First off I am Lt. handed so my options are minimal. I will probably use a Dakota action so with that in mind what caliber would you use between the 338 RUM and the 338 Lapua total rifle weight scope included not to exceed 15lbs. Price of reloading materials, brass, dies, etc. is not an issue, balistics are about the same, so why would I choose one over the other? Chamber pressures, availability of components, etc., etc.

Thanks, Dirk

If you have any concern about ever getting bored with it and selling I would think a "tactical style" .338 Lapua would be easier to move than a RUM.

I know, it's thin but that's all I got

Terry

One gent I know participates in "egg" shoots where they engage large hens eggs at extremely long range. He was using a .338 Lapua and went to the same cartridge necked down to 7mm. He said a couple of competitors tried rifles chambered in the .338 RUM to get around the cost of Lapua brass but found that case life was much shorter and accuracy was a bit less than the Lapua.

And that's all I got too.

Can someone help me? I'm an old shooter but what the hell is a "Tactical" rifle??

Ray

"Tactical" = paint it flat black and charge $1,000 more.

A "Tactical" rifle for me is a carbine type rifle for use when the enemy is in touching range. I'd think that the type of long range rifle being discussed here would be more a "Strategic" rifle for use when the enemy doesn't have a clue you're there and needs to be notified of your intentions.

I had a M-700 338 RUM that turned into a 338 Lapua, I love the Lapua because of the tremendous brass that Lapua produces. The 338 Lapua teamed with the 300 SMK is an awesome long range weapon and mine wieghs about 12.5 pounds including a 30" ABS barrel and a 5X25X56 S&B scope

"Tactical" in my book would be a semi-auto carbine, high capacity mag, short, light, effective working range under 300 yds.

"Long range" on the other hand would be more of a "sniper rifle," scoped, likely a bolt action, bipod, set trigger, range in the 500 yd realm.

Then again, in some circles "tactical" means painted black or cammo. I have a tactical wheelbarrow.

Tactical: "Relating to combat tactics; using or being weapons or forces employed at the battlefront." Webster's Dictionary

Thus, a good sniper rifle in 338 caliber = excellant long range elk caliber.

Maybe it's just the age of the two calibers, but there are LOTS of 338 Lapua sniper rifles employed by snipers all around the world, and in the US. Not so the RUM. To start off I'd just get a TRG 42 in Lapua and rock and roll.

Good luck!

I'm a lefty.
I settled on a Blaser 338 LM TACII. I had nothing but fun.
I have a S&B 3-12 PMII IL and I am waiting for one of those new Premier 5-25's to turn up next year.
The only modifications I did were LH bolt and I used a Sako muzzle break instead of a Blaser ( half the price).
The recoil is similar to a 3006 with the muzzle break on.

Don't choose either one. Go with a 338 Edge.

338 Edge

Contact Shawn Carlock. Here are some videos.

I went with the 338 Lapua over the Edge because of the excellent quality of the Lapua brass much more consistent and a lot strong giving many more reloads per case and sacrificing nothing in performance or accuracy and if one wants more performance then improve the Lapua case...

By the way Shawn built my Lapua

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:
I went with the 338 Lapua over the Edge because of the excellent quality of the Lapua brass

While that is an excellent point, the long range smiths do well with even the Remington brass.

With the 338 Edge, Nosler brass is an option.

quote:

Originally posted by Doc:

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:
I went with the 338 Lapua over the Edge because of the excellent quality of the Lapua brass

While that is an excellent point, the long range smiths do well with even the Remington brass.

With the 338 Edge, Nosler brass is an option.

What does do well mean? If you mean that they can get good accuracy then I agree completely, but the cases are not nearly as strong and one will not get the brass life of of Rem or Federal brass (Nosler brass is made by Federal)
I have shot the same cases over and over and have yet to stretch a primer pocket. The case stretch after about 10 loadings will cause the case to weaken ahead of the case head, an improved version would stop this or at least slow it down.
I acctualy don't see an advantage to go any other way


From the Lapua web site http://www.lapua.com/index.php?id=889

quote:

The reason for .416 Rigby case being a good prototype and parent case, but not the actual choice for the new caliber case was quite clear. For the .338/416 cartridge the velocity of a 16,2 g bullet was 915m/s. A completely different case designed for a higher pressure level was clearly needed. The original Rigby .416 case had a rough 3000 Bar pressure case. The new cartridge was designed for over 4000 Bar pressures. The original pressure definition based on the deformation of the copper pellet method - the crusher method - was specified in the beginning into 56000 CUPs (about 3900 bar). When CIP moved to the piezo transducer period, a mistake was made somewhere resulting in the pressure medium for .338 Lapua Magnum to stay in the 4700 Bar level, even thought the correct level is in the 4200 Bars.

As you can see the case is much stronger than needed and IMHO is the beauty of the 338 Lapua

You will get no argument from me about the quality of lapua brass. When I say they "do well" I mean, they have no problems getting accurate, repeatable long range rounds from Remington brass.

