Help Choosing .338LM Rifle

[Strykervet]

Looking for a high end .338LM I'm planning on buying within the next several months; had I not already bought the can I probably would have gone after a .375CT Interdiction or some such. I've looked on Eurooptic and I've looked at some mfg.'s I was interested in and kind of have it down to these, but this list is by no means exclusive, so if I need to check something out that I missed or don't know about, speak up. Anyone with experience with these rifles, especially who can compare them, your help would be greatly appreciated. So here it is, order isn't specific really:

McMillan G30 Tac-338
AI AX .338
Surgeon Remedy w/AX chassis
Sako (either one of the upgraded TRG's or the M10)
Who else?

I really like the McMillan rifle but I'd like to know if there are good methods to mount clip on NV and thermal to that A5 stock. I've seen tri-rails that mount near the end of the stock but not sure if those will work with this rifle. Then the Surgeon is actually a rifle similar to one I planned on building myself, but I can just buy it for about the same price. The AI is just a really nice rifle and I may be interested in the Maverick 41 too but I'm not sure if the rifle is that much better than the regular AX and if the kit that comes with it makes it worth the $4000 premium.

Then there are MRAD's and Cadex rifles and others, but I'm not so sure about the MRAD and the Cadex doesn't seem to be exactly what I'm after. I can't see how the MRAD is worth the same as the Surgeon. Don't want a DTA, I have an HTI and love it but I want a more "traditional" .338. Don't need modularity though it's not a turn off. There are a some I'm not familiar with, Ritter and Stark is one.

I will be suppressing it with an Elite Iron QD can. I have a brake threaded for a TRG42 but I can probably swap that out since I haven't used it or taken it out of the bag. Length and weight aren't deal breakers, accuracy and consistency is the number one concern along with reliability and strength.

 

[orkan]

Give TS Customs a call and have him build a custom for you on a Lone Peak 338.

http://tscustom.com/

http://www.lonepeakarms.com/razor-338/

Plenty of stocks out there which will accommodate a NV rail up front.

https://www.kmwlrs.com/munster-nv

Also, be careful, as there are lots of clip-on NVD's that aren't rated for 338LM recoil.

 

[Rockfish Dave]

I had good luck buying a Defiance Lapua action (or action of your choice) with CIP cut, Bartlien 1-9.75 twist barrel and a Manners stock with a CIP mini chassis. (For a .375/.338 Lapua Magnum Improved).

I had Bartlien chamber the barrel, and assembleded at home. Faster, less expensive, and exactly what I wanted.

Your money, your choice, but it has worked out good for me, and are the only precision rifles that I still have. That is coming from someone who is a consumer, not a merchant. Hope it gives you options to consider.

 

[mrbig]

I have shot 12-1500 rounds through a TRG42 338LM and for a factory bbled rifle it shoots lights out and the whole package is built like a tank,,the trigger is insanely good and the bipod is top of the line,,,the only thing that bothers me about the Sako is the price of the mags,

the sample we have shoots the 300 Scenars and 92 grs Retumbo at mag length in very tight groups,,but better than the small groups is how well it hits what you point it at on the first shot from a cold bore,,,
I am sure all the other rifles are very good but if I could pick one out for free I would take the Sako just because of how well the one I have shot performed,,heck I bet the TRG two stage trigger would be a 400$ upgrade on the other rifles,,

 

[JustBC]

I was just doing a bake off between the M10 and the AI AXMC I ended up buying the M10 because I got a really really good deal on one. I am happy with it but it does have a couple down sides.

If you do not need a switch-barrel buy the TRG-42. They both have the same trigger. The TRG-42 even with folding stock is less expensive than the M10.

I am a Sako guy but in the end AI probably has a better implementation of a barrel switch.

The comparison thread is here https://www.snipershide.com/shootin...ako-trg-m10-or-ai-ax-mc-torn-between-2-lovers

Hope this helps.

 

[Starbuck]

You might also consider the Ashbury ASW.

http://www.ashburyprecisionordnance..../?expandable=1

I personally have the Sako TRG-42 barreled action sitting in an Ashbury MOD-1 chassis, and I have been very pleased, but the Ashbury-built complete rifles are very nice too.

 

[Forgetful Coyote]

Might wanna talk to nolegs24 on here, pretty sure he said go with AI over Sako and IMO that's what I'd personally do. Those AI's are just such well thought out, we'll built, tough high quality rifles. The Ritter Stark does look interesting with their ECM rifled barrels but AI is a known quantity and at the tip top of the pack for a reason. A Tac Ops or other custom would also def be awesome. It's just hard to beat a AI tho, and a AX .338 in a AW stock would be what I'd get. So sweet..

 

[hollowoutadime]

+1 for AI AXMC. Quality, good resale from a known manufacturer if you decide you wqant to move in a different direction, Buy a separate bolt and barrel and switch it to a short action in about 2 minutes using the same mounted glass. Unlimited barrel options.

 

[Mute]

If you find you're drifting towards the AI, get the AXMC over the Maverick. There is no advantage to the Maverick over the AXMC other than collector's value. In addition, it also doesn't have the quick barrel/caliber change feature of the AXMC, if that is a consideration for you.

 

[jaycoux]

I think it would be a good idea to check out David Tubb's new adaptive target rifle. Multi caliber capable, innovative design features from top to bottom. Google new tubb gun and you should see a few videos and articles or check out his website.

