The .50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun), .338 Lapua, and .338 Lapua Magnum are some of the most powerful and widely recognized cartridges in long-range shooting.
While the .50 BMG is renowned for its immense power, the .338 Lapua and its Magnum variant have become prominent in military and precision sports shooting due to their balance of power, range, and accuracy.
The development of these rounds traces distinct historical lines that reflect their intended uses and design philosophies.
.50 BMG (Browning Machine Gun)
The .50 BMG was developed by John Browning in 1918 for the M2 Browning machine gun. It was designed to be a powerful anti-aircraft and anti-vehicle round. Over time, its military applications expanded, and the round has been employed in sniper rifles, notably in the Barrett M82 and the McMillan TAC-50. Its immense stopping power became a significant asset in both anti-material and long-range sniping scenarios.
.338 Lapua
The .338 Lapua was created in the 1980s by Finnish ammunition manufacturer Lapua. It aimed to fill the gap between smaller, more conventional sniper cartridges, like the .308 Winchester, and the larger .50 BMG. The round gained prominence among military and law enforcement agencies for its ability to engage targets at extended ranges, offering a better balance of recoil and power than the .50 BMG.
.338 Lapua Magnum
The .338 Lapua Magnum was essentially a higher-pressure version of the standard .338 Lapua, designed to push performance further by achieving greater velocities and delivering more energy downrange, extending the effective range and increasing terminal performance. This round is optimized for extreme long-range shooting and military sniper applications, particularly in open terrain or mountainous environments.
Bullet Weight & Case Length
The .50 BMG is known for its immense size and weight, and its bullet weight is between 600 and 800 grains. Its case length is approximately 3.91 inches, making it a large, heavy round that requires heavy-duty platforms like the Barrett M82. The primary focus is on its high-energy delivery, with little or no concern for recoil control or cost in military and anti-material applications.
The .338 Lapua is a more modest cartridge, with bullet weights ranging from 250 to 300 grains and a case length of 2.72 inches. It is highly effective at long ranges, typically up to 1,500 yards, while its recoil is relatively moderate compared to the .50 BMG, thus making it a versatile choice for military snipers and competitive shooters.
The .338 Lapua Magnum, at 2.85 inches, has a slightly longer case than the standard Lapua and delivers higher velocities, extending its effective range to about 2,000 yards in optimal conditions. Its increased pressure results in a bit more recoil, but it remains more manageable than the .50 BMG.
Ballistic Performance
A round’s ballistic performance can be assessed by examining its muzzle velocity, energy, ballistic coefficient (BC), and trajectory characteristics.
The .50 BMG’s massive size gives it substantial kinetic energy, often exceeding 13,000 foot-pounds at the muzzle with velocities around 2,800 feet per second (fps). Due to the large, heavy bullets, its ballistic coefficient is high, and its trajectory remains relatively flat over extreme distances, making it effective for very long-range shots.
The .338 Lapua’s muzzle velocity is around 3,000 fps and delivers about 4,500 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle. Its flatter trajectory and high BC make it an excellent choice for long-range shooting, with accuracy at distances of up to 1,500 yards.
And the .338 Lapua Magnum as we said, pushes the performance envelope further, with velocities reaching 3,200 fps and muzzle energy above 5,000 foot-pounds. Its extended effective range and increased energy make it ideal for extreme long-range applications, while maintaining good accuracy at distances greater than 1,500 yards.
| Ballistic Coefficient Specs | |||
| .50 BMG | .338 Lapua | .338 Lapua Magnum | |
| Muzzle Velocity (fps) | 2,800-3000 | 2,950-3,100 | 3,200 |
| Effective Range (yards) | 1,500-2000 | 1,200-1,500 | 1,800-2,000 |
| Muzzle Energy (foot-pounds) | 13,000-15,000 | 4,500 | 5,000-6,000 |
The energy of a bullet decreases over distance due to air resistance, which can affect its ability to penetrate targets and deliver terminal effects. While all three rounds are high-powered, the .50 BMG has the advantage in raw energy, especially at longer ranges where its retained velocity helps it maintain energy for penetration. The .338 Lapua and .338 Lapua Magnum, on the other hand, have a flatter trajectory, which aids in more precise aiming and easier adjustments for range.
What Do They Do?
The power and recoil of these rounds make them suitable for large game, but considerations must be made regarding the type of game being pursued. Smaller game or varmint hunting is impractical with these rounds due to over-penetration and excessive damage.
The .50 BMG is best reserved for large, dangerous game, such as elephants or bears, where massive energy delivery is beneficial. However, the recoil and size of rifles chambered for this round make this round challenging to use in most hunting contexts.
The .338 Lapua is ideal for hunting large game such as elk, moose, and bear. The recoil is manageable for experienced hunters, and the round provides adequate stopping power for ethical kills at extended ranges.
The .338 Lapua Magnum, though similar to the standard .338 Lapua, offers more energy and range. It excels in open terrain where distances can be long and can handle extremely large game, like Cape buffalo or bison.
In long-range shooting competitions, precision and accuracy are paramount, and the .338 Lapua and .338 Lapua Magnum are favorites due to their balance of performance and recoil management over the .50 BMG, which is powerful, is less favored due to its extreme recoil, cost, and specialized nature.
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Real World Use
Back from the range: while the .50 BMG is unparalleled in sheer power and anti-material applications, the .338 Lapua and .338 Lapua Magnum provide a better balance of accuracy, recoil management, and versatility across hunting, competition, and sniping applications. Each round has its place depending on the task at hand, but for most tactical and sporting applications, the .338 Lapua and .338 Lapua Magnum offer a practical solution with exceptional performance.
Comparative Analysis
| Feature | .50 BMG | .338 Lapua | .338 Lapua Magnum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recoil | Heavy | Moderate | Heavy |
| Ammunition Cost | Very expensive | Expensive | Expensive |
| Hunting Use | Not common (due to excessive power) | Excellent for large game | Excellent for dangerous game |
| Competition Use | Rare due to cost and recoil | Popular for long-range competition | Gaining popularity in long-range events |
| Sniping Use | Effective for anti-materiel | Effective for personnel and vehicles | Effective for personnel and vehicles |
| Rifle Weight | Heavy and bulky | Medium to heavy | Medium to heavy |
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References:
- Hornady Precision Rifle Handbook (2020). Hornady Manufacturing.
- Barrett Firearms Manufacturing. (2021). “The .50 BMG and its Role in Sniping.”
- Accuracy International. (2022). “The .338 Lapua: The Ultimate Sniper Round.”
- McMillan Firearms. (2021). “The .338 Lapua Magnum: The Future
About the author:
Alan J. Chwick, A.S., B.S., FL/NY/SC Paralegal is known for his involvement in legal articles usually related to firearm regulations and his contributions to gun rights discussions. Retired Managing Coach of the Freeport NY Junior Marksmanship Club. Escaped New York State to South Carolina and is an SC FFL & Gunsmith (Everything22andMore.com).
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Source link: https://www.ammoland.com/2025/03/50-bmg-338-lapua-the-338-lapua-magnum-compared/ by Alan Chwick, Joanne D Eisen & Gary Mauser at www.ammoland.com