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Post by matthewj on Apr 3, 2009 18:27:40 GMT -5
Hi, Looking for some advice on a Rifle build, Can a Savage 110 or a Rem 700 action be used to safely build the .338 lapua? Are there any pro's or cons to either actions for this caliber? I have been told by a Couple of barrel makers they can and have built for both 700's and savages with small and Large shank threads. I would love to build one but want to make sure it will be safe to do so.
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Post by Al on Apr 4, 2009 2:34:48 GMT -5
3-4 years ago, our shop made some 338 Lapua prototype tooling for Big Green, how far it got after that, I don't know.
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Post by rossman40 on Apr 4, 2009 23:04:04 GMT -5
Remington has built a M24A3 in .338 Lapua. Supposedly they used the 700 long action magnum action. Rumor has it that Savage has nixed the idea of a .338 Lapua from the factory, something about it would make the bolthead super thin. Someone said that the 300 RUM has cracked barrel nuts on Savages, even with the large shank barrels. Makes you wonder if a 1.350 diameter action is enough. Myself personally would go with maybe a custom action like a BAT, Surgeon, Lawton or if I was going cheap maybe a CZ 550 action
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Post by sagittarius on Apr 5, 2009 10:01:57 GMT -5
The action Bat recommends for the 338 Lapua weighs 5 to 6 lbs and is from 1 3/4" to 2" in diameter (depending on which action) so that should give an indication of the strength needed for this cartridge. Look at how massive the action is for the Sako TRG 42 in 338 Lapua. I would love to own a TRG-42.
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Post by tcmech on Apr 5, 2009 20:54:05 GMT -5
I'm not real familiar with the 338 lapua, but I believe that it is based on the 416 rigby case. The savage is offered from the factory in 338 win mag which is based on the 458 win mag case. This is an older round which is not as powerful as the lapua. I think I would look at one of the custom actions, or possibly see what actions are offered in 416 rigby as a minimum action requirement for picking one to build off of.
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Post by rossman40 on Apr 6, 2009 0:52:45 GMT -5
Normally a magnum boltface is like .532-.535". This includes the Remington Mags, Winchester Mags, Remington Ultra Mags and even the Winchester Short Mags. When you get to the .416 Rigby it jumps up the .588-.590 and with a .700" bolt it leaves you with just over .050 around the case rim, if something happens like you split the case and you might not be able to pull the bolt back. It took Lapua 5 years to get the case to take the pressure and they still fell just short of the goal of 3000fps with a 250gr bullet. The big Weatherbys have a boltface of like .603" and the 338-378 just barely tops 3000fps with a 250gr bullet (supposedly some guys have pushed 300gr bullets 3000fps). These are no wimps, the 338 LM, 338 RUM and the 338-378 WbyMag all have chamber pressures over 60,000psi (the 416 Rigby is less then 50,000) and that would be stepping into the danger zone with a thin barrel. Savage was chambering factory rifles for the RUMs but I did not see them listed in the 2009 catalog.
There are several rounds that would do you well out to 1000yds. The 338 LM would let you reach out to 1500yds.
The TRG-42 and the Accuracy International are awesome platforms but at a price that matches, $4K is a chunk. Bushmaster was showing off a BA338 that was a AR platform on steroids but all I have seen has been a few pictures.
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Post by 6ptsika on Apr 11, 2009 14:41:39 GMT -5
FWIW , Ruger MAKES a factory chambered bolt action I believe for the 338 Lapua .
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Post by robhinze on Apr 11, 2009 15:54:11 GMT -5
I have a 338ultra and my buddy shoots a 338 lm in a TRG 42 AND I can't tell the difference. Sure TRG is a real pretty and expensive rifle, but I sure burn him with my plain jane LH 338ultra with a Shepherd P1. my load in my rifle is 120gr WC872 (must tap case to settle powder) with a 250gr hornady, CCI mag. This is 2975-3000fps in my rifle. I think a guy could/should get a nice cheap rem and spend the difference on an exceptional scope.
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Post by rossman40 on Apr 28, 2009 13:34:45 GMT -5
Well Matt you really poked the stick into the hornets nest over on the LR Hunting board, www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f19/338-lapua-build-advice-sav-110-stevens-200-a-40668/All I can say, IMHO, is if you want to build a quality 338 LM rifle a custom action would be the way to go. Things I would look for would be, .750" diameter bolt Large shank barrel, 1.125" Action diameter of at least 1.5" with a long tenon (threaded part) of 1" or better With a quality action, barrel and stock you would have a pretty good chunk of cash invested but the quality would be as good or maybe even better then a Sako TRG or Accuracy International. You figure some of the big names are selling pretty much the exact same components in their rifles for $5K. The 338 RUM is another option as Rob mentioned which you could build on a standard action. But you posted you already have one of those. Not too be cruel but if you want something different and/or just want to play with the big boys build you a .375 or .408 Cheytac.
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