338 Edge, Brass life test. Rem 300RUM brass

[AJ Peacock]

I've been wondering how good my brass life was going to be in my 338 Edge, so I decided to run a little test. I loaded a once fired brass and took 10 pre-measured powder loads to the range with me today. I figured I'd get 4-5 loads and would be able to verify my findings, by running the test twice. Well I was pleasantly surprised.

I loaded the same brass all 12 times. The primer loosened a little after 2 firings, but was still plenty tight. I watched the length of the case and trimmed .001" after the 5th and 10th shots. The 12 shots averaged 2752fps with an ES of 29fps and an SD of 9. I knew the ES wasn't going to be great, but it matched the ES I found with this load and seating depth.

The load is a cci250, 92 gr of H1000 and the 300gr SMK.

All 12 rounds went just over 1/2" CTC.

The barrel was cleaned last night and I shot 3 foulers before I started the test. Those 3 rounds went .196" CTC (the best group so far from this barrel).

Is everyone getting this kind of brass life in their Edge? Or am I just running a really low pressure load? Or maybe my chamber and dies match?

Thanks,
AJ

 

[MagMan]

AJ, I've got some that have been fired 3 times and the pockets are noticeably loose. With 92 grains of H1000 I was getting 2824 with an extreme spread of 10. I recently shot my chrono in the face so the new one is giving me crazy readings 2932 with a really good ES.

Has anyone ever seen that kind of reading with only 92 grains of H1000? My POI never changed so I'm thinking I have a bad unit.

On a side note after three firings I have yet to do any sizing to the body and they still chamber just fine. So how can you have loose pockets with no or minimal case strech?

AJ, I will make time the weekend after next (4th or 5th) if you want to come up and play. I have a garbage bag full of milk jugs begging to be shot.

 

[AJ Peacock]

...

AJ, I will make time the weekend after next (4th or 5th) if you want to come up and play. I have a garbage bag full of milk jugs begging to be shot.

I'd love to, but I am busy that weekend and will be heading to Colorado for an Elk hunt the week after that.

As far as the primer pocket, it noticeably loosened after 2 firings, but stayed that way for the rest of the test. Not loose enough to worry about for sure.

AJ

 

[AJ Peacock]

AJ, I've got some that have been fired 3 times and the pockets are noticeably loose. With 92 grains of H1000 I was getting 2824 with an extreme spread of 10. I recently shot my chrono in the face so the new one is giving me crazy readings 2932 with a really good ES.

...

I'd shoot one of my other rifles through it and see if it is also way above normal velocity.

What kind of Chrono is it?

Mine is the CED with Infr-red screens.

My ES with this load is very dependent on seating depth. A little longer than I was shooting today and I have an ES of 7-8fps.

AJ

 

[MagMan]

What kind of Chrono is it?

The green *** that flips open. It's borrowed and I'm thinking about doing someone a favor. Not sure if anyone has ever gone through 2 chronos in 1 week.

I'll be picking up a CED.....I've been looking at them lately.

This weekend is the youth hunt and its my favorite season (but short). We've got a handful of little guys looking to shoot some bucks.

 

[AJ Peacock]

I have one of those and it is very generous with the velocity as well

AJ

 

[davewilson]

Not sure if anyone has ever gone through 2 chronos in 1 week.

i was at a range and heard but didn't quite see a guy hammer 2 chronos with one shot. it made a weird noise.

i would agree with the primers getting loose after only one or two shots. then they stay about the same for a while. i shoot with my face on the receiver so i'm a little concerned about the loose primer thing. i got some RWS jeffery's brass to form into the edge, thought this might wear the barrel out before the brass.

 

[AJ Peacock]

Not sure if anyone has ever gone through 2 chronos in 1 week.

i was at a range and heard but didn't quite see a guy hammer 2 chronos with one shot. it made a weird noise.

i would agree with the primers getting loose after only one or two shots. then they stay about the same for a while. i shoot with my face on the receiver so i'm a little concerned about the loose primer thing. i got some RWS jeffery's brass to form into the edge, thought this might wear the barrel out before the brass.

Dave, Mine aren't what I would call 'loose', they are 'looser' than new brass, but not loose like my 338AM gets after 3-4 shots.

AJ

 

[Shawn Carlock]

I would concur with your guys findings on the Rem brass. I can mine at 8 loads just because it is cheap insurance. I notice the pockets loosen up some the first or second firing but don't change after that. I run 93.0 gr H1000 , 300 SMK, CCI 250, OAL 3.785" and get 2818 fps with an ES of 6-10 fps really regular.

 

[MagMan]

Shawn, is that 3.785" at or in the lands? Typically what do they shoot the best at? I know every rifle is different but with as many rifles that like the same load there has to be some common ground there I would think.

 

[remingtonman_25_06]

Not exactly 338 EDGE, but was able to run the 300 RUM rem brass to 8 firings as well.

I haven't shot my 338 EDGE cases but 2x, but I suspect they'll go easily to 8x times as well. Am using 92g H-1000, cci 250, 3.780", 2840fps.

I to have noticed after about 2-3 firings, the pockets loosen up, but still no where near the point where they wont hold a primer tightly. I figure If I get 8x on Rem cases in RUM calibers, I"m doing OK.

 

[Shawn Carlock]

Magman,

It is kind of funny, I have built Edges with COAL's from 3.685" to 4.030" and land jump from .000" to .100" and it just dosen't seem to matter much. They all seem to like the H1000, CCI 250, 300 SMK combo. The powder charge vary a little 92-94 grains but the rest seems to work no matter what you do, within reason. 92 grains is my standard test load and most people never bother to try anything else after they shoot it.

 

[kfrye]

Shawn,

Have you had much luck with Retumbo? My 338 RUM likes the H1000- but I got hooked into buying 8# of Retumbo. Luckily these big guns are powder hungry.

 

[Shawn Carlock]

Tried some and it wasn't bad just liked the H1000 better.