Our choice for the best new rifle was easy, but pronouncing its name was not. Continuing with designer Bill Alexander’s love of Anglo-Saxon and Viking history, the eponymous manufacturer named its semi-automatic .338 Lapua Mag. rifle for the sword used by Norse raiders in the latter stages of the Dark Ages. Like its namesake, the Ulfberht rifle is an unstoppable force. Combining the powerful chambering with a Degtyaryov-based action—including a 19-inch op-rod—results in a .338 Lapua Mag. rifle that barely jumps when fired, even without a muzzle brake. At long last, there’s a semi-auto platform for this hard-hitting, obscenely accurate round that doesn’t kick like a mule, bringing a smile to the face of anyone who likes to reach out and touch a target at ranges far beyond 1,000 yards.
"The Ulfberht .338 Lapua Mag. is a giant step forward, not only in semi-automatic precision rifles chambered for the round, but also for a rifle in the chambering that simply doesn’t kick." —Gary Paul Johnson.
Specifications
Alexander Arms: (540) 639-8356
Caliber: .338 Lapua Mag.
Capacity: 10 rounds
Barrel Length: 27.5 inches
Overall Length: 41.25 inches (stock folded), 50 inches (stock deployed)
Weight: 19 pounds, 14 ounces
MSRP: $6,850
Winning Features
- 338 Lapua Mag. chambering.
- Folding stock.
- Adjustable gas regulator.
- Grips compatible with aftermarket AR-15 parts.
