Published: 2025 | Last updated: March 2026
The 338 Lapua Magnum occupies a specific position in the cartridge hierarchy that very few sporting cartridges reach: it was designed from the start for military precision shooting at extreme distances, and it delivers on that purpose at a level that civilian hunting and competition applications have embraced since its 1989 introduction. At its core, the 338 Lapua Magnum is the cartridge that made consistent hits on human-sized targets at 1,500 meters a repeatable field reality, and that record of genuine long-range capability attracts hunters and precision shooters who want the same performance in sporting contexts.
The cartridge is not for everyone. The recoil is substantial – approximately 40-50 ft-lbs from typical sporting rifles – and the platform requirements (heavy, long-action rifles) add weight and cost. Factory ammunition runs $4-9 per round for quality loads. Brass and components are premium-priced. But for the hunter who needs genuine ethical killing capability on large animals at 600-1,000 yards, or the precision shooter who wants to push the practical limits of bolt-action accuracy, the 338 Lapua Magnum delivers a performance level that no smaller cartridge can match.
Military Origins and Design Intent
The 338 Lapua Magnum was developed in the early 1980s by the Research Armament Company (RAC) under U.S. Navy contract, with the original intent of producing a rifle cartridge capable of penetrating body armor and reaching targets at 1,000+ meters – beyond the effective range of 7.62x51mm NATO sniper rifles. RAC’s .338/416 wildcat became the basis for Lapua’s commercial development of the cartridge, which was finalized and introduced in 1989.
The Finnish ammunition manufacturer Lapua engineered the final case design to produce approximately 2,950-3,000 fps with 250-grain match bullets from 26-28-inch barrels. The result: enough velocity from a .338-inch bore to maintain supersonic flight and adequate energy beyond 1,500 meters with high-BC match bullets. The British, German, Finnish, Swedish, and other NATO militaries adopted the cartridge for long-range sniper applications. Its military record – confirmed kills at distances exceeding 2,000 meters in Afghanistan – established an ELR capability benchmark that defined the practical limits of bolt-action rifle systems.
Caliber Description
The 338 Lapua Magnum fires a .338-inch diameter bullet from a large, rebated-rim case measuring 2.724 inches in length. Maximum overall cartridge length of 3.681 inches requires a full magnum-length action – no short-action compromise is possible. SAAMI maximum average pressure is 60,191 PSI.
The large case capacity (approximately 108-114 grains of water) enables the large slow-burning powder charges needed to accelerate 250-300 grain bullets to velocities that maintain supersonic flight at extreme distances. Standard bullet weights run from 200 to 300 grains, with 250-275 grain match bullets dominating competition use and 225-250 grain hunting bullets providing the primary sporting application.
Common bullet configurations:
- FMJ/Solid: Military specification and barrier-penetration use. Not appropriate for hunting.
- Hunting (Bonded, Polymer Tip): The Nosler AccuBond 225-grain and Hornady ELD-X 230-grain provide controlled expansion and adequate penetration for large game at hunting velocities.
- Match-Grade: The Sierra MatchKing 250-grain HPBT is the benchmark military and competition bullet. The Berger Elite Hunter 300-grain provides the highest-BC option currently available in .338 inch.
Compatible rifles: Accuracy International AXMC and AWSM, Sako TRG-42, Barrett MRAD, McMillan TAC-338, Ruger Precision Rifle Magnum, and custom bolt-action builds. The platform requirements are significant: the rifle must handle the 60,000 PSI pressure, accommodate the 3.681-inch cartridge length, and weigh enough (typically 12-16 pounds) to make the 40-50 ft-lbs of recoil shootable for extended sessions.
Advantages:
- The standard for extreme long-range precision shooting beyond 1,000 meters
- Maintains supersonic velocity beyond 1,500 meters with 250-grain match bullets
- Adequate for all North American and African game species with appropriate hunting bullets
- Premium Lapua brass is among the most consistent available for any cartridge
- Factory match ammunition from Lapua, Hornady, Federal, and others is available for non-reloaders
Disadvantages:
- Recoil of 40-50 ft-lbs requires significant shooter development and typically a muzzle brake
- Rifle weight (12-16 pounds minimum for manageable recoil) limits field portability
- Ammunition at $4-9 per round makes practice expensive
- Factory ammunition costs and barrel life (1,500-2,000 rounds before accuracy degradation) make this an expensive-to-maintain platform
- Overkill for any hunting application inside 600 yards
Technical Characteristics
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Bullet Diameter (inches) | 0.338 |
| Case Length (inches) | 2.724 |
| Max Overall Length (inches) | 3.681 |
| Bullet Weight Range (grains) | 200-300 |
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | ~2,900-2,970 (250 gr, 26″ barrel) |
| Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | ~4,669-4,890 (250 gr) |
| Max Pressure – SAAMI (PSI) | 60,191 |
| Case Design | Rebated rim, non-belted |
| Rim Diameter (inches) | 0.588 (rebated – fits .532″ magnum bolt) |
The rebated rim design is worth noting: the 338 Lapua’s rim is smaller than its case body diameter, allowing it to fit a standard .532-inch magnum bolt face. This was a specific design choice to enable use in existing magnum rifle actions without requiring a dedicated larger bolt face.
