Gentlemen:

I am interested in the larger cased 338 calibers. Would you give me your comments comparing the 338-378 Wby and 338 Lapua. I would appreciate input on:

* Action used
* Barrel length
* Accuracy
* Felt recoil
* Other information you feel pertinent

Thanking you in advance.

Buliwyf

I don't own any of them but my opinion >
Lapua: Smaller case, much better design, lapua brass is super.
Weatherby: Larger case, belted case, weatherby shoulder.

.338 lapua improved, ie. .338 yogi could be winner for me

Jiri

I have a 338 Lapua in a Sako TRG-S (M995). 26" barrel. MOA accuracy with 250 gr Hornadies at 2960 fps. Factory ammo grouped a little tighter, but was loaded to 338 Win Mag ballistics (2700 fps). The rifle itself works well, the recoil lug (or more accurately, the lack of a recoil lug) is a bad idea, and seems to shift around if you shoot it enough. The synthetic stock, well made decently, doesn't fit me at all. I get rabbit punches to my cheekbone every time I shoot it. One of the other posters here is putting together bottom metal and a laminated stock deal with Acra-bond stocks. That should improve the situation. Ballistically, the cartridge gives you about 20-50 fps over a 340 Wby. Either it needs a longer barrel, or I haven't found the right load yet. Hope this helps. - Dan

Buliwyf -- I am shooting the exact same rifle that Dan described, in the Lapua. I have tryed all the bullets that I had on hand for my .340 Wby. Nosler Partitions, Swift A-Frame, North Forks, Barnes X and XLC, Kodiak, Sierra Gameking. I can get speed but not the accuracy I want, and I have shot 200 plus rounds through it. I can occasionally get MOA with Barnes X and North Forks, but normaly I am able to acheive one hole groups with that much tweaking, on just about anything I have shot. That MOA is gained by slowing down the load considerably under what the Lapua speeds advertize and considerably less than .340 speeds. I can easily get the one holers with both my .340's, when I have a good day shooting. I would be dissapointed if this were my rifle. I have not shot the .338/.378 but the manuals show an addition 10-15 grains of powder for very little more speed. You may want to check the cost of brass for both before you enter the game, my buddy who owns the Lapua did a double backflip when he found out the cost of brass after already buying the rifle. You also will need a larger shell holder for your press, and all new shell blocks for your bench, that wide case didn't fit anything I had, except for my .416 blocks. Just my .02's worth. Good shooting.

Take a look at the 8,59 (338) TITAN, from Lazzeroni, or the 338 A-square, 338 Excalibur, or the 338/416 Improved (Rigby).

You might try asking this question on the Long Range hunting board, they live for those kind of calibers, and questions.

http://www.longrangehunting.com./

I have a 338-378 WBY. I've had the gun for five years and have used it lots. It is a WBY action/Hart barrel, 26" I have a Schmidt&Bender scope and synthetic stock. I have used this rifle for Moose, Griz, wildebeast, White and Regular Blesbuck, Nyala, Hartebeast, Gemsbuck etc.Best results have been Nosler Partitions and a big dose of H4831.

I bought the gun as part of my quest for the "one true rifle". I wanted a gun which was accurate, versatile and reliable. So far I have little to complain about. MOA is generally there but I also have repeatable 4" groups at 400Yds.

On the downside, it is a big and really heavy piece. It kicks. I have a Vais muzzle brake now.
It is very loud. Spectators are awed. As Jiri said, it is avery inefficient case and you have the shoulder. Still, I like it and wouldn't trade. I've never shot the Lapua but I think it is a great cartridge.
Hope this helps Nech