Gunsmithing 338 Edge from 338 RUM?

[dareposte]

I just recently got my feet wet in 338, and I've been thinking hard about building a 338 Edge to get some good velocity on the heavier bullets.

I'm looking for an easy way to test the waters before I sink too much money into a build, and am trying to come up with an easy way to try it out.

I have a Savage 300 win-mag as a donor rifle, and was thinking of getting a 338 RUM barrel + 338 RUM chamber reamer, and reaming it out to the proper length.

Anybody see an issue with that? My understanding is that the 338 Edge is just a longer 338 RUM.

I'm not a stranger to finishing short-chambered 700's, but I've never done such a substantial chamber modification as what I'm considering, and have a few reservations. I know the Savage barrels thread on for headspace, but the chamber needs to be deep enough to support the brass, without being too deep to set a proper headspace. Anybody done this? Whats the best way to ensure a safe and proper chamber depth?

 

[geargrinder]

Re: 338 Edge from 338 RUM?

You probably won't find a factory 338RUM barrel. They didn't make many. Even if you did, it would be a large shank barrel, your 300win is most likely a small shank.

Looking at the reamer prints, you could probably use a 338RUM reamer and push it in the .09" extra. Why not just get an Edge reamer to begin with?

If you do ream it yourself, you're looking for .130" +/- .005" of case head protrusion.

Or, you could just order a prefit for about $300.

 

[BCJR]

Re: 338 Edge from 338 RUM?

338 edge is a 300 ultra mag case necked out to hold a 338 bullet.

 

[dareposte]

Re: 338 Edge from 338 RUM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: geargrinder</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You probably won't find a factory 338RUM barrel. They didn't make many. Even if you did, it would be a large shank barrel, your 300win is most likely a small shank.

Looking at the reamer prints, you could probably use a 338RUM reamer and push it in the .09" extra. Why not just get an Edge reamer to begin with?

If you do ream it yourself, you're looking for .130" +/- .005" of case head protrusion.

Or, you could just order a prefit for about $300. </div></div>

My action is a small shank, as you suggested. I thought it would be easier to find an inexpensive 338 RUM barrel (factory or stocked somewhere) than a 338 Edge, but it sounds like I should reconsider. Wasn't sure about the shank sizing, thanks for clearing that up for me.

I don't have any 338 reamers yet so I can order whatever is needed. Again I figured a 338 RUM reamer would be easier to find than a 338 Edge, since the Edge is a somewhat more obscure caliber.

 

[chooter]

Re: 338 Edge from 338 RUM?

Call Pacific tool for the reamer. Got mine in about 10 days after the shot show.

 

[9H_Cracka]

Re: 338 Edge from 338 RUM?

300 RUM/338 Edge chamber is way different than the 338 RUM. The 300 case looks more like a 30-06 case and the 338 case more like a 308 case when it comes to body taper and shoulder angle.

With the current crop of powders, the 338 RUM case in its standard dimensions is what I would go with. This coming from someone with a RUM donor action and 300 RUM brass sitting around that was supposed to go to an EDGE project. I'd do the 338 RUM.

 

[RBros]

Re: 338 Edge from 338 RUM?

Pacific Tool has the 338 Edge reamers, and you will need a 300 Ultramag Go gauge, and a nogo if you choose. I have built a few 338 RUM's and alot of 338 Edge's. If you use a 26" barrel, there really isn't alot of difference. 28-30" barrels, the 338 Edge will get 100-150 fps more the 338 RUM with the 300gr SMK.

 

[learjet]

Re: 338 Edge from 338 RUM?

ur 300 winmags magbox will be too short to make a rum repeater as well. ive got a savage rum action, and the magbox is 3.6" really not long enough for the edge, and possibly not long enough for the 338 rum w smks or scenars. im starting load dev w b408 lapua lock bases, and ill mess w scenars later mebbe.

i dont believe there are any aftermarket 'wyatt' style long magboxes available either. a few guys on savage shooters have cut the front out of their magbox for a bit more length

 

[dareposte]

Re: 338 Edge from 338 RUM?

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 7mmAM</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Pacific Tool has the 338 Edge reamers, and you will need a 300 Ultramag Go gauge, and a nogo if you choose. I have built a few 338 RUM's and alot of 338 Edge's. If you use a 26" barrel, there really isn't alot of difference. 28-30" barrels, the 338 Edge will get 100-150 fps more the 338 RUM with the 300gr SMK. </div></div>

I'm planning on a 30" tube, I did some research today and I may wind up going with a pre-fit barrel from Pac-Nor. I called them today and they can provide a savage small-shank prefit barrel in about 8 weeks. Kind of higher than I'd like pricewise, but I guess that's the way these things go.