New .338 Lapua Magnum rifle?

[Guest Commander Kim]

I'm in the market for a new 338 Lapua Magnum chambered bolt action rifle. My budget is about $3000.

I'm basically stuck between a Remington and a Savage Arms. Or if there are better ones in this price range please show me the error of my ways.

I would also like to directed the correct route to go for glass. I'm looking at this Trijicon Accu-point that's going for just over $1000.

Or, should I save my pennies a little longer and get a Barrett or a custom gun?

 

Your replies are greatly appreciated.

[DaveTN]

I don’t think a 338 lapua Magnum would be much fun to shoot from a standard bolt action stock; it needs a platform. So I would go with the Remington MSR or the Accuracy International. But you need more coinage.

[Luke E.]

$3,000 will buy you a fair bit of bolt gun. Are you looking for a somewhat traditional stock or more of a chassis like the Barrets and AI offer?\

[Luke E.]

I don’t think a 338 lapua Magnum would be much fun to shoot from a standard bolt action stock; it needs a platform. So I would go with the Remington MSR or the Accuracy International. But you need more coinage.

 

 Savage offers the model 10-ba ? I think thats the model number. It's a chassis and actually is a pretty good shooter and comes in under half his budget which leaves the other half for glass. 

[Luke E.]

 Here's a link to one,

http://www.tactical-life.com/magazines/special-weapons/savage-model-110-ba-338-lapua-mag/

[DaveTN]

Here’s a link to one that you don’t need any more money for glass.
http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/Firearms/Sniper%20Rifles/MSR.aspx

[Luke E.]

Here’s a link to one that you don’t need any more money for glass.
http://www.remingtonmilitary.com/Firearms/Sniper%20Rifles/MSR.aspx

 

 Well there ya go.. that's a good looking setup. Whats it cost? Didn't see it at the link but might have just missed it.

[DaveTN]

Well there ya go.. that's a good looking setup. Whats it cost? Didn't see it at the link but might have just missed it.

I think it’s around $15K, but there may be some black Friday deals tomorrow.

[Luke E.]

I think it’s around $15K, but there may be some black Friday deals tomorrow.

 

 Figured it was insanely expensive but it's even higher than I imagined..Back to the real world I go.. I drive things that don't cost anywhere close to that.... even if you add them all up.

[Dolomite_supafly]

You do know that shooting 50 BMG is cheaper. You can find surplus 50 BMG for less than most 338LM ammo. There are plenty of 50BMG rifles out there under $3K. The only drawback is the weight of the gun.

 

Or another option is 300WM. It is also a lot cheaper to reload as well as the fact most places will have 30oWM on the shelf. It can also be found in most standard actions which leave a lot of money over for optics, stocks or any other upgrades. You could easily build a R700 in this caliber and sit it in an AI stock for well under your budget.

 

The 338LM is great until you have to feed it. Also, there is no aftermarket support for most of the platforms chambered in it. The 300WM is just the opposite and has tons of aftermarket options.

[nightrunner]

Not to mention you have to have a remarkable skill level to utilize the difference between .300WinMag and .338LapuaMag. They both are antipersonnel rounds. The .300 is rated at around 1200 yards, while the .338 is rated for 1800+.

I would personally get a .50bmg. You can spend as much as you want on the gun ammo and glass. Guns range from single shot bolt actions up to Barrett semi autos. Ammo ranges from surplus up to handloaded custom match grade ammo.

I think the chamberings between .308 and .50 are very specialized.

[DaveTN]

should I save my pennies a little longer and get a Barrett or a custom gun?
Your replies are greatly appreciated.

Please give some insight as to what you want to do with this rifle and why you picked this caliber?

[~48_South~]

Savage way before Remington no questions asked(when comparing the 110 to the 700p in 338),the HS Precision over the BA as well, the HS stock model tends to be more accurate than the BA's aluminum chassis due to the aluminum bedding blocks on the HS, not to mention the extra weight the aluminum chassis adds. I would buy the Savage 110 FCP HS comes factory braked with DBM and great stock rifle runs around $1250, then I would save up a couple hundred dollars and throw a Vortex Razor HD on it with a nice set of rings. Would put the total cost right around $3400 and you would have a hell of a stick. 

