338 wsm?

[mattri]

Just thinking out loud here. What if you were to cut a chamber that allowed the longer bullets, say the 300gr SMK etc to be seated out far enough that you didn't encroach on your case capacity too much. Used in a single shot heavy rifle seems like that might make a heck of a 1000 yard round. Thoughts?

 

[4xforfun]

The only thing keeping me from going ahead with my 338 project is the availability of bullets. I have had 1000 300g bergers on order since march for my hunting/ tacti"cool"/play gun!! Now that good brass is available I am thinking of putting a 338 edge (300 Rum necked up) tube on my 85 pound HG for those "bad weather days" for IBS 1000 BR.

I think that the WSM case is a bit on the small side. Not a lot of people shoot the 338 win mag at LR with the 300 grain pills....just not enough horse power. The WSM case is smaller yet.

Good luck,

Tod

 

[mattri]

Yeah was reading about the Edge, that's kind of what me go to thinking about other cases. For hunting obviously the bigger case will deliver a harder punch, was just wondering what other cases might work for paper punching.

 

[mattri]

Wow, just looked at some 338 bullets vs heavy 308s for the 300 wsm and can see why a 338 wsm hasn't taken off. a 220-240gr 308 is right on the heels or at 338 bc #s. Well that's what you get for posting random thoughts on a Monday.

 

[hogan]

Maybe think it a bit further...

Barrel life with an edge? Maybe 500rds for gilt-edge accuracy?

Go the other way; .338/284 Gives you the same ballistics and load equivalency as a .338-06, but shorter, wider case. In a long action you have the seating room for the long high BC numbers, but really the 250gr Sierra GameKing does just fine. Also another new 225gr Sierra.

.338/284 is gonna have nice barrel life, and with 35deg shoulder, not as much trimming.


Might look at the Edge versus .340wby. Not much difference there in practical terms. Setup the chamber to headspace on the shoulder. Belt is only an accuracy impediment if used for headspace.

 

[4xforfun]

Barrel life with an Edge would be equal to or better than a Lapua. Is the accuracy life of a Lapua 500 rounds?

 

[mattri]

Definitely not interested in something that eats barrels that fast- will probably end up with a plain-jane 300wsm.

 

[4xforfun]

If you are simply cutting paper why not something like a dasher or BRX. The 6mm's are way cheaper to shoot. 6mms are way more pleasent to shoot. The Dasher or BRX can push the 105+ sized bullets fast enough to negate most wind. If you try a three hundred grain 338 on a WSM, the speeds will be just to slow and the TOF numbers go way up hurting the wind bucking ability of those big, slick bullets.

As far as the Edge/ Lapua tube life...I would say it will be the same as all my 300 WSM match tubes shooting the 200 to 230 grain pills. I'm thinking around 2000 rounds.

Now, if you also going to punch holes in critters, especially BIG critters, then stick with the big guns.

Good luck,

Tod.

PS...I never have been able to get my 300 WSM comp guns to shoot the 230 grain Bergers. They LOVE the 200 and 215 Hybirds!!!

 

[jonbearman]

What would you be hunting with the 338 wsm?

 

[mattri]

Rifle would really be for punching paper at longer ranges in adverse conditions. Could be used for culling deer etc but definitely not a hunting rifle per se.

Thinking a 30" barrel in a heavy stock, probably close to 20lbs if not over.

The 7mm/300 WSM would be a good option, like I said earlier I don't know if you gain that much going to a 338 but I like the idea of doing something a little different.

The Edge/Rum was kind of fun to think about but not something I want to work with at the moment.

 

[338 Mollett]

I never thought about my case appealing to 1000 yd. benchrest.

 

[Alex Wheeler]

The benefit of the 338 is energy. If you plan on taking a long shot on game you want plenty of energy, especially if the shot is not perfect. I would not bother with a smaller case than the edge, you need it to get the velocity with the 300s. Otherwise you might as well stick to the .30. For paper punching in adverse conditions I'd go with a fast 7mm.