What are your thoughts on the 338 Lapua, the 300 RUM, and 6.5-284? I want to build a heavy bolt rifle and need to decide on what to chamber it in. I think I'm addicted to bullets with high BC's, and these three rounds hold my interest the most. The use of the rifle would be for paper targets, coyotes, and elk.
2007-06-20 02:30:43 · 6 answers · asked by brian f 3 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Don't pick the guy gemini. He got about everything he said wrong.
The 300 wby is about 8th most powerful 300 cal these days.
The 338 is a lot of fun. It will serve what you want but it is a novelty buy for that sort of work. In other words a bit like owning a ferrari-not something you need. Rather something cool to have and to show off. The other two are more sensible power wise.
Do your research and get whatever makes you hardest in the pants. I am a big gun fan so my choice would be the lapua.
The only proviso is have a shot of someone elses first. It is not a small cartridge, being made by essentially necking down the 416 rigby case-which is a very powerful elephant gun, and it will kick quite a bit in regular hunting rifles.
2007-06-23 09:50:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The .338 Lapua is a good round, it has excellent penetration compared to the other two calibers. However I haven't had as much experience with the .300RUM or the 6.5-284.
If these calibers don't satisfy your fancy, try a .300Weatherby Mag, or step up to a .50BMG. The .300Weatherby Mag is the most powerful .30cal cartridge currently on the market. Granted the .338 Lapua is a larger round and probably has the stopping power, I'm not so sure that it has the velocity or penetration that you might be looking for. Now the .50BMG is the most powerful rifle cartridge on the market period. Yes; it may be overkill for a paper target or coyotes. It may also be just a lil much for elk... just a lil. However, I will garauntee you that it has the perfect "umf" that you are wanting. Your could also take it to Alaska or Canada and go Polar bear hunting if you want an adrenaline rush.
The only way you would find anything that shoots larger rounds, would be if you joined the military and went into the Navy battle cruisers or destroyers, or Army field artillary.
I hope you find what you are looking for.
2007-06-20 03:00:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋
Yes it is legal, but I would really call it overkill. I hunt with a .300 Win Mag and even that is more than enough power. I also hunt with a .308 Winchester. .300 outdoes .308 in every category but is more expensive and more recoil. As others have said, .338 Lapua Magnum is way too much power and is far too expensive to use as a deer hunting round. If you can afford it, go for it. .338's are for hunting large game.
2016-05-20 07:29:52 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
338 lapua is a great cartridge but the downside is cost and heavy recoil. The 6.5x284 seems to be the carteidge of choice among f-class long distance shooters. It has good BC and I believe you can fit it in a 308 lenght action. Checkout Vandyke Rifles as he builds precision rifles in 338 lapua. I spoke with a friend of mine who told me that unless your shooting 1000m alot to stick with the 308. The germans were using a 338 on the range one day and he got a headache just from the muzzle blast
2007-06-20 05:45:47 · answer #4 · answered by shooter 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
the .338 is a real kicker. It is a great long distance target and comp rifle but a bit much for hunting, but to each his own. It's expensive to load for though.
2007-06-20 10:20:06 · answer #5 · answered by randy 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good Lord, a 338 for coyote, he'll explode when hit.
2007-06-20 02:46:22 · answer #6 · answered by hugahugababy 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