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The .338 Lapua is an expensive rifle and ammo, but highly accurate and worth every penny you spend. The .338 Lapua is a bolt-action sniper firearm designed in the late 1980s by Nammo Lapua Oy in Finland. The best .338 Lapua rifle will ensure that you hit right on the bullseye. It is widely used as a target shooting rifle, and it has been adopted by many armies as a long-range sniper rifle. The ammunition used by a .338 Lapua rifle is expensive, but it is very accurate with high muzzle energy for maximum stopping power.
The .338 Lapua rifle manufacturers have provided sniper shooting enthusiasts worldwide with excellent products time and again. It is also a great hunting firearm with the power to take down big game. The .338 Lapua Magnum is an ultra-long-range rifle cartridge. While the military and other shooters use it, many are put off by its high price tag.
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If you are in a hurry to purchase the best .338 Lapua rifle, and you want to make the best decision, here are our top 3 picks:
Top 3 Best .338 Lapua Rifle
If you’re looking for power in a hunting round or want to take your shooting past 600 yards, this is what you need. And to help you, we’ve compiled five rifles that we think represent some of the best choices out there for .338 Lapua Magnum rifles. Whether you prefer bolt action or semi-automatic, these guns will get your shots on target even if they’re miles away.
5 Best .338 Lapua Rifle (Ranked And Reviewed)
Specifications
-
Caliber:
.338 Lapua
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Width:
3.50 Inches
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Overall Length:
49-52.50 Inches
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Barrel Length:
26 Inches
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Height:
7.50 Inches
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Capacity:
5
-
Folded Length:
40.35 Inches
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Weight:
15.2 Lb
It is one of the best .338 Lapua rifles in the market with a 26″-inch barrel, adjustable length of pull and comb height, folding adjustable stock, threaded muzzle, and 5R rifling. It comes with two AI-Style 5 round magazines. It is a bolt-action .338 Lapua precision rifle. It features a 26″ stainless steel threaded barrel with target crown, two-stage competition trigger adjustable from 2.25 – 5 pounds that allow shooters to make the rifle as light or as smooth as they need it for accuracy.
It has a bottom Picatinny rail and an 18″ aluminum free-float handguard. It also has an ambidextrous manual safety and CNC machined 4140 chrome-moly steel upper & lower receivers. The Ruger Precision rifle has a Ruger Precision® MSR stock that helps shoot the rifle accurately while absorbing recoil. Weighing just over 15 lbs, it is one of the most powerful rifles in .338 Lapua caliber. This rifle provides excellent value for the money – an accurate firearm with features usually found on more expensive rifles.
Positive
- It has a cold hammer-forged chrome-moly steel barrel to ensure maximum accuracy
- You can customize its stock as it accepts any AR-style stock
- It provides excellent value for money
- It is most accurate .338 rifle in the market
Negatives
- It comes with a relatively high price tag
2. Savage Arms 110 Elite Precision
Specifications
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Caliber:
338 Lapua
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Magazine Capacity:
5
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Length:
49.75-50.7 Inches
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Barrel Length:
30 Inches
-
Stock Material:
Aluminum
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Action:
Bolt
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Length of Pull:
14-15.5 Inches
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Weight:
14.95 Pounds
This 110 Elite Precision Model is a bolt-action rifle chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum. It comes with a CeraKote metal coating which helps it last longer. It has an adjustable AccuTrigger and a fully adjustable stock. It has a Savage Arms AccuTrigger, giving it amazing accuracy. The AccuTrigger breaks at about 1.5 – 4 pounds of pressure, making it lighter than many other triggers on the market. The stock is adjustable for different users or if you are wearing heavy clothing.
It comes equipped with a detachable 5-round magazine. It is one of the best 338 Lapua rifles for the money. It offers an incredible amount of features in a package that is still lightweight, thanks to its aluminum-stocked, stainless steel barreled design. The Savage 110 MDT AccuTrigger gives it an edge over other products in the market because it provides more accuracy and precision than any other rifle out there, making it one of the best 338 Lapua rifles.
