Known for its remarkable accuracy and impressive ballistic performance, the .338 Lapua is designed to excel at extreme ranges. The .338 Lapua Magnum is a highly versatile and powerful cartridge, often chosen by long-range shooters, military snipers, and hunting enthusiasts.  This article will delve into the history of this cartridge, its specifications, ballistics, and a comparison with the .50 BMG. We’ll also explore the best .338 Lapua ammo for your purpose and discuss factors to consider when purchasing.

The Best .338 Lapua Ammo 

There are quite a few options out there when it comes to .338 Lapua ammo. We narrowed our list down to five optimal choices, which include the following:

(PPU) Prvi Partizan 250-grain HPBT

Don’t let the price point on these fool you, Prvi Partizan manufactures ammo for military use around the world and is well known for their quality ammunition. They feature a hollow point boat tail design that stabilizes the bullet and provides eyebrow-raising accuracy. The projectiles leave the muzzle at 2,952 FPS and boast 4,837 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. 

Hornady Match 250-grain HPBT

Known for accuracy, Hornady projectiles are created with extremely tight tolerances and strict quality control. These cartridges produce 2,540 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and 2,860fps of muzzle velocity. Hornady Match also features a hollow point boat tail design and 250-grain projectile.

Federal Gold Medal 250-grain HPBT

Long range isn’t just a distance. It’s a state of mind. Federal Gold Medal cartridges feature Sierra MatchKing bullets. This boat tail’s hollow point design provides optimal ballistic performance for match shooters. The bullets leave the muzzle at 2,950 FPS, producing 4,830 ft-lbs of energy. 

Barnes Precision Match 300-grain OTM

Confidence for long-range precision, delivered to your door in small black boxes. Barnes Precision Match open-tip match (OTM) cartridges feature a 300-grain projectile. They leave the muzzle at 2,600 feet per second (FPS) and fly with a flat trajectory to 300 yards and beyond. 

Black Hills 300-grain OTM

Factory production with hand-loaded performance. Ask competitors at the top what ammo they’re using, and there’s a good chance they’ll tell you, it’s Black Hills. The Black Hills 300gr OTM cartridges leave the muzzle at 2,625FPS and produce 4,589 ft-lbs of muzzle energy when fired from a 24” test barrel. Black Hills also offers a 250gr variation with an extra 235 FPS of muzzle velocity and comparable energy. 

Cartridge Specs & Overview

The .338 Lapua Magnum is a rimless, bottlenecked centerfire cartridge. It comes from a modified .416 Rigby case, necked down to accept a .338-inch (8.6mm) diameter bullet. The cartridge case is 2.724 inches (69.2mm) long, with an overall length of 3.681 inches (93.5mm). The large case capacity allows for a significant amount of propellant, contributing to the cartridge’s high muzzle velocity and energy.

Ballistics Overview

The .338 Lapua Magnum is renowned for its exceptional ballistics, offering flat trajectories and minimal wind drift at long distances. Typical muzzle velocities range from 2,900 to 3,000 feet per second (fps) for 250-grain bullets and around 2,750 to 2,850 fps for 300-grain bullets. This results in high kinetic energy, with 250-grain bullets delivering approximately 4,800 foot-pounds (ft-lbs) of energy and 300-grain bullets around 4,900 ft-lbs at the muzzle.

The high ballistic coefficient (BC) of .338 Lapua bullets contributes to their excellent long-range performance. Bullets with higher BC values retain velocity better and are less affected by wind, making them ideal for precision shooting.

Pros & Cons: .338 Lapua Magnum

Here’s a quick look at the good and the bad of the .338 Lapua cartridge. 

Pros

• Long-Range Accuracy: Exceptional precision at extreme distances.
• High Ballistic Coefficient: Minimal wind drift and flat trajectory.
• Versatility: Suitable for both tactical and sporting applications.
• Powerful: High muzzle energy capable of taking down large game.

Cons

• Recoil: Significant recoil that can be challenging for some shooters.
• Cost: Expensive ammunition and firearms.
• Weight: Heavier rifles and ammunition compared to smaller calibers.
• Barrel Life: Barrel wear can be faster due to high pressures and velocities.

Best Uses: .338 Lapua Ammo

The .338 Lapua Magnum excels in various applications, including:

• Long-Range Shooting: Ideal for precision shooting competitions and recreational long-range target practice.
• Military and Law Enforcement: Used by snipers for their accuracy and ability to engage targets at extreme distances.
• Hunting: Effective for large game hunting, such as elk and moose, where long-range shots are necessary.
• Tactical Applications: Employed in tactical scenarios where precision and stopping power are critical.

