.308 vs .338LM

[Hootiewho]

If you had your choice between a XM3 type build (Suppressed) or a .338LM (Suppressed), which would you pick? Which is the best all around 0-1000 yard rifle and why?

[Derek_Connor]

If you had your choice between a XM3 type build (Suppressed) or a .338LM (Suppressed), which would you pick? Which is the best all around 0-1000 yard rifle and why?

Very Loaded question.

0-1000 is a wide spectrum of shooters...

*the best all around* = you have to define that, whats best for you might not be best for me. Cost, availability of ammo, ability to reload, ranges to shoot at etc

I'd say for about 90% of precision shooters, .308 is the "best round". I'd also say that 90% of precision shooters rarely shoot past 700 yards, if at all.

For the other top 10% who go out every week to the 1k range and beyond, who reload their own ammo, .338 is a no brainer.

[shark31]

If you don't shoot past 1k, I would pick the .308 every time.

[trg42]

What are you doing with the rifle ? Punching paper ? The 308 will be fine out to 1000yds . Keep in mind that you are burning DOUBLE the powder for the additional performance you might not really need

If you are using this rig for hunting then its a no brainer . 338 Lapua will hit much harder. Drove a 250Gr Barnes TSX through chest and out far side front shoulder @500 yds of a bull elk last fall.

Here is a size comparision . There is a 5.56 , 7.62 and 338LM ( flanked by 50 BMG )



Don't let people talk you out of a 338LM because of reloading cost. You need to compare apples to apples . Comparing the cost of 308 Win ( Win or Rem headstamp ) brass to Lapua or Norma brand 338LM is not realistic . 223 Rem Norma cases are $72 / 100 ! Even if you spend $200 / year more on brass who cares. If you have a 338Lapua you probably have over $4000 into the rifle. The Lapua and Norma brand brass last suprisingly long in the LM

Bullet selection is limited with the 338LM . For paper your choices are the 250Gr SMK , 250Gr Lapua Scener ( awesome bullet BTW ) and the 300 Gr SMK . Some factory rifles ( TRG-42 )will not have the twist to stabalize the 300 Gr SMK. Haven't tried the new A-Max yet

Way more selection for match bullets with the 308

I will say this, I have more fun with my 308s. I can shoot it all day long. The 338LM muzzle blast gets tiresome real quick. Also , you will be forever waiting for your barrel to cool. If I shoot 3 shots out of my 338LM the mirage through the scope even at relatively low power is pretty bad due to the heat from the barrel.

If you want somthing different you can go with a 260Rem . The 142Gr 6.5mm SMKs have significantly better BC than the similar weight 155gr 30Cal SMK (.580 vs .440 ..nominal ) . The 6.5s 142Gr BC is better than the much vaulted 30 Cal 175Gr SMK ( typical 1000yrd bullet for the 308 Win ) . Advantage is you can drive the 142Gr faster than you can the 175Gr

[Hootiewho]

I appreciate the info guys. To tell the truth, I already have a .308 w/can, and already have a Surgeon XL action, stock on the way and waiting on a barrel for the .338LM. The possibility of an future anti-firearms legislation with the upcoming election got me to thinking maybe I should just stick with one rifle, sell the other and put that money into another project. I think I will really like the .338LM when I get done with it, just curious as to others would view the two. As far as the cost of the .338LM, I am well over the halfway mark on what I have already spent.

[Alpha Sierra]

If you don't shoot past 1k, I would pick the .308 every time.

+1

No contest.

[Alpha Sierra]

If you want somthing different you can go with a 260Rem . The 142Gr 6.5mm SMKs have significantly better BC than the similar weight 155gr 30Cal SMK (.580 vs .440 ..nominal ) . The 6.5s 142Gr BC is better than the much vaulted 30 Cal 175Gr SMK ( typical 1000yrd bullet for the 308 Win ) . Advantage is you can drive the 142Gr faster than you can the 175Gr

The 260's only downside is barrel life, compared to a 308. As it happens, those are the calibers of my two precision rifles.

Another underrated cartridge is the 6.5X55. Loaded to modern rifle pressures it is definitely a cartridge to be reckoned with.

[lowprone]

I can't help it, I really love the 300 WM, and all I need is a barrel, mag and bolthead and it is a 338LM.

[KevinB]

Beyond 600m I am a big fan of .338LM for an operational round.

However if you just into punching paper the .308 can do 1k, w/o the weight, recoil and cost of the LM.

If you can get RUAG .338LM ammo they have a variety of different rounds - from BTHP to AP (for those who want to defeat armored glass etc. whatever floats your boat.)

[DocGKR]

I am a huge proponent of .338 Lap Mag for military sniping. The 300 gr Ruag is a great load, as are BH's. Basically, .338 LM doubles the range of .308 with about half the drift of a .300 Win Mag. In addition, .338 LM typically has over double the effective barrel life of a .300 WM. Todd Hodnett has done a lot of development work on .338 LM and has proven that a 20" 1/9.35 twist .338 LM retains accuracy out beyond 1500. He recently demonstrated a 5 shot, 3/4 MOA group at 2000 meters using a Sako TRG42 with a SF muzzlebrake and suppressor.

Many organizations using the .338 LM also keep .308's, as .308 is a great training tool and enforces wind reading and ranging skills, without the cost, blast, and flinch inducing characteristics of .338LM.