338 lapua is just a toy.  It does nothing at ethical hunting range that tons of other cartridges do with less cost and recoil.  If you want one, great, but I would not call it a hunting cartridge.

Quote from: sqlbullet on January 17 2016 08:53:32 AM MST
338 lapua is just a toy.  It does nothing at ethical hunting range that tons of other cartridges do with less cost and recoil.  If you want one, great, but I would not call it a hunting cartridge.

It would be a hybrid toy/hunting rifle.  Target shooting a mile away sounds pretty fun.  Elk would be much, much, much closer.  I mean I could get a 300 winmag or 30/06 but that's so boring. I live on the edge of the great basin(NV) and our ranges seem a lot longer then most other areas in the US.

Sqlbullet are you back east?

Only according to the californians and nevadans.  I live in Utah.

I am not picking on the 338 lapua.  I just don't see packing a gun that heavy up the mountain to hunt elk or mulies.  And bullet flight times past 400 yards exceed my personal take the shot rules.

If I could only have one rifle for hunting and long range...Well I still wouldn't pick the Lapua personally, but I can see the justification.

If I could have only one...

a 270 or maybe a 7mm mag if elk were on the menu more


Like I said the 338 would be more of a "lets see how far we can hit shit" kind of a gun, more of a toy then a practical hunting rifle.


My buddy whose killed pretty much everything that walks or crawls swears by his old 30-06. If I was smart I'd probably use that experience and just get one of those.  Still I'm pretty happy with my 6.5x55mm. Until I feel the need to get a bigger gun,(If I ever move to Alaska or the rockies or whatever else) she'll have to do.