700 yard comparison. 338 LM and 308 win.

[hydro556]

Can someone who owns comparably equipped versions of each tell me their feelings on the subject?

I had a TRG 42 in 338 LM and I sold it (

) because of the general consensus that it was a waste of powder inside 1K. I use my GAP 308 for everything now, because my range maxes out just shy of 700 yards.

But, the majority of my shooting at the time was 300 and in. I am now spending more time at the deep end of <span style="font-style: italic">my</span> pool. Just wondering if there is any possible excuse for me to justify the 338LM when shooting 600-700 yards. And all the ancillary costs associated with the thumper. New dies, and all the components and the LM's huge appetite for powder.

Can a decent shooter expect substantially improved accuracy from a 338LM over a 308 win? Assuming comparable equipment. The last factor, is that I will occasionally have the opportunity to shoot well past 1K on private property and would love to own another TRG 42 any damn way.

 

[cubewarrior]

Re: 700 yard comparison. 338 LM and 308 win.

I don't own a 338, but I regularly shoot with a lot of people who do.

If you can only go to 700, I don't see any benefit of a 338LM:
1) It costs more per round--big time.
2) Your windage adjustments with a 338LM will be minimal--kind of takes the fun out of it.
3) Your 308 will still be supersonic, so you don't have a transition issue.
4) You are frying your barrel 3-4x faster with a 338LM than with a 308.
5) You have a lot of violence going on at the shooting position--sucks for you and those shooting with you. If you go suppressed, this gets a lot more civilized.
6) If you only have a 700Y range, you may want to verify that it is safe to shoot a 338LM. The Surface Danger Zone of a 338LM ricochet is significantly larger than a 308. This may just be a military thing, so I don't know how this applies to commercial ranges. When you are shooting on your friend's property, it could be a liability issue if something bad happens.
7) And this is where my experience ends-- but, I'll posit that you'll be able to tune a 308 to group tighter at 700 than with a 338LM.

I have regular access to a 1K range and shoot with friends out of state beyond 1K 4-5 times a year-- I can barely justify my 300WM.