.338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

[Darkphage]

I am interested in opinions about the inherent accuracy of the .338 Lapua as a caliber.

I have a .338 Lapua, and LOVE the caliber. I find it to be inherently very accurate, but a friend if mine said that he thinks the case design (tapering with a softer shoulder), is a design that has been traditionally less accurate than designs that are less tapered, and have a harder shoulder.

He cites the various .338 variants as evidence that folks are trying to "improve" the original design.

I consider myself to be a very good long range shooter, but have to admit I am not an expert on how case design may affect inherent cartridge performance.

Will the cartridge design experts please weigh in on this for my (and I'm sure many others) enlightenment.

Thanks in advance,

Dark

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

Find a new friend......

 

[RobertB]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

Tell him to stand out in a field at one mile and let you take shots at him. See if he changes his mind.

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kirk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Find a new friend......

</div></div>

great reply ! lmao !

 

[ORD]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

With friends like that...

Seriously...anyone who doubts the accuracy potentional of the 338LM, especially at extended ranges, is just talking out of their @$$!

Yes...there will ALWAYS be people trying to squeeze that additional "edge" out of any given cartridge. Whether its a completely new "wildcat" cartridge in the same caliber or whether it is in the form of a modification of the existing cartridge case (like some of the Ack. Imp. versions)...there is always room for "some degree" of improvement.

 

[Captain Kirk]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

Sorry for the dick response, I just switched to decaff

Bottom line, is the 338LM a benchrest caliber? its not, but it does hold the record for longest confirmed kill. You cant base a cartridges accuracy capabilites on shoulder angle alone, there are a lot of variables and there is no set recipe. The 338LM is a very capable and extremely accurate round.

Kirk R

 

[Longshot38]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

It sounds like your friend is poorly informed and speaking of things he has little knowledge of. The 338 Lapua is an excellent cartridge design and one of the few that was designed from the ground up to be used as Sniper/Precision round. The development begin as a project of the US military to develop a cartridge design capable of pushing a 250 grain bullet out to 1000 yards and still carry enough energy to penetrate 5 layers of body armor. After some issues during the R&D phase the military decided they no longer needed it and moth balled the project. Some years later Lapua picked the work back up for commercial development and the cartridge was born.

 

[*greenhorn*]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

accurate? does a frog like water, or bumps his hinny when he hops

 

[bas402]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

Dark,
Your friend can think what he wants but The cartridge design to me is perfect and just a great looking round.Personally it sounds like he doesn't own one and wants one really bad, Ie.. trying to get you to maybe sell yours? When I go beyond 1200 for accuracy I grab my .338LM
Sully

 

[Katahdin]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

Tell your friend to ask Craig Harrison how accurate the .338 Lapua is.

 

[Darkphage]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

I appreciate all the responses thus far. I have a pretty thick skin, so have no fear! Lol. He's one of the most knowledgable reloaders/ benchrest shooters I know. But he has never had a single thought of shooting further than 1000 yards.

As such, I don't consider him to be a tac shooter, or a "true" tactical long range shooter.

But i have yet to see an explanation of the theory of how case design might affect cartridge performance.

I appreciate all your input!!

I love the hide!!!!

Dark

 

[Sendero_Man]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

read this... initial and final development of case

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.338_Lapua_Magnum

 

[Victor Co Heather]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

The .338 Lapua Magnum was invented and designed specifically for precision tactical engagements. It's very accurate.

 

[Goin'Hot]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

Here is a post that should put your fears to rest.

 

[Darkphage]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

As it is I have had no "fears". Just a desire to understand cartridge mechanics. But thank you for the links -- both are helpful.

I appreciate the input.

Dark

 

[RobertB]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

Is he a short range BR shooter that shoots the smaller rounds? 6mm 6.5mm?

 

[MEDICGORDO]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

Does a fat baby fart?

 

[Frank Green]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Captain Kirk</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Find a new friend......

</div></div>

Dude, That was a killer!!!!!!!!

The .338 Lapua will shoot! Is there something better? Maybe, maybe not!

It's like comparing .308win. to .30-06. The .308win. might be a little more consistent but that doesn't mean it's necessarily more accurate!

Later, Frank
Bartlein Barrels

 

[psinclair]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: M.45</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The .338 Lapua Magnum was invented and designed specifically for precision tactical engagements. It's very accurate. </div></div>

What he said. I have one and love it. I've also done load developement on two other .338LM's and will say they really shoot....especially way out there. A shooter thats new to the cartridge should be a little patient as they take a little getting used to.

 

[Jaxdialation]

Re: .338 Lapua -- is the caliber accurate?

Interesting you say that patience may be required. I've only pumped about 500 rounds through my 98B.

I was talking with a fellow 98B owner at the range this past weekend. I commented that (absent potential recoil issues and ammo cost) it makes a pretty good beginner gun because of the super flat trajectory, and wind bucking ability.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PGS</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> A shooter thats new to the cartridge should be a little patient as they take a little getting used to. </div></div>