Welcome to another edition of True Shot Academy, the educational arm of True Shot Ammo. Today, we're diving into an often-debated topic: .338 Lapua vs .308 Win.
Both are highly sought-after cartridges, but they serve different purposes and offer distinct advantages and disadvantages. We'll break down their history, performance, ballistics, recoil, knockdown power, and accuracy.
Origins and Historical Context
.338 Lapua
The history of the .338 Lapua is deeply entwined with the need for long-range accuracy in military applications. Developed in the late 1980s by the Finnish company Lapua, this ammunition was initially designed for anti-material roles but quickly became popular in long-range sniping. It was built to be effective at ranges beyond 1,000 meters, giving snipers and marksmen a significant edge in extreme scenarios.
.308 Winchester
The .308 Winchester cartridge was introduced in 1952 by Winchester as a hunting round. Its design quickly gained popularity due to its versatility and efficiency.
Within a short time, it was adapted for military use as the 7.62x51mm NATO, adopted in 1954. This round became a staple for military forces worldwide, solidifying its reputation for reliability and performance.
Technical Specifications & Ballistics
To provide a concrete look at the performance gap, the following table compares a standard 175gr match load for the .308 Win against a 250gr match load for the .338 Lapua.
|
Metric |
.308 Winchester (175gr) |
.338 Lapua (250gr) |
|
Bullet Diameter |
.308" |
.338" |
|
Muzzle Velocity |
~2,600 fps |
~2,950 fps |
|
Muzzle Energy |
~2,627 ft-lbs |
~4,890 ft-lbs |
|
Recoil Energy |
~18 – 20 ft-lbs |
~38 – 40 ft-lbs |
|
Effective Precision Range |
~800 - 1,000 Yards |
~1,500 - 1,750 Yards |
|
Case Capacity |
~56 gr H2O |
~114 gr H2O |
The Showdown: Round-by-Round Comparison
We have organized the performance of these two contenders into a scorecard across eight critical categories.
|
Round |
Category |
Winner |
Key Reason |
|
1 |
Recoil |
.308 Win |
Significantly lower recoil makes it more comfortable for extended sessions. |
|
2 |
Effective Range |
.338 Lapua |
Stays supersonic much further, maintaining accuracy beyond 1,500 yards. |
|
3 |
Knockdown Power |
.338 Lapua |
Delivers nearly double the muzzle energy for superior terminal effects. |
|
4 |
Accuracy |
Draw |
Both are sub-MOA capable; .338 wins at distance, .308 wins at mid-range. |
|
5 |
Military Use |
.308 Win |
Decades of service as the standard infantry and machine gun round. |
|
6 |
Hunting |
.308 Win |
The practical choice for North American deer/elk; .338 is "overkill." |
|
7 |
Dangerous Game |
.338 Lapua |
Necessary penetration and energy for brown bears or the African "Big 5." |
|
8 |
Reloading |
.308 Win |
Massive availability of cheap brass and components compared to the .338. |
Performance, Ballistics, and Recoil
.338 Lapua: The Behemoth
The .338 Lapua is a behemoth, usually firing projectiles in the 250 to 300-grain range. It offers exceptional ballistic coefficients and high-energy transfer, which translates to phenomenal knockdown power. The bullet maintains a flatter trajectory over long distances, making it a preferred choice for extreme hunting conditions. However, this power comes with a downside: substantial recoil. The .338 can be daunting for inexperienced shooters.
.308 Win: The Versatile Workhorse
The .308 Winchester is a versatile cartridge known for its excellent mid-range capabilities. Typically utilizing bullets in the 150 to 180-grain range, it offers a balanced blend of velocity and kinetic energy.
While it doesn't excel in extreme long-range shooting, its ballistics are more than sufficient for most hunting and target-shooting scenarios. If you're sensitive to recoil, the .308 is your friend.
Accuracy and Hunting Applications
Accuracy: A Closer Look
The .308 Winchester is renowned for its consistent accuracy at medium to long ranges; it is common to find .308 rifles that produce sub-MOA groups up to 800 yards. The .338 Lapua was specifically designed for accuracy beyond 1,000 yards. Its higher ballistic coefficient allows for a flatter trajectory and less wind drift at extended ranges, giving it a slight edge in precision shooting at those distances.
Hunting Considerations
The .308 Winchester has long been a favored hunting cartridge for North America, particularly for deer. For most hunting shots occurring within 400 yards, a popular 180-grain .308 round still carries sufficient energy to take down a whitetail deer ethically.
However, when hunting larger, tougher game like brown bears, the .338 Lapua's heavier bullets, such as the Nosler 250-grain Partition, offer the additional penetration required. For those hunting Africa's Big 5, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, cape buffalo, and elephant, the .338 is among the approved calibers.
Should I use .338 Lapua or .308 Win?
The .338 Lapua, with its long-range capabilities and substantial knockdown power, is a force to be reckoned with in military and extreme hunting conditions. However, this comes at the cost of increased recoil and expensive specialized components for reloading.
On the other hand, the .308 Winchester shines in its versatility and manageable recoil. It's a well-balanced cartridge that excels in hunting medium to large game and remains a budget-friendly option for the average shooter. Your choice will ultimately depend on your specific needs, shooting style, and how far you intend to shoot.
We here at True Shot Ammo carry both .338 and .308 Winchester ammunition in addition to our extensive inventory. Whether you want to buy .338 Lapua ammo, buy .308 Win ammo, or buy bulk ammo, we have got you covered. As always, happy shooting.
