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Old February 2, 2013, 04:56 PM   #1
pnolans
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338 Lapua vs. 7mm rem mag?

338 Lapua vs. 7mm rem mag?

I've heard that the 338 Lapua is the shizz to have for those long shots during the "latter days", post-apocalyptic world.

I currently have a Rem 700 7mm rem mag rifle , thinking when I bought it , that it would be the most affordable solution for long shooting .

I'm interested in the opinions of the experts here. Would it be worth the $$$ to go for a 338 Lapua ... for long-range accuracy?

Also, should I look at the "ACOG" scope? Again ... for long-range accuracy? Some other reason I haven't thought of?


Thanks in advance.

Pat
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Old February 2, 2013, 05:11 PM   #2
Jim Watson
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What is "long range" in your neighborhood?

The only Trijicon that I would think suitable for target shooting is the Accupoint 5-20X and there are a lot of other choices.

Are you a proficient handloader or have a large ammunition budget?
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Old February 2, 2013, 06:17 PM   #3
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If you are not reloading .338 lapua is going to be expensive. If you do reload, .338 lapua is still going to be expensive.

7mm magnum is a powerful enough round to take down any large game in North America. It will be more affordable across the board reloading or not.
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Old February 2, 2013, 07:13 PM   #4
pnolans
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Quote:
What is "long range" in your neighborhood?

The only Trijicon that I would think suitable for target shooting is the Accupoint 5-20X and there are a lot of other choices.

Are you a proficient handloader or have a large ammunition budget?
I live in Colorado. Half of the state is plains, and the mountains are treeless in many places.

So, long range would be 1000 yards.

I am NOT that good a shot , YET. But , if the SHTF, maybe it will be needed.

Ammo budget is fine. I do handloading, but I would not call myself proficient yet. I am getting there, however.

One thing I've noticed, 7mm rem mag is still available , as is 270 win, in many places. I'm extremely well prepared in the 270 win area. I plan to build my 7mm stock at this time.

338 Lapua is not only expensive, it's about as plentiful as 9mm ammo, or even 9mm bullets. I have powder and primer , and 200 9mm 115 grain bullets. I only bring up the 9mm as an example of availability.

These are the pros and cons as I see them at this time. But I'm open to learning, always. Hence, my question.
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Old February 2, 2013, 07:24 PM   #5
Jim Watson
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A GOOD 7mm with Sierra, Berger, or A-Max match bullets will do very well at 1000 yards. I would not consider the cost, weight, and kick of a 338 Lap until 1200-1500 yards.
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Old February 2, 2013, 07:42 PM   #6
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thanks very much. Now we're talking.
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Old February 2, 2013, 07:53 PM   #7
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I think 7mm mag is the more practical option for 1000 yards in nearly every aspect.

Are you saying 9mm ammo is not plentiful or that it is plentiful? I would think that 9mm would be easier to find than .338 lapua any day.
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Old February 2, 2013, 07:56 PM   #8
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ACOGs belong on general purpose semi auto rifles such as an AR. Long range precision rifles need a different style of glass.
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Old February 2, 2013, 07:58 PM   #9
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I want a Lapua myself, but most rifles they are chambered in are very expensive, and the ammo or components are expensive. The Savage rifle (can't remember the model) in .338 Lapua is around $1900, look to spend that or more on an optic optimal for the cartridge, and you've just dumped $4,000 in a rifle that is too heavy to do anything with except sniping.

I would personally drop $1200 on a Huskemaw scope for the 7 Mag, buy a good rangefinder, get in a bit of practice, and nothing within 1200 yards of you will be safe. Just my 2¢…
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Old February 2, 2013, 08:09 PM   #10
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Post apocalyptic world?

Forget about that crap. Men have been predicting the end of time since the beginning of time and they've all been wrong. The more salient piece of your question is your reloading experience. The 338 Lapua is a not a round for the casual loader. The 7mmRM will handle your needs.
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Old February 3, 2013, 04:06 AM   #11
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Is this even a serious post???????

If you are actually keen on shooting based on you knowledge, I'd go for a 223 in a heavy barrel AR15 or bolt action, with a 4-12x40 scope or there abouts.
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Old February 3, 2013, 05:31 AM   #12
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i used to see some group on the hunting channels shooting long range, 1000 plus yards with 7mm rem mags. it worked for them and i like mine. i had a 300 mag that i sold in favor of the 7mm rem mag, i'm still happy.
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Old February 3, 2013, 07:52 AM   #13
pnolans
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Quote:

Is this even a serious post???????

If you are actually keen on shooting based on you knowledge, I'd go for a 223 in a heavy barrel AR15 or bolt action, with a 4-12x40 scope or there abouts.
Yes, it's a serious post! Why would you think it's not????????
Did I imply somewhere that I'm new to shooting or something? If you feel I'm BS'ing or something, may I respectfully suggest you simply ignore me.

I've sold all my AR's ... and will build another once parts are available again.
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Last edited by pnolans; February 3, 2013 at 09:20 AM.
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Old February 3, 2013, 07:56 AM   #14
pnolans
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@Ben Towe:

Thanks... I get your point. Partially, the Gun Store is a like Toys R Us for me.
BUT.... I don't want to just waste money for very little gain.
I will look into your suggestion about the Huskemaw scope.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Pat
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Old February 3, 2013, 08:01 AM   #15
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My Armalite AR30 .338 Lapua, for the most part is a dust catcher. I shot it a few hundred times and then decided my .284 Winchester was MUCH cheaper and more accurate for 1000 yd.
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Old February 3, 2013, 08:22 AM   #16
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Reynolds357 brings up a really good point, that the rifle for the 338 Lapua will have to be accurate enough to make the cartridge shine. For the cost of all this, I would shy away from the Lapua.

