.338 Lapua Mag.
Reloading data for .338 Lapua Mag. cartridges and specifications for cases and loads in this caliber.
Product number: CID_454
Load data for caliber ".338 Lapua Mag."
The .338 Lapua Magnum, also known as the 8.6x70mm, is a long-range rifle cartridge developed in the 1980s by the Finnish firearms manufacturer Lapua. It was designed to be a high-powered, accurate cartridge for military and law enforcement snipers, as well as for long-range target shooting and big game hunting.The cartridge has a bullet diameter of .338 inches and a case length of 2.7 inches. It is capable of firing bullets weighing between 200 and 300 grains at muzzle velocities ranging from 2,800 to 3,200 feet per second.
The .338 Lapua Magnum is a highly accurate cartridge with a flat trajectory that makes it ideal for long-range shooting. It is capable of delivering high amounts of energy to the target at distances of up to 1,500 yards or more.
The cartridge is commonly used by military and law enforcement snipers, as well as by civilian long-range shooters and big game hunters who need to take shots at extended ranges. It is also used in long-range shooting competitions, where it has set numerous records.
The .338 Lapua Magnum is typically chambered in bolt-action rifles, although it has also been used in semi-automatic rifles such as the Barrett M82 and the Sako TRG-42. It is not as widely available as some of the more common rifle cartridges, but it is gaining popularity among long-range shooters and hunters who appreciate its power and accuracy.
Due to its high muzzle velocity and energy, the .338 Lapua Magnum generates significant recoil, which can be a challenge for some shooters. However, many firearms manufacturers now produce rifles with effective recoil-reducing features, such as muzzle brakes and adjustable stocks, that help to mitigate this issue.
You find .338 Lapua Mag. with all common powders and bullets by clicking the 'Loads in this caliber' button above.
Technical Specifications (based on the respective safety standard - see more details in tab 'Datasheet' if available)
| Caliber: | .338 Lapua Mag. |
|---|---|
| Cartridge Type: | Rimless |
| Bullet Diameter: | 0.338 '' | 8.59 mm |
| Primer Size: | Large Rifle Magnum (LRM) |
| Datasheet: | https://bobp.cip-bobp.org/uploads/tdcc/tab-i/338-lapua-mag-en.pdf |
| Max. Case Length (l3): | 2.72'' | 69.19 mm |
| Max .Cartridge Length / OAL: | 3.68'' | 93.5 mm |
| Maximum Standardized Pressure: | 60916.8 psi | 4200 bar |
C.I.P.
The Commission internationale permanente pour l'épreuve des armes à feu portatives ("Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms" – commonly abbreviated as C.I.P.) is an international organisation which sets standards for safety testing of firearms. (The word portatives ("portable") in the name refers to the fact the C.I.P. tests small arms almost exclusively; it is ordinarily omitted from the English translation of the name.) As of 2015, its members are the national governments of 14 countries, of which 11 are European Union member states. The C.I.P. safeguards that all firearms and ammunition sold to civilian purchasers in member states are safe for the users.
To achieve this, all such firearms are first proof tested at C.I.P. accredited Proof Houses. The same applies for cartridges; at regular intervals, cartridges are tested against the C.I.P. pressure specifications at the ammunition manufacturing plants and at C.I.P. accredited Proof Houses.