GOD I want a 338 EDGE should I embrace the SAVAGE

[ICANHITHIMMAN]

Oh GOD I have had EDGE on the brain for a year or more now. I cant afford to do the Rem or custom action route right now. Should I embrace the SAVAGE?

What to do what to do? I could do the savage so much cheeper but I hate the action.

What do you guys think of the HOWA in a single shot role?

But the Savage with a Pac Nor barrel so cheep ........

 

[trebark]

I would tend to lean toward patience...wait, save and get what you want rather than settling for a subsitute.

 

[Camshaft]

Build your Edge on a savage, use a barrel with a long shank, then when you can afford a custom action, cut the barrel down and rethread for the new action and rechamber. My savage is much more accurate than my Remington, I hate to admit it but, they shoot so **** good.

 

[onzah]

You must be very careful. The Savage Rifles are a slippery slope. I also hated them and now they have taken over my safe. I have 4 now and don't see myself buying anything else.

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

I built several on the Howa action. They shoot great as single shots if you don't mind that. Without modifying the action with some serious metal work the long bullets seated to the lands will not eject.

Does Savage still make the 338 RUM? How about the Rem 700 in 338 RUM. You get a 26" barrel but there is not that much difference in velocities from 26-30 inches. Just a lighter, better handling rifle that is easier to hunt with. My 26" barrel rem 700 will drive the 300 smk to 2800 fps but I settled on best accuracy load at 2730 fps. That is plenty to kill animals as far as you can hit one. A longer, heavier match barrel can get you to more range but my little factory barrel shoots 4" groups at 800 yards. With either the 338 RUM or the 338-300 RUM and a 30" barrel you can get an accuracy load into the 2800's. But is 80 or so fps with the long heavy barrel worth it. Not that many clicks difference.

I'm just saying you might could get a factory rifle to serve your purpose. If it didn't shoot like you wanted then you already have the ultramag action to put a top match barrel on. Performance wise you can take a hundred of each cartridge and shoot them for best accuracy loads and you will find there is no difference performance wise with accuracy or velocity. Unless the 338-300 RUM is just something you got to have. You will spend more money getting set up to load it and more time and trouble loading it. In the end you will have the same performance as the 338 RUM. 30" barrel in the 2800's fps and 26" barrel in the 2700's fps with a 300 smk and best accuracy loads in either.