Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

jfseaman

jfseaman

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Jan 6, 2012
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#1
Action: Weatherby Mark V Deluxe, 9 lug. German from the 60s.
Stock: Bell & Carlson Tactical Medalist
Barrel: 30" Bartlein
Trigger: Stock (it's pretty good) or Timney (I have 3 others)
Bottom Metal: LRP with Wyatt magz.
Scope: Sightron SIII 10-50x60 LRTD

Why would I do this.

First of all I want to and that comes under "the pursuit of Happiness" clause of the "Declaration of Independence"

Second, nothing pre-made seems to fit my preferences and anything a boutique maker can do, I can do. I want a ~30" barrel.

Third, I have everything but the barrel, bottom metal and scope rail.

Lastly, it's the original 270 Weatherby pencil thin barrel and while OK for hunting, I don't hunt. I bought the rifle for a donor action to build a beyond 1000 rifle. I used it a little for load development for a buddy who has a modern Accumark in 270 Weatherby.

I will preserve the original barrel, Bausch and Lomb balvar scope and rings and stock.

I don't want to hog out the bolt for Lapua so I'm going with an Ultra Mag based caliber.

From my reading:

338 Edge = more case capacity for about 100 or so more fps, 300 RUM go/nogo gages (my gunsmith already has them)
338 RUM = Factory ammo availability but it's not like I can walk into WallyWorld and get 338 RUM and my 260 has never seen factory and never will.

I had really good success with my Wby Vanguard short action builds in 260 and 300WSM and soon .223.

I'm not totally married to this tactic on getting/building a 338 long range rifle so...

I'm interested in other points of view regarding non-belted magums with a ~.534 rim.
 
#2
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

I'd vote for the Edge just because normal Remington brass in .300RUM is easier to come by and Shawn Carlock has Bertram brass for it now that is suppose to be the cat's meow. If you haven't shot a .338 much it's a lot more recoil then most people are use to. For those that haven't shot heavier calibers much I would lean them more towards a .30 caliber from the .300wm to a .300RUM and shoot 210's to 240's. They have a lot less recoil and the ballistics for the .300wm with 230 Bergers isn't much different then the .338 Edge with 300gr SMK's. Around 70grs of powder and a 230gr bullet versus 90grs of powder and a 300gr bullet both going about the same velocity with comparable BC's. In a 12lb rifle that is 25lbs of recoil versus 47lbs of recoil. That's a pretty significant difference and barrel life will be close to the same.
 
#3
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

I understand what you are saying about 300RUM based vs 338 ballistics and good points as well, especially on recoil but what leads me to the 338 is...

I have a 300WSM shooting A-Max 208s at 2800fps+
My smith likes barrel life more with the 338 vs 300 ultra, gotta trust him.
It's the wind, the wind. 1+moa shaved off.

It will also let me hang with the other ultra mags and 50 cals.
cool.gif
 
#5
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

Nothing wrong with the Edge & if you can get the Bertram brass, you should be set. I have the RUM, it pushed 300SMKs within 50-70 fps of the Edge & fits most magazines a hell of a lot better. The RUM brass isn't going to last for chit in either cartridge which is another + for the Edge IF you can get the Bertram brass.

OP's smith is right, either 338 will last quite a bit longer than the 300RUM, probably on par with the winmag though.

Take your pick, in this scenario, i'm not sure there is a wrong answer.


t
 
#6
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

i shoot an edge with remington brass 91.5 of h 1000 and have no problems ;my gun is 16 lbs and anybody can shoot it ;get a good brake and its all good
 
#8
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

I have an Edge and a 300rum, really like both of them. Recoil is easy on the edge with a brake- I am learning to "manage" the back blast. I have been using Nosler and RP brass so far with good success- the Nosler has been a bit soft in the primer pockets for my hot loads.
I chose the Edge over the 338rum as I wanted the speed advantage over the 338lm. The difficulty for me was only in finding an acceptable bottom metal/magazine with enough length for the 300gr Bergers(4.005"+) I should have just built a single shot and not worried about it.

You will have a ton of fun either way.
 
#9
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

I'm having Benchmark turn my .300 RUM into an Edge as we speak. 30" barrel and a muscle brake and it'll be good to go. Don't get worried about what people say of recoil. Nobody knows your comfort level, and a lot of people are very recoil shy. I didn't think my .300 RUM kicked hardly at all. Go with the Edge, get the Bertram brass from Defensive Edge, although its about $300 per 100. It will last 4 times longer than Remington. drop in the Wyatts 4" box and you're playing ball.
 
#10
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: xXlojackXx</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I'm having Benchmark turn my .300 RUM into an Edge as we speak. 30" barrel and a muscle brake and it'll be good to go. Don't get worried about what people say of recoil. Nobody knows your comfort level, and a lot of people are very recoil shy. I didn't think my .300 RUM kicked hardly at all. Go with the Edge, get the Bertram brass from Defensive Edge, although its about $300 per 100. It will last 4 times longer than Remington. drop in the Wyatts 4" box and you're playing ball. </div></div>It's lms62's LRP bottom metal so COAL for cartridge in magazine will be 3.790, longest mag Wyatt has. I think there is only one reamer pattern from PTG. Shawn seems to like 3.850 but we will just have to see how it all works out.

