Issues loading .338 Edge

[Villreinjeger]

I have a Rem 700 in .338 Edge. Border 28” match barrel with 6 riflings.

I’ve started out with a reamer from DE and it is throated to have a maximum col of 100mm with a 300SMK. I’ve loaded it at 99,8mm, so as you can see it is set almost at the lands.
(The reason for having a longer throat is that it looks more balaned – a big .30-06 –rather than setting the bullet very deep.)


Brass: Remington
Primer CCI MAG
Powder: Rhino 25, European type of Reloader 25
Load: 87.5grs- 90,5
Velocity: 2650- 2850fps.

My “problem” is that this is virgin brass, only necked up with the S bushing-die from Redding that DE provide, and I get a mark on the head from the plunger on <span style="text-decoration: underline">every single load</span>…!

I thought it was caused by soft brass, but has been told otherwise by some that I consider being experienced reloaders.
However, I find it hard to believe that I’m pushing the limit with the lesser loads!
It has to be said that the mark is hardly seen on the lightest load, but is still there! On the heavier loads, 89,5 90 and 90,5 it is more pronounced. (The last load is probably on the red line, if not past, due to the high speed in a 28” barrel. I donæt expect more than 2760-2800fps)
There are not any sing of flattened primers, and they are not especially wide (all primers flatten to some extent), nor is it cratered around the firing pin.
No heavy boltlifts. Easy extraction.
Not any sign that I'm pushing it..

Conditions were 500m above sea level, 3 degrees C (water freezes at 0 C) with the snow melting around the range, so it's not a sweltering hot summers day either..
The brass was very soft when I sized them, and looks stiffer now that they have been formed to the chamber. They had a lot of dents and I could use my fingers and press (hard) the case mouth oval, which I can’t do easily now after firing.

What bothers me is that I see the mark on every load, and I don’t want to ruin the rifles excellent precision by shooting to hot loads, but I still want to gain the Edge over other .338s...

Has anyone else experienced the same when loading for the edge, and is the problem due to soft brass?

 

[AKAce]

Re: Issues loading .338 Edge

I am not understanding the issue.... Pics ?

 

[ChrisGarrett]

Re: Issues loading .338 Edge

If you're not getting a stiff bolt lift, or any extractor gouges on the rim, I'd just chalk it up to perhaps a stiff ejector spring, or maybe a slightly long ejector pin. Minor marks can be normal, kind of like semi-flattened primers. If you're within spec on your powder charge and you're not hammering your bullets into the lands, I wouldn't worry about the ejector mark.

I don't have the data for the 338 Edge, but there's a fellow who posted here over the weekend, who's having primers fall out after four cycles with RP brass in his 338 Edge, pointing to either a) too hot a load, or b) soft RP brass.

You guys both should have gone 338 Lapua and not cheapened out on the 338 Edge because of cheaper RP brass. You're going to end up spending more in the long run. See how many cycles you get out of your RP brass before it starts dropping primers. That might give you a clue.

Chris

 

[mm509]

Re: Issues loading .338 Edge

i have noticed that alot of the remington virgin brass I have gotten lately is very soft. nothing to the extreme of primers falling out though! If a person were to buy the Nosler Custom brass for the Edge that should help. I will only be purchasing the higher end brass for all of my precision rifles now.

 

[Villreinjeger]

Re: Issues loading .338 Edge

The reason for choosing the Edge was my 700 Action. If I had had a larger action, I would've taken the Lap mag. - no doubt. But for the REm 700 I reckon it is the wisest choice at the time.

I'll give it a go with VV N570 and se how it goes, I can use the sama data as for lap mag, perhaps 2-3 more grains on max loads.

As you stated, I think the brass is a little soft. However, it will stiffen up after beeing fired I suppose.

I'm not sure I can make it visible on pictures to be honest, it is a very light mark on the lower loads. The brass is starting to ever so slightly to move into the plunger hole on the hotter loads. I'll give the camera a go and post some pic's if I can make it show.