The .338 Lapua Magnum is a rimless, bottlenecked centerfire rifle cartridge for .338-inch bullets, developed in the 1980s by Lapua of Finland and in production since 1989, originally as a long-range military sniper round and loaded today for military and police precision rifles, extreme long-range target shooting and long-range big-game hunting.
This 338 Lapua ballistics chart sets out what Hornady, Federal, Barnes, Nosler, Lapua and Underwood publish for their loads: muzzle velocity and energy for every one, and downrange velocity, energy and bullet drop where a maker prints them. Further down, a separate section compares the cartridge with the 300 Winchester Magnum using SAAMI’s reference loads, whose test barrels share the same length and twist.
338 Lapua Magnum ballistics chart
Each row is one factory load, identified by the item number its maker prints. Velocity and energy compare cleanly only between rows that share a test barrel: Hornady’s loads and the Nosler load are listed at 24 in, Lapua’s at 27 in (680 mm), and Federal, Barnes and Underwood publish no barrel length. The ballistic coefficient column has gaps too. Hornady and Nosler publish none, Barnes and Lapua give a G1 and a G7 figure, Underwood a G1 figure only, and Federal labels one figure simply “Ballistic Coefficient” beside a G7 figure. G1 and G7 are different drag models, so the two kinds of figure cannot be set against each other.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load | Item no. | Bullet weight | Bullet | Muzzle velocity | Muzzle energy | Ballistic coefficient | Maker’s application | Test barrel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady CX® Custom® | 82318 | 240 gr | CX® Custom® | 2,900 fps | 4,482 ft-lb | not published, drag model not stated | Hunting | 24 in |
| Federal Sierra Matchking Boat-Tail Hollow Point | GM338LM | 250 gr | Sierra Matchking Boat-Tail Hollow Point | 2,950 fps | 4,830 ft-lb | 0.587 (page label: ‘Ballistic Coefficient’); G7 0.318 G1 (not labeled on page) and G7 | Match / long-range target | Not published |
| Hornady ELD‑X® Precision Hunter® | 82313 | 270 gr | ELD‑X® Precision Hunter® | 2,800 fps | 4,699 ft-lb | not published, drag model not stated | Long-range hunting | 24 in |
| Barnes LRX | 30727 | 280 gr | LRX | 2,600 fps | 4,204 ft-lb | G1 0.667 / G7 0.328 G1 and G7 | Hunting (big game, medium game) | Not published |
| Hornady ELD® Match | 82300 | 285 gr | ELD® Match | 2,745 fps | 4,768 ft-lb | not published, drag model not stated | Match / long-range target | 24 in |
| Nosler AccuBond | 49323 | 300 gr | AccuBond | 2,650 fps | 4,677 ft-lb | not published, drag model not stated | Hunting (elk/moose-sized game) | 24 in, 1-10 in twist |
| Lapua Scenar | 4318013 | 300 gr | Scenar | 2,690 fps | 4,821 ft-lb | G1 0.736 / G7 0.368 G1 and G7 | Tactical / long-range target | 27 in (680 mm) |
| Underwood Custom Competition™ Hollowpoint Boat Tail Match | 856 | 300 gr | Custom Competition™ Hollowpoint Boat Tail Match | 2,700 fps | 4,857 ft-lb | 0.8 G1 | Target / match | Not published |
Velocity and energy downrange
Each cell gives velocity and energy at that range, and “Not published” means the maker prints no figure there. The makers stop at different distances: Hornady, Federal and Barnes print out to 500 yd, Nosler to 800 yd and Lapua to 1500 yd, while Underwood prints no downrange figures and so has no row. Lapua’s 100 yd cell shows velocity only. As in the muzzle table, rows compare cleanly only when they share a stated test barrel.