Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

[Nostradumbass]

I've been shooting my 338 lapua out to 1600yds, and my experience is as follows.
I'm running 300gn matchkings @2650fps.
Out to 1200yds, I'm shooting less than 1moa, but scoot out to 1500-1600, I go to about 2moa. I know environmental factors play hell at that range, but I'm really curious to what range the 338 lapua was Really designed to shoot?

Take care,
Phillip

 

[Mo_Zam_Beek]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

What is your ASL?


Around here a .338 LP should have no issue punching paper at 2k+


Good luck

 

[Dogtown]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

It's good to a mile in most scenarios but it takes skill to get it accurately beyond 2000 yards. That's where .375CT comes in.

 

[blksno]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

That seems kinda slow for the cal and bullet. What's your barrel length?

I've shot with skinney and his 338 Norma pushes 300 Bergers at around 2800+ if memory serves me.

I don't think there should be any problem holding 1-1.5 MOA at a mile with that caliber, but I haven't had much time behind one.

 

[Nostradumbass]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: c_bass16</div><div class="ubbcode-body">That seems kinda slow for the cal and bullet. What's your barrel length?

I've shot with skinney and his 338 Norma pushes 300 Bergers at around 2800+ if memory serves me.

I don't think there should be any problem holding 1-1.5 MOA at a mile with that caliber, but I haven't had much time behind one.

</div></div>

I'm running a 24" rock barrel. And, I'm not pushing the hell out of it yet. I've just found a nice, accurate load and stuck with it. I might try to squeeze some more velocity out of it, but I really hate being hard on my brass, plus my gun.

Maybe I need a longer barrel.

 

[blksno]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

I got ya. 24" isn't bad, but that extra 2-3 is a huge velocity advantage.
The stats I was referring to, were with a 26" barrel and an SRT Arms suppressor.

 

[lrs50bmg]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

Also depends on the bullet used. The Lapua Scenar 300 and Berger 300 VLD Hybrid both perform better past 1500 than the Sierra does.

 

[desertHK]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: lrs50bmg</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Also depends on the bullet used. The Lapua Scenar 300 and Berger 300 VLD Hybrid both perform better past 1500 than the Sierra does.
</div></div>

1+

between 1 mile to low 2000 yards, the 300 scenars and berger bullets is the way to go. I have good result with my AIAWSM and AIAX out to 2000 yards. On a good day ( not too much winds) my friend can get decent hit ratio out to 2400 yards with the Berger.

 

[excaliber]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

I have shot the Lapua out to 2449yds with great success. My friend has hit out to 2662yds. That`s pushing it but it is possible. 300gr Berger bullets is all we use in 338`s.

 

[cali_tz]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

has there been a comparison of Berger 300 to Lapua Scenar 300?

 

[DISPATCHED74]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

I have shot my 338 out to 2000m on a 30x18" IPSC steel target with no problems.Still very accurate at that distance

 

[Luna]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

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[SilencercoJames]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

I took my DTA out to a mile a couple weeks ago with excellent results. 300 gr bergers just poke holes in pumpkins at that range.

 

[SilencercoJames]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

 

[SilencercoJames]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

 

[ney1]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

2000 yards is very capable with 338LM, the 375CT does have a decent advantage over the 338LM at 1 mile and beyond. As you can see though it can be shot very far for those of you who really want to push the limits.

 

[cali_tz]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

^ 100% correct, given enough rounds, and/or zero wind, you will eventually hit at 1 mile.

 

[SilencercoJames]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

Ha ha that is what I always find humorous. When people post videos of their mile long shots and they fire 10 rounds and hit it on the last shot and hoot and holar because ther can now shoot a mile.

 

[cali_tz]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

exactly. I also did hoot and holler too when I hit the mile... then I spent another year trying to develop a system of ammo/rifle/technique to get 1 MOA performance at 1 mile, and even dare for cold bore hits at a mile, but so far, for me, it's been quite an elusive pursuit. The first order complication seems to be wind just pushing 300 grain Scenars all over the place.

I did have one moment recently when the winds and mirage had died down to almost nothing, and I was able to hit 1780 3 for 3 (but not < 1 MOA even on these hits) by running the bolt fast as I could get back on target. But then the wind/mirage started up again and I was being pushed left and right. That indicated to me that my rifle operation was not the principal source of error and that wind was the major culprit.

I think you can learn to call the wind by mirage over a period of practice, but then it may become a site specific skill and when you go to a new site, the mirage means something different due to different wind layers between you and a mile away. Bottom line is a mile shot may practically take 5 or more shots to get a first hit, and a string of hits may be difficult to predict ahead of time.

 

[lanwickum]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

cali, I know guys that can do it. Rather consistantly. They do it as a team. Spotter watching conditions and calling the shoot. Only way I have seen it done effectivly. I have done it by myself... once. Very hard to shoot and watch the conditions to do it every shoot.

 

[cali_tz]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

yeah, mile is a matter of spotter competence, and all shooter has to do is have good form and follow spotter instruction exactly.

 

[Enough Said]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

I guess a cold-bore one-mile video is in order? And it needs to include a self-made wind call.

LOL

 

[cali_tz]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

I would love to see one of those, on the FIRST take of the day. In hill country on a summer day at noon.

 

[Tacticalrum]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

I have only tried the mile one time out. Fired 3 shots got it with the 3rd. Didn't have the luxury of a .338 Lapua though. I was shooting 190 smk and a .300 RUM. I can't wait to go try agian.

 

[Kilmore]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

We train to 2600 yards with a .338 using 300 gr bullets and a 1 in 10 twist barrel.

 

[timelinex]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

Just shot at 1950 and 2250 yds this last weekend.

As others have said, wind is usually the elusive factor. We are using 36" steel for both distances, so that's between 1-2 moa. At 1950 we both had times were hits we're consecutive. Many misses were literally an inch to the left or right of the plate.

At 2250 is where we were starting toget trouble. We both connected with the plate many times, however other than one time, consecutive hits were very elusive. Its a hilly area and the wind seems to be pushing the bullets in different directions along the way. 2 or 3 of our hits look like keyholes, so even tho the 300gr Bergers are known to be stable past the sound barrier, something destabilized a couple of them.

So far, I would be confident in getting a hit <2k within 2-3 rounds, but at 2250 I wouldn't count on it.... The keyholes indicated to me that in some weather conditions the hardware might not even be up for those extreme distances, regardless of shooter skill level.

Im sure others have the skill to make 2k+ hits consistently, but I'm not there yet.

1945:

2245:

Alot of the hits were actually almost right on top of each other, at both distances (obviously random).

 

[jfields]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

How fast are you guys pushing the 300 grain Bergers to get good hits past 1 mile?

-Shaky

 

[timelinex]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Shaky97</div><div class="ubbcode-body">How fast are you guys pushing the 300 grain Bergers to get good hits past 1 mile?

-Shaky
</div></div>

Mine are running around 2800-2830. My friends are running 2770 in one rifle and 2730 in the other.

 

[lrs50bmg]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

I am able to get the 300 Berger VLD Hybrids up to 2900 fps, but OAL is 3.860 (I use the Seekins Mag and have a long throat).

My experience at 2000 meters mirrored Timlinex. It does not take much to push the bullet just off the edge of the target right or left. Still got hits, but difficult to get consecutive hits on target, even with the velocity I am at.

 

[joseph-98]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

On sunday i hit 5 in a row at a mile and many more threw the day beyond 2000 meters.. Im going to get a 28 inch kreiger soon... Im running a 24 inch right now...

 

[Capt Academy]

Re: Realistic range of the 338 Lapua

Luna, thanks for posting the video!