My .338 Edge

[Dan in Alaska]

Long range rifles came up on another thread, and there was some interest in the big .33's. I just restocked my .338 Edge and put some new glass on it, so I figured I would share a photo.

Specs:
Trued Rem 700 action, with factory bottom metal
Fluted #5 Shilen Select-Match barrel - finished at 26", plus the brake
McMillan "Reminton Sporter" stock
Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x in Talley LW mounts
Gray-Tan firing pin assy
Tuned factory trigger
Weight is a fairly trim 8# 10oz

The .338 Edge is a .300 RUM, necked up to .338 caliber. This wildcat reclaims the extra case length Remington gave away with their introduction of the .338 RUM. I haven't had this particular rifle all that long, so I haven't had a chance to try a lot of different loads yet. I'm getting great accuracy with 225gr Nosler AB's pushed to 3200fps with either RL-22 or RL-25 powder.

I am not a fan of muzzle brakes, because of the noise, but I can't argue with the brake's performance. Recoil is surprisingly mild with this big thunder-boomer, and it's actually FUN to shoot.

[jmshave]

That looks like just the ticket for coastie browns.

[Acuta]

All I can say is <drool>. NICE weapon. Was thinkin on a 9.3 Brennek on a mauser 98 action, but damned if

that don't look like the ticket!. Decent range, nasty knockdown power, good accuracy. /sigh.....



Eric

P.S. Can't got wrong with the 700 action. Snipers swear by it (at it?)!

[pythonwill]

I like it!! Should be great for Brownies & Moose
I have been collecting parts to build one for about a yea now and am almost ready to have it assembled. Cant wait.

[oregonmuley]

Dan,
Just wondering who did the fluting on the Shilen barrel? I put a Shilen on one of my rifles and would like to have it fluted - by the way great looking gun.
Thanks

[Dan in Alaska]

Stan Jackson in Anchorage built the rifle and did the metal work. He's a local guy that works out of his shop at home. He does nice work, and I've never had to wait longer than a couple of weeks to get my stuff back. He's built a pretty decent following.

[PIR8 Hook]

I want one for sage rats! Overkill...what's that?

[jaysea]

Hat trick: fun to shoot--accurate--whacks 'em hard. What's not to love! Thanks for sharing!

[traks44]

Originally Posted by Dan in Alaska

Long range rifles came up on another thread, and there was some interest in the big .33's. I just restocked my .338 Edge and put some new glass on it, so I figured I would share a photo.

Specs:
Trued Rem 700 action, with factory bottom metal
Fluted #5 Shilen Select-Match barrel - finished at 26", plus the brake
McMillan "Reminton Sporter" stock
Nikon Monarch 2.5-10x in Talley LW mounts
Gray-Tan firing pin assy
Tuned factory trigger
Weight is a fairly trim 8# 10oz

The .338 Edge is a .300 RUM, necked up to .338 caliber. This wildcat reclaims the extra case length Remington gave away with their introduction of the .338 RUM. I haven't had this particular rifle all that long, so I haven't had a chance to try a lot of different loads yet. I'm getting great accuracy with 225gr Nosler AB's pushed to 3200fps with either RL-22 or RL-25 powder.

I am not a fan of muzzle brakes, because of the noise, but I can't argue with the brake's performance. Recoil is surprisingly mild with this big thunder-boomer, and it's actually FUN to shoot.

A very nice looking rifle and I bet it performs as well as it looks. Would be hard to argue a better big game rifle than that one.

I would hate to see what kick would be without a muzzle break on that lite of rifle.

How do you like the edge? accuracy? performance? brass? reloading? etc.

Thanks, Jon

[Dan in Alaska]

Originally Posted by traks44

Would be hard to argue a better big game rifle than that one.

In open country it might be fun. I think the long barrel would get tiresome in the thick stuff. Good thing I have more rifles. :grin:

Originally Posted by traks44

I would hate to see what kick would be without a muzzle break on that lite of rifle.

It's not pleasant, but it's not too terrible. My 6-1/2# .375 H&H is bad! That thing whacks me like I said something awful about it's mother.

Originally Posted by traks44

How do you like the edge? accuracy? performance? brass? reloading? etc.

I have only had the rifle since Sept, so I don't claim to be an expert on the cartridge. I have played with it a bit, but not at ranges farther than 325 yards, according to my range finder.

The .300 RUM is more popular than the .338 RUM, so finding brass for the Edge isn't difficult. To form brass, I use plain-jane FL .338 RUM dies and back them off. After simple neck sizing operation, I have the brass I need. When/if the time comes that I need to size the case body, it might be cheaper to get a .300 RUM die bored out, vs. trying to find a custom .338 Edge die. So far, I haven't needed anything like that, so I'll cross that bridge when I get there. In the meantime, the regular .338 RUM dies seem to be working just fine.

Getting 225gr Accubonds to shoot hasn't been any trouble. The worst group was a little better than an inch, and the best groups are nice clusters. Both RL-22 and RL-25 seem to work well. I start with the max .338 RUM data and work up from there. Just for kicks, I loaded up some 200gr Balistic Tips, but I haven't shot them yet. I am curious to see how fast it'll push them. Eventually, I want to try some 300gr SMK's, but I doubt they will do anything special, unless I'm shooting at ranges much farther than 300 yards.

I'm hoping to get to the range this weekend, so I'll post some more results.

[traks44]

Those accubonds are what you should keep shootin then. There is no real use for the 300 SMK unless you are gonna start stretchin her out past 500 or so. I really like this rifle because it is a 1000 yd elk capable, but in a very VERY packable package. Stock to those accubonds and if you wonna start stretchin her out then go for the 300SMK. We have had great results on elk with the 250 SMK. I would imagine the 300s would be similair. Good Luck and let us know how she shoots

[alaskan]

Dan, try the RETUMO powder behind those Accubonds. I know Seabass and a couple others were getting very good accuracy and scary velocity out of that combo.