The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles .338 LapuaGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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If you don't have to have a bolt action- Get a Ruger #1 in 338 Win. mag. and have it rechambered. However, this would be quite light for a 338 Lapua. This would be the cheapest. You are somewhat limited in rebarreling bolt actions because the 338 Lapua takes the same size bolt as a 416 Rigby, so that generally requires an "african" type action. Sako does chamber the TGR-S sporter version is 338 Lapua. I don't have any experience with one, but they are known to be good. I don't know if the "standard" model 70 Winchester bolts can be opened up that big. It is a great cartridge and certainly worth any additional costs. | |||
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schapman43 Are there any reasons that you prefer the 338 Lapua to the 338 Rem Ultra, as they are both about the same case capacity. For a bolt action conversion a CZ 550 in 416 Rigby would be perhaps the best starting point. What about a 338/378 Weatherby in the Synthetic model as they are quite low in price. If you want the biggest 338 then the 338/378 is the one. Mike | |||
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Nh, just get a Winchester Model 70 in 338 WM, give it to a smith to rechamber, resize boltface, and widen the feed rails. Find the M70 for $400, and the whole thing will cost you around $600. | |||
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| <schapman43> |
quote:I'm not all that stuck on .338 Lapua. I had a 700 Sendero in .338 RUM and really liked the rifle. I had to sell it to help pay some of my sons medical bills. Anyway, I was always wondering if the action was strong enough for the round. It was always in the back of my head that if the Lapua needed a bigger action why didnt the RUM which was almost exactly the same. I guess its probably just my ignorance ![[Smile]](images/icons/smile.gif){kind=icon} | ||
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schapman43 It is because the 338 Lapua has a much bigger case head size. However the shorter case length and tapered design bring its case capacity back to the area of the 338 Ultra. The problem with the Rem 700 and similar actions is that the case head is really too big for that both diameter because of the counterbored bolt face. The bolt nose on a Wby Mark V is big enough to have a counterbored bolt face and still have enough metal when the counterbore is opened for the bigger case head. In other words it is a "fitting problem" rather than a strength problem. A Model 70 would be OK because of the Mauser style bolt face. However some people would argue that the barrel thread diameter of the Model 70 is too small for the 338 lapua case diameter. In short, the easiest and simplest road to a 338 lapua, 416 Rigbg, 378 Wby size case is either the CZ 550 or Weatherby Mark V. Mike [ 04-05-2003, 07:28: Message edited by: Mike375 ] | |||
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Does anyone know of a advantage to going with the Lapua over the RUM? I may end up buying the same rifle I sold about 6 moths ago | ||
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Schap, what is the intended use for the rifle? This dictates action type, barrel contour and length, twist, optics, etc. Cheapest way to get into one is the Sako TRG-S. They did have 24 inch barrels, though, don't know what is on them now. You need at least a 26, a 27 or 28 is better. I have built them on CZ550's, easy fit for the big case. And I built one on a single shot Savage 112 several years ago, strange gun, but it shot very well. 30 inch heavy barrel, laminated stock, Leupold MKV 16 power scope. Designed for 500 to 1000 yard work with 300 grain Match Kings. I have three various 338 Lapua rifles in work now. For a magazine rifle, stick in a good 210 to 225 grain bullet and go Elk hunting. If you ain't shot one before, they have considerable recoil!!!! Most guys want a brake, but I think this is cheating for a hunting rifle. | |||
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| <schapman43> |
The rifle is basicly a target gun. I may do some hunting someday but I doubt it. I had a 700 Sendero SF in .338 RUM but sold it to pay medical bills. I'm not worried about the recoil. I'm a fairly big guy and actually enjoyed the recoil of the .338 RUM. [ 04-05-2003, 07:51: Message edited by: schapman43 ] | ||
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Schap, advantage of RUM or Lapua depends on what you will use the rifle for. Not too much difference for a hunting rifle performance wise, but the RUM has the advantage in cheaper brass and it fits (but at the expense of a short cartridge length, which puts the bullet base down in the powder space) in the M700, M70, and other actions. If you are into long range precision shooting, and run brisk loads, the Lapua brass is much stronger. Nice for the handloader. So, If I were going Elk hunting, or for plains game, the RUM gets the nudge. If I were into long range shooting, competition, and the world of big long barrels, single shot actions, tight chambers, neck turned brass, the Lapua is it. | |||
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| <schapman43> |
I think I may go with the TRG-S. I've been looking around and it looks like they can be had for less than $700. With the TRG-S I can shoot it for a while and save up some money for a barrel and stock. I've also found loaded ammo for the lapua that uses the bullet that I want to shoot (300gr MK). I was unable to find any for the RUM. | ||
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Be aware that a 338 Lapua cartridge, with the 300 grain match King, is about 4-1/4 inches long, and is suitable only in single shot rifles. If you are not into loading your own, you need to get into loading, so you can custom load the cartridges for proper seating depth, powder charge, etc., for optium performance. And you need a custom chamber reamer for this combination. (I have one). The TRG-S suffers from a poor stock and magazine arangement. McMillian makes a stock, and Montana Rifle Co. is now tooling up for all steel bottom metal for the TRG-S to replace the plastic unit, which I believe McMillan has ordered 50 or so units. The TRG-S action itself is nice, with the big bolt and the three lugs. If you get into having the TRG-S rebarreled, it needs a aftermarket Remington style recoil lug, like a Hollands. The tiny "stud" on the bottom of the TRG-S receiver is not sufficient to hold the receiver under the recoil. Another note, the original TRG-S stock is not strong enough at the recoil lug area and has been known to fracture when the action is equipped with the Holland's recoil lug. Sooooo, in addition to a new barrel, you need to consider a proper stock also. [ 04-05-2003, 09:06: Message edited by: John Ricks ] | |||
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| <schapman43> |
quote:It looks like McMillan makes a stock to fit the Sako TRG action. Someone else is making new bottom metal for it also, the name of the manufacturer escapes me. Does anyone know of a good place in WY or CO to pick up this rifle? | ||
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Schapman43, how about the Sako TRG-42 is it available in your neighborhood ? Regards | |||
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| <schapman43> |
quote:I just cant afford that kind of money up front. | ||
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hehehe, me neither, but it sure is tempting | |||
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