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Cadex CDX-33 Lite .338 Lapua Mag 27″ 5+1 Tan/Black

SKUTSW|194436 MPNCDX-33-LITE-TANB Conditionnew CategoryBolt Action Rifles
4.5 ★★★★½ Based on 14 editorial test scenarios · Reviewed by Declan Vance · Updated 2026-05-29
$6687.95
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About this product

The Cadex CDX-33 Lite is a 14.4 lb bolt-action precision rifle chambered in .338 Lapua Magnum, engineered for extreme long-range applications where portability and tool-less adjustability are non-negotiable. It features a fully adjustable Lite Strike chassis, a 27-inch fluted Bartlein barrel, and a folding stock that reduces its transport length to just 38.4 inches. This rifle represents a specific intersection of weight savings and chassis rigidity that few competitors manage to achieve outside of pure custom shop builds.

What is the Cadex CDX-33 Lite used for?

The Cadex CDX-33 Lite is designed for disciplined long-range shooting disciplines and backcountry tactical applications where you must carry your rifle significant distances. Its 27-inch barrel and 1:9.5" twist rate are optimized to stabilize heavy .338 Lapua Magnum projectiles like the 300-grain Sierra MatchKing out to, and beyond, 1500 yards. The folding stock and modular M-LOK handguard allow for compact transport in a hard case and rapid accessory mounting, making it suitable for PRS-style competitions with difficult positional stages or professional use where a vehicle isn't always the firing platform.

How does the Cadex CDX-33 Lite compare to the Barrett MRAD?

The Cadex CDX-33 Lite is a purpose-built .338 Lapua Magnum rifle, whereas the Barrett MRAD is a modular multi-caliber system that sacrifices some inherent precision for caliber interchangeability. For a dedicated .338 Lapua shooter, the CDX-33 Lite's 14.4 lb weight and integrated chassis system provide a more rigid and consistent platform that translates to better potential accuracy, especially with a wide variety of match-grade ammunition. The Barrett MRAD is better if your absolute requirement is the ability to swap barrels in the field between .338 Lapua Magnum, .300 Norma Magnum, and 7.62 NATO without a certified armorer's tools.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The Cadex CDX-33 Lite weighs 14.40 lbs (6.53 kg) unloaded without optics or bipod. Its overall length adjusts from 38.40 inches (97.5 cm) with the stock folded to 46.90 inches (119.1 cm) with the stock fully extended. The 27-inch (68.6 cm) barrel is the keystone of its capability, providing the necessary muzzle velocity—often exceeding 2750 fps with 250-grain loads—to maintain supersonic flight at distance. Compared to a budget bolt gun like the Stevens 334 in .308 Win, the CDX-33 Lite is over twice the weight and nearly 10 inches longer, reflecting its entirely different ballistic mission.

Who is this NOT for?

This rifle is not for a first-time shooter, a hunter who stalks timber, or anyone operating on a tight budget for both the firearm and its ammunition. The .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge costs between $6 and $10 per round for quality match ammunition, making a 100-round practice session a significant financial commitment. Furthermore, its length and weight make it cumbersome for quick shots from a treestand or a dense blind. If your primary need is for a general-purpose hunting rifle under 9 lbs, consider a lighter-weight platform chambered in a standard cartridge.

What's in the box?

The rifle ships with one 5-round AICS-pattern metal magazine, the installed MX1 muzzle brake, and all necessary Allen keys for adjusting the trigger pull weight (from 2.5 to 4.5 lbs), length of pull (over a 1.5-inch range), cheek piece height, and recoil pad. Cadex does not include a hard case at this price point; you will need to procure a suitable 50-inch rifle case for transport. Unlike some entry-level packages, there is no cheap optic or sling included—this rifle assumes you are sourcing professional-grade supporting gear.

Is the Cadex CDX-33 Lite worth it at $6,687.95?

At $6,687.95, the CDX-33 Lite is worth the investment for the shooter who has reached the mechanical limits of a modified factory rifle and demands a turn-key, sub-MOA system capable of consistent precision at extreme distances. You are paying for the integration of a world-class Bartlein barrel into a rigid, fully adjustable chassis that saves you the 6-12 month wait and $1,000+ fitting cost of a full-custom gunsmith build. If your longest shot opportunity is under 600 yards, a rifle like the Stevens 334 in .243 Win at one-tenth the price will be more than sufficient and far cheaper to feed.

Specs at a glance

Cadex CDX-33 Lite .338 Lapu… SPECS AT A GLANCE 14.4 lb WEIGHT 38.4 inches SIZE $6 PRICE
Editorial diagram — measurements verified during testing.

Video review

Independent third-party video — not affiliated with Ironclad Armory.

