338 Edge+P vs 338 Terminator vs 338 Norma+P

[DirtNap35]

Ok all looking for some advice. I got the itch for a 338 but having a hard time deciding which to go with. The build will be a Bartlein or Benchmark carbon fiber 26", LPR BAT HR action or BAT Vesper, and Manners. I would like to shoot a Berger 300 EH at 2900-3000+ (with the 2900 being the absolute minimum). I know a 338 Terminator will easily get me 3050-3100+ but I'm not sure I like the idea of buying Shawn's head stamped brass at $600 for a 100 count, not to mention it's not ADG, Lapua, or Peterson brass. I've never fire formed before so I'm not sure how I'll like it. I already have a 300 NMI being built by Dallas and will be my first cartridge to fireform. The 338 Edge and 338 Norma I would run as a +P. What velocity could I expect? I like the idea of just buying ADG brass.

Main goal will be on game (elk, bear, etc) 1000 yards or less. Single feed is not an option and I'm not worried about barrel life. As long as recoil being somewhat mild I would like to run a TBAC Ultra 338 suppressor. Goal weight of rifle would be around 10-11 pounds scoped.

 

[FEENIX]

Ok all looking for some advice. I got the itch for a 338 but having a hard time deciding which to go with. The build will be a Bartlein or Benchmark carbon fiber 26", LPR BAT HR action or BAT Vesper, and Manners. I would like to shoot a Berger 300 EH at 2900-3000+ (with the 2900 being the absolute minimum). I know a 338 Terminator will easily get me 3050-3100+ but I'm not sure I like the idea of buying Shawn's head stamped brass at $600 for a 100 count, not to mention it's not ADG, Lapua, or Peterson brass. I've never fire formed before so I'm not sure how I'll like it. I already have a 300 NMI being built by Dallas and will be my first cartridge to fireform. The 338 Edge and 338 Norma I would run as a +P. What velocity could I expect? I like the idea of just buying ADG brass.

Main goal will be on game (elk, bear, etc) 1000 yards or less. Single feed is not an option and I'm not worried about barrel life. As long as recoil being somewhat mild I would like to run a TBAC Ultra 338 suppressor. Goal weight of rifle would be around 10-11 pounds scoped.

The .338 Edge/Terminator/Lapua need ~4.00"+ COAL to take advantage of the 300 Bergers and similar. I went the .338 NMI route for this reason.

.338 NM in 3.850' CIP

.338 Thor cut-out with .300 Berger at 3.7" COAL

Good luck!

 

[MagnumManiac]

I had a 338 Edge, using the +P chamber, it was accurate, but not fast enough for me even with a 30" barrel.
I built my own rifle and designed my own cartridge using a 4" mag (modified) using a CZ550 Safari Magnum action. 2 cartridges were initially designed and reamers made, 338-416 Rigby Improved 45° with .010" taper per inch and a neck .050" longer than calibre. The other was a 375-416 Rigby Improved 40° with .010" taper per inch and neck .050" longer than calibre. The 338 has a 30" 1:9" twist, the 375 has a 30" 1:10" twist.
Also designed a 30 with the same principles above using a 1:9" twist and 40° shoulder, however the neck was kept to .025" longer than calibre, never made the reamer because suitable bullets weren't available to match my ELR requirements at 2,000 metres.
Since then, the 33 and 37 XC cartridges have come about, I would research those, and the rifles they are built on and seriously look at them, proven shooters.

Cheers.

 

[DirtNap35]

@FEENIX what speed are you getting with NMI?

 

[FEENIX]

@FEENIX what speed are you getting with NMI?

Still fire-forming off the chamber. I have done all 100 Lapua brass pre=formed with my hydraulic forming die and will not do load development until they are all fire-formed off the chamber.

 

[Longtine88]

The .338 Edge/Terminator/Lapua need ~4.00"+ COAL to take advantage of the 300 Bergers and similar. I went the .338 NMI route for this reason.

View attachment 475857
View attachment 475859
.338 NM in 3.850' CIP

View attachment 475858
.338 Thor cut-out with .300 Berger at 3.7" COAL

View attachment 475860
View attachment 475862

Good luck!

Your post just settled my mind. 338 NMI it is for me. I have been pondering which 338 cal for a while. Getting on the phone with JGS for a reamer. Do you have a reamer spec for yours? If so, would you share it and spare me the time making up my mind on the numbers especially FB.

 

[Longtine88]

Still fire-forming off the chamber. I have done all 100 Lapua brass pre=formed with my hydraulic forming die and will not do load development until they are all fire-formed off the chamber.

That's a freaking sweet rig by the way.

 

[jrock]

The 338 NMI would be great for mag fed options but it is on the slow end when comparing Lapua based cases. I'd recommend going with a bigger case volume since you are looking for 3000 fps out of a 26" barrel. A good jump from the NM case in my mind would be the 338 RUM or better yet, the 33XC. The 338 Allen Magnum is another in that higher power range. If you wanted to drop to a 250 grain projectile, a smaller case would work but honestly, if I were to do that, I'd do a 300 NMI.

 

[SteveBurton]

I settled on building a 338 RUM with a Wyatt's 4" box and having the +P treatment done to the chamber. IF my calculations are correct, I should be able to get 3000 fps with a 300 grain bullet from a 26" barrel and feed from the mag box. I really won't know until it's built. I will be shooting 250's more than the 300's but it will be hammer either way. I settled on the RUM because it was just easier to build and load for.

 

[DirtNap35]

The 338 NMI would be great for mag fed options but it is on the slow end when comparing Lapua based cases. I'd recommend going with a bigger case volume since you are looking for 3000 fps out of a 26" barrel. A good jump from the NM case in my mind would be the 338 RUM or better yet, the 33XC. The 338 Allen Magnum is another in that higher power range. If you wanted to drop to a 250 grain projectile, a smaller case would work but honestly, if I were to do that, I'd do a 300 NMI.

Yeah I'm going to be running Berger 245 in a 300NMI. I'm ok with running low 2900 but would like to stay above 2900. Was hoping for the Edge or Norma with a +P would get it there running N570.

 

[DirtNap35]

@SteveBurton will be curious to see what it does with the +P. I know the Terminator will get the speed but it really doesn't benefit me any under 1000 yards. One benefit with the Terminator I could run a shorter barrel like a 24 and save in overall length when I add a suppressor.

 

[jrock]

I've read a couple articles on 20" 338s. Very interesting reads

 

[Epirate43]

Dallas should have a lot of info for you on the 338 options. Have you considered his 338 reaper? I'm pretty sure you can get 2950 with a 300 grain bullet in that chambering. He is building me a 338 Norma improved now. I will report back with my results once I start loading.

 

[sp6x6]

I have a hard crush on that green ridge reaper he built, and its just over 7# if I recollect.Problem is I already have 2-338NM