338 Edge vs 338 Lapua ??

[NorthernSniper]

Well I'm a real busy guy these days but I do get to day dream about my next project once in a while. I'm curious if anybody can tell me what the advantages would be of going with the 338 Edge or the 338 Lapua would be? Why go to the extent of creating a whole new 338 if the Lapua gives the same performance? Less recoil with the edge? Better accuracy? Ackley improved style case shoulder? Don't get me wrong I'm not critisizing just would like to know what the possible bonuses would be by going Edge and that I may just do! thanks for any info!

[Wild_Bill]

in one word COST

The Lapua requires a larger action the cases are 3 times the cost and the performance of the two is the same. The easiest way to get a high capacity 338 is to build an Edge on a Rem magnum action if you have a sendaro on hand with a 338 Ultra barrel you can just have the barrel rechambered and you have an edge. To build a 338 Ultra you require a larger action designed for the Lapua case some do the mod to a Rem action but i dont think it is safe and the extra cost to have the conversion done is a waste when the Ultra mag case will fit the action. The only advantage of the 338Lapua it the brass Quality but if you sort the Rem brass it is verry good. I am building a 338-300 Ultra improved at the moment for the exact reasons stated above.

Hope it helps out

Cheers Bill
Australia

[davewilson]

needing a larger action for a lapua is more myth than fact.the US military even builds the lapua on a rem action and i dought if that would happen if it was even close to not being safe.cost is definitely a factor.if you're already set up for an ultra mag,which i am,there are several other extras.a lapua requires bolt face mods,new sheel holders,priming tools,de-priming,new holder for neck turning.at least for me,there's a bunch of little extras required to get these things loaded because of the extra diameter on the base of the case.the brass is the best.but an ultra case has more capacity than the lapua.not much but an extra 50-75 fps is quite common.with federal and very soon nosler offering ultra brass, i went with the 338/300ultra over the lapua.

[wildcat]

NS, go with the 338 Lupa and turn it into a 338 Lupa Magnum Improved. Yes, the Lupa will be more expensive, but if you improve the Lupa it will be better than the EDGE. With the 338 Lupa Improved, you will out perform the EDGE and you will have better brass. I am having a 338 Lupa Magnum Improve built, and I will be able to shoot the 300grn MK between 3000 to 3050 fps. I know I can get 3100 fps with this round, but I think the presure would get too high.

Goodluck
Wildcat

[Jon A]

Wildcat, how long a barrel? Just curious.

Not that it's a big deal (since not many are weird like me [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ) but I positively would not build a Laupua case based rifle on an A-Bolt action. Ultra is fine though of course. Just FYI.

[wildcat]

Jon, I will be using a 36" Lilja.

[ewallace]

I have been shooting a 338 Lapua IMP for 5 years now I have had 4 custom rifles in this cartridge and would build another. The brass is excellent and have 40 firings on 50 pc of brass. I have shot 1000 yard Bench Rest with both a HG and a LG in 338 Lapua IMP with good results. My best groups in competition with my LG, 5 shots in 5" and with my HG, 10 shots in 8" both with the 300g SMK. I also use both rifles for long-range hunting I use my LG for a carry gun I used it for a 1850 meter shot on a mule deer and have shot elk with it. The HG is a bench gun and have shot varmints with it over 1500 yards and weight tail deer at 1225 yards. I am having a 338/408 built in a HG for this years elk season and hope to use it for a long-range elk this year.