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338 dilemma
- Thread starter sayeretgolani13
- Start date
Rugers design and build quality is way better than Savage. RPR hands down.
I have no experience with the Savage but I'm having a blast with that same RPR.
Ruger. I'd also go 300 PRC over the .338 personally, too. Cheaper all around and not really giving up anything in terms of useful range.
I've owned/own Savages (so no prejudice there) and I've got the RPR in both 6.5CM and .338LM. Absolutely love the RPR's. Especially the .338 big dog! I'm having a ball shooting it and very happy I went with it. I bought the 6.5 first and after shooting mine a friend bought one in .338. The recoil was very manageable (and at 66 I'm getting recoil sensitive) so I bought one too. I've let other people shoot mine and the first comment is how there isn't the recoil they expected. I think the RPR handles it very well. Plus, shoots pretty damn good too!
Hi,
OP, is this you?
www.gunandgame.com
Are you from Ft Myers?
Sincerely,
Theis
OP, is this you?
1000 yard sniper rifle project
hello I am trying to put something together from scratch. looking for around 1000 yards sniper rifle. should be enough for now.looking for a rifle,scope. budget between $1000-1500. if anyone has good ideas suggestions to help it would be greatly appreciated. thanks
www.gunandgame.com
Are you from Ft Myers?
Sincerely,
Theis
Yes I’m out hereHi,
OP, is this you?
1000 yard sniper rifle project
hello I am trying to put something together from scratch. looking for around 1000 yards sniper rifle. should be enough for now.looking for a rifle,scope. budget between $1000-1500. if anyone has good ideas suggestions to help it would be greatly appreciated. thanks
Are you from Ft Myers?
Sincerely,
Theis
Why?
For just a 1000 yards a 338 is silly.
get a 6.5 CM and shoot a lot without hemorrhaging $$$$
338’s are really quite expensive to shoot and a decent 6.5 will reliably shoot a lot further that 1000 yards.
Then there’s the learning curve aspect.
shoot a 308/6.5 is a LOT easier than a 338.
True, the 6.5 will shoot 1000+ easily. A lot more comfortably. A lot cheaper. But damn it's fun! Kind of expensive on a retired income, but I have to admit I haven't shot any of my other rifles since I got my .338 in May. I can shoot 800 all day at my range, kinda boring, and have stretched it out to 1200 after harvest. Probably as far as I'll ever shoot. But of course I said that after 800 too!
My buddy with a 338 Norma is hating on my 7 Saum right now because it’s half the price to shoot and a good bit flatter.
His only advantage is spotting splashes at a mile + and a bit of wind.
I agree. For 1,000 yard shooting, a .338 is a waste.
OP should get a 6.5 creedmoor, .308 or some other short action cartridge.
Aho
When budget was tight it limits from the top end rifles.
when budget is better it opens the variety.
Do it once and do it right
So not about learning experience but $$
Yes ammo is pricey but I can live with it.
Yes 308 will do the job no questions but just locked on a338.
shot 308 before just didn’t want to spend the money twice. and probably get a 338 after
When budget was tight it limits from the top end rifles.
when budget is better it opens the variety.
Do it once and do it right
So not about learning experience but $$
Yes ammo is pricey but I can live with it.
Yes 308 will do the job no questions but just locked on a338.
OP wants a .338 I say go for it. 6.5/.308 is certainly more cost effective and easier to shoot. But I'm having the time of my life shooting my .338! A big dog was always on my bucket list but the older I get the more recoil sensitive I get too. The RPR came along and I can manage it. But, the OP's question wasn't caliber, but brand. So I vote RPR because of how it handles recoil (for me anyway).
I shoot past a mile a few times a month and I’m not really interested in a 338.
I am however interested in a 300 PRC.
It’s not just about $$$ but practicality.
So many better options and with the good magnum powders being very scarce burning 60-70 grains is a lot nicer than 85-90.
I just don't understand how doing a .338 for a 1,000 yards is "doing it right".
I have a .300NM, and it's a waste to shoot at 1,000 yards. I know how fun a bigger Boomer can be, but the fun starts much past 1,000 yards.
My 6BRA and .308 are much more fun to shoot at 1,000 yards.
But whatever, your money. This topic is exactly the reason why you see low round count magnums for sale. New people getting into it that think they need a .338, then realize that's not at all what they need/wanted after the fact.
