Lapua Mega Bullet

[Jimbeaux82]

Has any of our members used the Lapua Mega bullet? I have booked a brown bear hunt for May 2024 and am considering using a 200 gr Mega in. 300 Win Mag and would like to hear thoughts on this bullet. Lapua advertises 90-95% weight retention with this bonded bullet

 

[Kraut]

Use it in 9,3x62. Shot some fallow dear and hogs with it and that gave ood and satisfying results. The Lapua Mega has a very good reputation in Europe.

 

[Longwalker]

I have used them in my 9.3x62 for hunting elk and bullet opened quickly and penetrated deeply, with an exit. Performance was just what I wanted. I would use that bullet for hunting bears with my 9.3 but can't comment on its performance in a 300 mag. I'm not so sure Lapua Mega are a bonded bullet, my understanding is that they are just a good standard construction "cup and core" with a nice thick jacket.

 

[Kraut]

Yup, right on.

 

[1dirthawker]

@Jimbeaux82,

i would consider a 300 win mag a bit light in caliber for a brown bear. a 338, 9.3 or 375 would be a better choice on a large, tough carnivore. Can they be killed with a 300 win, yup. would you want that combo if you have to follow a bear up? just a thought. with a 30cal, i think a heavier bullet is a better choice.

also, 300 win mags throw bullets pretty fast and tend to over stress bullets unless they are bonded or mono metal bullets. even swift a frames can be over stressed by the fast 300 mags.

my 2021 fall brown bear client shot his bear with a 300 weatherby, 220gr barnes bullets (thats what he told me anyway) shot the bear while standing in the chest at 60 yards, ended up being a running gunfight, long story, but i would choose a larger caliber and bullet.

 

[Longwalker]

I looked up the bullet specifications on the Lapua website. They state the bullet is "mechanically bonded" which I don't take to mean the same as "bonded" as used by Woodleigh Weldcore, Norma Oryx, Nosler Accubond, or RWS Evo. I believe it's more similar to the Remington Core lokt, Hornady Interlock etc. "The mechanical bonding locks the lead alloy in place, keeping the bullet structure together at point of impact."

 

[Jimbeaux82]

Thanks Longwalker,

I saw that as well, However I am surprised that a mechanically locked bullet is advertised as having 90%+ weight retention. Must be one hell of a stout jacket!

Jimbeaux

 

[Robmill70]

Has any of our members used the Lapua Mega bullet? I have booked a brown bear hunt for May 2024 and am considering using a 200 gr Mega in. 300 Win Mag and would like to hear thoughts on this bullet. Lapua advertises 90-95% weight retention with this bonded bullet

I just recently loaded up some 155gr Mega's for my 6.5x55 pushing out at 2700 FPS. On paper they are great, they received great reviews, and later this year I will test them out on some plains game in SA! As far as brown bear, is it coastal browns or Grizz? If it's coastal, I'd use something bigger, there's a considerable size difference. I lived and hunted in Alaska and I am a fan of the 338 Ultra

 

[medvedhunting]

I looked up the bullet specifications on the Lapua website. They state the bullet is "mechanically bonded" which I don't take to mean the same as "bonded" as used by Woodleigh Weldcore, Norma Oryx, Nosler Accubond, or RWS Evo. I believe it's more similar to the Remington Core lokt, Hornady Interlock etc. "The mechanical bonding locks the lead alloy in place, keeping the bullet structure together at point of impact."

i will say in my test with my 9.3 bullets they re way better than traditionnal bullets it is a step between cup and core and lead free and truly bonded bullet so for the price hard to beat.

 

[BeeMaa]

I'm with @1dirthawker on this one. There are many better caliber choices out there for big brownies and booking a hunt is an excellent reason to start the search.