Purpose for the build is just because I want one. I'm just as likely to take it on a back pack hunt as I am shoot targets. I'm not incredibly concerned with bullet weight. Probably look to Berger's in 250-300 area though as I already have a 300 rum shooting 210s. And although I hear good things about the edge I don't see enough advantage to going that route. I only use correct headstamp brass as well...just a pet peeve.
ADG makes 338 Edge brass and there maybe be others. The point was that if brass became difficult to find, you have 2 ways to source brass with the Edge. 338 Rum brass was near unobtainium a couple years ago. Yet 300 rum brass was still available.
I opted for a CF because it provides nearly all the stiffness of a thicker barrel, without the weight. The balance is much better with a CF barrel IMO.
The guys at Pierce Engineering did all the work on my gun and can recommend them without reservation. I used a 700 rum action and after all the work done to it (trued action, m16 extractor, opening the ejection port, mill for the Wyatt's mag extension), I'm not sure it was worth it from a $$$ perspective.
Hells Canyon makes a great CF barrel of you're looking for options.
My gun shoots consistently .5MOA groups with 300 Berger's/Accubond + 260 hammer bullets. I'm using the 260 hammer because its running at 3K and has a bit less recoil. If you're going to hunt with the gun at less than 700 yards, the 300 grain bullets really don't have an advantage.