338 edge v.s 338 lapua

[sydleier]

I've been going back in forth for months now trying to decide on one vs the other. Besides the cost of brass what else are the pros and cons of each caliber? If you went lapua what would be your preferred action? Any advise will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Sendero_Man]

lapua has factory loadings if that is an issue.

Edge has a little more speed, not as good as brass as Lapua.

six one, half a dozen the other....

Defiance, Stiller, Surgeon, etc. all make great 1.350 actions for the Lapua.. sky is the limit

 

[captacademy]

I was facing the same issue as you. I had Kriby build me a 338 Lapua that I just received, I have yet to test it, but he really did a great job! I went with a BAT action with the Badger DM. His raptor action would also be a great choice, but I was looking at a 10 1/4 lbs rifle for hunting, but that could still reach out there, well, he built it and if it shoots as well as it looks, I'm golden! The barrel is 28" and has his PK muzzle break. I choose this break after watching a demo on YouTube. The rifle it's toped with a NF NSX 5.5-22. I have some rounds loaded up and hope to get out this weekend to shoot it.

Hope this helps.

 

[captacademy]

Sendero_man, on another note, several places are stocking the factory ammo, it's Hornady, but at least you can find it if you're in a pinch. I am reloading mine, as it's very expensive to buy. The caliber also seems to be really gaining in popularity. It may bring prices down, especially if the war ever ends, surplus everywhere.

 

[heavy hitting 300]

I'll be getting my lapua from Kirby shortly and I can't wait. I'd go lapua for the fact that you don't have to resize brass or fireform. Yeah the lapua brass is more expensive but it lasts. Also a friend has a ultramax (edge improved) in a 30" barrel and another friend has a lapua in a 26" barrel and that stands toe to toe with the ultramax.

 

[B23]

I'm not exactly sure what your version of "toe to toe" means but my version means they would be equal and if that is the case I'm quite surprised a standard 338 Lapua can run equal fps with a 338 Ultramax.

At equal barrel length I would be shocked to see a standard 338 Lapua run with a 338 Ultramax let alone a 338 Lapua with 4inches LESS pipe.

All I can think is that the Lapua is loaded dangerously hot and the Ultramax is down loaded very cold.

Now if you were talking about one of Kirby's 338AX versions for the Lapua I could easily see that running "toe to toe" with a Ultramax.

 

[heavy hitting 300]

well my friend with the ultramax has dropped on his load. he pushed it out and was getting 2950 but he said he could only get 1 or 2 reloads. my friend with the lapua is getting the max he can. really bad extractor marks but the primers still hold. i think he only gets 5 at the max and he says he gets 2900.

thanks JIM

 

[B23]

If your "friend" is shooting the 300's and I'm assuming that's what we are talking about since the 300's are what most shoot in these 338's I would highly recommend against anyone shooting anywhere even remotely close to this "friend" with the standard 338 Lapua who is getting 2900fps in a 26in tube. I would venture to say your "friend" is either BSing you or has little regard for his body and or that of those around him when he's shooting that rifle because he is way beyond dangerous pressures and is fully into insane pressures.

 

[SavageShtr]

That sure doesn't sound good at all!! If he is only getting five reloads out of Lapua brass he is way over the max operating pressure. It doesn't matter if the primer pocket is still tight, if he is getting noticable ejector marks that's a sign of over pressure!! I am getting 2999 fps out of my standard Lapua with 300gr SMK's but I'm pushing them out of a 32" tube. Just let me add I am not getting any ejector marks on my brass, and they are on there eighth reloading!!

 

[heavy hitting 300]

well im going to agree with you b23 because i dont sit next to him when he does shoot it for the simple fact i dont want to see it become a real boom stick haha. thats why im getting a lapua ai in a 30'' pipe so i can easily get 3000 and then i wont have to worry about not having enough pipe. but what i was really just getting at from my earlier post was the lapua is already sized no fire forming needed and you can improve it and get more from it. i have seen posts from people with lapua ai in a 27'' pipe getting 2950 and from what ive seen thats the max for the ultramax. ive never seen a lapua ai in a 30'' pipe so i figured for my first long gun id do it haha.

Thanks JIM

 

[B23]

Welllll, I actually happen to have a 338 Lapua Ack. Imp. with a 30in tube and to say you will "easily" get 3000fps is BS unless accuracy means nothing to you. I can get to 3000fps but its with a pretty stout load and the accuracy goes to ****. 2950-2980fps seems to be the sweet spot for these 338 Lapua imp. Mine is a 40degree Ackley type improved and one of my best friends has one of Kirby Allen's 338AX which is Kirby's version of a 338Lap Imp and they both seem to like 2950-2990

SavageShtr, I would love to know what your load is that is getting you 2999fps out of a standard 338 Lapua. This sounds alot like a fish story. You may want to invest in a new chronograph.

 

[heavy hitting 300]

well im getting kirbys ax style lapua. thats good to know that they dont like that fast of a load. how does your lapua do. i know they are sweet long range rigs. how far have you taken yours out to b23? also how is brass life on yours?

 

[B23]

Embarrassingly, I'll admit, not NEARLY as far as the gun is capable of that's for sure.

FWIW, you can get to 3000fps and even a little bit more with the different Improved versions of the 338 Lapua but you're starting to push things a bit and usually they seem to shoot their best at 2950-3000fps.

So you can see why I call BS when someone claims 2999fps out of a standard 338 Lapua with 10-11% LESS case capacity and no signs of pressure.

Hell, mine is built on a BAT single shot and is throated pretty long so I can seat the bullets way out there to get all the case capacity I can and the case is pretty **** full so I have no clue how SavageShtr is even getting enough powder in a standard 338 lapua case to get to 2999.

 

[SavageShtr]

I have tried several different powders to date. The load I was using was 92.0gr of H-1000 shoots a consistent 2870 fps. I am now shooting a load of RL-25 at 95.0gr. There isn't anything wrong with my chrono try it out for yourself and see.