Rifle · CIP
.338 Lapua Magnum
Extreme long-range military cartridge.
- Caliber
- 0.339″ · 8.61 mm
- Introduced
- 1989
- Case
- Rimless
- Parent
- .416 Rigby
- Primary use
- Military, Target, Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1989
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- Finland
- Inventor
- Lapua / Research Armament Industries
- Manufacturer
- Lapua
- Standard
- CIP
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Common
- Case capacity
- 114 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:254
- Primer
- Large Rifle Magnum
- Case type
- Rimless
- Max pressure
- 65,000 psi, SAAMI transducer
- Eff. range
- 1800 yd
- Max range
- 5900 yd
- Recoil
- 38–55 ft·lb
Introduced by Lapua
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .338 Lapua Magnum. Parent case: .416 Rigby.
Performance
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
CIP TDCC · approximate| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 8.61 | 0.339 | ~ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.46 | 0.372 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 13.82 | 0.544 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 20° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 14.91 | 0.587 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 14.93 | 0.588 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.52 | 0.060 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 8.31 | 0.327 | ≈ |
| Case length | 69.20 | 2.724 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 93.50 | 3.681 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .338 Lapua Magnum is highlighted below.
Factory loads
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
Suitable powders
25 reloading powders listed for .338 Lapua Magnum, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Developed during the 1980s for military snipers needing capability beyond .300 Win Mag. Lapua partnered with Research Armament Industries, with formal CIP registration and commercial introduction in 1989. Became the standard cartridge for many military long-range sniper programs worldwide.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .338 Lapua Magnum use?
- .338 Lapua Magnum typically uses a 1:254 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .338 Lapua Magnum?
- .338 Lapua Magnum uses a 0.339″ (8.61 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .338 Lapua Magnum still in production?
- .338 Lapua Magnum is active; typical availability is common.
- What is .338 Lapua Magnum used for?
- .338 Lapua Magnum is primarily used for military, target, hunting.
- What is .338 Lapua Magnum based on?
- .338 Lapua Magnum is derived from the .416 Rigby case.
- What are the best powders for .338 Lapua Magnum?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .338 Lapua Magnum include N560, Norma MRP, Vihtavuori N160, MRP2, among 25 suitable options.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — SAAMI cartridge & chamber drawing — .338 Lapua Magnum archived
- Standard C.I.P. — C.I.P. TDCC — Tables of Dimensions of Cartridges and Chambers
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 126 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →
