I just can't understand why the 338 Lapua is as expensive as a 50 BMG..both loaded ammunition and brass. Seems much more expensive than say a 338 RUM.

I cannot see why we are still having theese debates. At BR, were there is no recoil, there is a noticeable gain to be had from a case with no taper and short powdercolum, but in a heavy recoiling rifle, this little advantage will be lost. If all other factors of the rifle are identical, the name stamped in the ass of the brass makes no difference. Speed does at longer ranges , so the Lapua/RUM beats the WinMag there, but at shorter ranges no difference will be found.

For accuracy to be claimed by one caliber over the other is very subjective and unfair. The playing field has to be the same by using the same type action, barrel maker,trigger, optics etc... and especially a benchrest standards gunsmith who builds all the above rifles himself and utilzes a shooting tunnel from total machine rest with no human contact including same bullets with identical B.C. and individually weigh bullets and brass basiclly to fully even the field etc.... etc....then you might come up with a conclusion. Since shooting in the real world involves outdoor conditions with constant changes from wind to elevation and accurate range estimation the difference will begin to change for the worst and the person who is skilled enouph to minimize those variables will be the most important variable and not the caliber. Field conditions are not the same as behind the bench. The .338 win. mag. is the most practical for hunting in terms of recoil, cost, avaliability of ammo. and performance under hunting conditions. The .338 lapua was born out of necessity due to inadequacy in the .308 win. and .300 win. mag. in the battle fields at engaging harder targets at longer ranges while maintaining descent trajectory and the most important uncontrolable variable wind deflection by weight of bullets and time of flight. They needed to be able to fly heavier bullets for caliber with high B.C.to lessen wind effect and have a cavernous powder capacity to deliver at very extended ranges 1500-2300 yard. All their objectives were met without deproving the case which insured reliable extraction under extreme conditions due to its taper , which parreleled walled cases such as the edge and ultra mag. seem to forgoe what a shame at the benefit of meaningless few feet a second.