About this caliber
338 Lapua Mag
The .338 Lapua Magnum is a powerful centerfire rifle cartridge developed for extreme long-range military and precision use. Bridging the gap between standard magnums and the .50 BMG, it is renowned for its long-range capability and is widely used in precision rifle shooting and large-game hunting.
Commonly used for
The .338 Lapua Magnum was developed in the 1980s for long-range military precision use, designed to deliver effective performance at distances beyond the reach of standard .30-caliber magnums while remaining in a more practical package than the much larger .50 BMG. It earned a strong reputation in precision and long-range roles and crossed over into civilian competition and hunting. Ballistically the .338 Lapua fires heavy .338-caliber bullets — commonly around 250 to 300 grains — at high velocity, delivering exceptional retained energy and wind resistance at extreme distance. That capability is the heart of its identity as one of the premier extreme-long-range cartridges. The performance comes with heavy recoil and muzzle blast, placing it firmly in the heavy-magnum class that rewards a well-built, well-fitted rifle and serious practice. It is also a capable large-game hunting cartridge, though its primary civilian following is among long-range precision shooters drawn to its downrange performance. Its ammunition is expensive relative to standard cartridges, consistent with its specialized role, but it is well supported within the precision community. Today the .338 Lapua Magnum is used for extreme long-range target shooting and competition, and for large-game hunting, with solid availability among precision-focused rifles and ammunition. Its combination of long-range capability and energy, sitting between standard magnums and the .50 BMG, is why it became a benchmark extreme-distance cartridge.
General information about this caliber — not a recommendation for this specific firearm.
Firearms chambered in 338 Lapua Mag · 8
Ammunition in 338 Lapua Mag · 25
| Load | Type | Purpose | Grain | Velocity | Energy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Premium | JHP | Defense | 250 gr | 2950 fps | 4830 ft·lb |
| Federal Premium | JHP | Defense | 300 gr | 2580 fps | 4434 ft·lb |
| Hornady Match | JHP | Defense | 250 gr | 2860 fps | 4540 ft·lb |
| HSM Match | JHP | Defense | 250 gr | 2911 fps | 4705 ft·lb |
| HSM Match | JHP | Defense | 300 gr | 2735 fps | 4984 ft·lb |
| HSM Trophy Gold | JHP | Defense | 300 gr | 2762 fps | 5083 ft·lb |
| Winchester Ammo Match | JHP | Defense | 250 gr | 2900 fps | 4668 ft·lb |
| Barnes Bullets VOR-TX | SP | Hunting | 280 gr | 2800 fps | 4204 ft·lb |
| Barnes Bullets Precision Match | JHP | Hunting | 300 gr | 2600 fps | 4504 ft·lb |
| FORT SCOTT MUNITIONS Tumble Upon Impact (TUI) | — | Hunting | 250 gr | 2994 fps | — |
| Hornady Precision Hunter | SP | Hunting | 270 gr | 2800 fps | 4699 ft·lb |
| Hornady Match | SP | Hunting | 285 gr | 2745 fps | 4768 ft·lb |
| HSM Game King | SP | Hunting | 215 gr | 3138 fps | 4702 ft·lb |
| Nosler Match Grade | JHP | Hunting | 300 gr | 2650 fps | 4677 ft·lb |
| Nosler Trophy Grade | SP | Hunting | 300 gr | 2650 fps | 4677 ft·lb |
| PPU Standard Rifle | JHP | Hunting | 250 gr | 2995 fps | 4847 ft·lb |
| Sellier & Bellot Rifle | JHP | Hunting | 250 gr | 2848 fps | 4501 ft·lb |
| Sellier & Bellot Rifle | JHP | Hunting | 300 gr | 2713 fps | 4903 ft·lb |
| DoubleTap Ammunition Longrange | JHP | Target | 300 gr | 2850 fps | 5412 ft·lb |
| NORMA AMMUNITION (RUAG) Dedicated Precision | JHP | Target | 250 gr | 4471 fps | 2838 ft·lb |
| PPU Match | — | Target | 240 gr | 2985 fps | 4748 ft·lb |
| SAKO (BERETTA USA) MatchKing | — | Target | 300 gr | — | — |
| Hornady Custom | — | — | 240 gr | — | — |
| TR&Z Supreme Line | JHP | — | 250 gr | — | — |
| Winchester Ammo Match | JHP | — | 285 gr | 2690 fps | 4578 ft·lb |
Ammunition data from the catalog source. Listing is informational, not a recommendation for any use.