Hunting with .338 Lapua..?

[Kyoki]

A friend of mine recently acquired a Sako TRG 42, chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum. He bought it for target shooting, but has decided he wants to try hunting with it at least once.

What sort of game would it be appropriate for?

 

[Zak Smith]

Just about anything, but the same is true for many other cartridges. With a scope that takes advantage of the .338's ballistics, it will finish out at 13# or heavier, so I recommend using it in a location where you can sit more than hike.


article | Military .338 Lapua Magnum Rifles: the Sako TRG-42 and the AI-AWSM

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Anything but prairie dogs, as you will have no evidence of a kill left:

You: "I hit it!"
Your friend: "No, it ducked back down in the hole when you shot."
You: "No, I hit it, I'm tellin ya!"
Your friend: "Prove it."
You: "Uh-Oh...."

 

[DIM]

338 Lapua mag or 8.6x70mm will take down an African elephant … You can hunt or vaporize anything with it 1000 yards away, it is 2000 yards capable, but 50 BMG will do it better

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Elk or larger would be the better choices game wise. Much smaller than that you're honestly in overkill territory.

 

[X-Rap]

I think it is very close to the 338-378 Weatherby and you won't have to worry about vaporizing anything smaller than a mule deer.
I have used mine on deer and elk.
Buy good glass and you will hit much farther than you can see.

 

[bad_aim_billy]

Most loadings are only in the 5000 ft/lb range. I'm not sure that would be enough for North American big game. I'd try rabbits, or possibly red squirrel.

 

[usmc1371]

I have seen my little bro shoot four or five deer and as many elk with his 338-378 wich I think is very close to the 338 lupua. It works very good, and if you get a shot at an elk past 400 yds and can place the bullet it still packs tons of energy way out there. My bro shoots factory 250 grain nosler partitions for everything and so far so good. The weatherby rifle with sawro scope isn't as heavy as the sako but with the muzzle brake its a pussy cat to shoot, take the brake off and well you get real personal with an expensive scope. The sako should be a good elk rifle but might start to suck when the hills get steep.

just for kicks we vaproized a few jack rabbits with it in eastern Oregon, has pretty much the same effect as a 22-250 with 40grain HP's only it costs over five bucks a shot, it was worth the money.

 

[DIM]

338 Lapua Mag has enough energy at 1000 yards to penetrate heavy personnel armor, last time I checked white tails were armor plated, so yes 338 is the way to go, but if the bullets bouncing off them then you should try 20 mm 1600 grain rounds like this http://www.anzioironworks.com/20MM-TAKE-DOWN-RIFLE.htm

this one is for 3000 yard range

 

[IdahoLT1]

Idaho doesnt have many restrictions when it comes to hunting big game with rifles. For instance, theres no caliber requirement, it only has to be centerfire to hunt big game. But they do have a 16lb limit on the rifle, scope and any attachments or accessories. This might be something you want to look into in what ever state he's hunting in.

 

[WTBguns10kOK]

Who gave this thread a green light

 

[blackops]

I've been through this overkill thing a thousand times and all I get is negative feedback. Shoot whatever you want with it. IMO i thinks it's more than anything you need in north america, but if someone really wants to hunt with it, elk, bear, and moose are your options.

 

[lgbloader]

Here stateside, I like my old faithful 300 WBY for deer or elk just because if I need to take a shot over a canyon, I can. I would say go for it. If you can shoot it well and can handle it, take what will do the job and 338 Lapua WILL do the job. Hell, I'd take it to Alaska and Canada too.

If your going to Africa... depends on what your going after.

LGB

 

[Arkansas Paul]

There is no such thing as overkill. Use whatever you want. The opinion that anything larger than a .243 leave nothing but hooves and horns to pack home, is rediculous. If the .338 floats your boat, use it.