Dear Hunters and PH´s.
Would like to have your view, and opinions on/and if, the 338 Lapua, will be, a true hunters rifle?

I have taken Moose with mine. Its one hell of a round. I was using the Barnes GMX 250 grain bullet. I use to do the long range stuff for a living, so im comfortable shooting at long range. You need to be if you are to have a thoroughbred like this. I have taken blacktail deer from one ridge top to another. Kills great. All I can say is learn how to drive the rifle, learn how to mil a target, learn the trade craft.

While I love playing with mine...I truly doubt it.


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In the M995 Sako, it's a reasonable package. Obviously not for the faint of heart, but that's true of many other cartridges.

Anybody know the difference between hunting and sniping ?

Perhaps that's answers the question of the original poster

quote:

Originally posted by londonhunter:
Anybody know the difference between hunting and sniping ?

Perhaps that's answers the question of the original poster

That's all relative. I'm sure some bowhunting purists believes everyone with a rifle is sniping.

My shooting of the .338 Lapua came by accident. A buddy bought the rifle, had a very expensive muzzle brake put on, shot it and eventually decided it was not for him. Sold it to me for a song along with dies, brass and some bullets. I already had a .340 Wby and had accumulated several bullets that I could play with, so why not. It has become a real game getter for the bigger stuff. One of my grandsons got his first Elk with it when he was 14, since my son and I have taken several Elk and Deer with it. It likes North Forks in 225 and 240 grains, Barnes X and TSX and Swift A-Frames. A Ziess Conquest in 4.5 X 14 tops it off and will reach out and touch anything within reason. Good shooting.

Gentleman. Thank you for your posts, but the real question here (and the argument around the campfire last week in Namibia), was the the 338 Lapua, would eventually become the "hunters rifle" over the existing traditional caliber's that we all know of.
In my amble opinion, i just cannot see real hunters going that route, then it probably became just, "sniper hunter".
What´s your view?

In my opinion, it and the .338 RUM are more than are needed by a great majority of hunters.

I have shot one, and don't begrudge anyone who wants one to get it, or hunt with it. It will work well.

However, given the size of the action, the expense of the ammunition, and the recoil (especially without a brake) this gun will remain beyond the willingness of most hunters. There are very few that can take advantage of the extra range of the Lapua; and the other advantage of energy for use on the largest of game (typically African dangerous game) is precluded by the majority of African states banning anything less than the .366/.375 bore rifles.

I don't see it being a popular hunting gun due to the above, although as long as US law doesn't change too much you will see some in the field.

quote:

Originally posted by only.375H&H:
Gentleman. Thank you for your posts, but the real question here (and the argument around the campfire last week in Namibia), was the the 338 Lapua, would eventually become the "hunters rifle" over the existing traditional caliber's that we all know of.
In my amble opinion, i just cannot see real hunters going that route, then it probably became just, "sniper hunter".
What´s your view?

I don't think it will ever become the "hunters rifle". It's marketed and geared too much to long range sooting/military applications. When I think of "hunters rifle" for larger game it's the 338 Win Mag and the 375 H&H. Doesn't mean the Lapua won't be good but it will always be thought of for target/military first.

Although I doubt it will be huge it will have it's following, as will the Norma Mag. I'll be surprised a bit if someone doesn't standardize the .338/.375 Ruger and offer it in factory rifles.

The tendancy seems to be longer ranges. New scopes have BDC capabilities and even ranging/compesating abilities. In open country I could see it being interesting. In thick cover area's they'll never even be considered.

I have a Dakota African in 338 Lapua,I bought it from one of the members here,I like the round,three times to Africa so far,biggest game taken,giraffe & buff cow,most everything was DRT,longest shot 240 meters,wildebeest DRT,mine is throated for 250 gr bullets,shoots real well,I am having it throated out to take 300 gr woodleigh's,the gun weighs about10.5 lbs with scope,no break,I don't find it hard to shoot at all.

Bal, I should have kept that one :-)

Jon,
buddy you can have it back for the right price

I have a Sako TRG - S (995)in 338 LM. I have hunted with it a few times. Basically it is no different than my 340 Wby. FWIW - dan

quote:

Originally posted by BigNate:
Although I doubt it will be huge it will have it's following, as will the Norma Mag. I'll be surprised a bit if someone doesn't standardize the .338/.375 Ruger and offer it in factory rifles.

The tendancy seems to be longer ranges. New scopes have BDC capabilities and even ranging/compesating abilities. In open country I could see it being interesting. In thick cover area's they'll never even be considered.

That's my take, too.

The .338/.375 Ruger is about ideal for a .338" calibre and a plains game round. Of course, that is just to say that 340 Weatherby ballistics are about perfect.

Personally, I would love a 338 Lapua but all the money, time, and paperwork necessary to build one and bring to Africa just don't seem worth it to me. The same is true of a 338/375-Ruger.

I would probably buy a 338/375-Ruger if offered in a Ruger Hawkeye, WinM70, or mediumweight CZ. I would even get a Tikka if they came out in one. Tikka are pushfeed but soooo light and nice to carry. Just put a Limbsaver on a Tikka and it may surprise the shooter every time with its little extra bounce, but very comfortably. For me, a calibre only becomes "factory" when it is offered in a rifle for under $1000, even if I end up spending more. Anyway, I've always found the 338 WinMag to do everything I want in a plains game rifle.

I also have a Sako 995 in 338 Lapua. It is a fine hunting rifle. Have taken deer and groundhogs with my rig. I stick with the Hornady 225 grain spire points because they are accurate and I have no need for anything else.