Should I buy a 338 Lapua Mag to replace my 300 Rem Ultra Mag?

[mwurman]

So I do long range shooting and have a 12 year old Savage 116 .300 RUM, topped with a NightForce NXS 8-32x56. This guy:



Been reloading that round for years now, and recently had an itch to maybe possibly switch to this rifle...the Savage 10/110 FCP HS Precision in a 338 Lapua Mag.



Reason being I want to simply upgrade the firearm itself...accutrigger, tactical stock, muzzle brake, detachable box mag, etc...not to mention newer technology. What I'm coming to find, though, is (and i never thought this was possible save for a 50BMG round) the 338 lapua costs a decent amount more to reload than the 300 RUM...specifically the brass cost. They both take pretty much the same amount of powder loads from what im getting off of Hodgdons website. Ballistics wise, they are both within inches of each other. So my question is, should I switch?

 

[mnhntr]

Why not rebarrel your rifle to .338 Edge and use the rifle and brass you already have.

 

[MachIVshooter]

Don't think I'd switch. Seems like you'll be adding cost with no added benefit, unless the stock and detachable mag are that big of a deal to you. With all the options to upgrade your 116, the trigger is a non-issue.

 

[dubbleA]

I shoot both the 338LM and 50 BMG, the latter can actually be cheaper to shoot. Both take a little realstate to stretch their legs. Personally I would ditch the Savage and look into a AI or Sako in the 338LM.

 

[mwurman]

Well I guess maybe it would help to include a couple details about my current rifle...it has a couple issues...one being it is able to fire even when in the safety position, and if i load the mag full of rounds, when i chamber one, sometimes it decides it wants to fire itself. Yeah, not a safe situation. I almost rather get a new rifle versus fix it...plus the cost of having a muzzle brake installed. Or maybe I should just spend the buck, get it fixed, and keep on using it. Right now its a big paper weight till i get that fixed, or sell it to someone who wants to fix it. Obviously there is no way im using it in that condition lol

 

[GooseGestapo]

Easy fix on the trigger issue.
You've got the sear engagement to small, and you don't have the safety engagement screw out enough.
Did you do the trigger job yourself or did you have someone do it for you?
I've done several trigger jobs on Savages to include the two I currently own. (Latest was a Savage AXIS). (not to mention adjusting one with an "accutrigger").

Everyone I've done trigger jobs on, I took "down" to the point yours is at. Then I took them back to where they were safe and dependable. Still, I took my M110 in .300RUM back up to ~3.0lbs as it and the other, the AXIS in .243 at ~2.0lbs are "Hunting Rifles", and as such will be likely shot with gloves on, so I want a little more "pull" so as to be able to "feel" the triggers....

If someone else did the triggers, then you need to have them "revisit" their previous work.
If you did it, lightly stone the trigger sear (also the bolt release) such as to slightly increase the sear engagement. Using an allen wrench, back out the safety engagement screw 1/4-1/3 turn, and recheck the firearm.
On my .300RUM, first Savage I did a trigger job on, just "cleaning up" the trigger sear/bolt release and backing off the trigger sear tension spring was enough to take it down to 1.2lbs. I considered this TOO LIGHT, and it would also fire if I put the safety on, pulled the trigger, and then released the safety. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE...
I then increased the sear tension spring by 2 turns and retightend the lock nut. This took it back to the current 3lbs.... I then backed out the safety engagement screw until I could just barely engage it (safety), and then back in just enough to allow moderately easy engagement of the safety. This made the trigger safe and dependable.....
Hope this helps....

re: .338Lapua; I'd rebarrel to .338RUM if you must.
You could then use your current brass and cost of feeding it would just be the increase in cost of bullets. Personnally, I'd stick with the .300. I have a .338/06 and currently, It's much cheaper to feed the .300... I'm still using up some WCC-860 I bought in '05 when I got the rifle.... That and a bunch of 180gr Remington CorLokts and Hornady 180gr Interlok "blems"..... Either will shoot near MOA (best my light taper 26" bbl will do, good enough for a "hunting" rifle). Every time I set up on a stand where I can shoot a deer to +400yds, the stupid things walk out at 40-80yds. I've taken one deer at 300+ yds with the RUM. Everything else has been under 80yds..... So, I just take the '06 or .260 or .270, ect., ect., ect.......Why get my blood drawn too.... (Weatherby eye every time I've shot a deer with .300RUM....).

 

[mwurman]

Wow thanks...that was pretty extensive and I appreciate the tips and advice! Actually the trigger and safety were never touched by me or anyone since I purchased the gun. I didn't buy it new, but everything worked perfectly fine for 3 years since buying the gun, then started acting up recently. Maybe the high power of the rifle slowly knocked it out of adjustment?

But yeah, the caliber is not really the essential piece for me. Especially since the 338 lapua and 300 RUM have relatively close ballistics. I wouldnt mind even upgrading to a new 300 RUM firearm, but nobody is really chambering for that round anymore...save for one gun i saw by CZ. It mostly comes down to rifle features, etc. I know that the brass for reloading lapua is considerably higher, but from what i am reading and what people are saying, is that you can reuse the actual Lapua brass a lot more. Couple guys claimed they were able to use it 10-15 times before the primer pockets expanded to much, or stress rings started to form. I only really get 4-5 shots out of each case with Remington 300 RUM brass...obviously not high end stuff.

 

[Dthunter]

"When" you get the Savage trigger problem sloved, try shooting the 230grain Berger TAC Hybrid bullet. I am shooting this bullet out to just under 2000 yards in a 300WinMag. (Savage 110BA). Really shoots well!

Even the 210VLD's make the long trip just fine.
You dont need a .338Lapua to shoot those distances! Just a well Balanced rifle design and consistant load/scope.

Have fun with it! Not all long range problems need the expensive,percieved advantage of the .338 Lapua. Its really fun seeing the responses of the .338 Lapua shooters, when you achieve the same, and sometimes better results with the 300WinMag!