Where they differ greatly is in 50 BMG’s much bigger, much heavier bullet’s ability to carry killing power far beyond the capabilities of the 338 Lapua. For accuracy, the 50 BMG is junk. We are measuring the bullet drop (inches) from 100 out to 1,000 yards. A few of these include the bullet design (spitzer, boat tail, flat nose, etc.) As the reader can no doubt tell at this point, it would be pointless to recommend one of these cartridges more than the other for every situation or purpose. This article has hopefully highlighted both the similarities and differences so that the informed shooter can make his decisions and buy the appropriate ammunition for his needs. Because this is computer generated data and because each rifle has its own personality, the actual numbers that are going to come from firing one of these rounds from your rifle, the numbers shouldn’t be too far off but we wanted to make it clear that these numbers are not set in stone. There is no doubt that the cartridge has the power and the trajectory to take on this challenge, but there is always the ethical question of taking shots at animals from these ranges. The .338 LM is no slouch when it comes to long range shooting. For folks who are trying to find 338 Lapua Mag Vs 50 Bmg Cartridge Comparison Sniper review. Before we get into the meat of the article with our comparisons, we want to briefly touch on how these two cartridges look up next to each other. I've only shot them at the range, and heard a buddy go on and on about an African hunting trip. We will see more drastic differences between our selected rounds, and we cannot comment on the exact variables used for this result. It is a highly specialized, rimless, bottlenecked, centerfire cartridge that came from the .400 Taylor Magnum. products sale. Next Last. Receive our newsletter with the best articles covering guides, guns & gear. Since 2001, we have provided the latest in gun rights news, tech reviews and product information. The Best .45 ACP Pistols Money Can Buy Today. How important the ballistic coefficient is with shooters often depends on the distance of shots they are taking. .25-06 Remington vs. .243 Winchester: The Better Overbore, The Top Five Best AR-15 Pistols – Our Picks, Top Video Game Weapons You Can Own In Real Life, The Best Shot Timers and Why You Need One, Top All Weather Firearms For Snow Conditions. For a lot of cartridge comparisons we have done, recoil is usually not that huge of an issue. The less a bullet drops during its flight, the easier it is to make adjustments for longer distance shots. As for powder charges, we used conservative numbers for each round based on the hand loading specifications from Nosler. With modern firearms, the majority of centerfire rifle cartridges can be tolerated with regards to the recoil. As we mentioned earlier, the velocity has a lot of influence on other aspects of the bullet’s behavior such as expansion. The 50 BMG rounds are quite impressive with BCs all above the .7 mark and one round coming in with a 1.05BC. And even if the people in your state are against banning .50 BMGs, that doesn't mean the next liberal Congress wont be. The design specifications of this cartridge make it suitable for several civilian applications, such as large game hunting and long range competitive shooting. We suppose it all depends on the type of hunting you do, but if you plan on doing any spot and stalk, you better be in shape. I shoot the 50 BMG in FCSA 1000-yard matches and the 338 Lapua is my long range hunting gun. And since there is marginal cost difference if you step up to .50 BMG, you might as well step up to .50 BMG and know that you have a platform that will bring down an airplane or helicopter. And besides, we’re talking a .5” diameter wound size; you don’t need a whole lot of expansion anyway if you want any meat left over. In some cases you might be surprised. These are excellent speeds for long range shooting, especially when shot from a rifle with the proper twist rate to stabilize them in flight. Again, this conclusions and estimates are based solely on the factory loads we have been examining here and the data that accompany them. There are two to three inches difference between the highest performing 50 BMG round and the highest 338 LM round. Rather than comparing these cartridges in a way that seeks to value one over the other, we are going to instead evaluate the relative advantages and disadvantages of each one and determine the suitable purpose and situations for each as well. We are using computer data that was compiled from the manufacturer’s websites as well as from trusted ballistic calculators. When this is the case, we will be sure to make it clear what we are doing. In the case of the 338 Lapua vs 50 BMG, we still feel the same. We’ll discuss this topic more in the applications section. Designed in the 1980s, its development was intended for long range snipers in the military or law enforcement who needed strong terminal ballistics and could penetrate various types and layers of body armor, such as ceramic plates and ballistic mesh weaves, even at extremely long distances. As far as the BCs go for these two cartridges, both show phenomenal numbers. What you might be looking for is how these rounds behave in flight, which is what we will look at next. The old "blue box" primers were better for the 50. