The .338 Xtreme Tactical and its cartridge were designed to surpass the performance of the .338 Lapua in every respect, including effective range. With a claimed accuracy of 1 m.o.a. or less at ranges beyond 2,300 yards, the gun begged for testing at ranges well beyond our "Dope Bag" standard distance of 100 yards. Although no 2,000-yard facility was readily available, we were able to safely test the gun at 1,500 yards on a private range.

Firing was done from the prone position using a Harris bipod and Protektor and Red-Tac rear bags for support, simulating the firing position that would be used under tactical conditions. Targets were 17-inch Birchwood Casey Shoot-N-C bullseyes on large, 48-inch-square backing boards. Sighting was by way of a Nightforce 8-32x 56 mm NXS scope. Range conditions were sunny but windy, with variable gusts exceeding 25 mph at times, with no wind flags or other indicators to reveal what was happening in the nearly one-mile space between the firing line and the target. Nonetheless, Xtreme Machining's accuracy standard of 1 m.o.a. was achieved-and bettered.

Group dispersion was generally in the lateral direction, clearly indicating the influence of the wind. Under those conditions, the fact that average group size was kept to slightly larger than 14 inches was a testament to the aerodynamic qualities of the cartridge's 0.825-B.C. copper bullet-and, of course, the skill of our test shooters. Shooting tests we witnessed at other times, with better conditions, using scopes from Nightforce and U.S. Optics, showed that the .338 Xtreme Tactical is typically capable of 0.75-m.o.a. or better accuracy pretty consistently at ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 yards.

Two things stood out in our test-fire sessions. First, we were surprised by the gun's lack of perceived recoil-about what one might experience with a sporter-weight rifle in .243 Win. or .260 Rem., and attributable to the effective 42-port Xtreme Machining brake. And second, we found the rifle remarkably comfortable and tolerant of minute differences in shooting technique. Accuracy and stability are excellent with current 1:10-inch-twist barrels.

With a flatter trajectory, less wind deflection and 30 percent more muzzle energy than the .338 Lapua, the .338 Xtreme Tactical offers a blend of accuracy, power, range, manageable weight and low recoil that is equaled by few, if any, factory gun/cartridge combinations. The Xtreme Tactical will be of great interest to 2,000-yard rifle competitors and to all shooters fascinated with state-of-the-art long-range shooting technology.

Manufacturer: Xtreme Machining; (814) 345-6290; Xtrememachining.us
Distributor: American Tactical Imports (ATI), Div. of AmChar Wholesale; (800) 333-0695; Americantactical.us
Caliber: .338 Xtreme
Action Type: bolt-action, repeating center-fire rifle
Receiver: 420 stainless steel
Barrel Length: 26", 30" (tested)
Rifling: Six-groove, 1:10" RH twist
Magazine: Detachable steel box, seven-round capacity
Sights: None; 40-m.o.a. Picatinny rail mounted on receiver
Trigger Pull: Rifle Basix; single-stage, 3 lbs., 4 ozs.
Stock: Laminated wood target; McMillan A-5 tactical; McRee's Precision tactical; dimensions (McRee's Precision stock): length of pull adj. from 13¼" to 151⁄8"; drop at cheekpiece adj. from 1/2" to 11⁄8"
Overall Length: 53" (30" barrel)
Weight: 15.5 lbs. (McMillan A-5 stock, 30" barrel); 19 lbs. (McRee's Precision folding stock, 30" barrel)
Accessories: 40-m.o.a. rail, hard case
Suggested Retail Price: $4,678 (single-shot, McMillan A-5 stock); $4,834(single-shot target, laminated wood stock); $5,092 (repeater, McMillan A-5 stock); $6,042 (repeater, McRee's Precision folding stock)

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