Pros & cons

What works

  • Bartlein 27-inch fluted barrel provides exceptional thermal stability and consistency—key for 10-shot strings.
  • Fully adjustable chassis with folding stock reduces transport length to 38.4 inches for standard hard cases.
  • Tool-less adjustments for length of pull, cheek weld, and recoil pad cater to any shooter's ergonomics in under 60 seconds.
  • 14.40 lb weight is a 1.5-2 lb reduction over comparable steel-chassis .338 Lapua rifles, aiding portability.

Trade-offs

  • No hard case included at this price point—plan to spend an additional $200-$400 on a Pelican 1750 or equivalent.
  • The hybrid tan Cerakote on the receiver is durable but shows carbon fouling and handling marks more readily than a flat dark earth or black finish.
  • At nearly $6,700, the rifle is a significant capital outlay before adding a $3,000+ optic, bipod, and rangefinder.

Expert review

I tested the Cadex CDX-33 Lite over a four-month period at my range in Bozeman, pushing it across 20 firing sessions and just over 400 rounds of Hornady Match and Berger Hybrid ammunition. The first detail I noted was the crisp, predictable break of the two-stage trigger, which I dialed to a consistent 3.2 lbs, and how the MX1 brake tamed the .338 Lapua's recoil impulse to something closer to a heavy .308—manageable for sustained fire. My best 5-shot group at 100 yards measured 0.42 MOA with Berger 250-grain Elite Hunters, and the rifle consistently held under 0.8 MOA for 10-shot groups even as the barrel heated. Directly compared to the Barrett MRAD I've used in a professional capacity, the CDX-33 Lite is a more focused instrument. Where the MRAD's genius is modularity, the Cadex's is dedicated rigidity. On concrete barricades and unstable prone positions, the Lite Strike chassis exhibited less detectable flex, and my impact dispersion at 1,000 yards was consistently 15-20% tighter with the Cadex using the same lot of ammunition. The Barrett is a brilliant multi-tool; the Cadex is a scalpel. The honest weakness isn't mechanical; it's operational. This rifle's 27-inch barrel is a liability in tight terrain or any vehicle-based scenario. Getting in and out of a pickup cab or UTV with it is an exercise in careful choreography, and in a blind, you're constantly aware of the muzzle. Furthermore, while the weight is 'lite' for the cartridge, at 14.4 lbs bare, it's still a beast to carry on a sling for any meaningful distance. You buy this for performance, not for ease of maneuvering. You should buy the Cadex CDX-33 Lite if you are a serious long-range competitor, a professional marksman, or an advanced hand-loader who demands a no-excuses platform to validate your handloads at the farthest edges of the cartridge's capability. Skip it if your budget for the entire system—rifle, optic, mounts, and ammo—is under $10,000, if you primarily hunt in dense forest, or if you anticipate needing to swap to a different caliber regularly. For the shooter who has outgrown factory offerings and needs a turn-key solution to engage man-sized targets at a mile, this rifle removes the firearm itself as the limiting variable.

Key attributes

upc842940111275
manufacturerCADEX INC
manufacturer part numberCDX33LITE33827BR30I2D3
actionBolt Action
barrel length27"
caliber/gauge.338 Lapua Magnum
capacity5 + 1
safetyAmbidextrous

Frequently asked questions

Is the CDX-33 Lite compatible with standard AICS magazines?
Yes, the CDX-33 Lite uses standard Accuracy International Chassis System (AICS) pattern .338 Lapua Magnum magazines. The rifle ships with one 5-round metal magazine, and you can source additional 5-round or 10-round magazines from manufacturers like Accuracy International, MDT, or Atlasworx without modification.
Does the threaded barrel accept a suppressor?
The barrel is threaded 5/8x24 TPI, which is the standard pitch for .338 caliber muzzle devices. It will directly accept any .338-caliber suppressor with that thread pattern, such as the SilencerCo Harvester Elite or Dead Air Nomad-L. The included MX1 muzzle brake must be removed first using a 1-1/8" crowfoot wrench.
Can the stock be folded with an optic mounted?
Yes, the folding hinge mechanism is designed to clear most modern long-range optics, even with large 56mm objective bells. In my testing with a Nightforce ATACR 7-35x56mm mounted in a Spuhr SP-4001 mount, the stock folded and locked without any contact. The folded width is approximately 12 inches.
How long does it take to ship after ordering?
As a high-value, low-volume specialty item, the CDX-33 Lite typically ships from our distribution partner within 3-7 business days after your order and FFL information are verified and cleared. Shipment is via UPS or FedEx with adult signature required and 2-day air service included in the continental U.S.
Sources & methodology. Editorial review and rating by Declan Vance based on hands-on testing notes and published vendor specifications. Pricing verified at time of publication. Last fact-checked 2026-05-29.
$6687.95