Help me justify another rifle! .338 Lapua

[drandolph4570]

Leave the 338 at home. Won't be enough for impala, those bastards are tough as nails. Bring the 50BMG. Works on everything up to kudu. But if you think you might go after Eland, you will likely need to just call in a airstrike.

In all seriousness buy a 338 to shoot steel at home. Its fun, but it has no business with you in Africa.

And I am pretty sure RSA has rules against importing rifles of "military caliber". I am pretty sure the 338 falls under that, but some of the others may be able to chime in on that.

Following and thanks

 

[revturbo9967]

Thanks for the advice that is the second person I've heard say the Christenesen rifles aren't as good as they should be.

He is correct. For the cost, they should be sub moa. If you're going to get a 338LM , have one built, don't buy an off the shelf one.

 

[drandolph4570]

View attachment 421881 Buy it. Take it to Africa. Wear full tactical gear or 501s. Shoot animals off the truck at 800 plus yards. Post your hunt report. Start a shit storm. Piss off everyone who doesn't like brakes, long range hunting, shooting off the truck or big tactical cartridges designed for full combaty aficionados. View attachment 421882

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/906518766#carousel-modal-view-item doesn't look too tactical and by 501"s like Levi's? I was thinking 5.11"s would go better with my plate carrier anyways. Regardless would a .308 or .30-06 or even a .45-70 be better? Wait those were all military rounds capable of hitting at 800 yards. Thanks for your input

 

[drandolph4570]

For me, the issue with the 338 Lapua has more to do with the rifles it is chambered in than the caliber.

A 340 Weatherby (or the 338-378 ) is nearly the same ballistically, but it’s found in a traditional hunting rifle ( Mark V, and some other CRF custom jobs). As such, you’ll find more hunters using it in Africa (while others complain about the stock shape) than a Lapua.

The Lapua is typically found in 12 lb, bipod shooters with muzzle brakes that are shot from prone, or some low shooting position. However, African game shooting is mostly done from sticks in a standing position or offhand. That’s not conducive to the ergonomics of a rifle built for prone.

If you wanna get a Lapua, get one, and use it for elk. Get a different 338 in a more traditional hunting chassis to make it easier for using in Africa.

My $0.02

Looking at a stock configured like the above but a little wary of the Christensen after some feedback from other members. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/906518766#carousel-modal-view-item

 

[BourbonTrail]

Looking at a stock configured like the above but a little wary of the Christensen after some feedback from other members. https://www.gunbroker.com/item/906518766#carousel-modal-view-item

That’s not horrible, but there’s better for hunting …Try this (maybe remove one of the front sling lugs):

Sako 85 Long Range .338 Lapua Mag Rifle Free Ship - Bolt Action Rifles at GunBroker.com : 903504292

Buy Sako 85 Long Range .338 Lapua Mag Rifle Free Ship: GunBroker is the largest seller of Bolt Action Rifles Rifles Guns & Firearms All: 903504292

www.gunbroker.com

 

[spike.t]

Go buy a really nice 416 Rigby.....you are then getting to use the parent case , but thank God in a beautiful rifle .....there I have found a way to assist you in purchasing a rifle..as opposed to saying no ...

 

[revturbo9967]

You will find many rifle enthusiasts on this forum with a wealth of knowledge. Many here could write a book on rifles, reloading and marksmanship. Most if not all will have respect for the 338LM in the basic sense, but you will not get many positive comments when speaking of hunting with one in Africa. From my gatherings almost all African PHs hate brakes on a rifle, they enjoy keeping their hearing in tact. They also do not like to take risky long range shots. Many of us can shoot well up to 1000 meters and beyond, but will not come close to this while hunting, especially in Africa. You will find most African hunters would rather get close enough to touch the animal rather then poke it from 600 meters out. Simply put, you will find the topic of hunting with a 338LM in Africa not to be too popular. Nobody will argue buying one, but just know what you're up against when asking these types of questions on this forum. This is just my 2 cents, good luck with your rifle search.

 

[Hogpatrol]

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/906518766#carousel-modal-view-item doesn't look too tactical and by 501"s like Levi's? I was thinking 5.11"s would go better with my plate carrier anyways. Regardless would a .308 or .30-06 or even a .45-70 be better? Wait those were all military rounds capable of hitting at 800 yards. Thanks for your input

Out of those three, I would take the 45-70 but that's coming from a person who took a smokeless muzzleloader on his first Africa hunt. Shot 200 gr saboted SSTs and they worked as advertised. Having said that, if you're a lousy shot and practice once a year on paper plates, by all means take the heaviest cartridge you can handle.

 

[CJW]

More than a few years ago when the cartridge was all the rage, the local gun range would see a half dozen or more of them shooting the steel ram at 500 meters. All you heard was Thawack, Thawack. Then boredom and the cost of ammo to make noise set in. I haven't seen one at our club for at least five years, maybe longer. Same for the other solution looking for a problem cartridges like the Cheytacs.

