Well gents, has anyone ordered an upper in .338 lapua magnum??? I've got an AR-50 and thinking of something different for my next build. It would be a single shot yes, but this could be a long range target shooter as well as a hunter (.50 BMG isn't legal in most states for hunting). Yes, the .338 lapua mag ammo is right up there with the BMG as far as cost goes but I get a wide range of bullets for use, proven long range accuracy (If I, and the upper, do it's part) and the ability to hunt with it.

What say you?

Sorry, wanted this under the big Bohica Arms post.

Actually, there are only a few states that have outlawed 50 BMG for hunting.  It is definitely not illegal in MOST states.

-David
Edgewood, NM

I stand corrected!

Quoted: Well gents, has anyone ordered an upper in .338 lapua magnum??? I've got an AR-50 and thinking of something different for my next build. It would be a single shot yes, but this could be a long range target shooter as well as a hunter (.50 BMG isn't legal in most states for hunting). Yes, the .338 lapua mag ammo is right up there with the BMG as far as cost goes but I get a wide range of bullets for use, proven long range accuracy (If I, and the upper, do it's part) and the ability to hunt with it. What say you?

Are you sure it is not ALOT more than 50?  I have a buddy who shoots competition with one and he reloads his own.  His shells are costing him between $7-8 a shot including brass, primers, powder and bullet.  That is MUCH more than it's costing me for 50's.  I am paying .93 cents a round or $1.53 a round if you count brass.

I buy in bulk...

One thing for sure, it is an awesome round.

Southern Shooter:

Apples to apples 338 Lapua is much cheaper to shoot than 50 BMG.  I load for both, even though the 338 Lapua isn't mine.  I've got about $1.25 per case into brass for TZZ 94 for the 50 BMG and about $1.75 per case for the 338 Lapua.  I'm burning $0.51 of powder each shot in the 50 (H50BMG), $0.22 per shot in the Lapua (RL 25).  Match 50 bullets start out at $1.65 each for about the cheapest match bullet around, the Amax.  300 grain Sierra Match Kings in 338 Lapua cost $0.58 each.  50 BMG primers run $0.35 each.  Federal Magnum Match primers cost $0.037 each.  I would expect 10 firings from the Lapua brass, $0.175 per firing.  I expect 15 firings from the TZZ brass, $0.083 per firing.

Now the math.


338 Lapua Per shot:  Brass: $0.175, Powder $0.22, Bullet $0.58, Primer $0.037 for a grand total of $1.01 per shot.

50 BMG per shot:  Brass $0.083, Powder $0.51, Bullet $1.65, Primer $0.35 for a grand total of $2.59 per shot.


That is an apples to apples comparison so far as brass and bullet quality.  Shipping and hazmat was not included in either case but powder prices were estimated at 8 lb jug prices.  Bullets priced per retail box from Midway.

Comparing the cost of shooting AP bullets out of a 50 BMG and match bullets out of a 338 Lapua is an unfair comparison.  Amax's have performed to 1/2 MOA out to 1000 yards with the combination I described as have 300 SMKs.

Comparing Lapua brass to LC "once fired" out a machinegun is also patently flawed.

I can't imagine $6 to $8 per round 338 Lapua reloads unless the guy is tossing the brass after every firing, buying the powder 1 pound at a time mailorder with hazmat, and having his bullets custom turned on a CNC lathe.

That's my take.

-David
Edgewood, NM

I know it's an unfair comparison, but it is what I shoot.  AP's. Accuracy is not going to be similiar either.  Very different rounds.  

I don't know where my buddy is getting his stuff, that was his price per round he gave me a while back when he got me into reloading.

I know he uses new Lapua brass on all his rounds in competition.  I don't know if he reuses any for practice or not.

Southern shooter:

If you would like to make the comparison to AP's, just plug in $0.35 each per bullet for 50 BMG and $0.25 for 338 Lapua using cheapie Hornady Interlocks.  Even if you bump the powder down to IMR-5010 for the 50 to $0.25 per round the Lapua is still cheaper to shoot, just  because of the cost of 50 BMG primers.

Using the above figures, you get about $1.03 per round for 50 BMG and $0.68 for 338 Lapua.

Changing one more variable, if you use cheapy MG fired brass for your 50 and you buy it at the now super cheap price of $0.55 each, you'll only get a max of 6 firings out of it before the casehead separates for an average price per firing of around $0.092, which actually brings UP your per shot cost to around $0.009 per round for 50 BMG.

The moral of the story, you can shoot damn near anything cheaper than 50 BMG.  The only exceptions that quickly come to mind are a few African Nitro cartridges, 20mm Vulcan (and other NFA rounds), 416 Barrett, and 408 Chey-tac.  And bear in mind none of this even includes the higher cost of 50 BMG reloading equipment which costs a mother load more than standard equipment.  Heck, 338 Lapua dies will fit in my Redding T-7 I use for 357 MAG, 44 MAG, 223, 308, 270, 30-06, 300 MAG, and the list goes on.

-David
Edgewood, NM

nmmi9100

Would it be possible to see the differences in ballistic performance in a chart.  Or the BC and MV for those loads.  I can put it into a calculator.  Price is only one consideration in the argument the other is the performance.

BC for a 750 gr Amax is 1.050 and out of a 30" barrel I can get about 2600 fps  with it.  I'm out of town hunting (in TX) and I don't have the 50 data with me, might be a 2620.  The 338 Lapua I load for a buddy and he's also out of town, hunting in Southern NM but the BC of those 300 SMKs is about .765 if memory serves and I think he is getting between 2600 and 2650 fps out an AR-30.  He's chronographed the stuff before so i'm sure I can get you the exact number.

To me the real difference between 338 Lapua is less about performance/price and more about portability.  You can stalk a ways with an AR-30 338 Lapua.  Don't plan on stalking very far with a 50, even with a fairly light weight Barrett M99.

-David
Edgewood, NM