opinion wanted on caliber choice

[tayhot]

Intent of rifle is for big game hunting.

Should I build a .338 Lapua or .338 RUM? I know I am splitting hair with performance, just looking for opinions.

Thanks all

 

[screech]

Depends. If your doing a custom action then lapua. If 700 then rum

 

[bearpaw]

build an Edge +P if Shawn is letting those out to the public yet. Build an Edge if its on a 700.

 

[tayhot]

gracias

 

[B23]

If you're doing a custom receiver build a 338 Lapua Improved and in a pinch you can still shoot 338 Lapua.

If you're building off a factory donor action go 338 RUM if you want to shoot store bought ammo and 338 EDGE or +P Edge if you reload.

 

[CRNA]

Not hijacking, but what is an Edge +P?

 

[bearpaw]

338 Edge + P now available from Defensive Edge

 

[rscott5028]

Not hijacking, but what is an Edge +P?

From what Shawn has posted (http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f17/338-edge-p-now-available-defensive-edge-76968/), it appears to be the same as the original 338 Edge. But, with a proprietary throat design that helps attain an extra 150-200fps.

As to the OP, why incur all the extra costs with the Lapua if you can get there with the RUM or Edge?

-- richard

 

[bearpaw]

RUM doesn't "get there" like the edge or lapua IMO.

 

[rscott5028]

RUM doesn't "get there" like the edge or lapua IMO.

That depends entirely on where "there" is.

I think Jack O'Connor killed everything in North America with a 270 Win.

He just didn't attempt it at 1760 yds.

-- richard

 

[LouBoyd]

Here are case capacity and case length for several popular 338 Cartridges.
cartridge______ grains inches
338 Federal ___57.5 2.014
338 Win mag____ 86 2.500
330 Dakota_____ 94 2.530
338 Norma Mag-106 2.500
338 Lapua Mag-108 2.724
338 Rem Ultra_ 110 2.760
338 Edge_____113 2.850
338-378 Wby _- 137 2.910

Consider seating depth of the bullets you want to shoot and the magazine length you have available with the action you choose.. I don't like any cartridge where the shank of the bullet is seated inside of the neck- shoulder junction of the case. I find that seating deeper gives inconsistent velocity and I believe it can be dangerous. Also any 338 cartridge looses 2.27 grains of usable case capacity with each 0.1" of seating depth.

Of those I shoot 338 Federal, 338 Win Mag, 338 Norma Mag, 338 Rem Ultra and 338-378 Weatherby. Each has advantages and disadvantages. ":Best" depends on what you want to use it for.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

Why are you limiting yourself to only those two choices? You need to give some more information. Those two along with the 338-300 RUM some are calling edge here are identical in performance so take your pick. In other words either will make any shot the other two will. There is quite a bit to consider between these two so you need to talk to someone very knowledgable on the subject. There are others that significantly outperform these three velocity wise if you want to shoot longer distances. Many things you need to consider so need way more information.