Biting the Silver Bullet: 25
By Sanjay Soni
The world of long-range shooting is filled with choices, and selecting the right cartridge is paramount. Two of the most prominent contenders in the .338 caliber are the .338 Norma Magnum and the .338 Lapua Magnum. Both cartridges offer exceptional performance at extended distances, making them popular among military snipers, competitive shooters, and big-game hunters.
This article offers a comprehensive comparison of the .338 Norma Magnum vs .338 Lapua, examining their history, ballistics, performance, and practical applications to help you make an informed decision.
However, as they are similar in so many ways, it may seem intimidating to pick the best one for long-range shooting/hunting. Through this article, we’ll explore the differences between the .338 Norma and the .338 Lapua cartridges and help you make an informed decision on what to choose for your long-range shooting needs.
What about the 338 Lapua
Initial .338 Lapua development can be traced to 1983 with Research Armament Industries (RAI) in the United States. After preliminary experiments, a .416 Rigby case necked down to take a 0.338-inch bullet was selected, since this diameter presents optimum sectional density and penetrating capability for rifle bullets.
Difficulties with case development led RAI to contact Lapua of Finland in 1984. RAI was forced to drop out of the program due to financial difficulties. After the cancellation of the original RAI production, the companies of Lapua, SAKO, and Accuracy International finished the development with a redesigned case more suitable to withstand the high pressures required to launch 250 or 300 grain bullets at nearly 3,000 feet per second.
Also known as the “.338 LM” or “.338 Lapua Magnum”, the .338 Lapua is a high-powered, long-range cartridge designed for military snipers, as well as an ideal military long-range anti-personnel cartridge, as it fills the gap between the 7.62 NATO and .50BMG.
These powerful cartridges rapidly climbed to the top as one of the most commanding rifle rounds in the world, thanks to their ability to deliver high energy in long-range shooting.
In the hunting world, they are known as “The King” of long-range shooting.
Let’s meet the 338 Norma
The .338 Norma is a long-range, hard-hitting round that debuted in 2009 and became the official supplier for the US military.
The .338 Norma Magnum was originally developed as a long-range sport shooting wildcat cartridge by the American sport shooter Jimmie Sloan with the help of Dave Kiff, owner of Pacific Tool and Gauge, who made the reamers and headspace gauges. Barrels were supplied by Rock Creek Barrel Inc. It began as a wildcat caliber in 2008 and entered production with Norma in 2009. It was certified by CIP in 2010. Clearly, this wildcat was on the fast track to success from the very beginning.
Various twist rates were tried with 5R rifling. It was designed as a way to optimize shooting the 300 gr .338 caliber Sierra HPBT MatchKing projectile from actions and magazines that lack the length to handle cartridges exceeding 3.60 inches in overall length. The 300 gr .338 caliber Sierra HPBT MatchKing projectile was not available when the .338 Lapua Magnum was originally designed and .338 Lapua Magnum cartridges intended for military use are generally loaded with shorter 250 gr to 285 gr projectiles.
These powerful rounds were created to outperform the .338 Lapua as a better long-range alternative, and the .338 Norma does its job gracefully.
338 Norma Vs 338 Lapua: How Do They Differ
The .338 Norma Magnum and .338 Lapua Magnum are both powerful cartridges designed for long-range shooting, but the .338 Norma Magnum is designed to accommodate heavier bullets like 300-grain, while still fitting within a standard .338 Lapua magazine, whereas the .338 Lapua was designed for 250-grain bullets.
Now, let’s dive into the 338 Norma Vs 338 Lapua comparison to find out what will suit you the best in long-range shooting.
Cartridge Dimensions and Design
A closer look at the physical characteristics of each cartridge reveals key differences.
.338 Lapua Magnum
The .338 Lapua Magnum features a long, belted case with a rebated rim. Its overall length and case capacity are substantial, allowing for heavy powder charges and the use of bullets ranging from 250 to 300 grains. The belted case design, while traditional for magnum cartridges, can sometimes be a point of contention due to potential accuracy issues compared to non-belted designs.
.338 Norma Magnum
The .338 Norma Magnum utilizes a shorter, non-belted case with a larger case head. This design allows for reliable feeding and extraction in some rifle platforms. The shorter case length also enables the use of longer, higher-BC bullets without exceeding the overall length constraints of standard long-action magazines. The non-belted design is generally favored for its potential to enhance accuracy.