I have a .300NM, and it's a waste to shoot at 1,000 yards. I know how fun a bigger Boomer can be, but the fun starts much past 1,000 yards.
My 6BRA and .308 are much more fun to shoot at 1,000 yards.
But whatever, your money. This topic is exactly the reason why you see low round count magnums for sale. New people getting into it that think they need a .338, then realize that's not at all what they need/wanted after the fact.
I think it's more that people realize their rifle is chambered in $5 bills (or more), and look for something that's closer to being chambered in $1 bills....
There is also the thing that if you are at the range having fun doing target shooting, you'll probably find the .338.... well you may have had enough for the day before you empty the first $100 of ammo
Not new.
and yes there are very few companies that make the 338. I know all about it.
My comment specifically applied to this part:
I go with their wallet couldn't afford to feed it as a primary motivator for why you see many low round count super magnums for sale.
I know of two people who sold them because they couldn’t shoot them for shit.
One had the gall to say 338’s are inherently inaccurate.
I would bet the anticipated fear of the recoil/noise/blast was making them flinch and pull the shot like nobody's business.
I find I do better if I warm up with the .308 before touching off the .338
Hell, I'm inherently inaccurate. It's still fun shooting!
If your into heart burn the salvage is the best route. I picked up one of their LRH's in 338LM, for none points work. It took me 3+ long months of off an on, to get it to where it's a go to for it's original intended task.. It would not fed, fire, extract, eject, or be noiseless (in the woods) prior to. Other than those issues from the gate, it fit the lite, box fed an quick handling I was after. The factory break is a POS also so either roll your own or buy quality.
After correcting all the faults I found, it now fills the intended slot. Once it showed it's true ability after the work over, a few others around have picked up same as well. However to a stick they all had to be rework from the box to operate like one would expect they should, in the first place.
Like many folks, a 338L will sit in the safe, "for far too long and eventually get sold" and the reason why is the recoil, as well as the ammo expense, is getting somewhat excessive.
You get more energy than some of the bigger 30 calibers but slightly less wind drift with the 300 grain bullets.
I'd get a 300 PRC which will be more shooter friendly, is cheaper to shoot, which means it'll get used more often. I've noticed shooting with friends at ELR distances that getting wind right is often a "BIG" guess anyway. So pretty much as likely to hit something with a big 30 as a 338.
Besides, if more serious about ELR, the 375 cal is the way to go.
Man, you can build an all custom kick ass rifle for $3000-ish!
Cheap out on the less expensive factory offerings and you pay the price in other ways.
You get more energy than some of the bigger 30 calibers but slightly less wind drift with the 300 grain bullets.
I'd get a 300 PRC which will be more shooter friendly, is cheaper to shoot, which means it'll get used more often. I've noticed shooting with friends at ELR distances that getting wind right is often a "BIG" guess anyway. So pretty much as likely to hit something with a big 30 as a 338.
Besides, if more serious about ELR, the 375 cal is the way to go.
Man, you can build an all custom kick ass rifle for $3000-ish!
Cheap out on the less expensive factory offerings and you pay the price in other ways.
No one said I need. It’s a choice.
Can do the same with 300.308.6.5.
And reach out and touch...
However as I mention it is a choice.
Do I need it? No I don’t
A .338 lapua with a brake is a baby to shoot. They can be shot all day if your wallet is thick enough. They recoil much less than a .308 or .270 win hunting weight rifles.
Cost is the biggie. If you don’t shoot often then the cost is of no concern. It is about the same as enjoying a glass of high dollar wine every now and again vs being a raging alcoholic drinking the same.
When I come across a good deal on a Sako TRG 42 chambered in 338 Lapua, I will have one of my own.
Cost is the biggie. If you don’t shoot often then the cost is of no concern. It is about the same as enjoying a glass of high dollar wine every now and again vs being a raging alcoholic drinking the same.
When I come across a good deal on a Sako TRG 42 chambered in 338 Lapua, I will have one of my own.
What do you consider a good deal?
There is a nice one over at GunMaster in Plano, (DFW) that's been on consignment for awhile it belongs to the owner of the feed store next door. If you are in the area anytime soon, you might consider going by (not on Sunday/Monday) and taking a look at it & asking them to call up the owner with an offer.