338 Lapua Magnum VS 50 BMG

Considered a medium-bore rifle, the .338 Lapua is one of the most powerful cartridges in that class of weapons. The .50 BMG is the most well-known and popular big-bore cartridge. It packs a ton of energy and has a huge, heavy projectile. 

When comparing the .338 Lapua Magnum to the .50 BMG, several factors come into play, including:

Ballistics Compared

The .338 Lapua Magnum is renowned for its excellent long-range accuracy and more manageable recoil than the .50 BMG. It delivers a high ballistic coefficient, allowing for flatter trajectories and less wind drift, making it ideal for precision shooting at extreme distances. Typical muzzle velocities for the .338 Lapua range from 2,900 to 3,000 feet per second for 250-grain bullets and 2,750 to 2,850 feet per second for 300-grain bullets, resulting in high kinetic energy and minimal drop over long distances.

In contrast, the .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun) cartridge provides even greater energy and range, making it suitable for targets at distances well beyond what the .338 Lapua can achieve. The .50 BMG has a significantly higher muzzle velocity, often exceeding 2,800 feet per second with a 700-grain bullet, and produces massive kinetic energy capable of penetrating armored vehicles and fortified positions. However, this immense power comes with significantly more recoil, making it challenging to manage without specialized equipment.

Practical Application Compared

The .338 Lapua Magnum is highly versatile, finding use in both military and civilian contexts. Military snipers favor it for its ability to deliver precise shots at long distances while maintaining a level of recoil that is manageable for repeated firing. Civilian shooters appreciate the .338 Lapua for precision shooting competitions and long-range hunting, where its accuracy and power are advantageous.

On the other hand, the .50 BMG is primarily used for anti-materiel purposes and can disable vehicles, equipment, and fortified structures. It is also used in long-range sniper roles, providing unparalleled reach and stopping power. Additionally, the .50 BMG is commonly deployed in heavy machine guns, where its high energy and sustained fire capability are critical. Due to its specific applications, the .50 BMG is less commonly used by civilian shooters and is often exclusive to military and specialized law enforcement roles.

Cost & Availability

When choosing between the .338 Lapua Magnum and the .50 BMG, cost and availability are significant considerations. The .338 Lapua is more affordable and widely available for civilian shooters. Although still a high-cost cartridge compared to standard calibers, it’s generally less expensive than the .50 BMG. Firearms chambered for the .338 Lapua are also more readily available and come in various configurations suitable for different shooting disciplines.

In contrast, the .50 BMG is generally more expensive and subject to stricter regulations in some areas. The cost of .50 BMG ammunition is significantly higher due to the larger case, more powder, and heavier bullets. Additionally, rifles chambered for the .50 BMG are often specialized and come with a hefty price tag, limiting their accessibility to civilian shooters. Regulatory restrictions in certain regions also make the .50 BMG less accessible, further contributing to its niche status.

Recoil & Weight

Recoil and weight affect the shooter’s experience and practicality of use. The .338 Lapua Magnum produces high recoil but remains manageable for most experienced shooters. You can control the recoil with proper technique and equipment, such as muzzle brakes and recoil pads, allowing accurate and consistent shooting. The weight of rifles chambered for the .338 Lapua is generally substantial, providing stability while still being portable enough for field use.

The .50 BMG generates hefty recoil, requiring specialized shooting setups to manage effectively. Shooters often use heavy-duty bipods, recoil-dampening systems, and substantially heavier rifles to mitigate the intense recoil. The significant weight of .50 BMG rifles, often exceeding 30 pounds, makes them less portable and practical for many shooting scenarios. Due to the extreme recoil and weight, the .50 BMG is often restricted to experienced shooters with the necessary equipment and training to handle it safely.

Brief History Of The .338 Lapua

The .338 Lapua Magnum came about in the 1980s as a long-range precision cartridge. The Finnish ammunition manufacturer Nammo Lapua Oy collaborated with the British firm Accuracy International and the Finnish rifle manufacturer SAKO to create a round capable of engaging targets at distances exceeding 1,500 meters. Initially, they intended the .338 Lapua for military snipers, balancing between the smaller, lighter .308 Winchester and the larger, heavier .50 BMG. Since its inception, the .338 Lapua has gained popularity among civilian shooters for long-range hunting, competitive shooting, and tactical applications.

After Action Report: Best .338 Lapua Ammo? 

The .338 Lapua Magnum is a remarkable cartridge that combines long-range precision, high ballistic performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a competitive shooter, hunter, or military professional, the .338 Lapua offers a powerful solution for engaging targets at extreme distances. 

You can choose the best .338 Lapua ammo to suit your needs by understanding the various ammunition options and their specific applications. Remember the pros and cons and consider how this cartridge compares to other options like the .50 BMG. You can make the most of this exceptional long-range cartridge with the right knowledge and preparation.