• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Breaking News
    • Industry News
  • Gun Reviews
  • Gear Reviews
  • Ballistics
  • Concealed Carry
    • Defensive Gun
  • 2A

Gunners Den

  • Ammo
  • Rifles
    • ar-15
    • SKS
    • M1 Garand
    • M1 Carbine
    • Mini
  • Shotguns
  • Handguns
  • Hunting
  • Reloading
  • Trade Shows
  • Gun Info

338 Lapua Magnum Ballistic Charts and Cartridge Guide

August 6, 2021 By Joshua Gillem

338 Lapua Magnum Ballistic Charts

This 338 Lapua Magnum ballistic chart shows 270 grain Hornady ELD-X Precision Hunter:

Muzzle100 YDS200 YDS300 YDS
Velocity (FPS)2800268025622447
Energy (FT/LB)4699430439353590
Drop (Inch)/+1.70-7

This 338 Lapua Magnum ballistic chart shows 300 grain Federal Premium Nosler AccuBond:

Muzzle100 YDS200 YDS300 YDS
Velocity (FPS)2650252724072291
Energy (FT/LB)4678425338603495
Drop (Inch)/+20-8

338 Lapua Mag History and Uses:

The 338 Lapua, not to be confused with the 338 Win Mag, is a powerful long range centerfire rifle cartridge. Certain loadings, like the ones shown above in the ballistics charts, produce over two tons of energy even after the 100 yard mark.

The cartridge came about when the Military searched for a new sniper cartridge during the 1980s. They took a .416 Rigby cartridge case and necked it down to accept a 33 caliber projectile.

It was designed in a way that could penetrate through armor at greater distances, which is one of the reasons why it is still used today by a few different world militaries.

It is also somewhat used as a big game hunting cartridge that can easily take any game animal in the North American Continent, and is overkill for all but the biggest of animals.

Also, because the rifles chambered in 338 Lapua Magnum tend to be heavy to help absorb recoil, they tend to chosen last by hunters, for a more easily maneuvered rifle.

338 Lapua Magnum Recoil

The 338 Lapua is a hard hitting cartridge, that produces quite a bit of recoil too. This is not a good cartridge for newer shooters or those sensitive to recoil.

A few years back a good friend’s dad had asked me to sight in his bolt action rifle chambered in the hard-hitting 338 Lapua Magnum.

I don’t remember many of the specs regarding the rifle itself but this was a bucket list item for me because I could never afford the rifle, nor its ammunition, chambered in this round.

I jumped at the chance and sighted the rifle in. It was a blast with a good amount of recoil.

Check out our big rifle ballistics chart for more calibers.

Filed Under: Ballistics, Ammo, Gun Info, Hunting Tagged With: 338 lapua, ballistics, hunting ballistics, magnum, rifle ballistics

About Joshua Gillem

Josh is a lifelong practitioner and student of the gun. He grew up shooting/hunting with his dad, and was given his first gun, a 12 gauge shotgun, when just a small boy. After high school, he joined the Marines where his love for firearms blossomed as he qualified with an M16A2, an M9, and a 240G. Josh has been writing about firearms and tactics for several years, is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, and believes that each individual person has the right to self-defense by any means necessary. Currently residing in gun-friendly North Carolina, he carries a concealed gun on a daily basis, even in his own house.

Primary Sidebar

Most Popular Posts

Best AR-15 Manufacturers

When Will Ammunition Prices Go Down?

Handgun Ballistics Chart

Rifle Ballistics Chart

Muzzle Brake vs Comp vs Flash Hider

12 Best 9mm Handguns

45-70 Ballistics, History, Info

Best Optics Ready Pistols

Cheap Bulk 223 Ammo

Follow Us

YouTube

Facebook

Footer

Disclosure

Privacy Policy

About Us

Contact Us

Advertise

Contributors

Sitemap

Copyright © 2023 · GunnersDen.com ~ As a participant in the Amazon Associates program and other affiliate services, I may earn a small amount of money if you buy something after clicking on a link. It in no way increases the amount you pay and helps us stay in business. Please know that we only recommend products we trust and have used ourselves.