Additionally, Tubb recently shot the rifle in a 2 mile event. There is an article with a vido on the hide on the front page. He converted it to a 375 lapua improved and did well with it considering what he was up against.

Good luck!

 

[TripleBull]

I'm dreaming of a Cadex 338LM, but my wallet says it's just a wet dream.

 

[perkins907]

+1 on the AXMC. I've had the DT SRS and it was a sweet rifle. But an AXMC is in my near future. I think it's one of the best looking (modern) rifles out there. In my opinion.

 

[W54/XM-388]

The AI models AWSM or the newer AX series are great rugged smooth shooting rifles.
They are a bit on the big & heavy side & are best suited for prone shooting.
You can find them for a great deal & if you get a good deal, you can pretty much sell it anytime & get your money back.

 

[Strykervet]

Wow, thanks for all the info, I'll check these out. There's a few there I'm not familiar with. I did have my eye on a Defiant receiver though.

Yeah, I considered the TRG42 for a long time but figured if I spent that much I may as well go all the way. I have the DTA HTI and I love it, it's awesome and I got it before the huge markup too, still I wish I'd gotten the AI .50 sometimes (but not enough to sell what I have). At first I thought I may change calibers but decided early on I never would, hence the reasoning. Won't be doing it with this rifle either, if I do get a multi caliber bolt gun in the future, it'll be for 7.62, 6.5, etc. I don't want to pay for multi-caliber options, but if they are standard and don't detract from the .338LM in any way, then that's okay. The DTA not being five feet long suppressed IS a strong feature though, and I do know it to be a fine rifle... A chassis can also be swapped out with a 20" bbl if length becomes an issue as these 27" rifles are all about five feet overall suppressed, so that's a plus I suppose... One caliber I may be interested in using would be the .30-.376, it needs the .338 can and would benefit from the stronger chassis too, but I'm not deadest on it or adding anymore obscure cartridges to load.

Figured the Maverick 41 was just a premium, a collector's piece but I wasn't positive as the chassis looks a bit different (a relief cut) but made me wonder what else was different. They called it a clone of the UK issue rifle, but with the LMT rifle that's just the UK nomenclature laser engraved into the side and it makes it cost a lot more. I don't care about any of that and I can assemble my own kit. For a chassis rifle, it's almost certainly going to be the AI, but which one? Difference between the skeleton stock and the other one? Are the barrels different in the AI rifles, and would it be better to just get the Surgeon in the AI chassis instead? Defiance receiver is one I considered along with a barrel of my choice and the AI chassis too. In fact, if I assemble it myself, it'll be on an AI chassis. Just not sure assembly vs. buying outright is best.

Oh, I should mention that barrel quality is number one. THE number one, no compromises, no exceptions. A fine cut rifle barrel known to be consistently sub-MOA is preferred. This may actually end up being a driving force if I have to build it myself. If I need to get a custom Satern bbl. for instance, in order to get the dimensions necessary for an optimized rifle, then I'll do so (but I need to get that going now if that's the case).

It'd be a lot easier if these rifles were around locally where I could compare them and ask questions and look at literature side by side.

The McMillan is still very alluring, I keep coming back to it and I hope the one on McMillan's site for $6000 is the same as the $8700 one on Eurooptic (and if not, what the difference is, they look identical in every way). The A5 stock will be way more comfortable than any chassis will be, the 6lb. difference will be appreciated (until I pull the trigger) and if I don't like the single stage trigger, I can always put the $400 2 stage trigger in it, though a properly tuned single stage trigger can be every bit as good or better than a 2 stage. In the end, it'll come down to accuracy and quality of build though. Things I can't determine online, so every bit you can tell me helps.

 

[vh20]

I didn't chime in because I thought you were looking for a factory rifle only. My .338 is built on a Defiance Deviant action with a Rock Creek M24 barrel in an AX chassis. I absolutely love that gun and would do it the exact same way if I were to do it again. Including a brake, barrel fluting, etc, you can probably build it for around 4200-4500.

I also didn't realize you were considering other cartridges. If so, don't forget to consider the .300 and .338 Normas. They are outstanding. (My .338 is actually a Norma).

 

[GIXXER2000]

I spent the money and got the AI-PSR /AI-AX. The APO ASW,TRG-42 and DTA are all very good rifles it just comes down to how much you want to spend and what fits you eye. Good luck on you search.

 

[jlficken]

I think it would be a good idea to check out David Tubb's new adaptive target rifle. Multi caliber capable, innovative design features from top to bottom. Google new tubb gun and you should see a few videos and articles or check out his website.

Additionally, Tubb recently shot the rifle in a 2 mile event. There is an article with a vido on the hide on the front page. He converted it to a 375 lapua improved and did well with it considering what he was up against.

Good luck!

Have you seen a price yet on the new Tubb gun? I am interested but can't seem to find a price.

 

[Sendit6.5]

I'm looking at a .338 in the near future but I'm leaning towards a .338 Edge from Defensive Edge. Just figured I'd throw DE it into the mix. They make some amazing rifles chambered in .338LM and .338 Edge. Their rifles are in your price range. Check out their LRKM rifle!!

http://www.defensiveedge.net/index.php/custom-rifle-packages


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jaycoux]

Have you seen a price yet on the new Tubb gun? I am interested but can't seem to find a price.

6 to 7k if I remember correctly. For that you get the rifle with a brake and his new bipod. Give the shop a call Monday and they will give you an exact price. I think they are going to start shipping in September, but they have pushed back the release date several times so far.