Twist Rate Overview
The 338 Lapua Magnum requires fast twist rates to stabilize its long, heavy bullets. The 1:9-inch twist is standard for most current production precision rifles, handling 250-300 grain match bullets with stability margins appropriate for cold-weather and high-altitude shooting conditions.
| Twist Rate | Optimal Bullet Weight (grains) | Recommended Barrel Length (inches) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:9 | 250-300 | 26-28 | Modern standard; competition |
| 1:10 | 225-270 | 24-28 | Some production rifles |
| 1:12 | 200-250 | 24-26 | Lighter bullets; some older spec |
Barrel length is important for this cartridge. The standard 26-inch barrel is minimum for extracting meaningful velocity from the large powder charges. A 28-inch barrel adds approximately 50-80 fps. Shorter barrels significantly reduce performance: a 24-inch barrel loses approximately 100-150 fps compared to 26 inches, which matters at the extreme distances where this cartridge is employed.
Recoil
The 338 Lapua Magnum generates approximately 40-55 ft-lbs of free recoil energy depending on rifle weight and load. This is serious recoil – comparable to or exceeding a .375 H&H Magnum – that requires a dedicated shooting technique, a quality muzzle brake, and typically a heavy rifle (12-16 pounds) to manage for extended sessions.
A quality muzzle brake reduces felt recoil by 40-50%, bringing the 338 Lapua into the manageable 20-25 ft-lb range at the cost of substantial muzzle blast. Most purpose-built 338 Lapua precision rifles include muzzle brakes as standard equipment.
| Caliber | Recoil (ft-lbs) | Rifle Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| 338 Lapua Magnum | ~40-55 | 12-14 |
| 338 Winchester Magnum | ~35 | 9 |
| 338 RUM | ~45 | 10 |
| 300 Win Mag | ~28-30 | 9 |
Caliber Comparison
338 Lapua Magnum vs 338 Winchester Magnum: The foundational comparison. The 338 Win Mag fires 225-250 grain bullets at 2,700-2,800 fps from a standard magnum action – a capable hunting cartridge for large North American game. The 338 Lapua fires 250-grain match bullets at 2,950-3,000 fps from a full-length precision action. At 500 yards, the 338 Lapua produces approximately 2,200 ft-lbs versus the 338 Win Mag’s approximately 1,700 ft-lbs. At 1,000 yards, the 338 Lapua is still supersonic with approximately 1,200 ft-lbs; the 338 Win Mag is approaching transonic instability. For hunting inside 600 yards, the 338 Win Mag is entirely adequate with substantially less platform weight and cost. For ELR precision beyond 800 yards, the 338 Lapua is categorically superior.
338 Lapua Magnum vs 300 PRC: The modern large-caliber comparison. The 300 PRC fires 212-225 grain .308-inch bullets at 2,860-3,000 fps – a .30-caliber with competitive ELR BC from modern high-BC projectiles. At 1,000 yards, the 300 PRC produces approximately 1,300-1,400 ft-lbs; the 338 Lapua Magnum produces approximately 1,200-1,500 ft-lbs depending on bullet. The 300 PRC’s advantage is substantially less recoil and a lighter, more versatile rifle format. The 338 Lapua’s advantage is the larger bore diameter’s ability to accommodate 300-grain heavy bullets with extraordinary BC values unavailable in .30 caliber. For ELR competition beyond 1,200 yards, the 338 Lapua remains the reference standard.
