Understanding the Power of the 338 Lapua Magnum
The Cartridge’s History and Development
The crisp mountain air stings your face as you settle behind the scope, the vast expanse of the valley laid out before you. The wind whispers secrets across the open terrain, carrying the scent of pine and the distant promise of game. In moments like these, when the stakes are high and the shot must be perfect, the tools you choose become an extension of your will. For the hunter seeking unmatched reach and unwavering accuracy, the Savage 110 Long Range Hunter chambered in the formidable 338 Lapua Magnum represents a pinnacle of modern hunting rifles.
Built upon the renowned Savage 110 platform, a name synonymous with accuracy and value, the Long Range Hunter takes the legacy a step further. It’s a rifle designed for those who demand extreme performance at extreme distances, a rifle built to conquer the challenges of long-range hunting.
To truly appreciate the Savage 110 Long Range Hunter, one must first understand the cartridge that fuels its capabilities: the 338 Lapua Magnum. This magnum round is more than just a cartridge; it’s a testament to ballistic engineering. Its origins lie in the need for a cartridge that could deliver exceptional performance at long ranges, allowing military snipers and long-range hunters to engage targets with a high degree of accuracy and terminal effect.
Ballistic Performance
What sets this cartridge apart is its outstanding ballistics. It delivers a potent combination of high muzzle velocity, excellent ballistic coefficient, and remarkable retained energy downrange. This translates into flat trajectories, minimal wind drift, and the ability to effectively take down large game at distances that other hunting calibers simply cannot match. A typical 338 Lapua Magnum load can maintain supersonic velocity well past 1,000 yards, delivering enough kinetic energy to reliably harvest game, even at these extreme ranges. The cartridge’s design is inherently efficient, resulting in exceptional external ballistics that hunters can appreciate in the field.
Hunting Applications
The hunting applications of the 338 Lapua Magnum are vast. This cartridge is a top choice for hunters pursuing large, tough game animals in open terrains where longer shots are common. From elk and moose to bear and other large predators, the 338 Lapua Magnum provides the power and precision required for quick, ethical harvests. This round truly shines in environments like the western United States, where vast mountain ranges and open plains present challenges and require precision and accuracy. It also offers an advantage in areas where wind can be a major factor, minimizing wind drift and improving shot placement. The 338 Lapua Magnum allows hunters to confidently engage targets at ranges that might be impossible with other calibers.
Exploring the Features of the Savage 110 Long Range Hunter
Design and Build Quality
The Savage 110 Long Range Hunter in 338 Lapua Magnum is more than just a powerful cartridge housed in a chassis; it’s a carefully engineered system designed for long-range accuracy. Its features demonstrate a commitment to quality and performance that is characteristic of the Savage brand.
The overall design philosophy of the Savage 110 Long Range Hunter focuses on providing shooters with a customizable, accurate, and reliable platform for long-range shooting. From the stock to the trigger, every component is carefully selected and engineered to maximize performance. The design ethos is centered around providing the shooter with the ability to adapt the rifle to fit their individual needs and shooting style. This thoughtful design makes the rifle comfortable to shoot, enhances accuracy, and helps ensure consistent results.
Key Features
One of the standout features of this rifle is its AccuFit stock. This is more than just a standard stock; it’s a fully adjustable system. The AccuFit stock allows the shooter to easily modify the comb height and length of pull. This adjustability is crucial for achieving a perfect cheek weld and proper eye relief with the scope, essential factors for accurate shooting. The ability to fine-tune the stock to a shooter’s body makes a substantial difference in comfort and accuracy.
The AccuTrigger, a hallmark of Savage rifles, also plays a significant role in enhancing accuracy. The AccuTrigger is user-adjustable, allowing shooters to fine-tune the trigger pull weight to their preference. This clean, crisp trigger break promotes a more controlled and consistent shot. This feature is highly valued by precision shooters, contributing to greater accuracy, particularly at the extended ranges for which the rifle is designed.
The barrel of the Savage 110 Long Range Hunter is a critical component. The barrel length is typically designed for optimal ballistic performance and is often matched to the specific cartridge and intended use. The barrel profile is also critical, with heavier profiles often being favored for long-range shooting. These barrels can resist heat buildup during extended firing. The twist rate is meticulously chosen to stabilize the heavy-for-caliber bullets commonly used in the 338 Lapua Magnum, ensuring tight groups and consistent accuracy at long distances.
The heart of any bolt-action rifle is its action. The Savage 110’s bolt-action is known for its smooth operation, making it easy to cycle rounds quickly and efficiently. The action’s design allows for a secure lockup, promoting consistency and precision. The design of the bolt is engineered for reliability, with features that enhance its ability to extract and eject spent cases smoothly. This seamless operation minimizes the risk of jams and ensures quick follow-up shots when necessary.
The inclusion of a muzzle brake is another key feature, and a welcome one for the shooter. The 338 Lapua Magnum, while offering tremendous power, also generates significant recoil. A muzzle brake redirects escaping gases, reducing felt recoil considerably, allowing for faster follow-up shots and enhancing shooter comfort. This is particularly advantageous when taking multiple shots at a distance.
Another key aspect of a modern hunting rifle is the ability to mount optics. The Savage 110 Long Range Hunter typically comes with an integral scope base or a pre-drilled and tapped receiver, allowing for easy and secure scope mounting. This ensures that the shooter can easily attach their preferred optic. Proper scope mounting is essential for achieving maximum accuracy, and the Savage 110 makes this process simple and efficient.
