338 Lapua Ballistics From Common Ammo Makers

By Wes Littlefield

Last Updated: Mar 31, 2026

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Wes Littlefield

Guns have fascinated Wes since pulling the trigger on his BB gun as a kid. He built a private gun range over a decade ago to keep his skills sharp. He loves breaking down complex ideas into understandable pieces for readers, with expertise in hunting and all aspects of shooting.

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Wes Littlefield, "338 Lapua Ballistics From Major Ammo Manufacturers"
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You discovered our in-depth look at 338 Lapua Magnum ballistics from major ammo manufacturers.

Click the links below to skip to your favorite ammunition companies and the 338 Lapua ballistics data you need for your favorite ammo. When you're ready to stock up, feel free to browse our full selection of 338 Lapua ammo.

338 Lapua Ballistics Charts

Jump to an ammo company producing this rifle cartridge: Barnes | Federal | Hornady | Prvi Partizan (PPU) | Sellier & Bellot

Barnes

Jump to a ballistics chart: VOR-TX 280 Grain LRX BT | Precision Match 300 Grain OTM BT

VOR-TX 280 Grain LRX BT

Precision Match 300 Grain OTM BT

Federal

Jump to a ballistics chart: Gold Medal 250 Grain SMK | Gold Medal 300 Grain SMK

Gold Medal 250 Grain SMK

Gold Medal 300 Grain SMK

Hornady

Jump to a ballistics chart: Custom 240 Grain CX | Match 250 Grain BTHP Match | Precision Hunter 270 Grain ELD-X | Match 285 Grain ELD Match

Custom 240 Grain CX

Match 250 Grain BTHP Match

Precision Hunter 270 Grain ELD-X

Match 285 Grain ELD Match

Prvi Partizan (PPU)

Jump to a ballistics chart: Match 250 Grain FMJBT | Rifle Line 250 Grain FMJBT | Rifle Line 250 Grain HPBT | Supreme 250 Grain SMK HPBT

Match 250 Grain FMJBT

Rifle Line 250 Grain FMJBT

Rifle Line 250 Grain HPBT

Supreme 250 Grain SMK HPBT

Sellier & Bellot

Jump to a ballistics chart: Precision Rifle 250 Grain HPBT | Precision Rifle 300 Grain HPBT

Precision Rifle 250 Grain HPBT

Precision Rifle 300 Grain HPBT

Administrative Note: The information above is provided by ammo manufacturers. Actual ballistics obtained with your firearm can vary considerably from advertised ballistics. Also, ballistics can vary from lot to lot with the same brand and type. When manufacturers' ballistic data were unavailable, they were calculated using a ballistic calculator.

338 Lapua Trajectory Chart

A bullet's trajectory is its flight path. Shooters measure trajectory in inches of bullet drop, milliradians (MIL), or minute of angle (MOA). We use inches of drop in this article.

A flatter trajectory is preferred for long-range shooting because it requires fewer adjustments to compensate for bullet drop. The 338 Lapua is a favorite among long-distance shooters for its flat trajectory. When zeroed in at 200 yards, a 250 grain bullet will only drop about -38" at 500 yards.

Here is a sample 338 Lapua Magnum bullet drop chart to give you a sense of the cartridge's trajectory.

Note: The preceding chart is an example of one 338 Lapua load. Actual ballistic performance varies depending on bullet weight, lot, barrel length, and environmental conditions.

338 Lapua Velocity

Muzzle velocity is the rate at which a bullet exits the barrel, measured in feet per second (fps). Typically, a longer barrel produces a higher muzzle velocity, as the extra length gives exploding propellant more time to exert its energy against the base of the projectile.

You can expect 338 Lapua muzzle velocities to range from about 2,580 fps to 2,995 fps, depending on bullet weight and barrel length. The 338 Lapua's high muzzle velocities contribute to its flat trajectory and high striking energy.

338 Lapua Kinetic Energy

Muzzle energy is the amount of force a bullet possesses the moment it leaves the barrel, measured in foot-pounds (ft-lbs). Heavier bullets tend to have higher muzzle energy, but lower velocity. Striking energy is also measured at various distances downrange, e.g., 200 yards.

Velocity is paramount to determining a bullet's kinetic energy. For example, a 240 grain 338 Lapua bullet leaving the barrel at 2,900 fps gains 4,482 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and conserves 2,546 ft-lbs at 500 yards, whereas a 300 grain bullet leaving the barrel at 2,580 fps gains 4,434 ft-lbs of muzzle energy and conserves 2,772 ft-lbs at 500 yards.

338 Lapua Effective Range

The 338 Lapua has an effective range of about 1,000 yards for big game hunting (deer, elk, and moose), 1,900+ yards for target shooting, and about 1,100 yards for military and tactical use. The 338 Lapua's generous range is attributable to its bullets' high ballistic coefficients, which yield a flatter trajectory and excellent kinetic energy retention.

How Do 338 Lapua Ballistics Compare to Other Rifle Cartridges?

The 338 Lapua Magnum offers ballistic performance comparable to that of other large rifle cartridges, such as the 50 BMG and 300 Win Mag. For a complete breakdown of this cartridge's strengths and real-world performance, check out our 338 Lapua ammo review.

338 Lapua Magnum vs. 50 BMG

Don't miss our 338 Lapua vs. 50 BMG article for a deeper understanding of these cartridges!

338 Lapua vs. 300 Win Mag

For a detailed breakdown of how these two magnum cartridges compare across recoil, accuracy, and hunting applications, see our full 300 Win Mag vs. 338 Lapua comparison.

338 Lapua vs. 6.5 Creedmoor

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ammo.com team has compiled and answered some of the most frequently asked questions about 338 Lapua ballistics.

How Does 338 Lapua Compare to 50 BMG?

Compared to the 50 BMG, the 338 Lapua offers less recoil, better accuracy, a lighter rifle, and slightly less expensive ammo. The 50 BMG is more powerful, has a longer effective range, and fires larger bullets that resist wind drift more effectively.

What Are the Downsides of 338 Lapua?

The downsides of 338 Lapua are high rifle and ammunition costs, heavy rifles, significant recoil, short barrel life (~1,500 rounds), and overkill for most hunting situations.

Written by

Wes Littlefield