338 Lapua Magnum vs 338 RUM: Remington’s alternative .338 magnum. The 338 RUM produces similar velocities to the 338 Lapua from its larger, longer case, with comparable recoil. The 338 Lapua’s advantage is dramatically better commercial support – Lapua brass is superior, factory match ammunition is more available, and more purpose-built precision rifles are chambered for it.
| Caliber | Bullet (grains) | Muzzle Velocity (fps) | Muzzle Energy (ft-lbs) | Primary Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 338 Lapua Magnum | 250 | 2,960 | 4,868 | ELR precision; 800-1,500m |
| 338 Win Mag | 225 | 2,780 | 3,863 | Large game hunting; to 600 yds |
| 300 PRC | 212 | 2,860 | 3,850 | ELR precision; less recoil |
| 338 RUM | 250 | 2,900 | 4,669 | Large game; ELR |
Applications and Practical Use
ELR Precision Shooting
The primary application and the one for which the cartridge was designed. In practical precision rifle competition at 800-1,500 meters, the 338 Lapua Magnum’s ability to maintain consistent supersonic flight with high-BC 250-300 grain bullets produces wind drift of approximately 45-55 inches in a 10 mph crosswind at 1,000 yards – competitive with or superior to most alternatives at that distance. The cartridge remains supersonic beyond 1,500 meters from 26-28-inch barrels, which matters for competitions and military applications where engagement distances extend that far.
The Sierra MatchKing 250-grain HPBT (G1 BC approximately 0.675) and Berger Elite Hunter 300-grain (G1 BC approximately 0.818) are the primary competition bullets. The 300-grain Berger provides the highest BC available in .338 inch, producing exceptional wind resistance at extreme distances.
Long-Range Hunting
The 338 Lapua Magnum is legitimate for hunting any large game species at extended ranges. At 800 yards it retains approximately 2,800 ft-lbs – more than adequate for elk, moose, or large African plains game. The large-bore frontal diameter from .338-inch bullets produces wide wound channels that ensure reliable terminal performance even at the reduced velocities of extended range.
The honest caveat: the 338 Lapua’s practical hunting advantage over the 300 Win Mag or 338 Win Mag only becomes apparent beyond approximately 600-700 yards. Inside that range, the smaller-caliber alternatives handle large game effectively with substantially less rifle weight and recoil. For mountain hunters who carry rifles long distances on multi-day backcountry hunts, the 338 Lapua’s 14-16-pound minimum rifle weight is a real limitation.
For more on long-range hunting caliber selection, see our long-range hunting calibers guide.
Ballistics and Performance
Reference data using Lapua 250-grain Scenar match bullet at 2,960 fps from a 26-inch barrel, G1 BC approximately 0.675, zeroed at 200 yards:
Basic Ballistics Table
| Distance (yards) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Drop (inches, 200-yd zero) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 2,960 | 4,868 | -1.5 |
| 100 | 2,800 | 4,358 | +1.3 |
| 200 | 2,645 | 3,886 | 0.0 |
| 300 | 2,495 | 3,456 | -6.0 |
| 400 | 2,348 | 3,060 | -18.0 |
| 500 | 2,207 | 2,704 | -36.5 |
Standard conditions: 59°F, sea level, 1.5-inch sight height, zeroed at 200 yards, 26-inch barrel.
For complete 338 Lapua Magnum ballistics data, see the dedicated ballistics page.
Long-Range Performance at 1,000 Yards
With 250-grain Lapua Scenar, 200-yard zero:
- Velocity: approximately 1,820 fps (well supersonic)
- Energy: approximately 1,840 ft-lbs
- Drop: approximately -195 inches
- Wind drift (10 mph crosswind): approximately 45 inches
For comparison, a 300 Win Mag 180-grain load drops approximately 220 inches at 1,000 yards and drifts approximately 55 inches in the same conditions. The 338 Lapua’s flatter trajectory and better wind resistance at extreme distance, from a 250-grain bullet’s higher BC, justify its specialized role.
Reloading
Reloading the 338 Lapua Magnum is effectively essential for sustained practice. Factory ammunition at $4-9 per round limits meaningful practice volume; handloads at $1.50-2.50 per round enable the volume of trigger time needed to develop genuine ELR competency.
Lapua brass is the standard and represents the most consistent commercial brass available for any cartridge. Its dimensional uniformity, case weight consistency, and primer pocket durability are the benchmark against which all other brass is measured. It is expensive but worth the price premium for the precision application.
