A 338 Lapua bullet drop chart provides the precise trajectory data required for extreme long range marksmanship and tactical applications. Your specific bullet drop relies entirely on the ammunition load, bullet weight, muzzle velocity, ballistic coefficient, your chosen zero distance, and environmental conditions. By reviewing established ballistic tables, shooters can make fast and accurate optic adjustments to compensate for gravity over massive distances. The chart below details the critical flight metrics needed to master this legendary heavy caliber sniper cartridge.
338 Lapua Bullet Drop Chart
| Distance (Yards) | Velocity (fps) | Energy (ft-lbs) | Bullet Drop (Inches) | Drop (MOA) | Drop (MIL) |
| 100 | 2810 | 4385 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 200 | 2675 | 3970 | -2.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 |
| 300 | 2545 | 3595 | -10.0 | 3.2 | 0.9 |
| 400 | 2418 | 3245 | -23.1 | 5.5 | 1.6 |
| 500 | 2295 | 2925 | -42.5 | 8.1 | 2.4 |
| 600 | 2176 | 2628 | -68.8 | 11.0 | 3.2 |
| 700 | 2060 | 2355 | -102.8 | 14.0 | 4.1 |
| 800 | 1948 | 2107 | -145.5 | 17.4 | 5.0 |
The parameters for the table above are based on standard ballistic data for the legendary Lapua 250-grain Scenar Match load. This provides the most authentic and widely applicable baseline for the .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge.
Ballistic Parameters:
- Ammunition Load: Lapua 250-grain Scenar Match
- Bullet Weight & Type: 250-grain Scenar (Open Tip Match)
- Muzzle Velocity: 2950 feet per second (fps)
- Ballistic Coefficient (G1): 0.618
- Zero Distance: 100 Yards
- Sight Height: 1.5 inches above bore
- Test Barrel Length: 27 inches
- Environmental Assumptions: Sea level altitude, 59 degrees Fahrenheit
Note: Velocity and energy figures are sourced from standard manufacturer ballistic charts for this specific load. Drop figures and extended data out to 800 yards are calculated using a 0.618 ballistic coefficient under standard atmospheric conditions.
Understanding The 338 Lapua Bullet Drop Chart
338 Lapua Bullet Drop At 100 Yards
At 100 yards, the heavy 250-grain projectile reaches its zero distance, meaning it perfectly intersects your line of sight with zero bullet drop. The bullet travels at 2810 fps and retains an overwhelming 4385 foot-pounds of energy. A 100-yard zero provides a clean mathematical baseline for modern tactical optics, allowing precision shooters to easily dial their turrets for extreme distances.
338 Lapua Bullet Drop At 200 Yards
When the bullet reaches 200 yards, the massive powder capacity of the .338 Lapua keeps the trajectory incredibly flat. The projectile drops a mere 2.5 inches. Shooters need to dial only 1.2 MOA or hold 0.3 MIL on their reticle. Retaining nearly 4000 foot-pounds of energy, the bullet carries more kinetic force at 200 yards than a standard .308 Winchester carries directly at the muzzle.
338 Lapua Bullet Drop At 300 Yards
At 300 yards, the trajectory arcs slightly with a drop of 10.0 inches. You will need to make an elevation correction of 3.2 MOA or 0.9 MIL. Velocity remains very high at 2545 fps, and the kinetic energy sits at a staggering 3595 foot-pounds. Thanks to the high ballistic coefficient of the 250-grain Scenar bullet, it slices through crosswinds with far more efficiency than traditional hunting cartridges.
338 Lapua Bullet Drop At 400 Yards
Crossing into 400 yards, the heavy bullet falls 23.1 inches below the line of sight. A shooter must compensate by dialing 5.5 MOA or 1.6 MIL. The energy drops to 3245 foot-pounds. This allows the .338 Lapua to perform flawlessly on large game or hard targets at distances where standard cartridges experience severe velocity loss.
338 Lapua Bullet Drop At 500 Yards
At 500 yards, the bullet drop reaches 42.5 inches. You will need a precise elevation adjustment of 8.1 MOA or 2.4 MIL. The velocity stays entirely supersonic at 2295 fps, and energy falls to 2925 foot-pounds. This distance represents a highly reliable engagement range for experienced marksmen, as the cartridge is barely beginning to stretch its legs.
338 Lapua Bullet Drop At 600 Yards
Reaching 600 yards firmly places the shooter in long range territory, though the .338 Lapua handles it with ease. The bullet plunges 68.8 inches, demanding an elevation shift of 11.0 MOA or 3.2 MIL. Velocity sits at 2176 fps, and energy hovers at 2628 foot-pounds. Hitting targets at this distance requires precise rangefinding, an accurate atmospheric dope chart, and excellent recoil management due to the substantial kick of the magnum cartridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What factors change my 338 Lapua bullet drop chart?
Your personal trajectory will vary depending on your specific ammunition and rifle setup. A shorter barrel will yield a lower muzzle velocity, which increases bullet drop at every distance. Environmental factors like high altitude, warm temperatures, and low barometric pressure reduce air density. Thinner mountain air allows the heavy bullet to experience less aerodynamic drag, causing it to fly much flatter and faster than it would at heavy sea level conditions.
How does the 338 Lapua compare to the 338 Norma Magnum?
The .338 Lapua Magnum and .338 Norma Magnum fire the exact same diameter projectiles and share extremely similar ballistic charts at traditional distances. However, they utilize different case designs. The Lapua has a longer overall case, while the Norma Magnum uses a slightly shorter, wider case. This shorter design is optimized for seating exceptionally long, heavy 300-grain bullets without the projectile intruding deeply into the powder column, which often provides slightly better efficiency and consistency for extreme long range shooting.
Should I shoot a 250-grain or 300-grain bullet for long range?
A lighter 250-grain bullet leaves the muzzle faster, offering a flatter trajectory inside 800 yards. This makes it an incredibly versatile choice. However, dedicated extreme long range shooters overwhelmingly prefer 300-grain bullets. The heavier 300-grain projectiles possess massively higher ballistic coefficients. Past 1000 yards, the heavier bullet retains its velocity much better, resists wind drift far more effectively, and stays supersonic for a longer distance.
What is the effective range of a 338 Lapua Magnum?
The effective range is dictated entirely by the target and the shooter’s capabilities. For large game hunting, the cartridge retains enough kinetic energy to harvest elk or moose well past 1000 yards. For target shooting and tactical applications, a skilled marksman utilizing high quality 300-grain match ammunition can reliably engage targets out to 1500 yards, and often push the cartridge accurately out to one mile before the bullet drops into the unstable transonic flight zone.