Compare .338 .408 .416 .50

Best Value

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Lucky

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So I understand the idea is to keep the bullets going supersonic as long and far as possible, known as effective range. And then on top of this the .408 is advertised as being able to cross back into subsonic flight without losing very much accuracy.

The way I read things now, it appears that they're all in the same ballpark?

If You guys were to rank them in the two categories how would it go?

Performance:
#1
#2
#3
#4

Affordability:
#1
#2
#3
#4


.338:

http://www.snipercentral.com/338.htm


.408:

http://www.edmarms.com/cheytac.htm
http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache...nge&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ca&client=firefox-a



.416:

http://www.strategypage.com/militaryforums/1-9415.aspx
http://www.barrettrifles.com/DiscussionForum_YAF/default.aspx?g=posts&m=253


.50BMG:

http://www.riflebarrels.com/articles/50calibre/lengths_velocity_50_bmg.htm






Also, why do they make bullets of copper or copper alloys? Wouldn't the light weight slow down very quickly? (Tres Haute Vitess?)

http://home.snafu.de/l.moeller/Englisch/408-Chey-Tac.htm
 
The only one you can reload precision-long-range-appropriate rounds for under $1/round is the .338 Lapua -- mine are currently around $0.80. (With the 300SMK, closer to $1.00-1.10.) 338 Lapua also has more barrel life than the other three.

The bullets alone for 50BMG (750gr AMAX) are over $1.50 a piece now. The lathe-turned solids used for 408 and 416 are over $1 a piece.

Another consideration is weapon size. A 338 Lapua rifle is basically the same size and weight as a 300WM (and only 14-18 lbs), whereas the other rifles are considerably heavier and larger -- like 25+ lbs. This makes a huge difference in mobility.

I don't know of any "payload" bullets for the 408 and 416 yet.

Considering that the 338 Lapua will make hits from a mile - 2000 yards if the shooter is up to it, chances are that if you need a 408, 416, or a custom wildcat LR cartridge (I've heard a few things about .375 wildcats), you'll already know it.
 
PERFORMANCE: Superlative, If you can perform your part- they ALL can do theirs. The current 1000 yard 10 shot record is actually held by a modified 7mm WSM. Hmmm.... I'm sure the really superb shooters aren't in any "league" competition anyhows.
AFFORDABILITY: Has to be with the smaller bullets and smaller cases. Simple economics. Dies for any of these rounds usually aren't "locally" available. Neither are the bullets. Besides,your scope (and mounts/rings) is possibly going to cost as much as your first 16 months of shooting, not to mention the cost of the rifle. This ain't a game for po-folks. In effect, affordibility and mention of any of the rounds you elect don't go together.
 
That's what I was suspecting, got me thinking when they had loose .50BMG cartridges at the range for $20 each.:what:

So essentially the .50 BMG economies of scale don't reduce price enough, and the .4XX's don't have that much better performance to justify them.

Still, why the all-copper bullets? I thought ballistic coefficient was based on sectional density and form factor, and sectional density required you start with a dense material? Does the initial velocity?

Are any of these bullets home-swageable?
 
Solid bullets for absolute consistency bullet to bullet.

Shape is more important than density. For example, the 155gr Lapua Scenar is actually longer than the 175 SMK, weighs less, and has an equal or higher BC.
 
Somehow I think there's probably restrictions on DU projectiles being sold on the civilian market. Not to mention the EPA might not like having them flung around...

One important thing I'd like to point out, is that the original post never specified what purpose was intended, which I'd say has a fairly significant influence on rating each.
 
Well I'll admit to having a completely irrational affection for the idea of a .40 cal long range rifle. That being said, I'd suggest that those endeavoring to shoot one regularly should obtain a CNC lathe which would allow the manufacture of bullets! I would opine that the real reason that these calibers are loaded with solid copper / gilding metal projectiles has much more to do with bullet integrity at the high velocity and rotational speed we're talking about here. A gunsmith I know has swaging dies to manufacture his own match type hollow point bullets in .375 diameter. The set up requires a slug of lead and a short length of copper refrigerant tubing, after something like 8 forming operations, a very nice bullet is formed. Given the limitation of the refrigerant tubing pipe wall thickness, he can't change the copper jacket thickness so proportional to it's bore diameter, his projectiles have a thin jacket. Taking things up to the .40 and .50 cal's would only make this situation worse.
 
not going to TOTALLY derail the thread here, but why is it no one seems to mention, at least when I am looking around, a 340 Weatherby or 338-378 Weatherby as far as a LR platform? I know looking at a 338-378 the case would surely hold enough powder to punt a 300 gr. bullet to a goodly distance...

Does it have to do with that venturi shoulder? Or has it always been considered as a Safari rifle and nothing more?

I don't have one, so I have no stake in it...I DO have a 416 Taylor and I know bullets aren't cheap. :) I have been waiting for some hard cast to play with it.


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