The military don’t have to worry about costs. I couldn’t afford it in the first place.
You can get a pretty fair substitute by starting with a surplus Pattern 14 Enfield action. My first .338 LM had a barrel rechambered from a .338 Winchester and cost me less than $100 for the action and another $100 for the barrel.
Stocks were a problem, as I broke three before finally going with a fiberglass synthetic. Recoil is sporty, about twice that of a .30-06 or 8x57mm Mauser, but with a properly designed stock, is reasonable.
I expect to be back in bear country in another year or so, and a .30-06 with the right ammo will suit me fine, until I can poick up or put together another .338. At that point, I'll be less concerned about what ammo's in the rifle.