If you want to punch long range paper and do a bit of hunting out West, how does the 338 RUM stand up against the 338 Lapua?

I have a hard time justifying the cost of the Lapua when many of the bullet manufacturers now use the 338 RUM for all 338 bullet testing because of inherent accuracy.

On top of this, the Lapua seems to have no advantage in a 26 inch bbl, and less than 100 fps in a 30 inch bbl over the RUM. So, there is my bias...any other opinions?

I'm with you, bud.
From all the data I've seen, the RUM stands right there with the Lapua, and even the 338-378 is only a hair faster, with a 26" bbl.
Probably a much more exciting ball of flame coming out the muzzle, if that's what you like
Look at AR's reloading data for a good example.
If I had a 30" bbl, I might think otherwise, but even then, I think I'd be happy with the RUM's performance, compared to the cost of brass.
Use the '06 case for 7mm, the belted Winchester for 338 or 375, the RUM or Jeffery for 416, the Lapua (Rigby) for 458 and the Weatherby for 510!

338 lapua is a long range accurate monster but its cost is up there way up there 338 RUM is moderately cheap available and delievers similar ballistics but its not nearly as flat shooting as the lapua. Its the truth if you want something flat shooting that easy to get in the U.S. get a weatherby 338-378 or if you like to replace barrels 30-378 those are some super powerful.

As for Super 338 magnums the 338 RUM is not among one of them its actully 6th Im not alone on the opinion either the ballistics speak for themselves again just my opinion(s).
338 Super Magnums.

-Mash

[ 11-04-2003, 15:31: Message edited by: Mashminster ]

For your purposes, yes the 338 RUM is the better choice (and yes, I do own a 338 Lapua). Without enough barrel, you can't get the speeds that the Lapua is supposedly capable of, so as long as you're staying with 26", you may as well go with the RUM. Just for info, in a 26" barrel, I find both if these (the Lapua and the RUM) only about 50-75 fps faster the the 340 Wby. FWIW - Dan

Mashminster, you're squinting.
Look at the whole picture, and you'll see that with a 26" bbl, it is meaningless to quibble over which magnum has the bigger "super muzzle blast."
Those Rigby-based cases all need 30-40 inch barrels to do anything with the power they've been given.
It's like a basketball player that can jump 40 feet high.
The goal isn't that high in the first place!