338 Platform Rifle Build

[David Emerson]

One thing I do not like about the weatherby brass for the 378 family is the bottom of the powder chamber is below the top of the belt so when you get up in pressure the top of the belt curls outward. A problem as dies do not size it back in. A case on 416 rigby brass is superior. I know Norma makes weatherby brass but weatherby specs it harder in the head. So for me if you are shooting a big weatherby use the weatherby brass.

 

[David Emerson]

To me the easiest is the Lapua improved. I had a reamer made that leaves the shoulder case junction where it is but with a 30 degree shoulder and blown out for a .020 taper. Use Lapua brass or peterson

 

[LongBomber]

I'd be shocked if a 338-30 nosler or 338-28 nosler would even get close. Definitely interested if they can though.

Setup so it that the berger 300 so only the boattail was below the neck/shoulder junction would make it perform much better than sammi spec. My 30" barreled edge runs a 300 at roughly 2800fps, seems like a slow barrel compared to what most see for speed. My 33N sammi spec will push that 300 2640fps from a 26". I didnt measure the oal, but I do remember the bullet was way into the case. You gain a pretty significant amount of usable case space being able to seat long, it wouldn't surprise me to reach 2750-2800 with a 28-30" barrel and bullets seated long.

 

[Mram10us]

Setup so it that the berger 300 so only the boattail was below the neck/shoulder junction would make it perform much better than sammi spec. My 30" barreled edge runs a 300 at roughly 2800fps, seems like a slow barrel compared to what most see for speed. My 33N sammi spec will push that 300 2640fps from a 26". I didnt measure the oal, but I do remember the bullet was way into the case. You gain a pretty significant amount of usable case space being able to seat long, it wouldn't surprise me to reach 2750-2800 with a 28-30" barrel and bullets seated long.

Thanks. That is fast enough for a 300gr. I found nodes for the edge at 2820ish and 2980ish with the 300smk but it has more left. They are long though

 

[David Lindler]

This will be my first rifle build. Trying to decide which 338 caliber to go with. Currently shoot a 300RUM. I have a Defiance Rebel Action and a 338 Bartlein Varmint 1:9.3 barrel so far. Still have the rest of the components to order. Any suggestions on stock, bottom metal, trigger? I definitely want an adjustable cheek piece on the stock. I'm unsure about the bottom metal. I would prefer not to single feed. What's out there that fits the long oal of 300 grain Berger's? Thanks for your suggestions and opinions!

Timney kelvin elite trigger

 

[David Emerson]

There are so many stock choices I will leave that alone. PTG makes super nice oberndorf bottom metal. You can get stainless, aluminum, or blued steel. For a trigger I really like the triggertech triggers. The 338 rum or edge would be the easiest to put in your action. And with the rebel you can go with the wyatt,s box for more length.

 

[highdrum]

Heres some data on my 338 rum, have 98 rounds on it now, it's a 28" 1:9.4 proof carbon barrel. I def found pressure on the N570/300 Berger ladder, but no major indicator on the RL26/270 ELDX ladder.

 

[budlight]

i'm curious as to why no one mentions the 338-378 Wby mag? is it because of the belted case? i'm over 2900 fps with the 300's with retumbo & have just started working the load. i started with h50bmg & couldn't get the velocity so am trying the retumbo & just got in some vit. n570 & will be trying it to.

I was a 30-378 person. When the second barrel burned out my research led me to the 338-378 as a longer lasting option. I had 100's upon 100's of cases to just neck up. But any way I sold the new 30 barreled project to and experienced 1000 yarder. The powder of choice for both those rifles was US 869