Since your other choice is 7 mm Mag, that sort of narrows it down.
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Old February 3, 2013, 09:23 AM   #17
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good point. In fact, if a 338 Lapua was inexpensive, I wouldn't have even asked the question. I would have just bought one and checked it out.

I get the point about the gun sitting in the closet. I didn't fire my 45/70 guide gun much, because the ammo is expensive. I fire it more now... it's just a little more than the 7mm ammo.
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Old February 3, 2013, 01:04 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pnolans
Yes, it's a serious post! Why would you think it's not????????
Well, this for starters:

Quote:
So, long range would be 1000 yards.

I am NOT that good a shot , YET. But , if the SHTF, maybe it will be needed.
Will you be shouting "Wolverines!!" when taking this 1000 yard plus shot once the SHTF?
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Old February 3, 2013, 02:32 PM   #19
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Ok...

Well, it is a serious question. I thank those who gave me good answers. It has been answered. I live in an Apt Complex with a lot of Soldiers from Ft. Carson who've been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Some have talked about the 338, and I was interested in other opinions.. that is, other than Gun store salesmen.

Not a Wolverine, not a troll, and clearly not a member of the club.

Have a nice life.
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Old February 3, 2013, 11:15 PM   #20
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The 7mm Rem Mag is a great long range cartridge, and would be a much more reasonable choice than the 338LM. I've got a Lapua Mag, but it's heavy, and ammo is not cheap (even reloading components set you back over a dollar a shot).

Even a good .308 would serve well for long range shooting.

But the problem is, most folks somehow think that just owning the rifle and a cool "ooh-ahh" scope is all they need. We continue to be amazed at our long range clinics and even our long range shooting matches just how ignorant many folks are of the fundamentals of hitting long range targets. We see lots of deflated egos, no kidding...

Without proper training, it's next to impossible to make a shot even at 500 yards--let alone 1000 yards. The only way to learn is to have someone to teach you. The equipment is really the easy part. The cartridge choice is not even so important (there are many good choices)... it's the knowledge that is incredibly lacking...

We recently held a long range match where a fellow scored 65 points out of a possible 777 points on plates ranging from 350 yards to 1050 yards... he had a custom short mag rifle, and a Swarovski scope, and had no clue as to what to do with it.

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Old February 3, 2013, 11:58 PM   #21
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"the shizz" is that start of where one would begin to wonder if it was serious, and the SHTF and post apocalyptic nonsense.
And the mention of using an ACOG on a 338 Lapua for 1000yards is another.

At first thought it would assume you were BSing or very new too shooting.

Did you do any distance shooting with your ARs? As in 300, 400, 500 yards?
If not, I would recommend something that is not going to punish your shoulder or your bank account whilst you learn't to shoot at those kind or ranges, before you look into something like a 338Lapua, or even a 7mm Rem Mag.
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Old February 4, 2013, 12:35 AM   #22
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Quote:
"the shizz" is that start of where one would begin to wonder if it was serious, and the SHTF and post apocalyptic nonsense.
And the mention of using an ACOG on a 338 Lapua for 1000yards is another.

At first thought it would assume you were BSing or very new too shooting.
Yep, these are the things that show a limited understanding of shooting in general. Because of these, I agree with the thought of getting something smaller. Let me be blunt; you are not ready for a 7mm mag, much less a .338 Lapua. If anything, get started with a .308 (at most) and learn the basics of marksmanship. Learn how to shoot at 100-300 yards, then you can start to shoot further.
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Old February 4, 2013, 02:38 AM   #23
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I'm happy with my Browning 7mmWSM with it's 4.5 x14 x40 scope it can shoot better than me.
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Old February 4, 2013, 09:17 AM   #24
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I am with GeauxTide on this. I also wonder if this has been seriously thought out?

Use the money for something useful or even save it.
Jerry
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Old February 4, 2013, 09:27 AM   #25
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I wasn't kidding and I'm not new to shooting.

I'm NOT an expert, so I thought I'd ask some experts.

My father used to tell me that after fighting in WWII and the Korean War, he had had enough of guns. He stayed in, but was in Quartermaster till he retired. He was a Master Sergeant, and could avoid carrying a weapon most of the time. I was an Army brat until I was 13. My dad had never hunted 4-legged animals and had no experience, or interest in teaching me.

I started seriously pursuing "The Art of the Rifle" at the age of 53. I'm 60 now. I was able to go hunting last season with a guy I work with who has been hunting since he was 12. I never saw a doe.

I go to the range as often as I can. I'm reliable at 200 yards, and belong to a club with a 600 yard range. With my 270 win, I've probably shot 2 or 3 thousand rounds. I keep my brass, so I know it's quite a lot.

I've taught myself pretty much everything I know, as far as technique. I talk to people I know that are gun enthusiasts like my new hunting partner.
I also get advice from my club members.

I DO appreciate help, but I do feel like I was being mocked for asking a stupid question. And yes, there really is such a thing as a stupid question.
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