338 edge, 300 rum, 7 rum

[arrow]

I am thinking about a 338 edge. from what i have heard, with the 300 smk it blows everything else out of the water for long range. But im not really looking for a rifle over about a 27" barrel. Will this be alright for this round or would i be loosing so much that a 300 or 7 rum wouldnt even be that far behind the edge?

[dirtking]

From what I have read if you are going to go with that short of a barrel and want a 338 cal you should just go with the 338 RUM as it isnt to far behind the edge. Others with more wisdom will chime in and help ya out.

[Tumbleweed]

If I was going to go .338 edge I personally would want at least a 30" tube, probably more like 32" to get the most velocity possible pushing that big 300 grainer. I currently have a 27 inch 300RUM and am working up a load with the new 230 grain Hybrids in the target version with the .743 B/C. Looks like the max velocity with accuracy that I will get is 2,925-2950 fps. H1000 has actually produced better velocity than Retumbo. Have not quite finished load development yet but this will be a significant energy advantage over my 210VLD load at 3100fps out at the 1k mark. My point is that this could be a LR option for you if you don't feel your barrel length is enough for the big .338 300's. Also, don't worry about the "Target" designation on the 230's, based off of bullet disections/comparisons with VLD's and LR hunting reports on here I have no concern with trying these on elk next hunting season. Just wished my RUM had about a 30" pipe.

[angus-5024]

i get 2800 fps with a 300 SMK from my .338 RUM with a 26'' tube. youll get much better barrel life with a .338 EDGE/RUM than any hot-rod 300. More downrange energy too. the only real thing that I would think about is recoil. other than that its a no brainer.
If you do go with the 300 RUM, I still feel that it is a great round and it will serve you well. I had one and it served me well.
I would shy away from the 7mm RUM simply due to lack of barrel life. It is pretty sweet even though it fits the stereotype perfectly of a "fire breathing dragon".I think it would be cool to have one, but its just not the most practical round. Energy wise it wont come close to the .338's.

[davewilson]

when you are shortening barrels, the larger diameter looses less than the smaller calibers. plus you don't have to shoot the 300 gr bullet. the 265 ttxs is a great long range bullet for this case capacity.

[geargrinder]

Nosler is making a 300g Accubond now with a very impressive BC.

[angus-5024]

Actually I've been thinking about the 250 grain Accubond lately...
the other great thing about the .338's in this class is that they seem to be extremly easy to load for. with my 1-10 twist RUM I have great loads for 210,225,250 and 300 grain bullets. All were easy to find. I think that the 265's would be great too.