Long Range 338

[Corjack]

Since the cat is out of the bag about the 338 Lapua in the R8 Blaser, let's talk about it.

IF, the Blaser 338 Lapua barrel is a standard magnum length, will a sportsman be able to see much gains over say, a 338 Winchester Magnum, with the same weight bullets, in the same length barrel.

In my mind the 338 Lapua is designed for making shots in excess of 1000 meters. Does a hunter really need such a specialised sporting caliber for hunting? A deer gets a leg blowed off at 1500 meters, I feel bad. An Isis militant loses a leg, not so much. I am concerned that someone might buy one, not realising the amount of thought, and practise required to be able to utilise the full potential of the round.

I suspect that it will be a decent seller for Blaser, as the caliber is so talked about in long range circles.

[trazman]

For the first thing I love lapua brass which is one of the best on the market... You don't get it for .338 wm or rum so here is one + for the LM. There is some advantage with LM even in short barrel specially if reloading...

The problem is that this would be a single shot rifle due to its small magazine. This could be solved with .338 norma magnum.

When we come to hunting and the Q if we really need it?
Well probably 75%of people that will buy it will not need its power but there are some that will. When we talk about long range the power of the bullet is really important and there is never too much. Also wind drift is much better...

Another thing to have in mind is like Corjack already said is that there is more practice needed to master this thing. More power more recoil more mistakes... Definitely not the caliber to start shooting with...

At work I shoot mostly with a .50bmg but also with .308 and .338. Although some think that shooting a .50bmg is a sniper wish or maybe that only the best snipers can shoot it. Well it isn't so. It is nice for a few shots but then it is just too much. And don't fotget that we are talking about a rifle that weighs almost 20kg ang you need to carry it :/. But a 338 vs 308 is really a big step in accuracy at long range. Shooting a .338 is a poesy, it is deadly accurate and the wind is not a big problem. Also the weight is similar...

Well probably you already got it that I am a .338 lover

[stokesrj]

The .338 LM is probably one of the most popular calibers at the 1,000 yard range I frequent. I don't think a single one of them hunt with their rifles and there are probably 35 or 40 of them now. Most of these rifles are either AI or similar chassis guns or Heavy Bench guns. They do make doping the wind at 1,000 yards much simpler and that is one of the critical factors in long range hunting.

[longrider]

709 yards 1 in the neck, was as close as we could get, easy however with the 338L.

I only take the shot if I absolutely know I can make it.





I have also taken them with the same cartridge at 60 yds. Seems to work either way.

[John1911.com]

The .338 LM is probably one of the most popular calibers at the 1,000 yard range I frequent. I don't think a single one of them hunt with their rifles and there are probably 35 or 40 of them now. Most of these rifles are either AI or similar chassis guns or Heavy Bench guns. They do make doping the wind at 1,000 yards much simpler and that is one of the critical factors in long range hunting.

I agree. This will see more use in the ELR circles than the hunting circles. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Blaser has 1 & 1/2 drawbacks in the precision crowd.

The Tactical 2 has 338L. But in 308, the firepower is limited by the 5 round magazine.

The R8 shoots all the fancy high BC bullets and does have A Magazine. And not it will also have 338L.

I don't see why there won't be more Blaser shooters in ELR matches and meets.

My take anyway.

TTR

[Biebs]

If it does become popular, I hope its with folks who shoot paper, not those that will go out and try 1,000 yard shots on animals. Not counting wind or a steady hold...just the bullet travel time to the target allows too much time for an animal's position to change.

[deerhunter338mag]

I agree I think the new barrel is purely set up as a long range rifle. I think guys would be crazy just to buy the barrel to have as a stalking set up and maybe take a long shot every now and then. My custom 338Rum was designed as a light weight long range rifle that if need be I could take a shot stalking if the weather was that bad I could shoot from a long range position. Mine is single feed also and in the Blaser it would really defeat the purpose imo. I think it's a great option to getting a custom build as there is bugger all in them.

[secondtry]

If it does become popular, I hope its with folks who shoot paper, not those that will go out and try 1,000 yard shots on animals. Not counting wind or a steady hold...just the bullet travel time to the target allows too much time for an animal's position to change.

That summarizes my concerns. Even if the animal is bedded, there can be wind between target and rifle, but not at either end of the shot where it more easily seen and allowed for.

[Corjack]

I think that it all boils down to, guys read about others making these long range shots, and do not fathom the amount of rounds expended down range, and the study and thought that goes into being able to make such shots on a regular basis. I play pretty hard, yet am still a little uneasy about taking shots past 300 yards on deer.

[deerhunter338mag]

That's about the size of it. Shooting down the range on a nice day off a branch on a soft chair is no way the same as in the bush. I tell mates of mine that want to hunt this all the time, get down in prone and don't be shy of a wet and windy days. So much practice is needed for this type of hunting if you want to be successful and a good hit so the animal doesn't run off to die.

[longrider]

If it does become popular, I hope its with folks who shoot paper, not those that will go out and try 1,000 yard shots on animals. Not counting wind or a steady hold...just the bullet travel time to the target allows too much time for an animal's position to change.

That summarizes my concerns. Even if the animal is bedded, there can be wind between target and rifle, but not at either end of the shot where it more easily seen and allowed for.

Wind is absolutely the most critical factor. Assuming you have already the basics in play, distance is not the nearly the factor as wind/updraft/downdraft. I practice in an area where I often have to deal with 3-4 wind directions and speeds enroute to target. I practise real field positions in the exact environment/locations in which I hunt.

My friends at times will say that I am into long range hunting. I always correct them and describe my style as "precision hunting". I get as close as possible. Sometimes it is 8 yards, other times it is 800 plus. I have passed on the 8 yard shot and the 800 at times. At other times it has been perfect.

As far as animal movement is concerned, one must be very careful regarding that as well (almost as careful as driven hunts ), My general practise is to observe the animals for a good period of time. Generally my rifles run 500 yds 1/2 second TOF, 600-700 3/4 sec TOF and about 1 sec TOF 900-1000 yards. If I am going to take a shot at 500-800 I wait for the critter (usually Elk or Antelope) to begin their downward neck movement to take another bite of grass when I send the missile. That gives me more than two seconds for the time of flight. DRT.

Great care must be taken when taking a long shot even with the proper equipment, practise and discipline you must pass on many opportunities that are less than ideal.

Much like shooting at a moving animal at 35 yards through timber, "precision hunting" requires a skill set to close the deal.

[stokesrj]

I agree with you Brad, I've had to do more tracking because of mistakes made at short to medium range than I have had to do for long range. The deciding factor is the judgement of the hunter when the shot is taken. Most of the long range hunters I know take far more care with shot selection than the short to moderate range hunters I know. They, the LRHs, also put more time in practice, those two things combined, practice and wise shot selection make for a very deadly combination.
The down side is that many people want to be long range hunters but lack the skill, practice, and wisdom to do so, but that doesn't necessarily stop them from trying.
Bob

[deerhunter338mag]

Just missing a few parts with the 338lap ackley improved

[stokesrj]

Uh, your gun is upside down
Bob

[stokesrj]

but then again, you are on the underside of the earth as it was chosen to be depicted, maybe that is the way they hold down under
Bob