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| Load (test barrel) | Muzzle | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 700 yd | 800 yd | 1000 yd | 1200 yd | 1500 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady 240 gr (24 in) | 2,900 fps / 4,482 ft-lb | 2,747 fps / 4,022 ft-lb | 2,600 fps / 3,603 ft-lb | 2,458 fps / 3,219 ft-lb | 2,320 fps / 2,867 ft-lb | 2,186 fps / 2,546 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Federal 250 gr (barrel not published) | 2,950 fps / 4,830 ft-lb | 2,789 fps / 4,318 ft-lb | 2,634 fps / 3,851 ft-lb | 2,484 fps / 3,426 ft-lb | 2,339 fps / 3,037 ft-lb | 2,199 fps / 2,685 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 270 gr (24 in) | 2,800 fps / 4,699 ft-lb | 2,680 fps / 4,304 ft-lb | 2,562 fps / 3,935 ft-lb | 2,447 fps / 3,590 ft-lb | 2,336 fps / 3,270 ft-lb | 2,227 fps / 2,973 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Barnes 280 gr (barrel not published) | 2,600 fps / 4,204 ft-lb | 2,469 fps / 3,791 ft-lb | 2,341 fps / 3,410 ft-lb | 2,218 fps / 3,059 ft-lb | 2,098 fps / 2,737 ft-lb | 1,982 fps / 2,442 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 285 gr (24 in) | 2,745 fps / 4,768 ft-lb | 2,636 fps / 4,397 ft-lb | 2,530 fps / 4,049 ft-lb | 2,426 fps / 3,723 ft-lb | 2,324 fps / 3,418 ft-lb | 2,225 fps / 3,133 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 300 gr (24 in, 1-10 in twist) | 2,650 fps / 4,677 ft-lb | 2,526 fps / 4,251 ft-lb | 2,406 fps / 3,857 ft-lb | 2,289 fps / 3,492 ft-lb | 2,176 fps / 3,154 ft-lb | 2,066 fps / 2,842 ft-lb | 1,959 fps / 2,555 ft-lb | 1,855 fps / 2,293 ft-lb | 1,755 fps / 2,053 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Lapua 300 gr (27 in (680 mm)) | 2,690 fps / 4,821 ft-lb | 2,569 fps | 2,451 fps / 4,001 ft-lb | 2,337 fps / 3,638 ft-lb | Not published | Not published | 2,015 fps / 2,704 ft-lb | Not published | 1,816 fps / 2,196 ft-lb | 1,629 fps / 1,767 ft-lb | 1,453 fps / 1,410 ft-lb | 1,224 fps / 996 ft-lb |
Bullet drop, with the zero range stated
Drop means nothing without its zero range, so the zero is in each row label. The Hornady, Barnes and Nosler rows have a 200 yd zero, which is why they read 0 in at 200 yd and show a positive figure at 100 yd, where the bullet is above the line of sight. The Lapua row has a 100 yd zero, so it reads 0 in at 100 yd. Federal and Underwood have no row here because neither publishes a drop figure that comes with a usable zero range.
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| Load (zero) | 100 yd | 200 yd | 300 yd | 400 yd | 500 yd | 600 yd | 700 yd | 800 yd | 1000 yd | 1200 yd | 1500 yd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornady 240 gr (200 yd zero) | +1.6 in | 0 in | −6.7 in | −19.2 in | −38.1 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 270 gr (200 yd zero) | +1.7 in | 0 in | −7 in | −19.7 in | −39.9 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Barnes 280 gr (200 yd zero) | +2.1 in | 0 in | −8.5 in | −24 in | −47.4 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Hornady 285 gr (200 yd zero) | +1.8 in | 0 in | −7.2 in | −20.3 in | −39.8 in | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Nosler 300 gr (200 yd zero) | +2 in | 0 in | −8 in | −22.6 in | −44.5 in | −74.7 in | −113.8 in | −163.1 in | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| Lapua 300 gr (100 yd zero) | 0 in | −4 in | −13 in | Not published | Not published | −82 in | Not published | −170 in | −300 in | −483 in | −887 in |
What the numbers mean for a shot
Start with the rows that can be compared like for like. Hornady lists its 240 gr, 270 gr and 285 gr loads on the same 24 in test barrel with the same 200 yd zero. Across those three, muzzle velocity falls as the bullet gets heavier, at 2,900 fps, 2,800 fps and 2,745 fps, while muzzle energy rises, at 4,482 ft-lb, 4,699 ft-lb and 4,768 ft-lb. By 500 yd the energy order holds, at 2,546 ft-lb, 2,973 ft-lb and 3,133 ft-lb, and the two heavier bullets are moving slightly faster than the 240 gr, at 2,227 fps and 2,225 fps against 2,186 fps. Their drop at 500 yd is close, at 38.1 in, 39.9 in and 39.8 in below the line of sight, so the heavier bullets carry more energy at 500 yd for a drop that stays close to the 240 gr’s.