Positive
- The AccuTrigger ensures accuracy
- It has a durable Titanium nitride bolt body
- It has a self-timing taper-aligned muzzle brake
- It is a great option for military snipers
Negatives
- It is not the cheapest option for beginners
3. TACTICAL RIFLES CHIMERA
Specifications
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Caliber:
.338 Lapua Mag
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Action:
Bolt Action
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Finish:
Flat Dark Earth CerakoteA
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Barrel Length:
26 Inches
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Capacity:
5 Rounds
This rifle is a bolt action, a tactical rifle that can fire .338 Lapua Magnum. This tactical rifle is designed to be lightweight and robust. The stock is made of polymer, making it durable while keeping the rifle’s weight down. It comes with pre-installed rails for customization, allowing you to add additional accessories like lasers or flashlights to make sure your scope stays on target. It has a 26-inch barrel and a 5-round magazine. The magazine can be ejected quickly and easily. It has hand-fitted and bedded McMillian stock with a recoil pad to further reduce felt recoil. It is one of the best 338 Lapua rifles because of its accuracy and durability. Its lightweight design makes it comfortable for hunters or snipers to carry around long expeditions.
Positive
- It is a lightweight rifle
- It has hand-fitted and bedded McMillian stock
- It has great ergonomics
- It comes with four magazines
Negatives
- It has a high price tag
4. SAVAGE 110 PRECISION
Specifications
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Caliber:
338 Lapua
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Action:
Bolt
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Stock Material:
Aluminum
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Barrel Material:
Carbon Steel
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Barrel Length:
24 Inches
-
Overall Length:
43.625-44 Inches
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Magazine Capacity:
5
-
Magazine:
Detachable Box Magazine
This new 110 Precision is a bolt action rifle chambered for .338 Lapua Magnum. It is constructed of carbon steel and an aluminum chassis for lightweight durability. It has an adjustable AccuTrigger system to give it amazing accuracy, which enables shooters to take their game up a notch by increasing the potential of every shot. The trigger’s overall pull weight can be adjusted from 1.5 to 4 pounds, making it one of the most adjustable triggers on the market. Its carbon steel barrel is 24 inches long and has a matte black finish with 5/8×24 muzzle threading for suppressors or other accessories. It is one of the best 338 Lapua rifles available because it gives users everything they could want in a precision rifle while giving them the accuracy they need for the big game.
Positive
- It has a lightweight adjustable trigger
- It is a durable aluminum rifle
- It is fully customizable
- It comes with an adjustable stock
Negatives
- Some shooters have reported creep in the trigger
5. BARRETT MRAD
Specifications
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Caliber:
338 Lapua Magnum
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Action:
Bolt Action Repeater
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Twist Rate:
9.4 Inches (240 mm)
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Rail Length/MOA:
21.75 Inches (553 mm)
-
Barrel Length:
26 Inches (660 mm)
-
Overall Length:
49.4 Inches (1255 mm)
-
Mag. Capacity:
10
-
Weight:
14.5 Lbs (6.6 Kg)
The Barrett MRAD is the most customizable rifle on this list. It is a bolt action rifle in .338 Lapua Magnum, and it has an adjustable stock with multiple cheek rest positions. The barrel length on this rifle is 26 inches long. The barrel has a 1:9 twist rate to allow for a wide range of bullet weights to be used without affecting the rifle’s accuracy. The MRAD has a customizable rail system with an adjustable length of pull. Its magazine holds ten rounds which is a great capacity for a bolt action rifle. It is one of the best 338 Lapua rifles because it has a monolithic chassis which adds to its structural integrity and reduces weight and recoil.
Positive
- It has military-grade build quality and features
- It is a most customizable rifle
- It has 10 rounds magazine capacity
- It produces less recoil
Negatives
- It has a non-folding fixed stock
What To Consider While Buying The Best .338 Lapua Rifle?
When deciding which .338 Lapua rifle to purchase, you should consider a few things.