Ballistic Performance
Ballistics are critical when comparing these two cartridges. Let’s examine velocity, energy, and trajectory.
Velocity and Energy
Both the .338 Lapua and the .338 Norma Magnum deliver impressive velocities and energy levels.
Typically, a 300-grain bullet fired from a .338 Lapua Magnum will achieve muzzle velocities around 2700-2800 fps, generating over 5000 ft-lbs of energy. The .338 Norma Magnum, with similar bullet weights, can achieve slightly higher velocities due to its optimized case design, often reaching 2800-2900 fps, resulting in comparable or slightly higher energy levels. The specific performance will vary depending on the load and barrel length.
Trajectory
The flatter trajectory of the .338 Norma Magnum is one of its key advantages. The higher velocities it achieves with similar bullet weights translate to less bullet drop at extended ranges. This makes it easier to make accurate shots without requiring extreme elevation adjustments. The .338 Lapua Magnum also offers a relatively flat trajectory, but it generally requires slightly more compensation for bullet drop at longer distances.
We’ve noticed that the .338 Lapua drops about 3-5 MOA more at 1500 yards, and 8-10 MOA more than the .338 Norma at 2000 yards.
Wind Drift
Both cartridges are relatively resistant to wind drift due to their high ballistic coefficients.
However, the higher velocity of the .338 Norma Magnum can provide a slight edge in windy conditions, reducing the amount of windage correction required for accurate shots. The heavier bullets used in both cartridges help maintain stability and resist deflection from crosswinds.
Ballistic Coefficient
Ballistic Coefficient (BC) showcases the bullet’s power to withstand air resistance and wind draft. As the .338 Lapua was designed to pierce through various types and layers of body armor over a long distance, it naturally has a high BC count.
The .338 Norma is no joke either. Both these cartridges offer exceptional performance in hunting big game over a long range. It can fight the .338 Lapua toe-to-toe in this segment.
However, as the successor, the .338 Norma surpasses the .338 Lapua with slightly higher BC over long distances.
Recoil
Recoil is an important consideration for shooters, especially when engaging in long-range shooting or hunting. Both the .338 Lapua and the .338 Norma Magnum produce significant recoil, but there are subtle differences.
The .338 Lapua Magnum generally produces slightly more felt recoil due to its heavier powder charges and larger case capacity. The recoil is often described as sharp and intense. The .338 Norma Magnum, while still producing substantial recoil, can feel slightly more manageable due to its optimized case design and potentially lower powder charges for certain loads. However, both cartridges are best suited for rifles equipped with effective muzzle brakes or recoil suppressors to mitigate the impact on the shooter.
As both .338 Lapua and .338 Norma were designed for dedicated long-range hunts, they offer significantly lower recoil than most large-caliber rounds.
The .338 Lapua has a slightly higher recoil, meaning the kick on your shoulder will surely be noticeable.
Price
Rifle Availability and Cost
The availability of rifles chambered in each cartridge and the associated costs are important factors to consider.
Ammunition Availability and Cost
The availability and cost of ammunition are crucial considerations for any cartridge.
.338 Lapua Magnum
Ammunition for the .338 Lapua Magnum is widely available from numerous manufacturers, including Lapua, Hornady, and Federal. The cartridge has been in production for a longer time, so there is a greater variety of loads available, ranging from match-grade ammunition to hunting rounds.
However, .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition is generally quite expensive, with prices ranging from $5 to $10 per round, depending on the brand and bullet type.
.338 Norma Magnum
Ammunition for the .338 Norma Magnum is becoming more readily available, but the selection is not as extensive as the .338 Lapua Magnum. Norma Precision, Hornady, and Berger offer .338 Norma Magnum ammunition. The cost of .338 Norma Magnum ammunition is typically comparable to .338 Lapua Magnum ammunition, ranging from $5 to $10 per round.
Variation and availability also count. .338 Lapua offers a wider range of cartridges to choose from, whereas your options will be limited with the .338 Norma rounds.
338 Norma Vs 338 Lapua: Which One to Pick
Now that you’ve known all the important factors that separate .338 Norma rounds from the .338 Lapua, it’s time to figure out which one will work best for you.
Let’s get into it.
As you’ve already known, the .338 Norma mag rounds were designed to outperform the “king” of long-range shooting rounds, the .338 Lapua, and it does its job beautifully. Some hunters are already naming it as the “Next King” of long-range cartridges.
