The .338....

[Eagle_Eye]

Curious as to what is different between the .338WM and the .338 Lapua (if any).

Looking at buying a .338 action for my next project rifle and i have found Howa to make .338WM

IS this weatherby or winchester magnum?

Are the cases different to the Lapua?

any info appreciated.

 

[marku]

Re: The .338....

More than likely its the Winchester Magnum. Ive never heard of Howa chambering a weatherby cartridge of that size. Matter of fact even the Vanguard series thats the Howa action built by weatherby only goes up to .300 Weatherby.

The Weatherby and lapua are very similar as far a velocity. The weatherby has a double radius shoulder. I would go Lapua over the .338-.378 just because the background the Lapua's got in long range shooting lots of info out there. The weatherby probley also free bored a bit, im not to sure about the Lapua.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Re: The .338....

Would the Lapua case fit in this action you think?

 

[marku]

Re: The .338....

My guess would be no. The bolt face would need opened up a bit. Ive been told theres alot in even converting a Remington action into a .338 Lapua. It might be better to invest in a Lawton action. Or if you can find a used Sako TRG-S it was chambered in .30-378 and I think even in .338 Lapua at one time. That would make a great action.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Re: The .338....

not a very common second hand find though.....

i may even settle for a 30-378 action though i dont think Howa make an action to suit.

 

[marku]

Re: The .338....

If the action can handle a .30-378 weatherby it can also handle the .338 Lapua. See basically the .378 weathery is the parent case for the .30 and .338 weathery cartridges. The .378 weatherby was based off the .416 Rigby. The .338 lapua is based off the .416 Rigby. All have around the same case capacity I would rather have the .338 Lapua because of the 300gr SMK and 300gr Scenar bullet.

 

[Eagle_Eye]

Re: The .338....

ahhhh got ya!

i guess the .378 weatherby is usually loaded with sim. projectiles as a run of the mill .30 cal (i.e 150-220gr) ???

 

[desertHK]

Re: The .338....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Eagle_eye</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Curious as to what is different between the .338WM and the .338 Lapua (if any).

Looking at buying a .338 action for my next project rifle and i have found Howa to make .338WM

IS this weatherby or winchester magnum?

Are the cases different to the Lapua?

any info appreciated. </div></div>


The differences between 338 WM, and 338 LM are night and day. First of all, the 338 WM is a belted case, so Yes, it is much different from the 338 LM. It pushes the 250 grains bullet in the 2600 - 2700 fps. Yes, it accepts the 338 bullets similar to the 338 LM. The similarity ends there. The 338 LM will push the same 250 grains bullet up ward to 3000 fps.

The 338 LM is a designed from necking down the 416 Rigby to accept the 338 bullets. BTW, the 338 WM is a Winchester Magnum <span style="text-decoration: underline"><span style="font-weight: bold">NOT</span></span> weatherby magnum. Hope that helps.

 

[desertHK]

Re: The .338....

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: marku</div><div class="ubbcode-body">If the action can handle a .30-378 weatherby it can also handle the .338 Lapua. See basically the .378 weathery is the parent case for the .30 and .338 weathery cartridges. The .378 weatherby was based off the .416 Rigby. The .338 lapua is based off the .416 Rigby. All have around the same case capacity I would rather have the .338 Lapua because of the 300gr SMK and 300gr Scenar bullet. </div></div>

marku. The 378 weatherby magnum's designed was influenced by the 416 Rigby. The weatherby is slightly longer than the Rigby. The weatherby is also belted and the Rigby is NOT. The weatherby takes more charge and can push the same projectile at a faster speed than the 338 LM. It can push a 250 grain bullet upward to 3200 fps.