The .338 Edge is up and running

[scope eye]

Thanks for the kind words Dennis, now that the secret is out on those 160s, just a heads up the 185s work just as well with only 200 FPS less, and with 95gr of RL17 or 100gr of RL19, as far as the longevity of the punch, as rare as 300RUM brass is right now, if you extend the life of 50 cases it has paid for itself.

Dean

PS: Dennis I rag on you about that 55X Nightforce only because I am jealous.LOL

[D.ID]

I still can't imagine anything being hit with a 300 grain bullet out of the 338 Edge, maybe this season for me. The 160's @ over 4,200fps will also do the job right.

No doubt.
..
On a side note:
I could not help but noticed running the numbers threw JBM that the 160@4200 vs 300smk@2780 (my mildest load) show at 900 yards you would have almost twice as much wind deflection, half as much energy at impact and about 30 fps slower with the 160s.

[BarrelBurner]

Dean, thanks for the reply on the primer pocket tool. I just saw a few comments stating the punch wouldn't hold up too long.

Anyway, when I was finding my load for my 338 Edge, I had and still have a Vortex (maybe 25 power) bolted on it. In fact it's still on the rifle. I have been temped to shoot it @ 600 yards, but the 7,000 grains of powder necessary to do so has kinda put a hold on that project. Who knows, maybe one day.

And "BarrelBurner", those shots were probably my 15th to 18th shots when I shot that group. My shoulder had about as much as it could take Using the Berger 300's. I feel lucky to have shot that group. I am glad Dean turned me on to the 160's as my shoulder doesn't feel nothing when shooting them.

I was about to give up tuning this thing in, and a person (I forget who) PM'd me and said Retumbo would be my best friend. That's all he said, no load info given. I tried it and have loved the rifle since.

As you can see, even with this rifle and 300's, a few grains of powder makes a difference. I would never have believed it unless I experienced it myself.

I also have the tuned stock accu-trigger on the rifle. I didn't do anything but bed the stock on this rifle. I plan on only using it for hunting.

Process: I bought a 7mm donor, changed the barrel to the 338 Edge, bedded the action/stock, mounted the Vortex scope, tweaked the trigger, and that's it folks. One of the most accurate cheapest rifles I have ever built. Kudo's to Mr. ScopeEye for making all the suggestions when I was building it and started trying out different loads.

Again, Thanks to everyone

That really makes you feel good to get a shooter without breaking the bank. But I think the shooter deserves more credit, thats impressive at 300yds with a big boomer!

[scope eye]

No doubt.
..
On a side note:
I could not help but noticed running the numbers threw JBM that the 160@4200 vs 300smk@2780 (my mildest load) show at 900 yards you would have almost twice as much wind deflection, half as much energy at impact and about 30 fps slower with the 160s.

That load was never intended for 1000 yards, I developed it for half that length, and so you would not have to even think about elevation @ 500 it is some thing like 4 min, that and also to allow you to get more trigger time without throwing out your shoulder, and lets not forget about the vapor trail there is no price for that spectacle.

Dean

[BarrelBurner]

That load was never intended for 1000 yards, I developed it for half that length, and so you would not have to even think about elevation @ 500 it is some thing like 4 min, that and also to allow you to get more trigger time without throwing out your shoulder, and lets not forget about the vapor trail there is no price for that spectacle.

Dean
Thats what sold me on this load. I ran the trajectory with a 375 yd zero the point blank range is pretty impressive.

[D.ID]

Got ya, that makes sense. I don't do anything at point blank so I forget that most people do.

[Dennis]

Exactly what I want to hear. I've got a donor action from a 270 that I'll be using, barrel is on the way. Think I'm gonna spring for a NSS lug and barrel nut too. Plan to bed it in a Boyds stock. I've got 250 300gr hybrids and 8lb of H1000 to start, although it looks like I need to be on the lookout for some Retumbo. Guess we'll see when I get it all together. lol

You will have to change the bolthead going from a 270 to the 338 Edge, FYI

[upSLIDEdown]

Yeah, I'm already on that. Found someone here actually that's going to swap me.

[BarrelBurner]

Got to try this thing out on an Aoudad Sheep this past weekend. Terminal ballistics were impressive especially with a very conservative load.
Looks like two shots but was only one.

