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338 Bullet vs 338 Lapua Bullet
- Thread starter Mustang67
- Start date
Stats Shooter
New member
To answer your question, NO. You do not have to buy a 'special" Lapua bullet. Lapua makes bullets, so does Sierra, Nosler, Hornady, Barnes , etc...Lapua developed the .338 Lapua magnum by necking down a .416 Rigby cartridge to accept a .338 cal bullet. Hence the name .338 Lapua magnum. Just like Winchester developed the .308 Winchester, but you do not have to buy Winchester brand bullets.
So, any .338 cal (diameter) bullet will work in a .338 Lapua magnum, or .338 win mag, or .338 Remington ultra mag etc.
I have a .338 Lapua. My load is 91 gr Retumbo and a 300 Grain Sierra match king. It's right around 2900 fps with a 27" barrel and groups 7" at 1000 yards. I use Lapua Brand brass, Hornady brass is a bit soft, HSM is OK though. That load is hotish so start closer to 84 gr and work up.
Good luck
So, any .338 cal (diameter) bullet will work in a .338 Lapua magnum, or .338 win mag, or .338 Remington ultra mag etc.
I have a .338 Lapua. My load is 91 gr Retumbo and a 300 Grain Sierra match king. It's right around 2900 fps with a 27" barrel and groups 7" at 1000 yards. I use Lapua Brand brass, Hornady brass is a bit soft, HSM is OK though. That load is hotish so start closer to 84 gr and work up.
Good luck
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Thank you for taking the time to explain, and appreciate the reload info as well. I did buy Lapua brand brass. Based off of the initial reading I did do, I found Lapua brass was highly recommended.
In preparation of reloading I purchased some Barnes 338 Lapua 280 grain LRX Boattail. However for just simple target shooting I would like to get the cost down. Best price I have seen so far was for some Sierra SBT GameKing 215 grain for 26 bucks.
I have quite a bit more reading to do before I get started. Also have a friend with a fair amount of experience that will come over and help when I am ready.
For now I am enjoying de-priming and cleaning the brass.
In preparation of reloading I purchased some Barnes 338 Lapua 280 grain LRX Boattail. However for just simple target shooting I would like to get the cost down. Best price I have seen so far was for some Sierra SBT GameKing 215 grain for 26 bucks.
I have quite a bit more reading to do before I get started. Also have a friend with a fair amount of experience that will come over and help when I am ready.
For now I am enjoying de-priming and cleaning the brass.
Stats Shooter
New member
I do not know what the twist of your rifle is, mine is 1:10. A 1:10 twist at .338 Lapua velocities will shoot best with bullets above 250 graines... Actually more like 275 graines plus.
It isn't that 215 gr won't shoot decently. Just that a bullet that light in .338 Lapua isn't taking advantage of the cartridge. .338 bullets 275 gr+ designed for long range shooting will have much higher ballistic coefficients and are closer to optimum stability which is between Sg 1.4 and 1.5.
And given the cost of powder, and brass in the .338 LM, saving 20 cents or so on bullets isn't worth it to me. Look at the Hornady BTHP' around 280 graines to cut cost.
It isn't that 215 gr won't shoot decently. Just that a bullet that light in .338 Lapua isn't taking advantage of the cartridge. .338 bullets 275 gr+ designed for long range shooting will have much higher ballistic coefficients and are closer to optimum stability which is between Sg 1.4 and 1.5.
And given the cost of powder, and brass in the .338 LM, saving 20 cents or so on bullets isn't worth it to me. Look at the Hornady BTHP' around 280 graines to cut cost.
Don Fischer
New member
If you are a hunter, I don't think brass does make a lot of difference. There is some brass, I can't remember the brand, that has a habit of failing after just a few reloads. Remington, Winchester, Federal and Norma have always lasted well for me. I do prefer fairly hot loads! I haven't seen Norma brass for years but suspect it's still out there. My rifles all shoot between 1/2" and 1" loads all day long regardless the brass I'm using. But some brass is heavier than other's which means less case capacity. Remington and Norma brass were always a bit heavier. Took a bit less powder to reach max pressure.
.338 Lapua is the name of a cartridge. It has nothing whatever to do with the bullet. Please read your manual again.
The difference between a .338 bullet and the .338 Lapua bullet is the price. Lapua .338" bullets start at $82.99 per 100. Hornady's are currently on sale at Midway for $36.79 per 100.
The difference between a .338 bullet and the .338 Lapua bullet is the price. Lapua .338" bullets start at $82.99 per 100. Hornady's are currently on sale at Midway for $36.79 per 100.