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. It couldn’t be more clear that the 50BMG carries exponentially more kinetic energy with it than the .338 LM rounds. The purpose of this cartridge was to was to provide snipers with a long range round that had incredible terminal ballistics and could penetrate several layers of body armor at extreme distances.This is a hard hitting round with incredible range and power. Most hunters also want enough stopping power to be able to make a clean and humane kill of the animal with causing unneeded suffering and risk losing it in the field. As we have done in previous sections, we are going to look at our ten selected rounds. Rating - 100%. See links below. 338 Lapua Mag Vs 50 Bmg Cartridge Comparison Sniper Sale . The .338 Lapua rifle became something of an intermediary between the long-standing .308 Winchester and .50 BMG cartridges in widespread western service, but has now branched out worldwide to the militaries of over 30 countries. Still, we think that we can get some valuable information by examining the kinetic energy associated with our various rounds as the move from the muzzle down range to 1,000 yards. The price for both is about equal per 20 rounds, though the 50BMG factory loads often come in boxes of ten rounds. Regardless, a round with a higher BC is going to maintain a higher BC than a second bullet since both would be effected in the same way. It’s a culmination of several factors including bullet energy, penetration, bullet expansion, and shot placement. And this is simplifying the topic since we are leaving out expansion, which is also going to play a role in penetration. We will bring this up several times throughout our discussion but keep in the back of your mind that your ultimate choice should consider all of these results together rather than focusing on one independent category. Remember: what happens in California happens just about everywhere else. However, you are supposed to use fairly stout loads (at least 4,000 foot-pounds or so - some loads are below that)..50 BMG is in the 12k-13k foot pound area. If the bullet passes through cleanly, remaining relatively intact, not all of the energy is transferred to the target. You would be surprised how many of them have never given their rounds BC a thought. Check out Kentucky Ballistics Clothing! Even so, it’s difficult to compare the accuracy of two cartridges by the means that we have. This cartridge can easily take shots at 1,000+ yards just as the 50BMG, but there might be more dramatic adjustments needed to be made for these shots when compared to the 50 BMG. Both are going to penetrate just about any hide or armor that is out there, it’s what they were designed to do, and we have seen from the velocities that they are going to speed and power behind them to get the job done. The increased range is an argument in favor of maintaining standoff distances from the game, and this cartridge definitely delivers the power and velocity for it. I can't decide which big boy rifle to go for. The Big Fifty because they'll be illegal sooner than a rifle chambered in .338 Lapua. The .50 BMG is a very large round and as such, requires heavy weapons and supporting equipment in order to fire safely and accurately. Required fields are marked *. The .50 Browning Machine Gun (.50 BMG) was produced in the late 1910s as the field placement of armored vehicles became more common in European countries during the build up before WWI. For the 50BMG, we are not going to give a specific round. There are some options for bulk purchase which can save you some money in the long run. With that, you have a better chance at running into .338 LM rounds than a box of 50 BMG. Top 5 Super Combo Survival Tools That Could Save Your Life. 338 Lapua vs 300 WM vs 50 BMG. Today on Kentucky Ballistics we shoot our bullet resistant windshield again. Jul 5, 2010 323 16 Bremen, IN. Don’t discount the value of the .338 Lapua Magnum, though. Still, some might be unfamiliar, so we want to touch on what exactly a ballistic coefficient is before we move on to the comparison. Both cartridges have the velocity needed for long range shooting though the 50BMG seems to show slightly higher velocities and this gap between the cartridges widens as the rounds move downrange. Go. Get our PDF with 13 pistol & rifle targets (worth $48) including expert instructions for FREE! In this cartridge comparison, we are going to take a look at two cartridges, the .338 Lapua and the .50 BMG, two rounds that separate the men from the boys. 338 LM Federal MatchKing BTHP Gold Medal 250gr, 338 LM Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 300gr. It really depends upon the mission and that is a question only you can answer. 338 Lapua Or 50 Bmg BY 338 Lapua Or 50 Bmg in Articles 338 Lapua Or 50 Bmg will be the most popular products introduced this few days. GND is community supported. When dealing with more obscure cartridges that don’t have a huge market and takes quite a lot more material to make and you have the trifecta for expensive rounds. and the speed of the bullet. Accurate, doesnt have as much recoil as a 50,pierce light armor from 1000m, more aerodynamic than a 50 thus meaning greater range and accuracy from a slicker-longer Projectile. Mid-range shooting or medium-sized game hunting can be accomplished with a smaller cartridge. 