338-378 Wby - keep or re chamber to .338 Edge?

[30 Hammer]

With the new Berger .338 rumored to be coming out - hearing 340gr , would you keep a gun chambered in .338-378 or re chamber to .338 Edge?

Thanks!

 

[el matador]

Personally I would keep the 338-378 chambering since it has more power than the Edge. The bolt face for the Edge is also smaller so you'd need a new bolt. You could do a 338 Lapua Improved, which would give you similar performance to the 338-378 with brass that's both cheaper and more durable. The drawback would be that you'd need custom dies and the brass would need to be fireformed.

The most important thing if you want to shoot those bullets will be to use a long barrel with the right twist rate.

 

[Deleted member 46119]

Can't rechamber from 338-378, have to rebarrel.

Can go the other way.

I'm struggling with my 338-378. I don't think the 10 twist will do 340grains.

My 338 Edge is 9.3 twist. May rechamber it to 338-378.

 

[30 Hammer]

Jfseaman - I should have been more clear - I meant re barrel / re chamber not just re chamber. It's an old enough gun that at this point it would make sense to change the barrel out now.

What twist are you going with ?

 

[Booney]

Lapua improved

 

[30 Hammer]

Now you're talking Booney!

 

[338Rocket]

Norma improved gets my vote, unless its a single shot.

 

[North Idaho Hunter]

If you truly want to push them big bergers, go even bigger, 338 cheytac! Gonna need a new action though.

 

[el matador]

Norma improved gets my vote, unless its a single shot.

The Norma is a shortened and somewhat improved Lapua case. I think this would be a good option if building on a Rem 700 action, but it won't be worth it if you have a longer action. Even with the reduced body taper the Norma still has less capacity than a standard Lapua. I have to assume the OP is shooting a Weatherby Mark V or Stiller action if he has a 338-378, because a SAAMI spec cartridge in 338-378 would be too long to fit into a standard long action.

I've thought about this topic quite a bit since I have a 338-378 and really like shooting it. The gun shoots great for a factory rifle and still has a good bit of barrel life left, but the day will come when I rebarrel it. I'll probably stay with the 338-378 and use a 28" barrel. There's just something about that big Weatherby case that I like. The Lapua Improved is still a good option though and something that I can't find much reason to dismiss.

 

[338Rocket]

The only reason I like the Norma Improved is it will fit in a CIP magazine with a 300gr berger.

I agree, if you are using a longer mag box or single shot, there are better options.

The Norma is a shortened and somewhat improved Lapua case. I think this would be a good option if building on a Rem 700 action, but it won't be worth it if you have a longer action. Even with the reduced body taper the Norma still has less capacity than a standard Lapua. I have to assume the OP is shooting a Weatherby Mark V or Stiller action if he has a 338-378, because a SAAMI spec cartridge in 338-378 would be too long to fit into a standard long action.

I've thought about this topic quite a bit since I have a 338-378 and really like shooting it. The gun shoots great for a factory rifle and still has a good bit of barrel life left, but the day will come when I rebarrel it. I'll probably stay with the 338-378 and use a 28" barrel. There's just something about that big Weatherby case that I like. The Lapua Improved is still a good option though and something that I can't find much reason to dismiss.

 

[redneckclimbing]

The Norma is a shortened and somewhat improved Lapua case. I think this would be a good option if building on a Rem 700 action, but it won't be worth it if you have a longer action. Even with the reduced body taper the Norma still has less capacity than a standard Lapua. I have to assume the OP is shooting a Weatherby Mark V or Stiller action if he has a 338-378, because a SAAMI spec cartridge in 338-378 would be too long to fit into a standard long action.

The Norma does have less body taper, however, according to Quikloads it has 111.0 grains of capacity and the Lapua only has 108.0 Just to throw it out there. Also, because of the design of the cases, the Norma has more "Useable" capacity when loading the 300 grain bullets to the same length.

I personally shoot a Norma (built on a 700 action) and I have to say the brass is soft, at best. I will be looking to Bertram or another brand for my next lot.

With that said, on an action that long I would go with a Lapua Improved, (whichever you can get the dies you want for). Price of brass is the same I would say that Lapua is easier to find and apparently holds up tremendously better.

Put however long of a barrel you want on it and make sure it's the right twist and you'll be fine.

 

[Frank in the Laurels]

Makes no sense...it's already more than you'll ever need to kill anything...unless the elk are wearing Kevlar and body armor !!

Get a new project !

 

[Booney]

Don't mind Frank he's just drunk!

 

[Pdvdh]

Makes no sense...

Get a new project !

Pretty certain this is a new project for 30 Hammer.

It has every appearance of fun times by my measure of FUN. And if 30 Hammer gets tired of fun, I'd guess he'll stop spending his money. Why rain on the parade?