Opinion wanted from 338 Lapua shooters

[Greyfox]

I have been shooting and hunting at long range quite successfully out to 1000 yards yards or so for several years and have made good progress at mastering it. All my shooting has been done with mostly 6.5x284 rigs. I am now getting the itch to try the 338 Lapua. I recently won a 50% discount from Savage, so I would buy one of the Savage models.

My question is: Considering that my interest would be to use the rifle for both long range targets, but also for hunting larger animals the size of elk, which model Savage would the accomplished 338 guys recommend, The LRH Model that has a lighter weight barrel and plastic stock at a weight of 9.25#, or the heavier barreled 10/110 FLLP which has a heavier fluted barrel and the HS Precision tactical stock, weight at 10.7#. Maximum accuracy is most important to me since I will be interested in extending my range, but the weight of a 13 pound rig is a little concerning being a guy of average build and over 60 years old(sucks). Thanks.

 

[liltank]

I'm 35, fat, back surgery, and a bum knee. I would still go for the HS model. I go this route for the simple reason that my cousin has a custom Target action Savage in .338 Lapua. Now that gun weighs in at 20#, but 13 wouldn't be too bad. My Savage in .308 weighs in at about 21.5-13# right now. I have done one hike with it to get ready for deer season this past fall (3 miles up and down hills). Even though I am horribly out of shape it wasn't to bad. If you have a spot you are going to walk into and set all day, the HS model would be the way to go. I like the HS stock design better. Even though the Accu-stock is nice for what it is designed for, the rigidity of the HS will be better for the longer shots. If you plan to do spot and stalk, then the lighter rifle would be the route to go. JMHO

I wish I could win 50% off a Savage. I love Savage rifles. I built mine off of a Savage action. Before I touched it, it shot really well.

Tank

 

[Broz]

or the heavier barreled 10/110 FLLP which has a heavier fluted barrel and the HS Precision tactical stock, weight at 10.7#. Maximum accuracy is most important to me since I will be interested in extending my range, but the weight of a 13 pound rig is a little concerning being a guy of average build and over 60 years old(sucks). Thanks.

I think you answered your own question right there. You already know the answer. Loose the 1 1/2 lbs somewhere else and enjoy the bennifits of the heavier barrel and better stock. If you are going past 1000 yards yards it will pay off, if not keep hunting with your 6.5.

Thats my choice anyway and I ain't no kid either..

Jeff

 

[Tikkamike]

Funny this subject comes up My buddy is in the exact same delima, his first choice is the HS model but they are no where to be found, I think he is thinking of going with the LRH because he can get it now and the great part of the savage is he can upgrade any part of it as he see's fit for a reasonable price. My 338 Lapua is a custom weighing in at 12 lbs scoped. I am a spring chicken compared to these guys im 6'4" 300 lbs I can take a fair amount of abuse. I dont mind carrying my 338 but about the 5 mile mark I start thinking about my little 6 lb Sako A7 in 25-06. but its still very doable. I dont think 1.5 lbs is even a concern when LR accuracy is your main point of focus. I would gladly add 1.5 lbs to any of my rifles for better accuracy. so If you are wanting an out of the box rifle that you dont want to modify later I think HS is the way to go. if you like to tinker then try the LRH see how you like it and upgrade as desired. Both should be very good shooters

 

[yobuck]

well unlike broz i am still a kid. i'll be 77 in april and i still enjoy everyday.
ive recently been enjoying debating him on another site.
as a lefty im partial to savage also. they were first in this country to offer lefties bolt action rifles. i have quite a few of them.
accuracy of these things is nothing short of outstanding from a factory rifle.
as for your choice i too would select the heavier one. the ammount of weight difference is minimal compared to the other advantages.

my best advice for you would have nothing to do with your choice of rifles.
youve no doubt heard the expression more is not better. better is better.
same is true of hunting. especially long range hunting. the idea is not to hunt
harder, but to hunt smarter. rethink everything youve been doing. you still have lots of time if you do it right. if youve been hunting alone, stop right now.
select at least one and better two others who share your passion for what you do. select a few good locations from which you can establish ambush style long range hunts. one rifle for the group is all thats necessary. that leaves
others to carry other necessary equiptment. better yet stash important items
like sandbags and even benches at your locations.
the most important thing here is you will now have spotters to watch shots.
your own imagination can tailer make your choices. your success rate will increase and so will your enjoyment.
one final word of advise. try to select younger companions. that for obvious reasons. even if it means you supply the equiptment. and that way you wont be listening to somebody complain all day.

 

[Greyfox]

Thanks! You are exactly the guys I wanted to hear from. I have been intriqued for some time now reading about your experiences with the 338 Lapua. I was inclined to go with the HS but thought it wise to hear your views. I'm going to order the HS.

Art

 

[Sully2]

well unlike broz i am still a kid. i'll be 77 in april and i still enjoy everyday.
ive recently been enjoying debating him on another site.
as a lefty im partial to savage also. they were first in this country to offer lefties bolt action rifles. i have quite a few of them.
accuracy of these things is nothing short of outstanding from a factory rifle.
as for your choice i too would select the heavier one. the ammount of weight difference is minimal compared to the other advantages.

my best advice for you would have nothing to do with your choice of rifles.
youve no doubt heard the expression more is not better. better is better.
same is true of hunting. especially long range hunting. the idea is not to hunt
harder, but to hunt smarter. rethink everything youve been doing. you still have lots of time if you do it right. if youve been hunting alone, stop right now.
select at least one and better two others who share your passion for what you do. select a few good locations from which you can establish ambush style long range hunts. one rifle for the group is all thats necessary. that leaves
others to carry other necessary equipment. better yet stash important items
like sandbags and even benches at your locations.
the most important thing here is you will now have spotters to watch shots.
your own imagination can tailer make your choices. your success rate will increase and so will your enjoyment.
one final word of advise. try to select younger companions. that for obvious reasons. even if it means you supply the equiptment. and that way you wont be listening to somebody complain all day.

AMEN!!! to that post. Its basically what Im in the process of. Diabetic here so I have to be carefull I dont do something to cause my sugar level to drop radically ( talk about a bummer!!) and after an accident in sept of 2010 I developed COPD. They though Id be on O2 forever but Im weaned except for the occasional use. Its a Bit** to go from OK to a dammed cripple in a month or two... Im 63 now

 

[dstewart51]

You would have to upgrade everything on the LRH to make it the same as the 110BA or 110FCP. The action is not the same on the LRH as it is on the 110x.

The weight difference between the two is not significant.

As it sits in the photo equipped as in my sig, 14.5lbs

 

[liltank]

You would have to upgrade everything on the LRH to make it the same as the 110BA or 110FCP. The action is not the same on the LRH as it is on the 110x.

The weight difference between the two is not significant.

As it sits in the photo equipped as in my sig, 14.5lbs

That sure is purty! I love it!

 

[1eye]

I just had a friend drop off a new Savage 338 Laupa Model 111 , that the best it would shoot was 6 inches at 200yds. The new brass chambered hard and the die will not size the brass to fit right, I would guess the chamber is undersized. The 2nd problem is the barrel looking at it with the bore scope it looks like they rifled it with a chisel and file, really bad its so rough from tooling marks that its tearing the bullet jackets and is full of copper the full lengh of the barrel I told him that it will never shoot with this barrel . I took the barrel off and ordered a Krieger...........................

 

[dstewart51]

^ Its a mass produced gun, not a custom. There's bound to be a few that leave the factory that never should have. Mine shoots great! No copper fouling traces, 40-50 rounds between cleaning.