THE EDGE LIVES!!!

[ctrout]

I've been getting PMs about mt 338 Edge and making excuses for why I couldn't shoot it yet. Well, Dadams was the latest and it was more than I could take anymore. He finally broke me and I finally went out and shot the beast today. I borrowed some dies, assembled the rifle using a factory recoil lug that I will be replacing with a higher quality one later, and cheated and spent out of my gasoline budget to buy the action bolts from the hardware store. I started with a 338 RUM load of 98 grains of H1000 and a 250gr SMK just to see what the recoil would be like. In my rifle that weighs about 16 pounds, recoil was pretty stout but not unmanageable. It hit about as hard as my 8 pound 338-06 with heavy 225gr loads. I do NOT have a brake on this gun and it has only the thin Sharpshooter pad on it at the moment. I could probably put 5-10 rounds over the bench before I start to flinch. I was rather pleased with the recoil level. I didn't shoot it over a chronograph or even set up a target. I was only looking for felt recoil impressions.

Things that I will need to do before I am ready to call this rifle project finished are...
Devcon bed the stock
Replace the recoil lug
Install a better recoil pad
Add several more coats of Tru Oil to the stock

[dcloco]

....and hit the weight room. Once you try the 300 gr SMK's, you won't try anything else....if long range/accurate/hard hitting is your goal.

[ctrout]

Got some photos.
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/ctrout/Gun%20stuff/Savage/1.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/ctrout/Gun%20stuff/Savage/2.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/ctrout/Gun%20stuff/Savage/3.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/ctrout/Gun%20stuff/Savage/4.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/ctrout/Gun%20stuff/Savage/5.jpg
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d161/ctrout/Gun%20stuff/Savage/6.jpg

[Dadams]

Well I am glad I gave you some motivation! That thing is sweet looking!

[ctrout]

Thanks. Now I just need to finish it and get an accurate weight with all accessories attached. Trying to keep it below 16 pounds so I can hunt with it if I decide to.

[Dadams]

where do you live? the weight limit is 18 here. in Wa

[wapaloose]

:SO are you going to carry this for those SMALL S. IDAHO ELK :o

[ctrout]

I really don't intend to carry it or hunt with it. My 270 is all the rifle I need for deer and my 338-06 does fine for the elk here in Idaho. I just want to keep it legal in case I get the urge to try it out on elk or maybe 1000yd coyotes or something.

[Apache]

Western states have weight limits on rifles?????? That's strange.... :o

[sinman]

south dakota has none that I am aware of.

[dcloco]

VERY nice looking stick!!!!

[ctrout]

I guess since this build has taken me so long, I could share the details here all in one place. A member called Casts_by_fly posted a link on here back in Apr 08 That he was looking at a 300 RUM on the huntingpa boards. He ended up not buying it and I snagged it for $275 shipped. I pulled the barrel and sold it. My wife got me the Bushnell 4200 6-24 x 50 a few weeks later for Father's day. I bought a 12FV from gremcat that was basically a pile of parts, and some parts not there. He did throw in an extra tactical bolt handle though and it was perfect for this project. I grabbed a Ken Farrell 20 MOA steel base from 223rem and bought Seekins Precision 30mm rings new. I had to have the slots in the Farrell base milled a hair wider to use the Seekins rings but definitely worth it. I ordered the Shilen stainless select match 30" tube from Jim Briggs at Northland. And finally the stock was ordered in May of this year from SSS. I guess I have about $1600 + or - into it right now. I'll report back when I actually finish the bedding, lug, short bipod, and most importantly, load development. I am REALLY liking this gun so far and I'm thrilled that I can shoot it from the bench without a brake.

[bigngreen]

Very nice, I don't think I could not shoot an elk with that, man that is sweet!!! I'm going to do an EDGE switch barrel on my model 12 270WSM I think. I really like that stock, they look like a functional piece of art, I should have put my bib on before looking at this thread. :)

[ctrout]

Well, I weighed it with my Normark digital fish scale today and came up with 15 pounds 3 ounces as pictured above. I will be changing the components that I mentioned above and I'll re weigh it once it's done but I really don't see a bit of Devcon and a different recoil lug adding 13 ounces so I should be good.

[Bubb]

Try 92 grns of H1000 and 300 smk shoots bug holes in my rifle!

[ctrout]

If I ever get my hand on some 300gr SMKs, I'll have to try that.

[joeydasniper]

Are you using the magazine with the "Edge" or loading it Single Shot? I've read a lot of post talking about using the Edge as a single shot due to mag length and wondering if the RUM action was long enough to use the mag. I really don't care, just wondering. I'm going make a Savage .338 Edge, just got to have one.
Yours post has motivated me even more to get one

[ctrout]

With the 250s I am able to use the magazine. I haven't gotten any 300s yet but I'm guessing that they will be too long. I sent an email to the folks who make the Wyatt aftermarket mag boxes to see if there is any way to fit one of their longer boxes and they never replied to me.

[joeydasniper]

I guess I could use a SS follower if I really needed the 300 grain but 250 would probably do the job. But will do some experimenting. mainly want it for paperpunching. Not much need for .338 Edge in Texas for hunting. Just wanted a high caliber long range rifle, but not break the bank account. please post your results with the 300's , will be watching.

[ctrout]

It will probably be a while before I do much shooting with this rifle because bird and bear season has started and deer season opens in like 2 weeks and then elk season right behind that. Not enough time/money for hunting and load development. A man has to have his priorities.