338 edge
- Thread starter kochie
- Start date
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
In a magnum bolt face size action, for a .338 caliber cartridge, the 338 Edge is about as good as it gets but if you're wanting to squeeze everything out of one you can get with the long 300gr bullets there are certain things to consider.
The 338 Edge is a very long cartridge especially with the 300 grainers so if your plan is to have a repeater type setup you'll want to select an action that has a load port that will except one of the long mag boxes like a Wyatt's CFE-9 that'll allow a C.O.A.L. up to 4 inches long. Another option would be to use a single shot action then you won't have to worry about the COAL.
Personally, If you want to sling the big 300gr bullets I'd look at building a 338 Lapua Improved. The regular 338 Lapua IMO is kind of a turd but the improved version is a pretty healthy step up and well worth the extra time involved over the standard version. Same as the Edge though and loaded with 300's it is a long cartridge so you'll either want to use a single shot action or one that can be used with a extra long mag box.
Another to consider especially if this is going to be a hunting rifle more then a ELR setup is the 338 Norma but again I'd opt for the "improved" version over the standard. The 338 Norma improved doesn't shoot the 300's quite as fast as the 338 Lapua Improved but it has a shorter OAL so it'll give you more options with regard to action length.
As for your question on twist a 10tw will work fine but many have been using 9.5tw barrels as well. I think the ELR guys that are shooting these things wayyyyyyyy out there tend to go with a little faster twist and opt for the 9.5
Also, do yourself a favor and build something with some weight to it. If you plan to shoot this thing much and want to enjoy it build something that has a finish weight of at least 15 lbs.
The 338 Edge is a very long cartridge especially with the 300 grainers so if your plan is to have a repeater type setup you'll want to select an action that has a load port that will except one of the long mag boxes like a Wyatt's CFE-9 that'll allow a C.O.A.L. up to 4 inches long. Another option would be to use a single shot action then you won't have to worry about the COAL.
Personally, If you want to sling the big 300gr bullets I'd look at building a 338 Lapua Improved. The regular 338 Lapua IMO is kind of a turd but the improved version is a pretty healthy step up and well worth the extra time involved over the standard version. Same as the Edge though and loaded with 300's it is a long cartridge so you'll either want to use a single shot action or one that can be used with a extra long mag box.
Another to consider especially if this is going to be a hunting rifle more then a ELR setup is the 338 Norma but again I'd opt for the "improved" version over the standard. The 338 Norma improved doesn't shoot the 300's quite as fast as the 338 Lapua Improved but it has a shorter OAL so it'll give you more options with regard to action length.
As for your question on twist a 10tw will work fine but many have been using 9.5tw barrels as well. I think the ELR guys that are shooting these things wayyyyyyyy out there tend to go with a little faster twist and opt for the 9.5
Also, do yourself a favor and build something with some weight to it. If you plan to shoot this thing much and want to enjoy it build something that has a finish weight of at least 15 lbs.
The 1-10" should be fine, B23 made excellent points. I converted my Sako TRG-41 in 300 Min Mag to 338 Edge with a Bartlien 1-10" barrel . I run it as a single shot as I load the rounds long and it loves the Berger 300 gr. bullets. For recoil mitigation, a Fat Bastard muzzle brake is what I have on mine.
Tim
Tim
ok thanks guys don't want to start a controversy here but is the lapua that much different than the edge ? and i don't know anything about the 338/378 .
Alex Wheeler
Site $$ Sponsor
9.35tw and 338 lapua imp is magic
heard good things about the 338 Norma too .
B23
Gold $$ Contributor
For me deciding on which cartridge to go with nearly 100% is dependent on these two factors. 1) What will I be using it for. 2) Can I get top quality brass like Lapua or ADG for it. In all honesty I probably have those two backwards especially for a 338 build where you know you'll be stretching your shots way out there which is pretty much the whole point of building a big 338 to shoot the heavy for caliber 300's.
IMHO if you don't have intentions to shoot 1000+ or 1000+++ yards on a more regular then not basis a person will likely be better off with one of the big 7mm or 30 cals especially with all the new high BC bullets we have available to us in those calibers.
If you're building on a action you already have and it's something like a long action Rem 700 I'd say stick with your first choice and go 338 Edge. Shawn and Bob Carlock (Defensive Edge Rifles) have built countless 338 Edge's on LA Rem 700's and I've never heard of one that didn't shoot the 300's extremely well. Shawn will be the first person to tell you he certainly wasn't the first to neck a 300 RUM case up to 338 and stick a 300gr bullet in it but I'd bet he's spent more time testing/tuning/building 338 Edge rifles then pretty much anyone else.
Now if your plan is to have a full custom build done then that opens up your options to nearly endless combinations.
FWIW, there is no way I'd ever build a standard 338 Norma or 338 Lapua. With regard to velocity they're both kind of turds and the 338 Edge will out run them but when you improve the 338 Lapua to a 35° or 40° shoulder angle it magically transforms the 338 Lapua from a donkey to a thoroughbred.
I had a 338-378 Accumark years ago in fact it was my introduction into the .338 world and its performance was lack luster at best. Granted this was a factory made off the shelf rifle and it's not like Weatherby's are world renowned for accuracy but it was mediocre at best and I'm being polite. Maybe in a custom build with a much better barrel and in an action without COAL restrictions the performance and accuracy would likely be better but you're still limited by the ehh quality brass. For something with the same case capacity of the big Weatherby I'd look at Tubbs 33XC instead.
DaveTooley
Gold $$ Contributor
There's always the 338XC if your going single shot.
ok thanks, will my ruger 7 mm mag action be strong enough for the 338 Norma ?
DaveTooley
Gold $$ Contributor
NO
338 edge is fun, N570 is awesome in it.
9-10.5 twist is fine.
I can easily get 2900+ With a 300 Berger even at a short 3.95 oal.
It really shines when loaded long as does 338 lapua.
338 Norma is slower but really nice as well but I’d do improved 338 Norma instead of regular, same can be said about 338 lapua
9-10.5 twist is fine.
I can easily get 2900+ With a 300 Berger even at a short 3.95 oal.
It really shines when loaded long as does 338 lapua.
338 Norma is slower but really nice as well but I’d do improved 338 Norma instead of regular, same can be said about 338 lapua
ok thanks good information
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