 

As far as 50bmg goes if you plan to do precision longrange shooting you will likely want to run 750gr A MAX and its not cheaper than comparable ammo in 338 in fact its more expensive in most cases from what Ive seen. Even the cheap ammo the price difference is minimal between low end 50 and low end 338(XM33C vs Prvi  Partizan) then factor in most ranges I know of wont let you shoot a 50.

 

The question is do you need any magnum rifle caliber at all,do you already have the fundamentals of long range shooting down pat,will you regularly be shooting over 1,000 yds,do you plan to attempt to kill anything at extreme distances. These are all questions that need to be answered to help determine what may be best for you. If you are simply buying one for the cool factor to take to a range on occasion and show off then just pick what looks the coolest to you and go with that.

[CQB Elite]

Here's another point to think about- where are you going to shoot a 50 BMG? Do you have access to a range that is set up for it? I'd imagine you'd be able to find far more ranges that would allow the Lapua and 300WM.

[JohnC]

Under $3,000.00 at this place and they're legit as I've bought from them myself: http://grabagun.com/armalite-30a1bt338-ar30a1-338-lapua.html

Retail is $3,599.00 http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=30A1BT338&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=d4543129-c82e-4fc9-bb4d-213664c7b055

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bQQNq20vp5w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrRYT0kd7nI



They come in .338 Lapua Mag, .300 win mag, and there is a new AR31 that comes in .308 Winchester.

[Luke E.]

Under $3,000.00 at this place and they're legit as I've bought from them myself: http://grabagun.com/armalite-30a1bt338-ar30a1-338-lapua.html

Retail is $3,599.00 http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=30A1BT338&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=d4543129-c82e-4fc9-bb4d-213664c7b055

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=bQQNq20vp5w

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrRYT0kd7nI



They come in .338 Lapua Mag, .300 win mag, and there is a new AR31 that comes in .308 Winchester.

 

 That's a pretty smooth looking rife.. Say you have one?

[JohnC]

That's a pretty smooth looking rife.. Say you have one?

Not quite. My rifle is a bit larger. I have the ArmaLite AR50-A1B 50 BMG. :love:

http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=50A1B&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=0406c9ff-539d-4b4c-ae1f-d045b91324c3

My rifle before scope swap and Barrett rings:



A video, listen for the API down around 300 yards. :)

https://vimeo.com/53999585#at=0

A better look at the AR50-A1B. About 5.5ft long, and about 45lbs as you see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTHxejIEpDQ&feature=share&list=UUENcBx0eaUh6ix-jAv845vg&index=3

You can get this in 416 Barrett and 50 BMG for about the same price as the AR30A1 300 win mag and 338 lapua rifles.

AR50 50 BMG: http://grabagun.com/arml-ar50-50cal-31-blk-blk.html

Real good price on this one in .416 Barrett: http://grabagun.com/armalite-50a1b-416-ar-50a1-416.html

Retail for $3,359.00 http://www.armalite.com/Categories.aspx?Category=0406c9ff-539d-4b4c-ae1f-d045b91324c3

[Luke E.]

Not quite. My rifle is a bit larger. I have the ArmaLite AR50-A1B 50 BMG. :love:

http://www.armalite.com/ItemForm.aspx?item=50A1B&ReturnUrl=Categories.aspx?Category=0406c9ff-539d-4b4c-ae1f-d045b91324c3

My rifle before scope swap and Barrett rings:



A video, listen for the API down around 300 yards. :)

https://vimeo.com/53999585#at=0

A better look at the AR50-A1B. About 5.5ft long, and about 45lbs as you see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTHxejIEpDQ&feature=share&list=UUENcBx0eaUh6ix-jAv845vg&index=3

You can get this in 416 Barrett and 50 BMG for about the same price as the AR30A1 300 win mag and 338 lapua rifles.