Read drop only with its zero
Drop figures compare only when the zero is the same. At 600 yd the Nosler 300 gr is listed 74.7 in below the line of sight on a 200 yd zero, and the Lapua 300 gr 82 in below on a 100 yd zero. Those two rows should not be read against each other: the zero differs, and so does the test barrel, 24 in for Nosler and 27 in (680 mm) for Lapua.
Where a maker publishes a long-range row, use it as context for that load only. The Nosler row runs to 800 yd, where the 300 gr AccuBond is listed at 1,755 fps and 2,053 ft-lb and 163.1 in below the line of sight. Lapua’s table goes furthest: on its 100 yd zero the Scenar is 300 in below at 1000 yd, 483 in below at 1200 yd and 887 in below at 1500 yd, where it is listed at 1,224 fps and 996 ft-lb. No table here goes beyond 1500 yd, so there is no published figure on this page for longer shots.
Twist rate, chamber and pressure
SAAMI sets the maximum average pressure for the 338 Lapua Magnum at 65,000 psi. Its reference velocities are measured in a test barrel 24.000 in long, with a twist of 1 turn in 10.00 in and a groove diameter of .338 in. The pressure figure is a ceiling on the average across a lot of loaded rounds in SAAMI’s own testing, not a reading from any one rifle. The twist is the test barrel’s; your rifle’s twist is set by its maker and may differ, so check the rifle’s specification and the ammunition maker’s guidance before shooting long, heavy bullets. Nosler states a 1-10 in twist for the 24 in test barrel behind its 300 gr load.
Fire this ammunition only in a rifle chambered for the 338 Lapua Magnum. Match the cartridge name on the box to the marking on the barrel, because other .338-inch cartridges are not interchangeable with it.
Loads stocked but not charted
Swift’s High Grade Dangerous Game Hunting load is stocked in this cartridge but has no row in the tables above, because Swift’s own page for it publishes no velocity, energy or ballistic figures. A row with nothing in it would tell you nothing, so none is shown.
338 Lapua Magnum vs 300 Winchester Magnum on SAAMI’s test barrel
The manufacturer tables above cannot be laid against tables for another cartridge. Each maker picks its own test barrel, bullet and zero, and several do not state the barrel, the zero or both, so a Hornady figure for one cartridge and a Federal figure for another differ for reasons the numbers do not show. SAAMI is the one shared basis: it publishes pressure, test-barrel specification and reference loads for both cartridges in the same standard.
The table below uses those reference loads. Each column gives a light, a mid-range and the heaviest reference load for its own cartridge, so the bullet weights differ between the columns, and the 300 Winchester Magnum lists more than one velocity for some weights.
Scroll the table sideways for the remaining columns.
| SAAMI specification | 338 Lapua Magnum | 300 Winchester Magnum |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Z299.4 | Z299.4 |
| Maximum average pressure | 65,000 psi | 64,000 psi |
| Standard test barrel length | 24.000 in | 24.000 in |
| Test barrel twist rate | 1 turn in 10.00 in | 1 turn in 10.00 in |
| Test barrel groove diameter | .338 in | .308 in |
| Light reference load | 250 gr — 2,950 fps / 4,830 ft-lb | 180 gr — 2,950–3,080 fps / 3,478–3,791 ft-lb |
| Mid-range reference load | 285 gr — 2,745 fps / 4,768 ft-lb | 200 gr — 2,700–2,930 fps / 3,237–3,812 ft-lb |
| Heaviest reference load | 300 gr — 2,620 fps / 4,572 ft-lb | 220 gr — 2,665 fps / 3,469 ft-lb |
SAAMI’s pressure ceiling is 65,000 psi for the 338 Lapua Magnum and 64,000 psi for the 300 Winchester Magnum. Both are tested in a 24.000 in barrel with a twist of 1 turn in 10.00 in, and the groove diameters, .338 in and .308 in, show that they take different bullet sizes.