Type of Action
First, you need to decide what type of action your rifle will have. Bolt action rifles are becoming increasingly popular for tactical use because they work well with high-powered cartridges and come with many built-in accuracy features. Semi-automatic rifles are reliable, but they aren’t as accurate because they have to cycle every time you fire a round. You should also consider whether or not your bolt action rifle comes with an adjustable trigger system. It may not seem like much at first, but having an adjustable trigger can take your accuracy to the next level.
Length of Barrel
Barrel length is another thing that you should consider before purchasing a rifle. Barrel length refers to the amount of space between the end of the chamber and the beginning of the muzzle on your rifle. Generally speaking, the longer your barrel, the more accurate your rifle will be. However, shorter barrels are lighter and easier to transport because they weigh less than longer barrels.
Magazine Capacity
Most bolt action rifles come with a 3 to 5 round magazine capacity, depending on the caliber of the cartridge and how much money you want to spend. However, many come with 10 round magazines which give you more options while firing. Some people prefer this because it allows them to fire quick follow-up shots, but others say that it only takes one shot to make the kill. It’s entirely up to you which magazine capacity you want on your rifle.
Customizable Rail System
Finally, when deciding which .338 Lapua rifle to purchase, consider whether or not your bolt action rifle comes with a customizable rail system. The rail system is attached to the action of your rifle and attaches accessories directly to the rifle. This comes in handy when you need to add optics or other tactical accessories, but it also adds weight which can be difficult when facing long distances. Some people prefer this because it gives them more versatility, while others think adding too much weight will only lead to fatigue.
FAQs
What is the 338 Lapua Magnum?
The .338 Lapua magnum is a rifle cartridge that offers a great supersonic range. It is most often used for big-game hunting, but it has also been adopted by the military and law enforcement communities as a long-range sniper round.
What are the advantages of a 338 Lapua Magnum?
The round’s chief advantage is its long-range and substantial hitting power at extended ranges. It also offers good penetration. As a result, it can penetrate heavy clothing, intermediate barriers, and light armor.
What are the disadvantages of a 338 Lapua Magnum?
The .338 Lapua magnum is expensive because it was designed to take down heavy game. This results in its rounds being heavier and more powerful, which increases recoil. However, this might not be a disadvantage for those who typically fire from heavier rifles.
How much does a .338 Lapua rifle cost?
It is difficult to say the average price of a .338 Lapua rifle. It costs about $1,000+ for a factory model without options or accessories, but some models cost over $5,000 with all the bells and whistles.
Conclusion
Having a high-power rifle is often a must for hunting big game. The 338 Lapua Magnum is one of the most powerful rifles on the market, but it may be too much for beginners. It also comes with a hefty price tag that not all could afford. That being said, if you have experience shooting high-powered rifles and you don’t mind the recoil, this rifle is definitely for you. You can also find some models at an affordable price too. We hope that our list of the five best .338 Lapua rifle options has helped you in your search for the perfect rifle. You can also check out our lists for the best 30-06 rifles or the best budget rifles.
Thanks for reading.
Our Research Process
Our curated list of products has been provided to you by our experienced team of researchers and writers at Ballachy who have tested and scrutinized product recommendations on the market. Our experience in the field, in-depth research and hands-on approach has allowed us to objectively analyse products for years and continuously providing value for buyers who are looking to get accurate and unbiased reviews. If you would like to know more about our research methods, we welcome you to visit our page here detailing how our recommendations are done. Furthermore, as we are always looking keep our guides updated and welcome any feedback from readers regarding different experiences or recommendations to adjust our list. If you consider that we have missed on some important recommendations, please let us know here, so we can add-on any valuable feedback.
Author Profile
- Gabriel Tackett
- Gabriel Tackett is an experienced shooter and hunter for over 15 years with a degree in Engineering from the University of Minnesota. He is also a certified National Rifle Association (NRA) officer for 10 years And his passion lies in teaching others how to safely enjoy the hobby by recommending the best practices & products in the gun industry.
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