.338 Lapua Review: Here's the Pros and Cons of the .338 Lapua
So you're looking at the 338 Lapua huh? The .338 Lapua Magnum (8.6x70mm or 8.58x70mm) is a popular long-range rifle cartridge that has been around for a few decades, but still carries with it a sense of mystique and awe.
Why? Well if you've ever seen one in person, that's easy to answer. This thing is HUGE. Designed for military snipers, it was made to excel at long range and excel it does. But if you're wanting one for yourself, you probably want to know the good and the bad. Well buckle up, let's get into them!
Pros:
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Long-range Performance: Make no mistake about it, this thing was made to excel out to extreme distances. With it's high ballistic coefficient and energy retention, it can be accurate well over 1,000 yards.
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Excellent Stopping Power: Power is the name of the game with the .338 Lapua. With giant bullets and plenty of powder, it has some of the best stopping power you can ask for. It's no wonder why so many hunters choose this cartridge for hunting large game like elk, moose, and grizzly.
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Flat Trajectory: The real reason the .338 Lapua is so great at long distances is its flat trajectory. This means the bullet won't drop as much over long distances, and you can accurately hit whatever you're aiming at. I really don't think it would be as popular without this key characteristic!
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Good Selection of Ammunition: While there are certainly more popular cartridges out there, the .338 Lapua does stand on its own fairly well so there is a decent selection of factory ammo out there. From match-grade and hunting loads to military surplus ammunition, there's something for every situation.
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Recoil Management Tools: The .338 Lapua is a beast, and as such, has some kick (more on that later). That being said, it is able to handle it fairly well. With lots of great rifle designs and some muzzle devices, shooting one is not unbearable and the felt recoil might actually surprise you.
Cons:
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Expensive Ammunition: Big ammo means big bucks. The .338 Lapua is an expensive cartridge to shoot no matter which way you cut it. Factory ammunition or handloading, prepare to bust out the credit card.
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Rifle Costs: Not only is .338 Lapua ammo expensive, but so are the rifles. It takes a lot to create one, so you'll see higher prices on rifles of this caliber verses other, more common cartridges.
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Heavy Recoil: Remember when we said that the recoil was somewhat manageable? Well, it is, but that doesn't mean that this thing won't kick like a mule. This is a super powerful cartridge, so expect some heavy recoil especially if you aren't using a muzzle device or extra rifle weight.
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Short Barrel Life: One thing that often gets overlooked when it comes to magnum rifles is their barrel life. The .338 Lapua has a pretty short barrel life compared to everything else, so just be aware that if you shoot a lot then you're probably going to be buying a few more barrels than normal.
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Limited Availability: While the .338 Lapua is popular as a hunting cartridge, it isn't so popular with other crowds so don't expect the same treatment. Rifles and ammo will be harder to find than your standard .308 Win.
The .338 Lapua surely isn't perfect, but it really doesn't need to be. This thing was designed for distance and power, both of which it excels at. If you're recoil sensitive or are on a tight budget, then this is probably the wrong choice for you.
But if you do decide that the .338 Lapua is your style, then you are in for a treat. Have fun out at the range and on the hunt, you will absolutely love it!
Oh and don't forget to order a rifle sling customized for your .338 Lapua rifle today!