Unleashing the Potential: Performance and Accuracy
Accuracy Capabilities
The Savage 110 Long Range Hunter in 338 Lapua Magnum is built to deliver impressive performance, and it does not disappoint. The rifle’s inherent accuracy potential is exceptionally high. With high-quality ammunition, a properly mounted scope, and a skilled shooter, the rifle is capable of producing sub-MOA (Minute of Angle) groups at extended ranges. This level of accuracy is crucial for making ethical and effective shots on game animals at long distances.
Shooting Experiences
Shooting experiences with this rifle often confirm these expectations. The combination of the AccuTrigger, adjustable stock, and well-designed action allows for consistent shot placement. Recoil management is also a crucial factor. While the 338 Lapua Magnum generates a substantial kick, the muzzle brake effectively mitigates felt recoil. This allows the shooter to remain on target during the shot, facilitates faster follow-up shots, and reduces shooter fatigue during extended shooting sessions.
Hunting Applications and Suitability: Where the Savage 110 Thrives
Ideal Game
The Savage 110 Long Range Hunter in 338 Lapua Magnum is perfectly suited for specific hunting applications, but not for every situation.
This rifle is ideally suited for hunting large, tough game animals in open terrain. Game such as elk, moose, caribou, and bear are prime candidates. The 338 Lapua Magnum’s high energy and excellent sectional density provides the penetration and stopping power needed to quickly and humanely dispatch these animals, even at longer distances. Hunters pursuing big game in regions with vast landscapes, such as the American West or parts of Canada, will find the rifle and cartridge combination to be a winning choice.
Ethical Considerations
It’s crucial to consider the ethical implications when using any hunting caliber. The 338 Lapua Magnum is a powerful round, and it’s essential to ensure that shots are taken only when the conditions are favorable and the animal is within a reasonable range. Hunters must understand the trajectory, wind drift, and terminal ballistics of the cartridge. This helps ensure that shots are placed accurately and the animal is quickly and ethically dispatched.
Recommended Accessories
To get the most from this rifle, proper optics are essential. A high-quality scope with excellent clarity, magnification, and a precise reticle is recommended. Features like a ballistic turret or a reticle calibrated for the 338 Lapua Magnum will help the shooter compensate for bullet drop at longer ranges. Bipods or other shooting supports can further enhance accuracy and stability, particularly when taking shots from a prone position.
Analyzing the Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
Like any specialized tool, the Savage 110 Long Range Hunter has its strengths and weaknesses.
The advantages are numerous. The rifle excels at providing high accuracy potential, making it a precision instrument for long-range shooting. It provides effective long-range performance, enabling hunters to engage targets at extended distances. The adjustable stock ensures the perfect fit for the shooter, enhancing comfort and promoting consistent accuracy. The rifle is made from high-quality components and built for reliability and longevity. The AccuTrigger contributes significantly to accuracy by providing a crisp and clean trigger break.
Cons
The drawbacks, though few, should be considered. The cost of ammunition for the 338 Lapua Magnum is relatively high compared to some other hunting calibers. The rifle, and especially the cartridge, generate considerable recoil, even with a muzzle brake. The rifle’s weight can be a factor, making it slightly less ideal for carrying over long distances. Furthermore, its specialization means it is less versatile than other more general-purpose hunting rifles, which may not be a factor for dedicated long-range hunters.
Making Comparisons: Positioning the Savage 110
When comparing the Savage 110 Long Range Hunter, it’s valuable to place it in context. Rifles like the Bergara Premier Series, or the Christensen Arms Ridgeline series offer comparable long-range performance and often include similar features like adjustable stocks and high-quality barrels. However, the Savage 110 often distinguishes itself with its value proposition, offering a high level of performance and features at a more accessible price point. The AccuTrigger and AccuFit stock, combined with Savage’s proven track record of accuracy, often make this rifle a preferred choice.
The Savage 110 Long Range Hunter is a premium-quality long-range hunting rifle that delivers outstanding performance.
Concluding Thoughts: A Rifle for the Dedicated Long-Range Hunter
The Savage 110 Long Range Hunter in 338 Lapua Magnum is a testament to the pursuit of precision and power. It’s a rifle designed for the hunter who demands the utmost from their equipment, a hunter who understands that success at extreme distances requires dedication, skill, and the right tools. This rifle excels at providing unmatched reach and unwavering accuracy in the field.
If you are a dedicated hunter of big game, and your hunting environment favors open terrain, long-range shots, or areas where the wind is a significant factor, then the Savage 110 Long Range Hunter in 338 Lapua Magnum is undoubtedly a strong contender for your next rifle purchase. It is a well-built, accurate, and effective tool. However, be certain you have a grasp of the ballistics of the 338 Lapua Magnum and are confident in your shooting ability, as ethical shot placement is critical.
Before making your purchase, take the time to research this rifle thoroughly, and consider how it fits your hunting style and the environments where you hunt. Visit a reputable gun store to handle the rifle and experience the AccuFit stock. Then, step onto the range and experience the power and precision firsthand. With the Savage 110 Long Range Hunter 338 Lapua in your hands, you’ll have the confidence to take on the most challenging hunts, knowing that you’re equipped with a rifle designed for excellence.
