The 338 Lapua Magnum is a rimless, bottlenecked centerfire rifle cartridge developed in the 1980s by the Finnish company Lapua for military sniper applications, aiming to provide exceptional range and penetration capabilities against body armor at distances beyond 1000 meters. It was created in collaboration with Accuracy International and adopted by several armed forces for long-range engagements. The design is based on the 416 Rigby case necked down to accept .338 bullets, allowing for high velocities with heavy projectiles. It gained widespread popularity among civilian long-range shooters and hunters for its superior ballistics and energy retention. Factory loads are available from various manufacturers, typically with 250gr, 285gr, and 300gr bullets. This article focuses specifically on ballistics, analyzing external and wound ballistics to provide clear understanding for reloaders and hunters. Supersonic loads are examined for practical hunting applications. For detailed history and loading data, visit our 338 Lapua Magnum complete guide.
Core External Ballistics
The 338 Lapua Magnum utilizes different bullet weights and velocities, with typical supersonic loads behaving similarly to other large-bore magnum cartridges. Heavier bullets maintain energy better at distance, while lighter ones offer flatter trajectories. High-level data shows muzzle velocities from 2650 to 2950 fps, with ballistic coefficients ranging from 0.587 to 0.822, making it suitable for hunting out to 1000 yards practically. For comparisons with similar calibers, see our long-range hunting calibers guide or big game caliber selection guide.
Bullet Drop to 1000 Yards
| Range (yards) | 250gr Sierra MatchKing (in) | 285gr Hornady ELD-M (in) | 300gr Berger Hybrid (in) | 300gr Sierra MatchKing (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.5 | 4.0 |
| 300 | 9.9 | 11.5 | 12.5 | 13.9 |
| 400 | 22.8 | 26.0 | 28.0 | 30.5 |
| 500 | 42.0 | 47.0 | 49.0 | 54.4 |
| 600 | 68.1 | 75.0 | 78.0 | 86.5 |
| 700 | 102.2 | 112.0 | 116.0 | 127.6 |
| 800 | 145.0 | 160.0 | 164.0 | 178.7 |
| 900 | 198.0 | 219.0 | 223.0 | 241.1 |
| 1000 | 262.0 | 289.0 | 293.0 | 316.1 |
The numbers reveal that lighter bullets like the 250gr exhibit less drop at shorter ranges but increase significantly beyond 500 yards due to velocity loss. The heavier 300gr loads remain more stable, staying practical for ethical hunting out to 800 yards where drop stays under 180 inches, allowing for holdover adjustments. Beyond 700 yards, the caliber’s ballistic limitations become apparent for lower BC loads, with drops exceeding 100 inches, making it unsuitable for long-range shots without significant elevation correction. Realistic ranges for hunting are 500-800 yards for deer and 400-600 for larger game to ensure humane kills. For deeper charts, refer to our 338 Lapua Magnum ballistics or caliber hunting guide. The calculations assume a 100-yard zero, emphasizing the importance of knowing your load’s performance in the field.
Wind Drift (10 mph Crosswind)
| Range (yards) | 250gr Sierra MatchKing (in) | 285gr Hornady ELD-M (in) | 300gr Berger Hybrid (in) | 300gr Sierra MatchKing (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 2.0 |
| 300 | 4.6 | 4.0 | 3.8 | 4.6 |
| 400 | 8.4 | 7.5 | 7.0 | 8.3 |
| 500 | 13.5 | 12.0 | 11.5 | 13.2 |
| 600 | 20.0 | 17.5 | 17.0 | 19.5 |
| 700 | 28.0 | 24.0 | 23.5 | 27.2 |
| 800 | 37.5 | 32.0 | 31.0 | 36.5 |
| 900 | 49.0 | 41.0 | 40.0 | 47.5 |
| 1000 | 62.0 | 51.0 | 50.0 | 60.2 |
Higher BC bullets like the 300gr Berger Hybrid resist drift better, showing under 7 inches at 400 yards, compared to over 8 inches for lower BC loads. Wind affects practical accuracy beyond 400 yards, where drift exceeds 7 inches, making wind reading crucial. At distances over 600 yards, drift becomes unreliable for precise shots, limiting the caliber to moderate ranges in windy conditions unless using high BC projectiles. Realistic expectations include holding for 4-5 inches at 300 yards, ideal for open or calm environments. For wind-related tips, check our big game hunting guide.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 250gr Sierra MatchKing (ft-lb) | 285gr Hornady ELD-M (ft-lb) | 300gr Berger Hybrid (ft-lb) | 300gr Sierra MatchKing (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 4100 | 4300 | 4400 | 3862 |