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b566/glennbom/2014-11-02191347_zpsd069a21f.png

http://i1292.photobucket.com/albums/b566/glennbom/20141101_093725_zps1ff27a2a.jpg

[Bigdave1977]

Oh wow, that looks like you could put your hand in either of those holes. I have a 338 rum and am currently working on a load for a 300 grain berger elite hunting bullet using us869 (cant find any retumbo). I am considering trying it out on a white tail this season if I have an opportunity. May I ask how bad that audad was under the skin? I will try something else if it was to much destruction.

Dave

[upSLIDEdown]

Supposedly the WC-857 pulldown powder works really well, or should. I can't find a lot of info on it though. Debating on picking up a jug of it. It's pretty cheap, relatively speaking.

[BarrelBurner]

Oh wow, that looks like you could put your hand in either of those holes. I have a 338 rum and am currently working on a load for a 300 grain berger elite hunting bullet using us869 (cant find any retumbo). I am considering trying it out on a white tail this season if I have an opportunity. May I ask how bad that audad was under the skin? I will try something else if it was to much destruction.

Dave

Thats what i compared the size of the holes to as well. LOL
That was a pretty light load. Somewhere around 300fps slower than what I will most likely start using. It was a high shoulder shot and ruined both the shoulders and about 1/3 of the backstraps so it was pretty ugly to say the least. The hole under the hide, you could easily put a Coke can in sideways with some room to spare. I would maybe try a broad side shot straight though the ribs on a white tail, but not in the shoulder after seeing the effect on this critter.

[Bigdave1977]

Yeah, I think I will definitely go ribs, or neck if it's too close. I don't see one running after being shot by this. Then I can put it away until I get back to the range. I'm taking it elk hunting next year, but just have to shoot something besides pigs with it. It rolls 300 pound pigs though. I actually shot a boar in the chest with it last year and had it run about 100 yards and die in a creek bottom. 4 wheeler couldn't pull it out so it stayed their.

Dave

[BarrelBurner]

Yeah, I think I will definitely go ribs, or neck if it's too close. I don't see one running after being shot by this. Then I can put it away until I get back to the range. I'm taking it elk hunting next year, but just have to shoot something besides pigs with it. It rolls 300 pound pigs though. I actually shot a boar in the chest with it last year and had it run about 100 yards and die in a creek bottom. 4 wheeler couldn't pull it out so it stayed their.

Dave

The Auodad was only about 225yds so not a long shot. I had really hoped to see a pig to shoot with it to see if it would punch thru the plates. Maybe next weekend.

I bet it does do a number on the big pigs if you are punching them with the 300 grainers, but that is surprising one could go that far after a hit with those in the chest. It must have been what we refer to as a Volkswagon, they are definitely tough animals.

That should be serious medicine for Elk. I want to take a couple of more animals with this one before i commit, but I'm tossing the idea around of building a bit lighter version for a more friendly to carry stick. You start to notice its on your shoulder fairly quickly at 13lbs, i guess I'm getting to darned old for that! LOL

[D.ID]

I don't think it's necessarily an age issue, I think its just a shoulder fired howitzer issue.
I love my 13 pounder but bet I would not without the brake.

[BarrelBurner]

I don't think it's necessarily an age issue, I think its just a shoulder fired howitzer issue.
I love my 13 pounder but bet I would not without the brake.

LOL, You have a valid point there D.ID

[upSLIDEdown]

What primers is everyone running? I have quite a few BR2s, but they're not a 'magnum' primer. I've also got some Tula KVB7s. Last time I used these, they seemed a hair bigger than the Winchesters and BR2s I've used in the past. They were tight going into the pockets. Maybe they'll go an extra firing or two before the pockets are too loose to hold them? lol

Trying to figure out if I need to go buy some magnum primers or I'll be ok with what I've got.

[scope eye]

I never use Mag primers in my RUMs, or anything for that matter my primer of choice are CCI #200.

Dean

[upSLIDEdown]

Reeeeally? Interesting...

[BarrelBurner]

I am the other way around, I run Wininchester mag primers on all my magnums and even in a lot of my '06 case based loads.