Shooters pick the 338 Lapua Magnum for one reason: reach. It carries heavy, sleek bullets far past where most deer rifles give up. But to use that reach, you need to know your load. This page lays out 338 Lapua ballistics for the match and hunting loads we stock. You get published velocity, energy and ballistic coefficient, plus a plain guide to what the numbers mean.
What Is a 338 Lapua?
The 338 Lapua Magnum came out of Finland in the late 1980s. It was designed as a long-range military sniper round. The case is based on the .416 Rigby, a big African game cartridge.
Is the 338 Lapua a 30 caliber? No. The bullet measures .338 inch, which makes it larger than any .30 caliber round. It sits between the 300 Win Mag and the 50 BMG in size and power.
How big is the round? It is long. Most rifles for it use a magnum-length action. Gunwerks lists an overall cartridge length of 3.6 inches for its 300 grain Elite Hunter load.
Match Loads: 338 Lapua Ballistics Table
Match ammo uses hollow point or open tip bullets built for tight groups and high BC. They are not designed for hunting.
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Gold Medal | 250 | Sierra MatchKing | 2,950 | 4,830 | 20-round box |
| Lapua Scenar | 250 | Scenar HP | 2,970 | 4,896 | 10-round box |
| Norma Match | 250 | Golden Target | 2,838 | 4,471 | 20-round box |
| Winchester Match | 285 | HPBT | 2,690 | 4,578 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Match | 285 | ELD Match | 2,745 | 4,768 | 20-round box |
| Lapua Scenar | 300 | Open tip match | 2,690 | 4,934 | 10-round box |
| Sellier & Bellot Match | 300 | MatchKing HPBT | 2,713 | 4,903 | 100 rounds (10 boxes of 10) |
| Berger Hybrid OTM | 300 | Hybrid OTM | 2,725 | 4,947 | 20-round box |
| Federal Gold Medal | 300 | Sierra MatchKing | 2,580 | 4,434 | 20-round box |
The 250-grain loads run faster. Lapua Scenar 250 grain lists 2,970 fps and 4,896 ft-lb. The 300-grain loads start slower but hold speed better at long range because of higher BC.
Hunting Loads
Is the 338 Lapua good for hunting? It can be, for large game at long range. The key is a bullet built to expand, such as a bonded or copper design. Never hunt with match bullets unless the maker says they are meant for it.
| Load | Grain | Bullet | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lb) | Pack |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift A-Frame | 250 | Bonded round nose | 2,900 | 4,671 | 20-round box |
| Nosler AccuBond | 250 | Bonded polymer tip | 2,850 | 4,508 | 20-round box |
| Hornady Precision Hunter | 270 | ELD-X | 2,800 | 4,699 | 20-round box |
| Barnes VOR-TX | 280 | LRX copper | 2,600 | 4,202 | 20-round box |
| Berger Elite Hunter | 300 | Hollow point | 2,725 | 4,947 | 20-round box |
| Nosler Trophy Grade | 300 | AccuBond | 2,650 | 4,677 | 20-round box |
Hornady Precision Hunter 270 grain ELD-X lists 2,800 fps and 4,699 ft-lb. For lead-free rules, Barnes VOR-TX 280 grain LRX lists 2,600 fps. Hunting laws vary by state, so check yours.
Ballistic Coefficient: The Long-Range Number
Muzzle velocity tells you how fast a bullet starts. Ballistic coefficient (BC) tells you how well it keeps that speed. A higher BC means less drag, less drop and less wind drift. With this cartridge, BC often matters more than raw speed.
| Load | Grain | G1 BC | Test barrel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal Gold Medal | 250 | 0.587 | Not listed |
| Hornady Match | 285 | 0.789 | 28 in. |
| Berger Hybrid OTM | 300 | 0.822 | Not listed |
| Hornady Precision Hunter | 270 | 0.757 | 24 in. |
| Barnes VOR-TX | 280 | 0.667 | Not listed |
| Nosler Trophy Grade | 300 | 0.72 | Not listed |
BC figures here are the G1 values the makers list. Some makers also publish a G7 value, which fits long boat-tail bullets better. Use the same model in your ballistic app that the maker used.
How to Read Velocity and Energy
Velocity is in feet per second at the muzzle. Energy is in foot-pounds. Energy grows with bullet weight and with the square of speed. Every load here with a published figure posts over 4,000 foot-pounds at the muzzle. That is far more than most deer need.
The muzzle number is only the start. At long range, the bullet with the best BC often carries the most energy, even if it started slower. That is why many shooters run 300-grain bullets for the longest shots.
Barrel Length, Altitude and Your Rifle
Listed test barrels for these loads run from 23.5 to 28 inches. Hornady lists 28 inches for its 285-grain ELD Match. Lapua lists 27 inches. A shorter tactical barrel will lose some speed.
Altitude helps you. Thin air means less drag, so the bullet drops less at long range. Temperature also changes powder burn and air density. The only way to get true 338 Lapua ballistics for your setup is to chronograph your rifle and confirm drop on paper at real distance.
How Far Can a 338 Lapua Shoot?
There is no single answer. Effective range depends on your rifle, your optic, the load and your skill. Many shooters use it for targets past 1,000 yards. For hunting, your ethical range is the distance where you can place every shot in the vitals, every time. For most people that is far less than the rifle can do.
Comparing magnums? See the 300 Win Mag ballistic data guide or step up to the 50 BMG ballistic data guide.
Shop 338 Lapua Ammo
All match and hunting loads above are in our 338 Lapua ammo collection. Pick by bullet weight, then by BC and build.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a 338 Lapua good for?
The 338 Lapua Magnum suits long-range target shooting and long-range hunting of large game such as elk and moose. It began as a military sniper round. It is more gun than most deer hunters need, and recoil and ammo cost are both high.
What caliber is a 338 Lapua?
The 338 Lapua Magnum fires a .338 inch bullet. That is about 8.6 mm. The case is based on the .416 Rigby. It is a magnum rifle round and needs a rifle chambered for it.
Is 338 Lapua good for hunting?
Yes, with the right bullet. Use a load built to expand, such as Hornady Precision Hunter ELD-X, Nosler AccuBond or Barnes LRX. Avoid match bullets for game unless the maker says they are made for hunting. Check your state’s hunting rules.
Is 338 Lapua a 30 caliber?
No. The bullet is .338 inch across, larger than any .30 caliber round. It is a separate cartridge with its own case and chamber. Don’t confuse it with the 300 Win Mag or the 338 Win Mag.
How far can a 338 Lapua shoot?
Many shooters use it for targets past 1,000 yards. The real limit depends on your rifle, optic, load, conditions and skill. For hunting, stay within the range where you can place every shot in the vitals.