1 of 2 Go to page. Some hunters are committed to using the .50 BMG for hunting, and it’s true, it is very successful at bringing down large game such as elk and moose – even dangerous game. I can't decide which big boy rifle to go for. With that being said, we wouldn’t recommend hunting the majority of game on planet Earth with a 50BMG; it seems pointless with the amount of damage it would cause to perfectly good meat. 300 Win Mag vs 338 Lapua vs 338 Win Mag: Cartridge Sizes The shared heritage of the .300 Win Mag and .338 Win Mag, as well as the unique roots of the .338 Lapua, is obvious in the photo below. The .338 Lapua Magnum (also known as the .338 LM) definitely has a much shorter history than the .50 BMG. Thread starter snowman; Start date Dec 11, 2011; 1; 2; Next. Re: .338 vs .50 BMG Well, the 338 Lapua is inherently more accurate, and less expensive to shoot. Maybe even more so when looking at these two rounds. It excels in all of the ballistic categories that we have covered in this article. The velocity of a bullet is key for both hunting and range shooting purposes. #Don't find @ Best Shop for cheap price 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart .Compare Price and Options of 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart from variety stores in usa. Still, with the categories we have examined so far, we can infer some information in a roundabout way when it comes to the potential accuracy between the 338 Lapua Mag versus 50 BMG. The .338 will cost you more to reload then the .50 BMG, there are NO surplus parts for .338 Lapua. It is primarily used in extreme distance target shooting, but large game hunters also appreciate the accuracy at these large distances, especially when it can increase the standoff distance and keep hunters at a safe distance from dangerous game. How much energy is required to take down an animal varies and the amount that actually gets transferred to the target varies. I hope you enjoy the video and thanks for watching! When it comes to hunting, there are great options for the .338 LM. You need a bigger heavier reloading press and tools for the .50bmg. The AccuBond bullet used is perfect for the proper expansion needed while not sacrificing penetration for large game animals. Both cartridges will also deliver great hunting performance. Best 9mm Ammo 2019 [Self-Defense & Target], 6.5 Creedmoor vs .243 Win – Cartridge Comparison, Best .40 S&W Ammo: Self Defense & Target Practice. #Don't find @ Best Shop for cheap price 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart .Compare Price and Options of 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart from variety stores in usa. It saw service with the military in both Afghanistan and Iraq and is still in use with military personnel today, but it has also found a loyal following among civilians. Thread starter snowman; Start date Dec 11, 2011; 1; 2; Next. For the .50BMG, we would recommend the Hornady A-MAX Match 750gr round. The .338 Lapua Magnum has a much shorter history than the other cartridge we will be examining in this article. The ballistic coefficient gives you an idea of how streamlined a bullet is. If we look at the sectional densities of the ten rounds we see that there is not a huge advantage to one cartridge over the other in this regard though the 50BMG cartridge does have two rounds above the .4 mark. On the other hand, talk to F-class competitive shooters, and the trend is the opposite. The 50 BMG rounds range from 72 to 87ft.lb of recoil energy. 250 and 300 SMK's? The .338 LM has more options available. I dig accuracy, but you've gotta think ahead. With ME of over 1,200ft.lb and and ME of over 5,000ft.lb at 1,000yds, there are no restrictions on the type of game you can hunt. If you decide to make a go with the .338 or the 50 BMG, with some practice, you’re going to have an accurate cartridge. You might be asking yourself if the velocities shown here are enough for proper expansion of such a large bullet such as the .50cal. Many .338 Lapua Magnums go above and beyond 3,000 fps, but, in general, the .50 BMG will have more available cartridges with higher velocities, both at the muzzle and downrange. This comparison is interesting because of how similar the sectional densities are despite the major differences in bullets. Even if we had all of the rounds and a couple days to generate some MOA measurements it still might differ on another day in someone else’s hands. Go. Of course, the remaining components will add on top of that price. The terminal ballistics of the .338 LM make it ideal for taking down elk and moose, and the longer range makes it ideal for precision shooting in long range competitions. The cartridge itself has been made in many variants from armor piercing to tracer rounds, though most factory loads that can be accessed by civilians are the typical bullets. In certain aspects and specific situations, one or the other might have the advantage, but each scenario needs to be considered separately. Most competitions will not allow a .50 caliber round overall, but the .50 BMG will put out a beautiful arcing shot that can put rounds on target beyond 1000 yards. Field-tested and proven on the battlefield in both Afghanistan and Iraq, military personnel continue to use this ammunition and civilians have followed their example when it comes to hunting and competition shooting. Let’s take a look at the velocities of each round from the muzzle out to 1,000 yards. 