Since there are so many cartridges out there, one can not simply understand and determine which is the best and for what reason. Continue reading this article as we'll discuss the 338 Lapua, what it's best for, and why.
The .338 Lapua Up Close and Personal
The .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge is the ultimate rifle cartridge, specifically built for one primary purpose, which is for long ranges. While the .338 LM is known mostly for its reputation in the military, this didn't hold back long ranger hunters and sport shooters to get a hold of the cartridges.
When it comes to shooting sports with targets at a long-range, or hunting, the 338 Lapua cartridge is the best choice.
The .338 Lapua Origins
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The .338 Lapua has a history that most of us don't know. It is a rimless, bottlenecked, centerfire rifle cartridge.
It was manufactured during the 1980s as a high-powered, long-range cartridge for military snipers and played a major role in the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. Due to this, it became more widely available to buyers around the world.
There is a reason why the .338 Lapua is different from other widely used sniper cartridges. The reason for this is because it was the best for sniping purposes.
The cartridges came into development upon the request from the U.S. Marine Corps, who wanted something that could penetrate body armor with long-distance shots. RAI initially started the development in 1983 but later dropped out of the project after contacting Lapua.
At the end of 1980, the cartridges had become a part of a joint venture project between Lapua, Sako, and UKs Accuracy International. This was the period in which the cartridge developed and made its way slowly to becoming the best sniper cartridges.
Not Only for the Military
The weapon was developed for military purposes. However, with time, that changed.
They needed a weapon that could hit their target from a long-range and do significant damage at the same time. This is the same reason why its name became more popular in the military.
When it comes to shooting targets from a long distance, whether it be an animal or an object, the .338 Lapua is the best for that job. It has the power and speed to penetrate its victims from a long distance easily.
This is one of the main reasons why contestants in shooting sports use these cartridges and also the reason why it's famous for hunting.
The power and precision of these cartridges help in hitting targets from a long distance and with an impact.
Is It the Most Used?
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The reason why this isn't popular and not used by others is it's used for long-distance shooting. Well, that's up for debate as the cartridges require a bulkier rifle with a much bigger barrel along with other modifications.
They are in simple words really good. However, the cost of the rifles is never cheap.
This is one of the reasons people tend to choose different cartridges, which means simpler rifles can cater to it. As gun owners realize that multiple substitutes perform on a smaller scale but get the job done, this reason alone makes them prefer the alternatives rather than the .338 Lapua.
The Verdict
The bottom line is that the .338 Lapua is best for long-range shooting, which is why shooting sports, hunters, and the military use it. It has the precision, power, and speed they are looking for, which is an important factor when it comes to shooting.
By explaining the background and what it is best for, we hope we have answered your concern regarding this topic!
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The Lapua 338 is so popular because the BMG 50 is JUST TOO DAMNED HEAVY to tote around.