Recommend a 338 Lapua

UtahIrishman · 07-07-2012, 20:28

Not that I can afford one anytime soon but I'm lusting after something seriously long range.

I see Savage makes one for around $1000.00

Thoughts and recommendations appreciated.

AK_Stick · 07-07-2012, 20:32

Unless you're going to be shooting at cars/people at really long ranges, I'd think you could get all your kicks in for alot less with a 308 or 300 Win Mag.

That said, the Savage 93BA looks really hot.

UtahIrishman · 07-07-2012, 20:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK_Stick

Unless you're going to be shooting at cars/people at really long ranges, I'd think you could get all your kicks in for alot less with a 308 or 300 Win Mag.

That said, the Savage 93BA looks really hot.

No plans to shoot at anything other than paper or a steel gong. I'm thinking beyond a 1000 yards...just because

K.Kiser · 07-07-2012, 20:37

700 remington... done..

AK_Stick · 07-07-2012, 21:07

If you don't have any plans but shooting paper or steel, a 243, 308, or 300 class gun would be much cheaper, and just as effective. And you could spend the money you save on the gun, on a better scope.

glock2740 · 07-07-2012, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK_Stick

If you don't have any plans but shooting paper or steel, a 243, 308, or 300 class gun would be much cheaper, and just as effective. And you could spend the money you save on the gun, on a better scope.

I agree.

UtahIrishman · 07-07-2012, 22:20

Good point. I'm already setup to reload .308... just wishful thinking I suppose. I'll have to check out some nice .308's and as you say spend the extra on a nice scope.

Decguns · 07-07-2012, 22:24

Probably the best 338 Lapua rifle is one of the first, the SAKO TRG-S M995. If you can't find one in 338, the 30-378 WHBY is likely the easiest to rebarrel to 338 Lapua.

How about a nice 7MM STW SAKO? Definitely got range, and recoil is far less than the 300 Mag.

WoodenPlank · 07-08-2012, 06:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by AK_Stick

If you don't have any plans but shooting paper or steel, a 243, 308, or 300 class gun would be much cheaper, and just as effective. And you could spend the money you save on the gun, on a better scope.

Agreed as well.

DonD · 07-08-2012, 07:37

I can hardly picture the .243 as a 1000 yd gun. No steam to speak of past 500-600 yds. Don

failsafe · 07-08-2012, 07:58

I had a E.D.M. Arms 50 cal " Windrunner"...Heck of a gun maker..They also have a 338 Lapua...Not cheap at a little over 6 grand...
http://www.edmarms.com/products/m98.htm

FifteenPlusOne · 07-08-2012, 08:10

Seriously? This thread is a joke [responses].

No, don't bother investing is a sweet rifle platform because you shoot for leisure... that's a real gun for...

Yeah.

I bought myself a Sig 522 and dropped a little bit of change into it just to satisfy the range toy requirement freeing me up to buy any damn thing I want-- a Savage 110 standard in .338 Lapua mag.

I figure it's the obvious choice but if you haven't looked into it you should. My Savage .22-250 is ace.

MrGlock21 · 07-08-2012, 13:24

What's your budget? How much cash can you cough up. One of the key questions, isn't it?

If done right, the 338 LM is a pricey thing, and if done wrong it ain't worth squat to begin with.

Don't forget quality mounts/rings and scope.

I looked into the subject last year. I'd go with the TRG-42 and the Savage 2nd place.

UtahIrishman · 07-08-2012, 13:37

Thanks for the input guys

Budget would be around $3K maybe a bit more. But I couldn't go any higher than $4K tops. So that pretty much puts the SAKO's out of my price range.