Also, this is from the OP:

quote:

Price of reloading materials, brass, dies, etc. is not an issue

---emphasis mine.

Therefore, I take that to mean he doesn't mind replacing brass. So, that is why I recommended the 338 Edge, and still do under the conditions mentioned by the OP. The 338 Lapua would be my second choice.

Doc, I beleive that we are in basic agreement. The cost of brass wheter Lapua or Rem is about a wash. The Lapua brass cost more up front and it takes a lot more of the Rem brass, because of sorting and less case life. The part that I like about the Lapua brass lasting so long is that the cases are fireformed to your chamber and you can used them 8 to 10 times instead of 2 or 3 times

any confirmation on Federal making Nosler brass, I find that tough to believe, but if it is so, that brass is held to a WAY higher standard than any federal brass for sure!

If you anneal your brass I'd think it would last even longer. Or do you anneal and still get about 8-10?

The problem is case stretching, which is not an annealing problem

I own the 338 RUM. The Lapua has about 35 FPS faster than the 338 RUM.A dead animal wouldn't know the difference weather the bullet was going 35 FPS faster or slower.

I would go with a 338 Lapua if I were you and the Dakota Action is Excellent , I own 3 take down 338 Lapuas /416 Rigby Jigs 2 Dakota actions as well as A Reimer Johanssen.Lapua Brass is excellent but expensive.Norma brass is equally as good and be careful with your reloading dies please specify that you will be using Lapua brass because you will need a seperate holder for RCBS DIES to take the Lapua case for repriming and relaoding.RCBS knows that there is a slight difference between seating of Lapua Brass and Norma Brass, and they will help you out otherwise you may get a stuck Lapua case.Bullets...250 grain Lapua,Sierra,Woodleigh, Nosler are all good performers with the 338 Lapua.Try and stay away from the Barnes X series as they are very "tempramental" in the 338 Lapua.Good scope a must and as you get to know your gun you will love the 338 Lapua and as for the pundits on 'tactical' or 'long range',....you have fun with your rifle....I took a sucessful shot on a problem maneating Monster Crocodiles brain at 404 yds in Mozambique on June 29th 2007.hitting a 2 inch diameter target at 404 yrd, and the 2 back up shots were in the spine and through the heart respectively, just shows you what a Lapua can do.With tim shooting out to 1000 yds will be a routine to you.Powdwer H 1000, and N165 are both great....concentrate on Accuracy with each load and then mearure the Velocity of the most Accurate loads with each bullet.You cannot go wrong with the 338 Lapua....Have Fun.
Col T Whelen...Only accurate Rifles are Ineresting.Better believe that.Best of Luck with your Choice.
BABAODE

TSX bullets work just fine in the 338 Lapau

Dear JWP475,
I WOULD LIKE YOU TO SHARE YOUR SECRET OF HOW YOU GOT THE BARNES TSX IN 250 GRAIN TO WORK WELL IN THE 338 LAPUA.POWDER,TOTAL LENGTH ,PRIMER ETC.I LOOK FOWARD TO HEARING HOW YOU SOLVED THIS PROBLEM.

I was unware there was/is a problem, why don't you educate me of the great problem

Brass solids work well also




As this 3 shot group will atest




They also travel rather quickly

Thanks guys,
Just ordered a McMillan rifle in 338 Lapua. I'll start another thread asking for loads you guys are using.

Dirk

Dakota currently has a LH .338 Lapua on their website. Any opinions on the Dakota offering?

ds and experienced reloaders, end up with Accuracy/pressure mismatch problems and then Shoots Accurately with other 250 grain Hand Loads, I wust be missing something here.

Dirklawyer,
If you are a lefty have a look at the Blaser LRS TAC II in 338 Lap Mag.
Its got lots of options that Dakota does not like you can buy a second barrel in 7.62 mm with bolts in in 3 minutes to use. Without thee need for a gunsmith or special tools.
I think I would look at a Dakota if I was thinking about a 408 Cheytac.

quote:

Originally posted by jetdrvr:
Dakota currently has a LH .338 Lapua on their website. Any opinions on the Dakota offering?

I looked at that rifle. You get literally twice the options for the same price with the McMillan, although I like the Dakota action the McMillan G30 action is stronger.

Dirk

I have had 2 Rifles with Dakota Actions.They shoot accurately some 3 shots groups in < 1/2 inch at 100yds with Norma/Lapua Brass and typically 3 shots at < 3/4 inch at 100 yds.Noslers,Lapua,Woodleigh are very accurate in the Dakota's.No complaints with Dakota Actions/Guns,except that they dont seem to like Barnes X /TSX Bullets.I find H1000 AND 215M FEDERAL PRIMERS help work up loads and they are very satisfactory accuracy wise and working up a load is easy with that combination.