However, they almost performed identically in our tests, with the .338 Norma holding a slight edge. It provides a higher BC count, less recoil energy, and a slightly flatter trajectory.
On the other hand, the .338 Lapua offers satisfactory performance, more variation and comes at a cheaper price point.
It all comes down to personal preference.
If you want to stick with the traditional king of long-range shooting, go for the .338 Lapua. It’ll give you reliable performance, cheaper rounds, and enough firepower to take down even the largest game in North America.
On the contrary, if you want to embrace advanced performance, go for the .338 Norma. Side with the future king of long-range shooting cartridges, and bring power, accuracy, and precision to your long-range hunts.
Up until quite recently, the 338 Lapua Magnum cartridge was the preeminent sniper caliber, with 338 Norma Magnum looking ready to surpass its popularity. The war in Ukraine caused a resurgence in the Lapua caliber. Sniper ammunition was needed, and 338 Lapua Mag fit the bill.
It’s unclear how much this spike may add to its life span, though. Some say a decade or more. Regardless, the long-term implications for the round’s future use by today’s militaries are the same. 338 Norma Magnum is set to take Lapua’s place on the throne of tactical long-range cartridges.
So Why The 338 NM Now?
Modern propellants are fine-tuned for maximum performance and can get the .338 caliber bullet to the ideal velocities in the smaller chassis of the 338 Norma Magnum, which could not be accomplished 30 years ago in the 338 Lapua. In addition, the shorter length of the Norma cartridge opens up the number of rifle actions that can fire the round.
The number of actions that can fit the 338 Lapua Mag length cartridge is limited. The 338 Lapua Mag is designed to be fired in a belt-fed machine gun. However, since the 1980’s there haven’t been any serious weapon development efforts to fire the 338 Lapua Mag in a machine gun. The 338 NM has been fired in machine guns since General Dynamics created the prototype Lightweight Medium Machine Gun in 2012. Sig Sauer has created a machine gun chambered in the .338 Norma Magnum. This has been adopted for use by the US Special Forces in 2020.
Practical Applications
Both cartridges excel in various applications, including long-range shooting, hunting, and military/law enforcement roles.
Long-Range Shooting
Both the .338 Lapua and the .338 Norma Magnum are excellent choices for long-range shooting competitions. The flatter trajectory and higher velocity of the .338 Norma Magnum can provide a slight edge in certain situations, while the .338 Lapua Magnum offers a proven track record of performance and a wider selection of match-grade ammunition.
Ultimately, the choice depends on individual preferences and the specific requirements of the competition.
Hunting
Both cartridges are capable of taking down large game animals at extended ranges. The .338 Lapua Magnum has a long history of use in hunting applications, particularly for elk, moose, and bear. The .338 Norma Magnum is also gaining popularity among hunters due to its flatter trajectory and ability to use high-BC bullets. Both cartridges deliver sufficient energy to ensure humane kills at distances exceeding 500 yards, provided the shooter has the necessary skills and experience.
Military and Law Enforcement
The .338 Lapua Magnum has been widely adopted by military and law enforcement agencies for sniper rifles. Its proven performance, reliability, and availability of specialized ammunition make it a popular choice for engaging targets at extreme ranges. The .338 Norma Magnum is also being considered by some military and law enforcement units, but it has not yet achieved the same level of widespread adoption as the .338 Lapua Magnum.
Conclusion
The .338 Norma Magnum vs .338 Lapua debate is complex, with each cartridge offering unique advantages. The .338 Lapua Magnum boasts a longer history, wider availability of rifles and ammunition, and a proven track record in military and hunting applications. The .338 Norma Magnum offers a flatter trajectory, potentially higher velocities, and a more modern case design.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, preferences, and budget. Consider your intended use, the availability of rifles and ammunition in your area, and the level of recoil you are comfortable with before making a decision.
Both cartridges are capable of delivering exceptional long-range performance. With proper training and equipment, you can achieve impressive results with either the .338 Lapua Magnum or the .338 Norma Magnum.
No matter what you end up choosing, keep in mind that your performance also depends on you.
Sanjay Soni is the Managing Director of Hughes Precision Manufacturing Pvt. Ltd., India’s first small caliber manufacturer in the private sector. An MBA from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, he has been involved with the ammunition industry in India and abroad for the last 10 years.
