Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Is the .338 lapua really the ultimate long distance round?

I have been looking for the best round for long range hunting. Deer and elk are what I hunt and i thought about getting a .300 rum but the .338 lapua keeps popping up and I hope you guys can help me decide what is best. I want to hunt out to 700 or 800 yds.

the 338 rum and lm are just about identical ballistically.
the rum will be cheaper, and any magnum remington recvr is already set up for it. the bolt face will have to be opened to what some say is an unsafe thinness for the lm, in a remington.

Is the .338 lapua really the ultimate long distance round?

NO!!! But it is a very good one. The .338 RUM, edge, 338 AX and the .338 Ultra Maxx all run in the 2700 to 2950 fps range

My .338 Ultra Maxx gets the 300 SMK out at 2950.

If you want the Ulimate get the .338 Allen it shoots the 300 SMK at 3400fps

Just out of curiosity,

why don't I ever hear much about the .338-378 weatherby?

-Not bashing, or complainging at all, I am only wondering, as I think it's a great round, but have no long range experience, and am wondering how it stacks up!

Thanks for the info!

FMP

I believe the .338 RUM is a better designed caliber than the Lapua. I think the Lapua gets some of its novelty because some armed forces started picking it up as a sniper round to supplement the .50, and a lighter option besides hauling around a .50. I believe the design of the .338 RUM allows for more precise headspacing, which will allow better accuracy. And plain and simple...look in a reloading handbook, which shouldnt be followed like a Bible, it is there for reference only, but it will show, out of the same barrel length, same bullet weight, the RUM is slightly to its supperior. Is the Lapua cool? Would I like to own one? Hell yes to both. But I am not made of money and can only afford to have one large caliber rifle, and I will choose the RUM. WAYYYYY cheaper to shoot, and way easier to find ammo, around my neck of the woods anyway.

Oh and the .338-378 WBY it's a great one too

I think the .338 Lapua is so popular because of the Lapua brass.

The RUM allows for a longer COAL. Hence the better velocity. Once the mag issues with the .338LM get sorted out, faster velocities with 300gr bullets will be possible.

Will you explain this, I have both and this statement makes little or no sense at all.
RC828

I love being the "Devils Advocate" I personally own a 338 EDGE,very good cart but takes some dedication,it is a wildcat to start with,but is a wee bit hotter than either the 338LM or the RUM.Very accurate also.

I think the nod goes to the Lapua among the rounds mentioned based on quality of brass available, but any of those rounds would do fine on elk out to 800 yards I would think. I have a 338 RUM in a sporter weight rifle but I am getting ready to do some work with a 28" heavy barreled 300 RUM in a McMillan A2 stock. That is going to be my long range elk rig for stationary sit and glass hunts. 200 gr Accubond at 3200 fps with a published B.C. of .588 is pretty impressive for a hunting bullet.
Killed an elk in 2008 with that load at 589 yards. Through both scapulas and as far as I know the bullet is still flying!

That is why I went with the 338 Lapua. The quality of the brass is excellent and the brass is very strong and ell suited to high pressure. The 338 Lapua is CIP'ed at 67,000 PSI. I realy like mine. I get 2800 FPS with the 300 SMK

This group was shot at 300 yards




The caliper is measuring the outside of the group making center to center .747" that is.238 MOA

Yes the other rounds can do as well, but their are no flies on the 338 Lapua IMHO

No it is not the ultimate, but you will not be undergunned at 700 or 800 yards you can be sure of that. I would go the RUM route given the choice. 300-338RUM that is.

One advantage of the 338 Lapua is, if ever needed one can purchase match grade ammo from Black Hills loaded with the 300 SMK

I'd go 338 ultra and not bother edge,it has no real advantage and from barrel to barrel may have no performance edge at all.

I have never felt underguned when shooting a .340 Weatherby Mag.

Can you shoot like this with the TRG-42 or is this a custom?

Built a 338 RUM on a Savage Target action with a 32" Rock Creek barrel. Easily runs 2950 in all temperatures. With the Nightforce zero at 1000 yads, should be able to take deer size game to 2500. To date, 1600 yards with one shot kills is our personal best.

Is there better LR calibers...YES. Can I afford them? NO!

The brass for the RUM and Lapua last about the same number of firing (4-6), so, what you save on the RUM brass over the Lapua can go to other expenses...like LOTS of powder and 300 gr SMK's.

I get about 10 loadings with Lapua brand 338 Lapua brass

Mine is a custom built on a Rem 700 Action

JWP, what stock is that? I like the lightweight option of having a raised cheeckpiece...