help me choose

[zkodiak]

i decided to have kirby make me a gun this will be a seven pound rifle now the choices. Would you pick a 338 ultra or the edge. Also is there anything i should have with this build. All info will be wonderful to have??

 

[zkodiak]

i forgot to say i will be looking at the bullet weight in 225 grain and when bear hunting the big browns i will step up to a heavier bullet.

 

[Chas1]

Either would do well. The further the distance the more IMHO I would lean towards the Edge. Are you planning on going with a brake? I'm assuming your goal is 7 pounds with a scope, not saying it couldn't be done but...

 

[zkodiak]

That would be seven pounds bare rifle. i was looking at which would give me better performence in the 225 grain bullets. But also if i choose to shoot the big 300 i will have a good preformence. I will plan to shoot as far as my skill will let me take a good shot which i know that will get better with time.

 

[trueblue]

If you are going with a 26" barrel , which I assume you are with your weight restriction , I would build the following 338's:
338 RUM
338 Norma
338 Lapua
If using a 28-30" barrel.
go with the EDGE.

Also, I dont think I would like shooting the 300gr SMK out of a 7# rifle.

 

[Chas1]

Shooting the 300gr SMK out of a 7# rifle. That's why I asked if your going with a brake, heck even w/lighter bullets it'll have a nasty kick but some handle recoil better than others.

 

[zkodiak]

it will have a muzzle brake. My buddy has one in a just under seven pounds with a brake and with 225 it doesnt recoil to bad. My 375 h&h pushes harder and its at eight pounds. with out a brake. But i want the best preformance i can get.

 

[Boss Hoss]

Just make sure you will have plenty of eye relief or you will get a nasty surprise!

 

[Chas1]

Good to hear your going with a brake. Any particular brake in mind and what scope (assuming your going w/one) are you planning on?

 

[zkodiak]

I have a brand new vx3 in 6.5 to 20 lr and a new one in 4.5 to 14 lr i know i should put the 4.5 to14 on it for in close with bears if it happens but not sure on the scope yet. Might need to pick up a new scope maybe? For a muzzle brake fiftydriver sugested the pk brake if he builds it. But i dont want a big bulkey brake to get hung up on the brush. So I still looking for addvice on the build.

Thanks for you info
Zach Miller

 

[Chas1]

Listen to Kirby he won't stear you wrong, the pk is awesome, others have commented favorably about them as well. Either of those scopes are at about 1 pound so that'll help in achieving a 7 pound rig. If you'd a said NF or similar weight scopes then that just makes the goal a little tougher.

 

[BountyHunter]

7 lbs is really light and tougher than you think. Will normally rule out the 28-30" barrels also.

Regular 700 action is 2.5 lbs or so, barrel at 26" will be at least 3 lbs and only a couple stocks at 1-1.5 lbs.

NO way on the Lapua.

I would look at the RUM or the 338 Norma and stay with the 225 gr bullets.

BH

 

[zkodiak]

Just wanted to say thanks for the info!!! I know its a tough goal and i have learned that there is not a perfect rifle that does everything in my quest for a custom. I will be happy with a 800 yrd rifle but being new not sure if i can get this done in a rifle in 7 pounds bare rifle. That is why so many questions to see what i can expect out of a rifle like this or if i add half pound does that make a diference.

 

[Chas1]

To take off on what BH has said then there's the scope, rings, base, brake and sling which is another roughly 2 pounds but maybe Kirby's got a trick or two to get ya close, don't know.