My biggest reaction is to the noise, physical recoil next but oh well.
 
#11
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

I never completed my build as I realized I was getting way ahead of myself but when I had the same choice to make I chose 338 RUM so I could buy off the shelf components and not worry about forming brass. As someone else stated above the edge with big bullets is a super long round and might not fit in all bottom metal.

For me it came down to simplicity but if you want that slight edge then go for the edge.

Maybe one day I will dig up the savage and pacnor barrel and put it together but for now it will be a 6mm or 6.5
 
#14
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

Ya Fred keep us posted.I am going to build a 338 Norma AI but the brass is going to be hard to find so I may go with the Edge in stead.
 
#15
Re: Gonna build a 338 - 338 Edge or 338 RUM

a buddy and i have both decided to do builds in the edge also. i am trying a bartlein and he is gonna try a brux barrel. both will be single shot's to help keep cost's down and also to be able to load bergers at 4.00. remington brass is readily available along with using just any old remington long action.
beides being the cheaper brass than the 338lm you should have a touch more velocity in the edge which won't hinder anything either. i am hearing 2900fps plus in 30" barreled edges for the most part.
 
#16
The parts so far

B&C stock
Donor Mark V
Bartlein Barrel
Specifications:
Caliber: .338 5R
Twist: 1-9.5
Length: 28" Finished
Contour: #9 1.25" x 5" Taper to 0.900" (7.45 lbs)
Bore/Groove: .330/.338
LRP Bottom metal
Wyatt mag

Some testing last night, that's why the trigger is removed, the mag allows 3.772 length
 

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#18
capreppy said:
Any updates? I'm looking to do a 338 Edge build as well using an R700 donor. Also looking at the Bartlein barrel as well (31" AMU 1-9.3 twist).
Click to expand...

I built my Edge off a Rem action (most people do) with a 1:9.4" 30" barrel with a Muscle brake. Rifle weighs 15lbs unloaded with scope and bipod. Not quite sure how people think the recoil or concussion is unbearable? And yes I have a Wyatt's 4" internal box in mine. Can seat Berger 300's at 3.995".
 
#19
I've got an XLR Chassis on my 260 Rem and will probably go with that again if possible. I'll reach out to Kyle to see if the mag well can be inlet to accept a Wyatt's 4" internal box. This will be a long term build over a one year period (literally just finished my 260 Rem build and my wife would kick my a$$ if she thought I was already in planning stages for yet another build). I'll start with an Academy 700 ADL as a donor and go from there. My local smith loves the 338 Edge and is already setup to do one when I am ready to do mine.
 
#20
I built an RUM of a Remington long action I already had and like it. It shoots as fast as an Edge from what my chronograpgh says and Nosler makes high end brass if you do not like Remington brass. I did not want to hog out the bolt or try and find a lefty magnum action so an Edge or RUM were my first two choices.

Brass life is not a concern when loading things this hard, I expect a short life from it. I have shot a few different weights of bullet and have a 225gr Hornady SST load that goes 3/4 minute out to 800yds( the max range where I shoot). I am trying variations with 265, 285 and 300 gr bullets at the moment.
 
#22
Build is 'slow' for one simple reason.

I've been having fun shooting out the 270 Wby barrel. I got some bullet 'seconds' and available powder so the donor is a plinker for a little longer. Dinging a 6" steel at 300 yards with it is just the ticket for relieving a hard work weeks stress.

but

I just ordered a Harrels spiral brake for it. The last component needed to complete the build so it will probably get started sooner rather than later.
 
#24
I thought I was gonna build an Edge too. But 300RUM brass in unobtanium. Couldn't find it anywhere.

Bartram Edge brass is more expensive than 338 Lapua.

So, I ended up deciding to build a 338 Norma Magnum. I even found 1x fired Norma brass for $0.85 / rd. 338 Norma brass has the weight and feel of 50BMG brass. Its basically a throwing weapon all by itself...
 
Last edited:
#25
I've been busy with work since the last update. My work season is most intense from August to October but this year got extended through December.

All the parts are off to the gun smith.

I changed the barrel profile and brand to a Benchmark Heavy Palma. It's longer and fits the barrel channel of the stock better.

If I like it, there is a Wby Mark V in 338WM that will get 'upgraded' to be a 338 Edge hunter. I'll use the Bartlien barrel for that.
 
#27
First of all I want to and that comes under "the pursuit of Happiness"
Click to expand...

I like that. Now I have a good line to tell people when they ask me why am I shooting with a .300 H&H. rather than a .300 WM like the rest of the herd. :)
 
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