Rifles chambered in .338 Lapua

[The Grand Inquisitor]

I've been thinking about getting a rife chambered in .338 Lapua in the future and I was wondering what experiances fellow THR's have with the round. The only rifle I've seriously looked at is the AR-30; I'm familar with the AWP and such made by AI (or is that *used( to be made by...) but if I had 7 large to blow on a rifle I'd blow it on 3 rifles instead of one.

Regardless of all that...experiances?

 

[Zak Smith]

AI is back in business.

Here's the order I'd buy them in:

1. AI ASM338
2. SAKO TRG-42
3. AR-30

I've shot the TRG-42. I've shot an AWM300 (the 300WM version of the AI), and I've handled the AR-30. The AR-30 is the cheapest of the bunch by a long shot, but shoots good.

The TRG and the ASM are really top of the line, nothing really better. They are comparable, but I would choose the AI just because it seems tougher and more fieldworthy. The TRG-42 has a chrome-lined bore.

Barrel replacement is done at the user-level with the AI. I don't think that's true with the TRG, and it's definitely not true for the AR-30.

-z

ETA: For any of these, you really need a good scope to take advantage of the ballistics of 338. I'd say to start looking at the Nightforce 5.5-22 or a Leupold MKIV M1 and go up to a USO from there, if you can afford it.

Also consider the cost of shooting. Factory ammo is about $4 per round. Brass is expensive. It's basically the same cost to reload as 50BMG.

 

[beerslurpy]

Any Sako/Tikka gun is tops in my book. Tikka especially is huge value for the money. Tack driving accuracy with wonderful bolt smoothness and crisp trigger feel.

 

[50 Shooter]

Don't rule out this beauty.

http://dakotaarms.com/cgi-bin/quiks...earch.html&and=&affiliate_id=&exact_match=yes

 

[sscoyote]

That Dakota Longbow is supposed to be a shooter-- so says Dean Michaelis, author of the 50 Cal. Sniper Book. I guess the most accurate of all he tested

 

[HankL]

Don't leave out the Sako TRG-S. A 7.5 lb. .338 LM is a bunch of fun!

 

[bogie]

For the money, I'd call McMillan.

 

[Jonathan]

Not many inexpensive factory offerings. You can make one with a CZ as the foundation, and I'd bet a Ruger #1 tropical wouldn't be too much trouble to convert.

 

[The Grand Inquisitor]

In my book; Ruger is out of the question on principle: any company as tirelessly anti-shooter as Ruger will never get my money.

 

[50 Shooter]

Probably one of the most expensive .338 LM rifles you'll see but also one of the coolest/unique.

http://www.edmarms.com/products/m98.htm

 

[rockstar.esq]

I was at the range one day when I came upon a guy shooting a Sako TRG-42 at 1000yds. His group was 2.49"! I don't know if this would impress you, but it sure impresses me.