| 300 | 3700 | 3900 | 4000 | 3498 |
| 400 | 3300 | 3500 | 3600 | 3162 |
| 500 | 2950 | 3150 | 3250 | 2851 |
| 600 | 2650 | 2850 | 2900 | 2565 |
| 700 | 2350 | 2500 | 2600 | 2302 |
| 800 | 2100 | 2250 | 2300 | 2062 |
| 900 | 1850 | 2000 | 2050 | 1845 |
| 1000 | 1650 | 1750 | 1800 | 1649 |
Energy decays steadily, with heavier loads retaining over 2000 ft-lb beyond 800 yards, sufficient for ethical hunting on large game. Lighter loads drop below 2000 ft-lb around 700 yards, limiting expansion at distance. Ethical hunting ranges are 500-800 yards for deer, where energy exceeds 3000 ft-lb for reliable kills. Certain loads fail to expand below 1800 ft-lb, emphasizing bullet choice. For more on energy retention, see our Sierra MatchKing bullet profile or Hornady ELD-X review.
Wound Ballistics (Expanded Practical Section)
Bullet design matters greatly in the 338 Lapua Magnum, as its high velocities allow vivid expansion while maintaining penetration. Supersonic loads produce hydrostatic shock for fast kills, with differences in tissue damage based on construction – frangible for trauma, tough for depth. The goal of this section is to provide practical guidance on terminal performance for hunters. For gel-testing results, refer to our hunting caliber guide or bullet reviews.
Bullet Performance Profiles (5 Most Common Loads)
Lapua Scenar
- Type – open tip match construction
- Behavior – consistent expansion in gel, deep penetration with minimal fragmentation
- Use – long-range target and large game
- Effective Range – 200-1000 yards
- Short Summary – Excellent for precision shooting and ethical kills on heavy game at extended distances.
More details available in our dedicated Lapua Scenar bullet profile page.
Berger Elite Hunter
- Type – hybrid ogive with polymer tip
- Behavior – rapid expansion, wide wounds in tissue with good energy transfer
- Use – elk and moose hunting
- Effective Range – 100-800 yards
- Short Summary – Balances trajectory and terminal performance for long-range big game.
More details available in our dedicated Berger Elite Hunter bullet profile page.
Hornady ELD-X
- Type – polymer tip with heat shield
- Behavior – controlled expansion, deep penetration through bone with broad wounding channels
- Use – deer and bear
- Effective Range – 50-700 yards
- Short Summary – Reliable for varying ranges with consistent expansion on medium to large game.
More details available in our dedicated Hornady ELD-X bullet profile page.
Barnes TSX
- Type – all-copper monolithic
- Behavior – wide wounding channels, deep penetration through bone
- Use – heavy game like bear and moose
- Effective Range – 100-600 yards
- Short Summary – Ideal for tough animals, maintaining integrity for complete pass-throughs.
More details available in our dedicated Barnes TSX bullet profile page.
Sierra MatchKing
- Type – hollow point boat tail
- Behavior – high shock at impact, fragmentation in gel for large cavities
- Use – long-range target and varmint control
- Effective Range – 200-900 yards
- Short Summary – Precision-focused with explosive performance on lighter targets.
More details available in our dedicated Sierra MatchKing bullet profile page.
Practical Summary
For predators like coyotes, lighter bullets such as the 250gr Sierra MatchKing fit well with flat trajectories and quick expansion. For hogs and deer, mid-weight options like the 285gr Hornady ELD-X or Berger Elite Hunter provide balanced shock and penetration. Heavier loads like the 300gr Sierra MatchKing or Barnes TSX are correct for elk and bear, ensuring deep wounds on tough game. Range discipline matters, as energy drops limit ethical shots to 800 yards maximum. Bullet choice defines terminal results more than velocity in this caliber, prioritizing construction for the target. Explore deeper ballistic and gel-test materials on the site for optimized loads. Readers are encouraged to explore related articles for deeper analysis, such as our long-range hunting calibers, small game caliber guide, or bullet comparisons like Barnes TSX and Hornady ELD-X.