338 Lapua vs 50 BMG vs Pine Board Box Today on Kentucky Ballistics we perform a pine board box test with 338 Lapua and 50 BMG! For the .338 LM, we recommend the Nosler Trophy Grade AccuBond 300gr round. But the 30 pounds of rifle that the hunter will be carrying around through the wilderness or outback will also inevitably tire him out, possibly before he even gets his first shot off. You might be strictly a hunter or strictly a competition shooter, but the majority of us are a mixture of both. The 50 BMG does have several rounds that break the .9 and even 1.0 mark, but the 338LM is nothing to scoff at either. The ballistic coefficient is derived from an equation that uses several bullet and cartridge variables. The difference between the two rounds is as followed with the 50BMG showing a flatter trajectory. This is a hard hitting round with incredible range and power. To use either of these rounds, muzzle brakes and other support is needed to use rifles chambered for these cartridges. Remember: what happens in California happens just about everywhere else. The 338LM rounds under our specifications have recoil energies ranging between 29 and 33ft.lb. And even if the people in your state are against banning .50 BMGs, that doesn't mean the next liberal Congress wont be. If you want easy access to armor piercing, incendiary, tracer as well as ball ammo, 50 BMG is your best choice. It is not possible to get the distance, accuracy, and ballistic strength without an equal and opposite reaction impacting the shoulder of the shooter. The .338 Lapua Magnum (also known as the .338 LM) definitely has a much shorter history than the .50 BMG. Also you need to look at the intended purpose of the rifle/round. From over 4,000ft.lb of energy out of the muzzle to between 1,000 and 2,000ft.lb at 1,000 yards, it too has incredible range when it comes to having the energy needed for most game animals in the world. 300 Win Mag Vs 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg BY 300 Win Mag Vs 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg in Articles If you find product , Deals. We can estimate penetration based on the sectional density because of what the SD is derived from. As we mentioned above, firing these rounds often requires heavy firearms and other pieces of gear that help negate this recoil. By understanding these different parameters, we can not only better adjust to specific shooting conditions and be aware of our limitations, but we can also begin to tease apart certain situations each of these cartridges might be better suited. So , let’s get down to business. Its accuracy at 1000 yards is easily equal to the .50 BMG, but farther shots will probably require more sight adjustment due to the slightly lower muzzle velocity and more dramatic trajectories. With two decades of chasing all manner of upland game, hooved mammals, strutting gobblers, and any small game that can fit in his Dutch oven, he hopes to offer new ideas and viewpoints on hunting and firearm concepts and traditions. Let’s take it a step further and take a look at the rounds we have selected for comparison. While this is important to understand, it’s equally important to remember that the SD, while a good means for comparing two cartridges, only tells part of the story when it comes to penetration. By doing this, perhaps we can tease apart in which situations one cartridge might be better suited over the other. Lapua: Pros. About the previous point, a clean kill means you are not going to have to track a wounded animal sometimes a couple hundred yards and possibly in the dark and cold. It might not compete with some hand loaded cartridges, but you can’t get much better when it comes to a factory load. Just from first glance, we see that the various rounds of each cartridge are pretty varied and a general trend for one cartridge over the other doesn’t jump out right away. Granted, if you’re firing these rounds, you most likely have gear that aids in absorbing the recoil and stabilizing the firearm. This data was taken from the standards used by the ballistic calculator for the .338 LM and the .50 BMG rounds. It is a direct competitor to the .338 Lapua Magnum and .50 BMG long range cartridges. It’s because 90% of their shots are coming at 250 yards or less. Both of these cartridges have found a place in the long range shooting. We have compiled the ballistic coefficients for all ten rounds and graphed them here. Though they also carry quite a significant amount more powder and as we saw previously, you pay for it with the recoil. Even so, computer generated data is a proven and safe means for comparing two cartridges as we will do here. While there is plenty .50 BMG surplus to buy, now if you plan on reloading match quality it will get more expensive. Like the other cartridge in this article, you have to expect a serious recoil from the .50 BMG. The .338 Lapua is was and always has been a gun and round intended for precision shooting. To do this, we have selected several rounds for each cartridge we are comparing. Your email address will not be published. And if you need the performance of the 50BMG, you are probably already aware of what you are in for and with today’s modern gear, you are perfectly capable of using this cartridge efficiently. Next Last. The Big Fifty because they'll be illegal sooner than a rifle chambered in .338 Lapua. Both of these rounds are going to shoot flat at 300 yards, but the real reason is that if you are using these cartridges to take shots at that range, there is no helping you anyway. We have more information about Detail, Specification, Customer Reviews and Comparison Price. Now, in this section, we are not looking technically at the actual felt recoil but instead at the recoil energy(ft.lb) that is generated when firing these rounds. Higher velocities, with a stable bullet, also aid in long range performance, which is critical for both hunting and competition shooting. It may seem like an inferior cartridge when all of the specs are listed side-by-side with the .50 BMG, but it can deliver nearly equal performance in almost all of the same scenarios. Factory loads for civilian purchase are limited with most of the available rounds coming with bullet weights between 650 and 750gr. