Cost/Reward worth it? 338 lapua vs 338-06

[ExAgoradzo]

Here is my $.02.

I don't know why you would buy the LM if you are at all thinking of hunting. Could you imagine hauling the gun immediately above around at 10,000' or 10'?

I completely see the idea of the -06. I was jonesing after one myself for many of the same reasons given here. However, when push came to shove I got a screaming deal on a WM. I do not regret it. Saving powder and recoil appeal to me, esp since I don't plan on shooting more than 250 yards or so. But the cost and availability of this rifle (1972 Win M70) was the deciding factor.

Now, if you want the coolest tactical bolt action on the planet, buy the LM. I'd much rather take that money and buy 5 other guns: YMMV.

Greg

 

[COLOSHOOTR]

Personally I think a .338 LM is a bad choice for 600 yards unless you just like throwing away money. At that distance a .260, 6.5 CM, 6.5x47 Lapua would give up nothing to the .338 and you could even do well with a.308. Now if we are talking shooting past 1200 out to around a mile that is where the .338 Lapua really shines and makes things fun. If you plan on doing that though you still may want to start with one of those calibers I mentioned to learn what you are doing without breaking the bank.

We had a guy with a fancy big bore sniper rifle at our club before. He couldn't hit anything with it and blamed the rifle. I ran it for him to check it out and found it to be a laser hitting all the steel plates at distance with ease. The truth of the matter was it was too much rifle for his skill level and he actually created a lot of bad habits for himself. Just be careful you don't do the same but if you really want one though go for it..... It's your money.

 

[ColonelKorn]

I was the first person in my circle of shooting/hunting buddies that got a .338-06 and after seeing it perform both on targets and deer a total of 7 guns in that caliber were in the hands of the "crew".

 

[jehu]

MCMXI has got it exactly right! I have two Sako TRG's, one in 300win mag and one in 338LM. Also have a Sako Long range hunter in 338LM and shoot them all suppressed which brings them down to somewhere between a 223 and a 22mag level of recoil and noise.The 338LM is like a laser beam and fun to shoot at the long distances 1000-1200 yds. The 300win mag will do it too but not as good as the 338LM and yes a 243 will shoot to 600yds as will other lighter calibers but not with the same termial effect and if the wind is blowing your screwed.

 

[SVTOhio]

Personally I think a .338 LM is a bad choice for 600 yards unless you just like throwing away money. At that distance a .260, 6.5 CM, 6.5x47 Lapua would give up nothing to the .338 and you could even do well with a.308. Now if we are talking shooting past 1200 out to around a mile that is where the .338 Lapua really shines and makes things fun. If you plan on doing that though you still may want to start with one of those calibers I mentioned to learn what you are doing without breaking the bank.

We had a guy with a fancy big bore sniper rifle at our club before. He couldn't hit anything with it and blamed the rifle. I ran it for him to check it out and found it to be a laser hitting all the steel plates at distance with ease. The truth of the matter was it was too much rifle for his skill level and he actually created a lot of bad habits for himself. Just be careful you don't do the same but if you really want one though go for it..... It's your money.

I understand and thankyou for the advise. And trust me I will not be spending a lot of money. At the moment I'm working on my skills with a 223, and 25-06.