I'm looking into purchasing a Sako TRG - in .338 Lapua w/ muzzle brake
Anyone handloading this caliber? If so, what die manufacturer do you recommend?
What bullet weight and brand delivers the best accuracy?
What handloading manuals have info on this caliber.
Using it for elk, bear, and long range target shooting.

Sincerely,

Lazer Beam

Why the .338 Lapua, its a bit of a obsolete cartridge. You might look at www.midwayusa.com they should have what you are lookin for.

Huh? What?

You might want to read this. A history of the .338 Lapua


An excerpt, "The .338 LAPUA Magnum is capable of placing reliable hits well beyond a kilometer (0.6 mile), yet the typical .338 rifle only weighs about 2 pounds (I kg) more than a comparable .308 rifle. The weapon is much more pleasant to shoot than a .50 BMG rifle, its muzzle blast and flash are considerable less, and both the rifles and the ammunition provide a more cost-effective option for long-range military sniping. I am aware of no other cartridge that effectively competes with the .338 LAPUA Magnum in bridging the gap between the .308 Winchester and .50 BMG cartridges. In terms of external ballistics, the.338 LAPUA Magnum's 250 grain (16.2 gram) FMJ projectile has a better ballistic coefficient than .30 caliber projectiles, and it is less sensitive to crosswind. Therefore, it should not be surprising that the .338 LAPUA Magnum outperforms the .300 Winchester Magnum, especially at ranges beyond 1,000 meters."

The 338 Lapua is hardly obsolete. It is only about 20 years old and only really started becoming popular with the public in the last 5 years or so.

It is a heck of a power house 338 and I want to build myself one someday really bad. One thing about it though. It is expensive to even reload much less buy loaded ammo. If this does not bother you I would buy one in a heart beat.

If I was you, I might consider the 338RUM over the Lapua if you live in US. The RUM might be easier to find ammo and brass. The one advantage of the Lapua is you can get quality brass from both Lapua, and Norma, where 338RUM, quality brass is not an option. You get what you get. Shoot, I don't know. Either one will do the same thing. Brass for the 338RUM is almost 1/3 the price.

I don't know bigbulls, I think the 338RUM has outsold the 338Lapuas in only 3 years compared to total of 20. But then again, a Remington rep told me that with some graphs and stuff. So he is rather biased. I reckon if it doesn't catch on hard soon, then its lights out for it one day. I mean, its not 1.5 for one piece of brass because of demand.

Thanks for all the help. I already handload for other calibers, so it won't be to expensive. I just need to get some dies, brass, and Bullets. I checked out the (midwayusa) web site. Thanks to high desertwolf.
I will probably make my purchase in a couple of weeks.

When you get one let us know how it shoots. I want one really bad myself.


I am sure that the RUM has outsold the Lapua many times over. But you also have to consider that the Lapua was not initially intended to be used by the public. It was originally developed specifically for military sniping. Only in about the last five years has it gained and popularity with the public. Only Norma and Lapua making brass and loaded ammo does not help much either. I suspect that on another five years or so there will be others loading for this round and it will become more and more popular and less expensive as time goes on. I hope so any way.

Kind of like the STW's did. At first no one knew what they were and now people just gotta have one.

I'm not Cr@pping on the 338 Lapua I know it is a great load, I'm just saying they are hard to find in factory loadings and go for over $60 a box from norma and reloading components are slim to none too. the only company I know of that makes brass for it is Norma and they want like a dollar per case comes out over 50 bucks for 50 casings. And I have no idea who makes a Die for it other than Forster. Just not My first choice for that kind of performance I'd look at what Lazzeroni offers (a wide selection of lazzeroni stuff here in AZ) before I'd consider a 338 Lapua or better yet I'd look into a 338 RUM.

My dad would always say, "I want a BAR modified to shoot 338 lapua, with a 30 round mag. I would have no need for any other gun".

Oh, you mean it's kind of like loading for a big Weatherby, as far as expense and logistics?

Well, at least Lazer Beam hasn't shown interest in the .408 CheyTac. Now, THAT would prove to be a little more expensive.