The Savage looks promising. If I do this it will most likely be end of summer-fall before I can seriously consider it.

davsco · 07-08-2012, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decguns

How about a nice 7MM STW SAKO? Definitely got range, and recoil is far less than the 300 Mag.

i have and love 7stw (rem 700 custom shop ks). not sure i'd say the recoil is "far" less than 300wm though. muzzle energy is about 100 ft lbs less depending on bullet weights.

davsco · 07-08-2012, 18:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by UtahIrishman

Budget would be around $3K maybe a bit more. But I couldn't go any higher than $4K tops.

yep if you're gonna put a "nice" scope on it (eg nightforce) figure $1600-2000+ including base and rings.

when you get one, let us know what you got and how you like it!!!

one thing i will say is to check with your local ranges and also competition events to see if they allow the 338LM. the handful of precision rifle competitions near me do NOT allow it.

AK_Stick · 07-09-2012, 00:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonD

I can hardly picture the .243 as a 1000 yd gun. No steam to speak of past 500-600 yds. Don

Funny considering that the owner of GAP rifles won several competitions this year with his 243.

Its not always how fast you sling the bullet, but more about how accurately you sling it.

MrGlock21 · 07-09-2012, 21:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonD

I can hardly picture the .243 as a 1000 yd gun. No steam to speak of past 500-600 yds. Don

If you got the twist to stabilize 243/6mm 107 MK etc it's an option.
For 1000 yrds I prefer the 6.5 mm family, though.

gjk5 · 07-09-2012, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Decguns

Probably the best 338 Lapua rifle is one of the first, the SAKO TRG-S M995. If you can't find one in 338, the 30-378 WHBY is likely the easiest to rebarrel to 338 Lapua.

How about a nice 7MM STW SAKO? Definitely got range, and recoil is far less than the 300 Mag.

Or just stick with the Wby....

The factory Accumark is a fine rifle and in .30-378 will smoke a 180gr @ 3300-3600fps depending on your accuracy load.

The Savage is a fine rifle at the $1K range, $1500-$1800 will get you a nice Wby with flutes, brake and HS Precision stock.

.257 wby is not a bad round at all for long range either, especially if you are not knocking down big animals.

And as expensive as the Wby mags are to shoot, they are still cheaper than the .338 Lapua.

glockaviator · 07-10-2012, 15:05

The long range tactical boys all used to shoot 308, (good out to about 1200 yards shooting steel and paper). Easy to reload for. They are all getting their 308's rebarrelled to 260 remington as it kicks less and bucks the wind better. Shooting 60 rounds a match or a day of practice, you dont want much kick. Remington 700 with custom stock or a Sako TRG-22 are the best factory guns. GA Precision or Surgeon are tops in custom guns. Nightforce is probably the scope of choice although there are lots of others. Schmidt and Bender is the top of the scopes (and has a price to go with it).

If you are on a budget, get a Rem 700 sps heavy barrel in 308 and build it up from there with an AICS stock, custom trigger and maybe a rebarrel when you get the money.

338 Lapua is a specialty rifle for someone that already has a couple of the others. Expensive to shoot and kicks like a mule. It does have stopping power out long, but if all you are shooting is steel and paper, a hit is a hit so no advantage. The Sako TRG 42 would be the one of choice if you do have to have a 338.

itstime · 07-10-2012, 15:44

Tagged

UtahIrishman · 07-10-2012, 21:14

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think from a practical stand point a Remington 700 with a heavy barrel sounds pretty convincing. Certainly cheaper.

Though I still want to shoot a .338 Lapua

I also have my 8 MM Mauser which I've discovered has the potential to be a 1,000 yard gun. I didn't think something like that would reach that far. But I've seen a couple videos where it does exactly that.

I imagine it takes a lot of dialing in to shoot accurately at 1,000 yards no matter what you are shooting. Longest shot I've taken with some accuracy so far is 320 yards.

glockaviator · 07-11-2012, 10:25

To shoot out to 1000 yards is no problem. You just need a high power rifle, a big target, a scope that will dial in the elevation needed (about 30moa of UP, so twice that total moa), a ballistic chart that will get you close and, a 1000 yard range and last but not least, a calm, little or no wind day. 2" groups at 100 yards translates to about 20" groups at 1000 yards, so a 4' x 4' target is adequate. Work your way out from 100 yards and have some fun!