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ CHEAP PRICES 338 Lapua Mag Vs 50 Bmg Cartridge Comparison Sniper , REVIEW AND GET LOW PRICES NOW. So there is a fine line a lot of hunters try to walk when it comes to penetration. And although some shooters will claim that recoil does not affect their accuracy, this is a wild boast. Still, by comparing the recoil energies, it will translate loosely into what you feel. Please support Kentucky Ballistics on Patreon! I would like to take my distance shooting to a new level. And receive our newsletter with the best articles covering guides, guns & gear. We do know that the recoil energy is nearly double even with the 50BMG using a 30lb firearm compared to the 15lb for the 338. The physics and theories behind the ballistic coefficient can get quite cluttered and complicated, though we highly recommend diving into the subject when you have the time. Get Cheap at best online store now!! Of course, how much penetration you need is going to depend on the game you are hunting. Shop for cheap price 338 Lapua Magnum 50 Bmg .Compare Price and Options of 338 Lapua Magnum 50 Bmg from variety stores in usa. But that’s the case with just about every round and is one of the many reasons that a lot of us have fallen in love with the sport. If we take a closer look at the averages of the round, we see that the 50BMG rounds carry from 200fps (Muzzle-700yds) to 300fps (800-1,000yds) more than the 338LM rounds, which is quite remarkable given how much heavier the 50BMG rounds. Both of these cartridges are capable of accuracy at extreme distances, and both have enormous stopping power. 602 Views Share Embed Download In General. Download 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart BY 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart in Articles Shop for Low Price 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart . Shots traveling 1,000 yards are much more prone to these environmental factors, and we would bet that 99% of them are very aware of the BC. We have hunted a long time and talked to a lot of our fellow outdoorsman. Trajectory follows a similar trend where both show very flat trajectories, though the 50 BMG excels in this category as well. It should already be clear that the difference just from the bullet diameter is quite dramatic. These rounds are listed below. For two cartridges that are touted as extreme distance shooters, the ballistic coefficient is going to be an important factor for potential users. In all aspects of the case proportions, the .50 BMG is much larger than the .338, which is a big round when compared to other popular hunting /shooting rounds. Also like and follow Kentucky Ballistics on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Today on Kentucky Ballistics we perform a pine board box test with 338 Lapua and 50 BMG! When a shooter needs heavy stopping power over extreme long-distance ranges, he looks for cartridges such as these. You can expect accuracy to deteriorate after heavy shooting without adequate time for recovery using this cartridge. In our minds, there is no one cartridge that is above and beyond better than another. With such differences in cartridge specs, we can assume that the ballistic performances are going to be quite different as well. The .50BMG not so much . The .338 LM meets those spec… The .338 Lapua Magnum was developed in the eighties specifically to provide Military snipers a round capable of delivering high powered impacts to targets at extended range. 338 Lapua uses 80-95 grains of powder versus 215-230 grains for the 50 bmg. It’s really the only way either of these rounds can be fired accurately. It has the velocity, the BC, and the trajectory to make shots of even 1,500 yards. To be effective, a bullet must be able to penetrate through sometimes very thick hide and bone to reach vital organs. These rounds typically cost $5 per shot, and the platform required to shoot with these cartridges averages around $2000. Please like and subscribe! Thanks in advance for any links or data. Out to 400 yards, there is little to no difference between the two cartridges. For this cartridge analysis, we are going to look at the .338 Lapua and the .50 BMG. To be able to push such large bullets to speeds that make them useful is going to take a good deal of powder and both have the casings to hold it. The fact is, both of these cartridges produce large amounts of recoil that can easily cause the shooter to flinch during a shot. The recoil on this ammunition is, of course, considerable. With a hilariously long flight time of 7 seconds, this is getting closer to field artillery skill than it is marksmanship. What we hope you draw from this is that both of these cartridges have a BC that corresponds with highly streamlined bullets. Download 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart BY 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart in Articles Shop for Low Price 338 Lapua Vs 50 Bmg Ballistics Chart . We are not huge advocates of its use in hunting, but if you have the desire to take it to the field, your biggest concern is how it flies, in which case check out the next section. Both of these cartridges are capable of high accuracy at long distances, and both have extreme stopping power. When we look at the graph, it is quite a stark contrast between cartridges. If you really want a great, customized option, check out ATRS in Canada – they know their business. Still, by looking at the sectional density (SD) of the rounds, we can get an idea of how well these different bullets can penetrate and gives us a basis for comparison.
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