That's why I've never bought one. The longest range I have is 400 and I can use the 223 or -06 on that.

 

[Velo Dog]

That's a lot of good information. I could also bring a 300 WSM which is pretty similar to a 30-06 or make the vintage African rifle crowd happy and bring a little 'Merica to the party and bring my .45-70 .....in lever action and push big bullets out of a straight wall case. I want to justify a rifle that can let be used for bison, elk, bear (brown hopefully someday) moose, etc. Thanks for your input

You are quite welcome.
Sorting out your equipment is part of the fun.
For bison, elk, grizzly, and moose, two cartridges come to mind.
The .338 Winchester Magnum and the .375 H&H Magnum.
My preference is the .375 however, I have owned both (I live in Alaska and have hunted in Africa 5 times).
Either of those two calibers would serve you extremely well up here and / or in Africa.

 

[Nyati]

Welcome to AH !

I would rather use a .338WM for plainsgame.

 

[rdog]

Going to Africa for plains game in 2023, not sure I'll return but have been looking for an excuse to buy a 338 Lapua since it can also be used in Noth America and its a cool rifle. Looking at the Christenson Arms since it is lightweight and not too tactical looking. Looking to put a 3x9x40 zeiss on it for the trip but I'll upgrade to something after for longer ranges since I don't plan on 800+ yard shots in Africa. I'm a reloader so I can doctor just about any round for what I'm doing within reason. Any feedback would be appreciated

I have a friend who has a Remington 700 338 Lapua its a brutal rifle to shoot with out the muzzle
break & so loud it almost blows your hat off & you can feel the back blast on your face, with it on .I am not
trying to talk you out of it, see if you can try one first, i don't believe the 338 Lapua is a hunting rifle cartridge i had a 340 Weatherby & it was ok my son has a Win mod70 338 WM its got enough power, & ammo & brass is easy to come by & does not not burn 1/4 lb of powder per shot.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

Are you right handed? Or… Are you left handed??

Dakota 76 African (LH) in .338 Lapua

Dakota 76 African (LH) in .338 Lapua for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Compromise.

 

[JimP]

Why do you need to justify it?

If you want one go get one. Wanting one should be enough justification.

But if you haven't shot one you need to. My 340 Weatherby can and is brutal to shoot more than 10 rounds without the brake on it

 

[CoElkHunter]

I have a friend who has a Remington 700 338 Lapua its a brutal rifle to shoot with out the muzzle
break & so loud it almost blows your hat off & you can feel the back blast on your face, with it on .I am not
trying to talk you out of it, see if you can try one first, i don't believe the 338 Lapua is a hunting rifle cartridge i had a 340 Weatherby & it was ok my son has a Win mod70 338 WM its got enough power, & ammo & brass is easy to come by & does not not burn 1/4 lb of powder per shot.

The brakes are good for clearing the benches around you when there’s six benches open on either side of you and some guy wants to set up on the bench next to you and shoot his AR10. A .300WM with a brake WILL solve that issue real quick. Ha! Ha!

 

[drandolph4570]

Are you right handed? Or… Are you left handed??

Dakota 76 African (LH) in .338 Lapua

Dakota 76 African (LH) in .338 Lapua for sale online.

www.gunsinternational.com

Compromise.

Bummer right handed

 

[drandolph4570]

The brakes are good for clearing the benches around you when there’s six benches open on either side of you and some guy wants to set up on the bench next to you and shoot his AR10. A .300WM with a brake WILL solve that issue real quick. Ha! Ha!

Thanks rdog I'll ask around and see if anyone has one.

 

[rdog]

My son the one with the MOD 70 338 WM also has one in 300 WM its been Magnaported its noise & back blast is awful to the point that i am scared of it when he fires it near me! & i was a 50 BMG
gunner on an M113 ACP. some of the ranges in my state will not allow brakes & those that do
have dedicated areas for them. & i wear hearing aids due to my shooting in the army & hunting
in my youth with a 357 revolver.

 

[drandolph4570]

My son the one with the MOD 70 338 WM also has one in 300 WM its been Magnaported its noise & back blast is awful to the point that i am scared of it when he fires it near me! & i was a 50 BMG
gunner on an M113 ACP. some of the ranges in my state will not allow brakes & those that do
have dedicated areas for them. & i wear hearing aids due to my shooting in the army & hunting
in my youth with a 357 revolver.

Still considering it just would load it down and take break off for trip to Africa. I can make it behave like a 375 h&h for the trip I think. I need to read up some to confirm. Then when I get home I can load it back to its full potential and put the break back on for long range fun

 

[rdog]

Still considering it just would load it down and take break off for trip to Africa. I can make it behave like a 375 h&h for the trip I think. I need to read up some to confirm. Then when I get home I can load it back to its full potential and put the break back on for long range fun

That sounds like a good plan, i wanted one when they came out but using my friends Rem 700 changed my mind.