To me it's just another tool. Do I need it, I haven't yet,...then again I have never needed my home insurance either (knocking on wood) to date. Is it cheap to shoot yes an no depending your end goal. It can be as little as 38 cents per, (sub ammo) to my normal load of $2.86 not counting brass depreciation. The target generally dictates the cost. Recoil is much less than my none braked 16.5" 308 which is nothing in reality. With sling, loaded mag, Harris, Home rolled break, Mounted glass, it just needs a target an trigger pulled. She weighs 11.02 lbs. Not bad for a tool with it's ability. I Pray I never need it but should the need arise, she will get the job done,... assuming the one pulling the trigger is up to the task.
When I first got mine I bought 3 boxes of factory Hornady to start with. Nope, not cheap. Luckily I reload and right now I'm probably on my 8th reloading of that brass. I'm not loading hot so the brass is holding up well. No loose primer pockets and I've trimmed it once so far. So the cost is getting less and less. Plus I picked up some of the unbranded Lapua brass from Midway so I can reload cheaper for a long time. Couldn't afford it if I didn't reload. I usually shoot at least 30 rds at a time and been doing that about every two weeks so it would be pricey buying factory.
Midway had loaded IMI a year + ago for 1.49 per as an introductory, to say many of us went deep, is an understatement.
That’s great. No one around my ways is reloading and I don’t want to spend the $$ to do it my self. I won’t be shooting every 2 weeks.
I'm wanting a .338 too for when you have to have the horsepower to kill a Mack truck at 2000 
yards but the .300 PRC looks intriguing! I'm actually leaning towards the Savage 110 Elite Precision (let the hate flow) as I have had good luck with Savage, like the MDT ACC chassis, and despise the stock adjustments on the RPR. I've handled the Ruger (a beast!) and I won't pass judgement until I can handle the Savage. Just my $.02 and we shall see what they have to offer.
yards but the .300 PRC looks intriguing! I'm actually leaning towards the Savage 110 Elite Precision (let the hate flow) as I have had good luck with Savage, like the MDT ACC chassis, and despise the stock adjustments on the RPR. I've handled the Ruger (a beast!) and I won't pass judgement until I can handle the Savage. Just my $.02 and we shall see what they have to offer.
The problem I have is finding a conveniently located range that allows 338.
Admittedly, I'm pretty fortunate. I own a pasture where I have targets at 1,2,300 yds. Then I've got steel at 625 yds. I put in another bench back a ways so I can get steel at 800. I use the 200 yard target for sighting in and groups. Shoot 625 most and then 800, although I'm edging towards 800 more and more. I feel pretty lucky to have the ground.
Last spring before planting I got the 6.5 to 1000, then after harvest and the corn was out I got the .338 to 1200. The big one is addicting, I'd like to try farther but it's tough to find in rolling farm ground/pivots. My buddy and I shot this at 1200 a couple weeks ago. He's only shot my RPR a couple times, maybe half dozen rds each time. The target is big, 24" sq. But I'd rather have a larger target so I see exactly where I'm shooting without trying to see dirt around a smaller target. Both of us shot 5 rds each, so 10 rds, the upper center grouping has 7 rds in it, we each had a flyer and his first shot was off target completely. I thought he did pretty good for only having shot a .338 a few times. I know there's people here that can/will put me to shame LR shooting but I'm really happy with this group. My friends shooting especially. As new to it as we are, I feel the RPR puts in a damn good showing here. That's why I'd recommend it to anyone.
Last spring before planting I got the 6.5 to 1000, then after harvest and the corn was out I got the .338 to 1200. The big one is addicting, I'd like to try farther but it's tough to find in rolling farm ground/pivots. My buddy and I shot this at 1200 a couple weeks ago. He's only shot my RPR a couple times, maybe half dozen rds each time. The target is big, 24" sq. But I'd rather have a larger target so I see exactly where I'm shooting without trying to see dirt around a smaller target. Both of us shot 5 rds each, so 10 rds, the upper center grouping has 7 rds in it, we each had a flyer and his first shot was off target completely. I thought he did pretty good for only having shot a .338 a few times. I know there's people here that can/will put me to shame LR shooting but I'm really happy with this group. My friends shooting especially. As new to it as we are, I feel the RPR puts in a damn good showing here. That's why I'd recommend it to anyone.
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