Can't decide on the right .338

[Snowfighter]

Hey all.
Going to be starting a .338 build in about a week. Can't make up my mind on the exact .338 caliber to choose. Was thinking about a Lapua. I know there are many others to choose from. Lacking the knowledge about each to make the call. Any insight would be appreciated. I also load my own. So it doesn't have to be a factory round.
Thanks.

 

[M14AMU]

Get ya a TRG-42! You won't have any trouble selling it when ya azz itches for something else! Those rifles have some real engineering built into them. I've shot ten shot groups from 1400 yards with several that you could cover with an LSU baseball cap...not counting the cap bill!! ;D

 

[tido250]

I'm in the midst of a savage/338 edge build,I wanted something a little different.they say its a cheaper build but if u choose to go with norma brass I don't see much difference in it and the lapua mag.

 

[azshooter]

338 EDGE
I have one and love it.
google Shawn Carlock and read about it.

 

[Snowfighter]

Thats kinda what I wanted to hear. I have done some research on that round. Having trouble finding dies. Are the dies available? Or is it something Im going to have to have made by my gunsmith? And is there any recipies to get started with that will give me an idea what to load?
Thanks all.

 

[tido250]

"Defensive edge" has the dies and load info

 

[Snowfighter]

Sweet round. Found the dies n such. getting excited. Gonna be rad.

 

[spitfire_er]

I'm building a .338 RUM. I can't see the advantage to going with a lapua or edge or even the .338 Norma which is what I was originally going to do. With the RUM you are very close to the edge, Norma, and the lapua for that matter, and brass, and dies are quite a bit cheaper.

I build my own so I can make whatever. It all came down to I can get the same bang for less buck. Economy wise, I'de go with the RUM.

 

[tido250]

The edge has more capacity to send those heavier pills down range faster plus I wanted something different in my circle.

 

[Mark S in NM]

"right" for what would help.

 

[DanConzo]

300 Rem Ultra Mag (full version) brass is now availabe by Norma according to Sinclair, that should be an extra plus for the 338 Edge.

 

[nonliberal]

"right" for what would help.

This is what I was wondering.

For all of my hunting needs the 338/06 is the ticket, I know its not near as sexy but less recoil, no need for a deafening muzzle brake, shorter user friendly barrel, less powder consumed, more barrel life, ultra cheap brass, can be made off any action, were all factors in my decision.

"disclaimer"- I never have or take shots beyond 400 yards while hunting, so a cartridge that shoots a mile didn't do much for me even though it is very cool.

If it's for ultra long range shooting then the 338/06 is not what your looking for.

 

[effendude]

I am building a .338 RUM with a Borden Action inside an Eliseo RTM Chassis using the .338 Lapua Mags from AI. My original intention was to build a Edge as I have a lifetime supply of .300 RUM Brass already. The .300 RUM is slightly longer to the shoulder than the .338 Lapua and the .338 RUM so the mags wouldn't work for the Edge. I didn't want a single shot repeater.... Looking at the ballistics, the .338 Lapua and .338 RUM are very close ballistically. The Edge is better than both and excels as a singleshot rifle. When loaded with the 300 gr. bullets, the bolt must be removed to eject a live Edge round and the must be fed from the chamber, not the mag box. Been there/done that and have friends with Edges who still do. That might be ok for target shooting, but I wanted my .338 for hunting.

Given the fact that most knowledgeable and responsibile action builders and smiths won't open up a bolt face on a standard magnum action to fit the Lapua case head, it requires a purpose built action from Stiller, Barnard, etc. I understand enough about physics that I have no desire to be anywhere near a .338 Lapua built on a standard Remington action. Read more on Dan Lilja's and Jim Borden's websites.

I would be very careful if building a .338 Lapua. Research actions available, contact the manufacturer to make sure they understand your goals. It is a great cartridge, but is it worth the extra effort?

Scott

 

[spitfire_er]

I agree with effendude.

As far as the Edge goes, just because it may have a few grains over the 338 RUM, to me it is not worth the extra hassle to get very similar ballistics.

The Lapua is Cool to, but once again, not worth the extra work or expense to make it work properly.

In the end, my bullet may not be going as fast, and I might have to add another click on my scope, but the same bullet will make it to the same place with enough engery as I need.

I'm also building mine for hunting. It's going to be my Elk, Moose, and any other big critter along with being a Ultra Long Range Varmint Rifle.

 

[tido250]

"To each his own"

 

[people]

Rum, Edge, or Lapua all get the job done at extended long range with the proper setup.

 

[wboggs]

Agree with the comments on the .338Rem.UM as a hunting rifle. I have one built on an accurized Model 70 action, 26" Krieger, both Walnut and fiberclass stocks. Shoots 250 Barnes TSX into 5/8" grps. at 200 yds. Load is standard Rem brass, F215, Norma MRP. Velocity is 2986fps in the hot African sun. It is the most remarkable game rifle of that type the African PHs have ever seen in action and that is what they do for a living.
For targets, some others may be better, and you can certainly equal it in the field. But you will not be better on game which does not know the difference of a few fps.

 

[Dgd6mm]

I know this is off topic a bit. I have a .300 Lapua built on a Remington Standard Magnum Action that is jacketed in a Shehane stock with a 34" custom tapered Lilja 3 groove 1-10 twist barrel. Action has been blueprinted and all is custom fit. Gunsmith's name : Greg Tannel, this is a beautiful piece of work. At just over 1 mile 3 shots with 216 Clinch Rivers and H-1000 less then 8 inch.

 

[azshooter]

"As far as the Edge goes, just because it may have a few grains over the 338 RUM, to me it is not worth the extra hassle to get very similar ballistics".

That could be said for any caliber on this website. The edge is EASY to load, neck up 300 rum
dump in powder and seat a 300 SMK.
My edge shoots great! in fact after i built mine five of my freinds built one.

 

[dragman]

I have had a few of them in the past and I think if I was going to start a new build it would have to be an edge. I like the little extra you can get with the 300 grainers and it's an easy build that the lapua cuz of the bolt face depending on the action your gonna be building off of.