338/378 wby vs 338LM

[demo9pro]

Well guys, as the title states its a 338/378 wby vs 338LM.

Ive got my eyes on a 338LM Remington 700P but after talking to a few guys, they have told me im an idiot and should just get a 338/378wby instead.

So, ive done a bit of searching, but cant find any thing that compares the 2 cartridges head to head.

So, what do you guys recommend? It will be used for hunting deer upto 1000yards, and I dont want to build a custom gun. I also reload and have got a smaller gun in 300wsm.

Can you get any commercially built long range tactical 338/378wby's or are they just custom jobs?

Well, any input will be appreciated.

Thanks!!

 

[Michael Eichele]

My opinion is go with the 338 LM. Yes the 338-378 is faster but that is all you get with it. With the Lapua, brass quality is nothing short of PHENOMINAL. Woud you build a house on a poor foundation? If your answer is no, why would you build a load on a substandard peice of brass? Weatherby brass sucks. Not to mention wby rifles arent a favorate among most LR shooters because it is hard to find one that shoots worth a crap. Remington quality is less than wby but they still manage to make rifles that shoot lights freakin out. If you demand the fastest go with the 338-378. If you demand function and concistency, go with the LM.

I appologize in advance to any wby lovers out there.

 

[grit]

Of the two, the Lapua. My choice would be the ultra or the edge.

 

[demo9pro]

Thanks guys, Michele, thats exactly what Ive been thinking.

Wildcatting isnt an option for me...

 

[TheReeper]

Go with the 338 Lapua Magnum, IMHO, it's a way better cartridge.

 

[pinshootr]

CHECK OUT THE AR-30M FROM ARMALITE. GREAT QUALITY FACTORY GUN AT A REASONABLE PRICE. gun)

 

[4xforfun]

CHECK OUT THE AR-30M FROM ARMALITE. GREAT QUALITY FACTORY GUN AT A REASONABLE PRICE. gun)

I did some load development for a friend of mine who had an AR 30. My first thought was "why N L would anyone want one????.....SUPRISE!!!! It was a real shooter. It never shot a group over 1 inch at 100 (3 shot groups) during breakin-load development, and I think the final load came in at around a half inch. It was a freakin chimney to clean during break in, but got much easier to clean at around 100 rounds. It ended up with moderate loads of H1000 behind a 250 SMK. I wish I had tried 300 gr MK. I was under the impression that it had a 1-12 twist....WRONG......1-10..... 300's would have worked very well is my guess!

The only problem I have found is that after the 2nd firing it is starting to split some necks. I don't have a clue why. The loads are mild and I am a ZIT when it comes to gunsmithing. He has another lapua built on a weatherby action by Clay Spencer. No problems with that one!! My guess is there is a chamber issue with the AR.

 

[jeff 300]

Of the two, the Lapua. My choice would be the ultra or the edge.

338 rum r 338 lapa

 

[hammertyme]

SInce I just went down this road myself I can only say what I know> You are welcome.

I purchased a Savage Target action (undesignated) and made a bolt pistol with 17" barrel in 338 X 378 Improved. Then I bought the longer Savage/Stevens action in 300 Win Mag. Took the barrel off and sold it for $75. so now I have an action that cost me $200. SInce I make my own stocks I just had the $300. for the barrel and I have velocity gains over the Lapua improved by several hundred feet per second.

I agree with the guys that the Norma Brass does not stack up to the Lapua brass. But, I am shooting little tiny bughole groups at 100 yards and 1.5" at 500 yards. Not sure about case life but since I am not racing it, should be just fine. Guess the next thing would be to place a 32-36 inch barrel on the rifle and see what kind of velocity gains I would get.

Just some thoughts

Neal

 

[paul2atlo8]

Wow 1.5" at 500yds sounds to good to be true? Even from a 338-378 imp wby case, sure would like to see that 500yd group.

 

[hammertyme]

Kodiak, AK you name the time. The bullet is one of the very best quality bullets I have ever shot. I do not own another gun that consistantly shoots this well. I have a lot of very good shooters but the big bores just shoot lights out.

Neal

 

[hammertyme]

Come to think of it, isn't the world record 2.5 or 2.6 at a thousand yards? Read and article last week where a 14 year old kid made the mile club which is shooting a 11" by 16" target.

Neal

 

[paul2atlo8]

It would be inconvenent at this time and probably any other time for me to go to Kodiak,However I would appreciate the information on this bullet that you talk about, also the powder, primer, and coal. you also stated "several hundred feet over the Lapua imp," do you know how much, really? A pic of your rifle with the stock you make would be nice. Sounds like your quite a shooter.

 

[PFCSkoug]

i would definatly go with the .338lm because the wby is really hard to load for. if your dies dont match your chamber exactly you will never see accuracy you want out of your rifle.
Nathan