.300 Norma Magnum vs .338 Lapua Magnum
Typical factory loads side by side: speed, energy, BC, twist, range and what each one is built for.
The short answer
With typical loads, the .300 Norma Magnum is about 100 ft/s faster at the muzzle (2,800 vs 2,700 ft/s).
The .338 Lapua Magnum carries about 21% more energy at the muzzle (4,856 vs 4,004 ft-lbs), which usually also means more recoil.
Side by side
| .300 Norma Magnum | .338 Lapua Magnum | |
|---|---|---|
| Made for | U.S. SOCOM's choice for its Advanced Sniper Rifle. Heavy .30 bullets with huge reach and energy. | Long-range sniper round designed to reach 1,500 m with full power. Also a heavy-game hunting round. |
| Typical load | 230 grBerger Hybrid OTM | 300 grSierra MatchKing |
| Muzzle speed | 2,800 ft/s | 2,700 ft/s |
| Muzzle energy | 4,004 ft-lbs | 4,856 ft-lbs |
| Typical BC (G1) | 0.743maker's G1, used for the drop figures | 0.768maker's G1, used for the drop figures |
| Twist rate | 1:9 | 1:10 |
| Recommended platform | ELR rifle, 15 lb+ with brakeHeavy recoil without a brake | ELR rifle, 15–18 lb with brakeHeavy recoil; a brake is close to required |
Which one fits you?
.300 Norma Magnum: U.S. SOCOM's choice for its Advanced Sniper Rifle. Heavy .30 bullets with huge reach and energy.
.338 Lapua Magnum: Long-range sniper round designed to reach 1,500 m with full power. Also a heavy-game hunting round.
For most hunters, the right pick is the one you can shoot accurately and comfortably, in a rifle that fits how you hunt. Good shot placement and a bullet built for your game matter more than small differences on paper.
More
Speed, energy and BC are typical figures for the listed load; real numbers vary by brand, lot and barrel length. Always check the ammo maker's data for your exact load.