Is there a reasonably inexpensive 338 semiauto

[Cujet]

Mama wants a 338 Lapua long range rifle. I prefer semi auto's. Clearly, one can spend a fortune on such a "toy". I currently have a $1000 DPMS LR308, and it's been quite an excellent target rifle. Are there 338 LM choices that are similar quality to the DPMS (practical quality) and reasonably priced? I don't have $6,900 to spend.

 

[Olas]

AR & AK variants are plentiful and relatively cheap..

 

[billt460]

A good, accurate semi auto in .338 Lapua is going to set you back at least the amount you mentioned. (Without any glass, bases, or rings). If you want the range and accuracy the round is capable of, without spending a fortune, you can go with a Savage bolt action in that caliber. They make several different models to choose from. Street prices run slightly over the $1K mark to start. You'll have the accuracy at long range, and will be able to spend a little more on good glass, which is very important in any long range rig.

 

[demarpaint]

I'd try talking here into a bolt action, and invest in a good muzzle brake.

 

[JDM396]

Practicality and the .338 Lapua don't mix. I'd honestly look at a different caliber platform, unless you and your wife are gifted shooters and have money burn. Ammo and Glass alone to shoot at the distances it was made to, will blow practicality out of the water.

 

[hatt]

Low costs and .338 LM semi autos do not mix. Do you have access to a range to take advantage of the .338? An AR10 in one of the 6.5s would probably be more practical.

 

[billt460]

You can do 95% of long range distance shooting with a good .300 Win. Mag. Less than 5% of long range shooters are capable of extracting the extra performance a .338 Lapua gives you over the venerable .300 Winchester. Putting a .338 Lapua into the hands of an average shooter, is a bit like giving the average Corvette owner a full race Ferrari. The added performance and money is simply wasted.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: hatt
Do you have access to a range to take advantage of the .338?


You bring up an important point. I'm in Phoenix. If I want to shoot at 1,000 yards, I have 2 choices. Drive to Kingman, (a 3 hour and 195 mile drive), or else Adair Park in Yuma, (almost the same time and distance). So I'm looking at a total of 6 hours travel time and 400 miles for a single shooting session. You have to belong to a formal rifle club to use the 1,000 yard range at Ben Avery. It's not open to the public. And at my age I'm not interested in regimented shooting. The only other alternative is to try going out in the desert and finding a place. And that is getting harder and harder to do. The fact of the matter is I have many long range rifles including a .50 BMG, that I cannot leg out because of a lack of places to shoot long range, (1,000+ yards).

 

[hatt]

There are only a few open to the public 600+ rifle ranges in FL.

 

[CT8]

Cujet there isn't anything low priced when it comes to 338 Lapua!

 

[CT8]

Originally Posted By: billt460
You can do 95% of long range distance shooting with a good .300 Win. Mag. Less than 5% of long range shooters are capable of extracting the extra performance a .338 Lapua gives you over the venerable .300 Winchester. Putting a .338 Lapua into the hands of an average shooter, is a bit like giving the average Corvette owner a full race Ferrari. The added performance and money is simply wasted.
In my neighborhood we have a guy with one of those kit car Ford GT 40 that are actually recognized as a real GT 40 .It is mint and has a 427 engine. the car is stunning . The owner is ancient and it take him a long time to get in and out of the car. He takes the car out and brings it to car shows and enjoys his car. I doubt it is ever used to even near its potential.

 

[Olas]

Lapuas are cheaper than dirt

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/firearms/rifles/338-lapua-magnum.do

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Olas
Lapuas are cheaper than dirt

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/firearms/rifles/338-lapua-magnum.do


The 2nd one in that link is 7 grand....

Also, it isn't the cost of the rifle as much as it is the cost to feed it. I've owned two of them, my current rig was about the same price as a Nissan Versa, however it is feeding it box ammo that is several times the cost of my .308 or my buddies .300WM. I reload for it when I can, which significantly reduces the cost, but it still is more expensive than the other rounds being discussed.

 

[OVERKILL]

I can't see the practicality of a .338LM in semi. It has a decent amount of recoil, so unless your wife has an iron shoulder and the ability to get on target super fast I really don't see an advantage in a semi. Most of the offerings will be bolt, which, for the intent of the calibre, makes sense. It is a purpose-built long-range cartridge and subsequently most of what you find will cater to that.

 

[Robenstein]

If she is just a recoil junkie, get her a CZ550 in 375 H&H and put a scope on that.

 

[Birdman476]

Semi wise Noreen is your best bet. Right under 6 grand. Maybe convince her to get a Noreen in a lesser caliber? That puts you in the 2 grand range. http://onlylongrange.com/bad-news-338-lapua-magnum/

 

[Olas]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Olas
Lapuas are cheaper than dirt

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/firearms/rifles/338-lapua-magnum.do


The 2nd one in that link is 7 grand....

Also, it isn't the cost of the rifle as much as it is the cost to feed it. I've owned two of them, my current rig was about the same price as a Nissan Versa, however it is feeding it box ammo that is several times the cost of my .308 or my buddies .300WM. I reload for it when I can, which significantly reduces the cost, but it still is more expensive than the other rounds being discussed.


They're not all super-cheap, but they start at 1100 which is quite reasonable..

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Olas
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Olas
Lapuas are cheaper than dirt

https://www.cheaperthandirt.com/category/firearms/rifles/338-lapua-magnum.do


The 2nd one in that link is 7 grand....

Also, it isn't the cost of the rifle as much as it is the cost to feed it. I've owned two of them, my current rig was about the same price as a Nissan Versa, however it is feeding it box ammo that is several times the cost of my .308 or my buddies .300WM. I reload for it when I can, which significantly reduces the cost, but it still is more expensive than the other rounds being discussed.


They're not all super-cheap, but they start at 1100 which is quite reasonable..


But none of those are semi either.

As per my other point, it is feeding it that is generally expensive when compared to more pedestrian calibres like .300WM which, at most ranges likely to be shot (particularly when in the market for a semi-auto), are nary as capable at a significantly lower price per round.

Example, from the same site you linked:
.300WM starts at $26.25/box for 20.
.300WM match grade starts at $44.19/box for 20 (Barnes).

.338LM starts at $54.94/box for 20.
.338LM match grade starts at $75.85/box for 20 (Nosler).

And of course you can often find .308, .300WM and the like on sale. I've never seen .338LM on sale.

 

[totegoat]

I am a semi fan. I took several deer with a 30-06 Rem 742. I found I never needed a quick second shot. I've used bolt action rifles for the last several years. Don't miss the auto.

 

[billt460]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
.338LM starts at $54.94/box for 20.
.338LM match grade starts at $75.85/box for 20 (Nosler).


I believe if you check, those prices are for 10 to a box, not 20. I've found I can shoot my .50 BMG as cheap, or even cheaper than I could shoot .338 Lapua. This is typical pricing for match grade, 20 to a box .338 Lapua. It runs anywhere from $4.25 to over $5.50 a round.

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/773237/...-tail-box-of-20