Should I be***

[Brambles]

My 338 edge arrived a couple days ago, made my modified case for my hornady lock N load COAL tool.

Found out that the COAL that will make the 300gr Berger OTM tactical's touch the lands is 4.107"

Problem is the longest COAL that I can get with my internal box mag and feed/function is 3.800" for some reason they used the Brownells long box instead of the wyatt.

Yup that means a .307 jump into the lands.

The bullet is a fair ways into the case but still seems to be enough room for powder

I loaded 3 @ 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92.5 and 93gr. with the COAL of 3.800. Will do first round of shooting tomorrow hopefully.

Anyone figure this is a problem or not?

 

[backwoods83]

I don't see it as a problem, a Wyatts isn't long enough either. Learn your rifle and you won't need a follow up.

 

[Brambles]

I don't see it as a problem, a Wyatts isn't long enough either. Learn your rifle and you won't need a follow up.

Sounds like your saying to use it single shot? I defintily want to use the internal magazine!

 

[J E Custom]

If your rifle has a very good and concentric chamber and you size very little after fire forming
you will be surprised how well it shoots.

Most of the big Weatherbys have a free bore of .361 to .375 and the 378 and 460 have .756
and they can be made to shoot well under 1/2 MOA.

Free bore is not a bad thing if the loads are setup right.

Try the rifle with Magazine length loads COAL - .020.

J E CUSTOM

 

[Brambles]

The first loads are virgin brass run through a redding 338 edge die. Ill try minimal sizing once I get some fires cases.

Thanks JE, i was hoping you'd chime in.

 

[Topshot]

Brambles,

It sounds like you have virtually the same chamber dimensions as me. I load to 4.108" with the 300gn Berger, single loaded and seated into the lands.

I know that you want to load from the magazine and I think that you should still be able to jump the bullets quite a bit and get good accuracy. You just need to play with your loads a bit.

On the positive side, with the way your chamber is cut, if you switch to Retumbo and single load out near the lands, you should get some velocities that might find amazing. Accuracy should also be quite good.

I have some load data that is applicable to my chamber that you might be interested in. Handloading the .338 Edge, a reloaders guide.

 

[Brambles]

Thanks Topshot.

I'll look through your info.

It seems they did use a wyatt box, MBE-3 outside dimensions of 3.91 and inside 3.85. My coal of 3.800 is close to what JE Custom was recommending of Mag length -.020.

I just ordered a CFE-9 and if I can't get my expected accuracy with the 3.800 COAL then I'll get the CFE-9 installed and at least I'll have another .170 to play with and help fine tune.

On another note:

The rifle turned out to be lighter then planned, which is a nice thing. The rifle is nice and light, naked weight is 7 lbs 4 ounces.
With the zeiss 6.5-20x50, burris zee rings and a steel picatinny rail its 9lbs 1oz

 

[barnesuser28]

show us a picture of your new stick!

 

[Brambles]

I got some pics on my phone, just gotta get home to download them first.

Stay tuned.

 

[Brambles]

 

[barnesuser28]

looks good! what length barrel is that? what brand and contour?

 

[Brambles]

looks good! what length barrel is that? what brand and contour?

28" Benchmark. Its a 4.5 contour .670 muzzle if I recall correctly 9.5 twist 5R rifling.


Got off a 14 hour nightshift this morning at 8am, loaded my stuff and the kids and headed for the range. Of course running on limited sleep, I forgot my targets So I rummaged through the garbage cans and found some that would work, a little tape and I was good to go.

I loaded 3 rounds of 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, and 93gr of H1000

Primarily to test to see where pressure signs were gonna show up and secondary for a limited accuracy test.

Set my scope to 10x and started shooting. The thing is a pussycat to shoot as well.

My best groups were with 87, 90, and 93gr. A definite accuracy pattern. Every 3 grains the groups would be incredible. Inbetween those was nothing to brag about.

87gr
2628 fps
2626 fps
2579 fps ???

I called that dropped shot so it would have been a one holer

90gr
2731 fps
2743 fps
2713 fps

93gr
2829 fps
2811 fps
2802 fps

 

[Brambles]

Oh and no pressure signs at 93 gr

 

[Topshot]

Oh and no pressure signs at 93 gr

Thats what I was saying about the long throat.
Now throw in 96gn Retumbo and see what velocity you get!
(Work up to it of course)