AR50 50 BMG: http://grabagun.com/arml-ar50-50cal-31-blk-blk.html

Real good price on this one in .416 Barrett: http://grabagun.com/armalite-50a1b-416-ar-50a1-416.html

Retail for $3,359.00 http://www.armalite.com/Categories.aspx?Category=0406c9ff-539d-4b4c-ae1f-d045b91324c3

 

 Sweet! Is that the single shot I assume? A buddy just picked one up but i've not seen it yet.

[z0mbies fear me]

Savage model 110-BA $1,880 in stock

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100001475&dir=700|1484|1485

[Luke E.]

Savage model 110-BA $1,880 in stock

http://www.wideners.com/itemdetail.cfm?item_id=100001475&dir=700|1484|1485

 

 This is the one I suggested if OP is looking for something in a chassis. Should be able to find one around $1,500 or maybe a bit less if I remember correctly. I forget what dealer cost is on them but I do remember it being surprisingly cheap.

[mikegideon]

You do know that shooting 50 BMG is cheaper. You can find surplus 50 BMG for less than most 338LM ammo. There are plenty of 50BMG rifles out there under $3K. The only drawback is the weight of the gun.

 

Or another option is 300WM. It is also a lot cheaper to reload as well as the fact most places will have 30oWM on the shelf. It can also be found in most standard actions which leave a lot of money over for optics, stocks or any other upgrades. You could easily build a R700 in this caliber and sit it in an AI stock for well under your budget.

 

The 338LM is great until you have to feed it. Also, there is no aftermarket support for most of the platforms chambered in it. The 300WM is just the opposite and has tons of aftermarket options.

 

A .338 Lapua Magnum has more in common with a 50 BMG than it does with a 300 Winmag. It's in a whole nuther class. Lapua and cheap never show up in the same room. With that said, high accuracy 50 BMG ammo ain't cheap either. Surplus machine gun ammo doesn't qualify.

[Dolomite_supafly]

Just assuming the OP was wanting it for the same reason I have seen every body else who has one. Go to the range, shoot a target at 100 yards and giggle while other people stand around taking videos.

 

I was looking at some 50 BMG rifles last night. Then I realized I don't have a place to shoot it. And my wife probably wouldn't like lugging it around.

[JohnC]

Just assuming the OP was wanting it for the same reason I have seen every body else who has one. Go to the range, shoot a target at 100 yards and giggle while other people stand around taking videos.
 
I was looking at some 50 BMG rifles last night. Then I realized I don't have a place to shoot it. And my wife probably wouldn't like lugging it around.

There will always be show-offs in every hobby and sport. But let's not sit here and act like that is the sum of the entire group. Because if that's true, I could say that about most other groups who shoot specific calibers.

My wife loves the AR50. But I do most of the carrying. We're heading out this afternoon to go shoot with a coupe friends of mine. :love:

There are places to shoot, if you're willing to drive. :up:

We might have a range that allows up to the 50 BMG that goes out to 1,000 yards soon. It's still being debated at this time, though. Cross your fingers on that one.

[JohnC]

Sweet! Is that the single shot I assume? A buddy just picked one up but i've not seen it yet.

Yeah, it's a single shot bolt gun. It has nearly no recoil with all the accessories weighing it down and the brake.

[Luke E.]

Yeah, it's a single shot bolt gun. It has nearly no recoil with all the accessories weighing it down and the brake.

 

 Well I hope to get some time behind the one my buddy picked up before he decides he wants to sell it. He has no where to shoot it and I have a few places that I could probably round that would stretch it's legs a bit so i'm sure i'll have my moment. He got a really good deal on it but the scope it has on it IMO is more suited for a .308 deer rifle so we'll have to find something to correct that or it won't be to much fun. If i'm going to shoot a 50, i'm not going to be happy on a 2-300yd range.