338 Edge with suppressor

[cjens]

The .338 Edge is an excellent choice, especially with a 26-28" barrel. However, a suppressor will make it even longer, so it would help if you considered that. Also, to take full advantage of the long, heavy, high BC bullets, you need nearly 4" COAL and some modifications. Yes, a .338 RUM and a shorter barrel for suppressed might be a better alternative. A competent and reputable gunsmith should be able to open up the bolt face or replace it with a Lapua magnum bolt face. Whichever route you take, ensure you have the right barrel twist for the bullets you will use.

I have a .338 Thor (NMI—https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/my-338-thor.327058/#post-2776837) with a 24" 1:8" CarbonSix barrel and custom contour (.860" at the muzzle). I have an EC tuner brake and a Rex Silentium suppressor for it. Good luck with your build.

Super jealous of that setup!! Thanks for input

 

[cjens]

Agreed. For me, it's too top heavy to even stalk in open country for Antelope. I'll give up a few 100 fps and just learn the dope.

But, he didn't ask my opinion on barrel length.

Sounds like a super cool project.

Always open to opinions! thank you sir for your input

 

[cjens]

15 years ago I built a Defiance, Proof, Manners EH1 Edge with a 26" tube and it has been the all round best hunting rifle I have ever had. I shoot it suppressed 100% of the time but I will remove the suppressor when packing in on horseback. It is long for the timber but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I wish I had kept a harvest record when I started shooting it but it has taken everything from varmints to elk and everything in between. Longest shot (a whitetail doe) at 1790yds dialing 58.5 moa, multiple animals past 1000, and many many others at its sweet spot between 400 and 850. You give up a few fps with the shorter barrel but with 285 eld's I get 2850 fps. For a gun that has a barrel that some will say is "too short" and an overall length with a suppressor that others will say is "too long", it's the best do it all rifle I've seen! Bare rifle weight is 8.6lbs.

Just what I am looking for! I also horseback once in a while and was thinking of doing the same thing. What suppressor do you run? Do you have any picture of your set up? I was think of running the 285 as well possible 300's for fun once in a while. I am getting 1-9 twist rate, what do you have?

 

[bamban]

Here's a 338NM I chambered for a friend. KBI 9.34T, finished at 28, fluted after chambering then melonited. Action is a PTG Valhalla that was on sale for under 700 at that time.

Launching 300 SMKs with N570 at 2800. He zeroed at 100, and fired 3 shots at the 800 silhouette. The 800 plate was the only plate with 1 hit at the time. There were some Guard snipers in train up on the range. Picture was taken through my spotter.

 

[kublak]

Converted a 300RUM with a shot out barrel to 338 Edge w/ 26 in Bartlein. Put a Terminator brake on it and experimented with two different cans. The rifle shoots fantastic with either the can and/or brake. I have decided to go with the brake as it mitigates the recoil much better than either suppressor. Shooting Berger 300 Elite Hunter 2780 fps

 

[cjens]

Here's a 338NM I chambered for a friend. KBI 9.34T, finished at 28, fluted after chambering then melonited. Action is a PTG Valhalla that was on sale for under 700 at that time.

View attachment 623610

Launching 300 SMKs with 570 at 2800. He zeroed at 100, and fired 3 shots at the 800 silhouette. The 800 plate was the only plate with 1 hit at the time. There were some Guard snipers in train up on the range. Picture was taken through my spotter.

View attachment 623611

Yeah those nm are sweet. Just dont think it's not worth the risk.

 

[cjens]

Converted a 300RUM with a shot out barrel to 338 Edge w/ 26 in Bartlein. Put a Terminator brake on it and experimented with two different cans. The rifle shoots fantastic with either the can and/or brake. I have decided to go with the brake as it mitigates the recoil much better than either suppressor. Shooting Berger 300 Elite Hunter 2780 fps

What twist rate are you running?

 

[FEENIX]

Converted a 300RUM with a shot out barrel to 338 Edge w/ 26 in Bartlein. Put a Terminator brake on it and experimented with two different cans. The rifle shoots fantastic with either the can and/or brake. I have decided to go with the brake as it mitigates the recoil much better than either suppressor. Shooting Berger 300 Elite Hunter 2780 fps

What's your COAL with the 300 Berger?

 

[distantfoe]

For reference, my 26" barrel 338 edge with gen 2 ultra suppressor runs a 300gr Berger right at 2800fps. Could run it a little harder but es using h1000 @ 2800 is about as good as it gets.

Usually carry the suppressor in my pack until I get to where I'm going.

 

[skipglo]

30" barrel !

 

[dbaileyg]

Just what I am looking for! I also horseback once in a while and was thinking of doing the same thing. What suppressor do you run? Do you have any picture of your set up? I was think of running the 285 as well possible 300's for fun once in a while. I am getting 1-9 twist rate, what do you have?

I've got the old 338P-1 but it has been great. The newer gen 2 ultra are lighter and someday I will upgrade. I think mine is a 1-10 twist which may be why it likes the 285's slightly better than the 300's. I did shoot the 300's for a while before Hornady came out with their eld's. Here's a recent picture of my son's ewe that has the gun in it. I'll try to find a better one of the rifle and put up later.

 

[cjens]

I've got the old 338P-1 but it has been great. The newer gen 2 ultra are lighter and someday I will upgrade. I think mine is a 1-10 twist which may be why it likes the 285's slightly better than the 300's. I did shoot the 300's for a while before Hornady came out with their eld's. Here's a recent picture of my son's ewe that has the gun in it. I'll try to find a better one of the rifle and put up later.View attachment 623663

Gun looks great! Did your son use the 338 to take that ewe? Are you single feeding it?

 

[Doc88]

I run a 22" Edge with a 338 Ultra suppressor. 230 Eldx at 3170. Very manageable and not so long for hunting etc. Here's a thread on shorter barrel 338's unless a longer barrel is just what you want.

Thread 'My mission to find the best short barreled big 338!!!' https://www.longrangehunting.com/threads/my-mission-to-find-the-best-short-barreled-big-338.330760/

 

[cjens]

For reference, my 26" barrel 338 edge with gen 2 ultra suppressor runs a 300gr Berger right at 2800fps. Could run it a little harder but es using h1000 @ 2800 is about as good as it gets.

Usually carry the suppressor in my pack until I get to where I'm going.

That seems pretty good speed to me for 300's. What twist rate are you running?