About .338 Lapua
Table of Contents
Hey all, we here at True Shot Academy want to talk about .338 Lapua. This well-known magnum cartridge is extremely popular among long range shooters and hunters alike. Our objective with this blog post is to provide a brief overview of the cartridge while covering some of its traits and use cases. Without further ado, let’s get into it.
What is .338 Lapua?
The .338 Lapua Magnum, often simply referred to as .338 Lapua, was developed in the 1980’s and began production in 1989. As far as military calibers go, the .338 Lapua bridges the gap between the .308 Winchester/7.62x51mm NATO and the .50 BMG. As a magnum cartridge, the round features a stout recoil impulse with impressive downrange results. The cartridge is exceptionally flat shooting and allows for consistent and repeatable accuracy at extended ranges. The .338 Lapua is utilized by military personnel, hunters, and precision shooters alike earning itself a reputation as a high-performance long-range cartridge.
How Available is .338 Lapua Ammunition?
While the .338 Lapua cartridge has existed for decades, the round is not as common as other options on the market. The round simply is not as plentiful as .308 Winchester, .30-06 Springfield, or even the .300 Winchester Magnum. This is not to say that this round is unobtainable by any means. One can find a variety of .338 Lapua ammunition loaded to various specs and optimized for different use cases. Generally, one will find loadings which range from 250 to 300 grains and feature various projectiles. It will just be a bit more elusive than some of the more common rounds on the market. It may not be present everywhere ammunition is sold, but online ammo purchases are always an option. At the end of the day, if one wanted to get some .338 Lapua ammunition, they absolutely can.
Purchase .338 Lapua Ammo
Is .338 Lapua Ammunition Expensive?
One will find that .338 Lapua ammunition is quite expensive. This is mainly due to the fact an overwhelming majority of the ammunition on the market is optimized for specific use cases. Simply put, the specialty loads for .338 Lapua vastly outnumber any cheaper, generic ammunition options on the market. It is also worth mentioning that if someone is shooting a high-performance cartridge, they should expect to pay a premium for optimal ammunition. These loadings will typically feature premium projectiles to further enhance performance downrange. Premium projectiles can be found in the form of Hornady ELD, Sierra MatchKing, and Barnes LRX bullets just to name a few. At the end of the day, while .338 Lapua ammunition is expensive, one will generally be getting some high-quality loadings tailored towards specific use cases.
Can You Hunt with .338 Lapua?
As a magnum cartridge, the .338 Lapua is certainly capable of being utilized in hunting applications. The cartridge is particularly efficient when it comes to dispatching big game. Game such as elk, moose, and bear are examples of some of the game that the .338 Lapua is appropriate for. As always, one must ensure they are using ammunition sufficient for the game they are hunting. By utilizing the proper loading, one optimizes their hunting experience and ensure an ethical kill. The flat trajectory of the cartridge paired with the considerable kinetic energy transfer of a magnum cartridge make the .338 Lapua an efficient and humane hunting cartridge. The cartridge is also capable of effectively dispatching game at extended ranges. At the end of the day, the cartridge is more than viable in hunting applications.
Is .338 Lapua Good for Long Range Shooting?
As mentioned earlier. the .338 Lapua cartridge has earned itself a reputation as an effective long-range cartridge. In military applications, the round has been put to the test and achieved incredible results. Notably, Corporal of Horse Craig Harrison used the cartridge in November, 2009 to achieve two of the longest-range sniper kills in history. Craig Harrison dispatched two enemy fighters at a distance of 2,475 meters, or 2,707 yards. Until 2012, this feat was regarded as the furthest recorded sniper kill in history.
Why is this important? This instance showcases the long-range potential of the .338 Lapua cartridge. If these types of results are achievable in an active warzone, just think of what is possible at the range with optimal conditions. On the homefront, we also have a wider variety of loadings and rifles to choose from, affording shooters even more ways to optimize their shooting experience and maximize their chances for success. With optimal shooting conditions and hand-selected equipment, one can truly stretch this cartridge out to extended ranges in the excess of 2,000 yards. So yes, the .338 Lapua is an effective cartridge for long range shooting.
Purchase .338 Lapua Ammo
What Firearms Are Available in .338 Lapua?
One will encounter a wide variety of bolt action rifles chambered in .338 Lapua on the market today. Manufacturers of these bolt action rifles include Barrett, Christensen Arms, and Sako just to name a few. These rifles are typically optimized for either hunting or long-range precision use. While the market for .338 Lapua chambered rifles is dominated by bolt action rifles, it should be known that some semi-automatic offerings are also available. Noreen Firearms and SWORD Defense offer semi-automatic rifles in the caliber which are optimized for long-range precision shooting. Essentially, if one has the funds, one will have no problem acquiring a rig chambered in .338 Lapua.
Conclusion
All in all, the .338 Lapua is a cartridge with a well-deserved reputation of high performance at extended ranges. The cartridge is exceptionally versatile and can be effectively employed by hunters and precision shooters alike at the range or in the field. Whether you are after .338 Lapua ammunition or something else entirely, we here at True Shot have you covered. As always, happy shooting.
Need bulk ammo? At True Shot Ammo, we have a wide variety of handgun ammo and rifle ammo available to purchase. Please visit our website trueshotammo.com, call us at (888) 736-6587, or you can email us at sales@trueshotammo.com for more ammo options.
View more posts about specific calibers:
