338 Edge - Match Brass - FINALLY!

[Shawn Carlock]

After a couple of years of exploring options and testing samples we have finally found match quality brass for the 338 Edge. The sample I received was a sample of the first 7000 pieces so this is a run and not just a sample where the sample could differ from the run in terms of quality etc.

Testing 338 Edge brass sample:
REMINGTON FACTORY
Weighed 20 Remington factory cases:

Heavy – 278.8 grains
Light – 273.0 grains

ES – 5.8 grains

Primer pockets – tapered from .2115” to .2140”

Average H2O capacity of fired case – 114.3 grains

Head space of unfired brass – 3.012”
Head space of fired brass – 3.015”

SAMPLE




Weighed 20 SAMPLE cases:

Heavy – 282.5 grains
Light – 280.2 grains

ES – 2.3 grains

Primer pockets – tapered from .2095” to .2110”

Average H2O capacity of fired case – 115.5 grains

Head space of unfired brass – 3.017” ( I sized this down to test but should be .003”-.005” shorter )


Load Testing:

Bullet: 300 grain Sierra Matchkings
Primer: CCI 250
OAL: 3.795” (2.975” w #2 comp)
Powder: H1000

90.0 gr 2886 fps – no pressure
91.0 gr 2896 fps – very faint ejector marks
92.0 gr 2952 fps – very faint ejector marks
93.0 gr 2989 fps – ejector mark, slight bolt lift resistance
94.0 gr 3015 fps – heavy ejector mark smearing, bolt lift resistance but still opened by finger lift




Durablity testing:

Test Load – 90 grains H1000, 300 SMK, 2863 fps average velocity, max safe load

Fired this load on the same case 20 times
Brass grows in length .002” or so each firing
Kept brass length between 2.820” and 2.835”
Primer pockets never loosened and detectable amount still good and tight after 20 firings.
Web stretched .001” on first firing and never went more.
It took 5 or 6 firings for the shoulder to “square” at the body shoulder junction (good stout brass).


Casehead after 20 firings - primer pockets still tight!!!

The brass is quite impressive and a vast improvement over the Remington or Nosler brass currently available to us. The only down side is the cost it will run $300.00 a 100 pieces. In the long run where Rem brass lasts around 5-6 firings with the pockets being loose afte 2-3 it is actually "the deal" as 100 pieces will last the life of the barrel. We are taking preorders for these but delivery dates are looking like 8-10 weeks for the first run.

Shawn

[Broz]

This is awesome news for the EDGE shooters. So no forming either, correct?

That is a little more than 338 Lapua brass but it sounds like it is up to Lapua quality. I can tell anyone first hand that buying good brass is money well spent and will prove to be the value down the road with longer life. Not to mention all the consistencies you have show with your test data. That is just icing on the cake. Great news Shawn.

Jeff

[barnesuser28]

Thats impressive performance, who's the manufacturer? I am considering buying some and necking them down to 300 RUM since remington sucks IMHO.

[mtnwrunner]

Cool. I'll put it on my Christmas list.

Randy

[MachV]

Dang it took you a long time to fix the remington problem=Thanks
I had all but shelved the Edge due to being sick of recycleing brass!
So how is the best way to get put on the list?

[CA48]

Great news, is this from Bertram?

[Topshot]

Well done Shawn, I was wondering when you were going to make this public.

I have been testing this brass in secret (to most anyway) down here in Australia. A big thanks to forum member "Signature" for his efforts in promoting this project and to Bruce for his dedication to new and innovative ideas.

Bruce does almost all of his testing and project development out of his own pocket so please thank him by getting behind this and buying up heaps of .338 Edge brass.



I see no mention of the "Lonsing" brass. Way cool that stuff.