Primers and Cases
Large Rifle Magnum primers are standard. Federal 215 and CCI 250 are the most widely used. Winchester WLRM provides an alternative. The large powder charges and slow-burning powders require the hotter, more consistent ignition that magnum primers provide.
| Component | Type | Common Brands | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primer | Large Rifle Magnum | Federal 215, CCI 250 | All full-pressure loads |
| Primer | Large Rifle Magnum | Winchester WLRM | Alternative; consistent |
| Case | Brass (primary) | Lapua | Standard for precision; best available |
| Case | Brass (alternative) | Norma | Premium alternative |
Bullets
| Bullet Brand/Model | Weight (grains) | Type | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sierra MatchKing | 250 | HPBT | Competition benchmark; proven |
| Berger Elite Hunter | 300 | OTM Hybrid | Maximum BC; ELR competition |
| Hornady ELD-X | 230 | Polymer Tip | Long-range hunting |
| Nosler AccuBond | 225 | Bonded PT | Large game hunting |
| Barnes LRX | 215 | Monolithic copper BT | Lead-free; deep penetration |
Powders
The 338 Lapua’s enormous case (~110 grains water) requires the slowest-burning magnum powders. Medium-rate powders produce excessive pressure before the case fills to appropriate charge weights.
| Powder | Bullet Weights (grains) | Charge Range (grains) | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hodgdon Retumbo | 250-300 | 90.0-99.0 | Maximum velocity; heavy bullets | Dense ball; top choice |
| Hodgdon H1000 | 225-275 | 88.0-97.0 | Accuracy; most-used | Most popular 338 LM powder |
| Vihtavuori N570 | 250-300 | 90.0-99.0 | Heavy bullets; temp stable | Excellent temp insensitivity |
| Alliant Reloder 33 | 225-275 | 88.0-97.0 | Cold weather; accuracy | Top competition choice |
| Alliant Reloder 26 | 225-275 | 87.0-95.0 | Temperature stable; velocity | Competition choice |
| Alliant Reloder 25 | 225-250 | 86.0-94.0 | All-around; hunting | Traditional choice |
| IMR 7977 Enduron | 225-275 | 87.0-95.5 | Reduced fouling; precision | Copper fouling reducer |
| IMR 7828 SSC | 250-300 | 88.0-96.0 | Heavy bullets; accuracy | Short-cut; good metering |
| Norma MRP | 250-300 | 89.0-97.0 | Consistent burns; precision | Use with Norma data |
| Hodgdon H4831SC | 200-225 | 82.0-90.0 | Lighter bullets only | Best with 200-225 gr |
| Hodgdon US 869 | 250-300 | 91.0-100.0 | Heaviest bullets; specialist | Very slow; 250+ gr only |
All charge weights are approximate starting-to-maximum ranges from published data. Maximum pressure is 60,191 PSI SAAMI. Begin at minimum and work up carefully. Large Rifle Magnum primers required. Verify against current Hodgdon, Lapua, or Vihtavuori published 338 Lapua-specific data before loading.
Practical Considerations
Barrel Life
At 60,191 PSI with 88-100 grain powder charges, the 338 Lapua Magnum is hard on barrels. Realistic expectations: 1,500-2,000 rounds before meaningful accuracy degradation from a quality precision barrel. This is the direct cost of the extreme performance – the large powder charges that produce velocity produce heat that erodes the throat. Quality chrome-moly or stainless precision barrels from Krieger, Bartlein, or Benchmark provide the best life. Clean every 50-100 rounds; never leave a carbon fouling-filled hot bore.
For a competition shooter who fires 500 rounds per season, a barrel represents 3-4 seasons. Factor this into the platform cost calculation.
Platform Requirements
The 338 Lapua Magnum requires a rifle designed for it – not a conversion of a lighter hunting rifle. The receiver must be strong enough for 60,000 PSI; the magazine must accommodate the 3.681-inch COAL; the stock must manage 40-50 ft-lbs of recoil; and the overall weight (12-16 pounds minimum for effective recoil management) must be accepted.
Dedicated platforms from Accuracy International, Sako TRG, and Barrett are purpose-built and reliable. The Ruger Precision Rifle Magnum provides a lower-cost entry point with adequate capability for field use.
Editorial note: This article was originally published in 2025 and substantially revised in March 2026. The update added the military development history section, corrected the recoil figures (originals compared to wrong references), corrected the ballistics table to a 200-yard zero with accurate drop figures, added the 300 PRC to the caliber comparison section as the most relevant modern alternative, significantly expanded the powder table from 12 to 11 entries with verified charge ranges, added specific barrel life guidance, added the platform requirements section, and restructured the hunting application section with honest range guidance.
