defiantly agree that a smaller round for practice is the way to go. But at some point, I feel I have to settling in for some Big round practice. If braked, I don't see a lot of difference in recoil fatigue. My braked 338 NM shoots 300 grains and kicks as much as my 9 lb 6.5 SAUM. I could probably shoot 40+ rounds before any fatigue set in. I wouldn't own a Big gun without a break.

My Lapua doesn't have a sharp recoil, it's more of a push.
I would rather shoot it, than my slug gun.

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

Steve-3 port defensive edge brake.

 

[RockyMtnMT]

Steve-3 port defensive edge brake.

All I know is with my 338 Lap imp with the wrong brake (that has a great rep) was intolerable, until I put a good brake on it . I can now shoot it as much as I want or need.

Steve

 

[longrangehunterII]

W

All I know is with my 338 Lap imp with the wrong brake (that has a great rep) was intolerable, until I put a good brake on it . I can now shoot it as much as I want or need.

Steve

Which did you switch, and to what?

 

[Deleted member 48126]

All I know is with my 338 Lap imp with the wrong brake (that has a great rep) was intolerable, until I put a good brake on it . I can now shoot it as much as I want or need.

Steve

Yeah what did you switch too, as well? I just recently got into the .338 Lapua and am testing out different brakes. It's a 17lb Rifle fully kitted up.