In each of the three reference-load rows the 338 Lapua Magnum load carries more energy. Its light row is 250 gr at 2,950 fps and 4,830 ft-lb, and its heaviest is 300 gr at 2,620 fps and 4,572 ft-lb. The most energy printed anywhere in the 300 Winchester Magnum column is 3,812 ft-lb, in a 200 gr row, and its heaviest row is 220 gr at 2,665 fps and 3,469 ft-lb. The bullet weights differ between the columns, so those energy figures reflect weight as well as speed.
What the table does not settle is how either cartridge performs downrange. It gives velocity at 15 feet and no ballistic coefficient, drop or downrange figures, so bullet shape, which decides how well a load holds its speed, is missing from the comparison. For trajectory, use the manufacturers’ tables above for the specific loads you are considering.
We stock the other side of this comparison too: 300 Win Mag ammo.
338 Lapua Magnum ballistics questions
How much does a 338 Lapua drop at 500 yards?
It depends on the load and the zero, and only some makers print a drop figure at 500 yd. With a 200 yd zero, the drop at 500 yd is 38.1 in for the Hornady 240 gr CX, 39.9 in for the Hornady 270 gr ELD-X, 39.8 in for the Hornady 285 gr ELD Match, 47.4 in for the Barnes 280 gr LRX and 44.5 in for the Nosler 300 gr AccuBond. Lapua’s table is zeroed at 100 yd and has no 500 yd row, and the trajectory table has no row for Federal or Underwood.
Which is better, 300 Win Mag or 338 Lapua?
The tables cannot say which is better, because that depends on the shot, but they do show how the two compare on SAAMI’s basis. The maximum average pressure is 65,000 psi for the 338 Lapua Magnum and 64,000 psi for the 300 Winchester Magnum, and in each of the three reference rows the 338 Lapua Magnum load carries more energy, for example 4,572 ft-lb at 300 gr against 3,469 ft-lb at 220 gr. SAAMI publishes no drop or ballistic coefficient, so it cannot show which flies flatter.
What are the downsides of the .338 Lapua?
None of the tables on this page carries recoil, rifle weight, barrel life or price, so the page cannot rate those. What the tables do show is how much drop a shooter has to account for at distance: with a 200 yd zero the Nosler 300 gr AccuBond is 44.5 in below the line of sight at 500 yd and 163.1 in below at 800 yd, and the Lapua Scenar, zeroed at 100 yd, is 300 in below at 1000 yd. SAAMI’s pressure ceiling for the cartridge is 65,000 psi. Whether any of that is a downside depends on your rifle and how far you shoot.
Is a 338 more powerful than a 30-06?
This page has no 30-06 figures, so the tables cannot answer that. The SAAMI comparison is with the 300 Winchester Magnum, and there the 338 Lapua Magnum reference load carries more energy in each of the three rows. Among the 338 Lapua Magnum loads themselves, the lowest muzzle energy in the muzzle table is the Barnes 280 gr LRX at 4,204 ft-lb and the highest is the Underwood 300 gr at 4,857 ft-lb.
Can level 4 plates stop 338 Lapua?
The makers’ ballistics tables give velocity, energy and drop, and none of them carries armor penetration, so this page cannot say whether any plate stops any load. A plate’s rating comes from its maker’s own test standard and the specific test round it names, so the plate maker’s published test results are the place to look, not a ballistics chart.
How much energy does a 338 Lapua have at 1000 yards?
Lapua is the only maker in these tables that prints a 1000 yd row. Its 300 gr Scenar, from a 27 in (680 mm) test barrel, is listed at 1,629 fps and 1,767 ft-lb at 1000 yd, down from 4,821 ft-lb at the muzzle, and its table continues to 1,410 ft-lb at 1200 yd and 996 ft-lb at 1500 yd. The Nosler 300 gr AccuBond stops at 800 yd, where it is listed at 2,053 ft-lb. No table here goes past 1500 yd.
Where to buy these loads
Every load in the tables above is stocked at Hilltop Armory. Browse the full 338 Lapua ammo range, which carries makers beyond the ones charted here — the tables are limited to loads whose manufacturer publishes figures that could be verified, not to everything on the shelf.
