Re: Question for The ELR Guys...
the 50 and the 338LM both do fine to a mile. with the high BC stuff the 50 has to offer most folks are getting 1900 and sometimes more while supersonic. i rarely hear of someone not pulling a mile supersonic.
as for the reloading costs, it depends on a lot of procurement costs, but the 338 is cheaper generally.
just an FYI. supersonic flight isn't the deal breaker. after the bullet passes through transonic flight it can be remain accurate through subsonic flight.
also, with proper reloading practices and boreriders, the 50 can outlive the 338LM in terms of barrel life. this comparison is always relative, but some folks were visiting with me the other day that have a windrunner stick with over 5k on it using high BC boreriders over H50BMG and CCI blues. i wish i could remember the velocity, but it was supersonic to 1800.
although i've shot quite a few, i've never owned a 338LM, i'm interested in picking one up. for now, my 300WM is going to have to work, as i sold my windrunner in 50. i have interest in a 408CT windrunner though. i've considered buying the 338LM barrel for it and running it as a switch barrel rig.
i can tell you if you are figuring the 50 will play out like the 30-06 case on roids it was conceived from, you can think again. the 50 is a different animal. the supplies and learning curve can be costly. in that regard the 338LM certainly has the 50 beat.