waha-steve,
First welcome to the board. Glad to see another ID fella on board.
Short answer: You won't gain squat when all things are considered.
Long answer /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
I just switched barrels on a REM 700 from a 24" 338 Win to a 26" 338 RUM Rem takeoff barrel- new unfired. I'm trying to get this configuration shooting consistently for an other project.
First the 338 Win: I shot nothing but Sierra 250 Game Kings and 252gr RBBT Wildcats as they shot the best. Velocities were limited, by me, to 2800 FPS MV as that was where they shot the best (1/4 MOA on a regular bases for 3 shots). The RBBTs were a little more 'regular' than the Sierras. Also case life was about 10 loads. Any higher velocities and the case life dropped off pretty fast.
The 338 RUM: I, just for fun, ran the Tubbs Final Finish process. Turned out it was a very good idea. Thats one process you can take to the bank.
So far max velocities are just under 3100 FPS w/the Hornady 225s. I finally, and I mean finally, got a decent group w/225s/94.5gr 7828 @ 3098 MV of about 0.6 MOA. So far its the only group that wasn't a pattern.
With RL-25 about 94.5gr I'm getting the same max velocity as with the 225s (2900 to 3000) depending on seating depth w/Sierra 250 Game Kings.
Have shot nothing but patterns w/the 250s so far. However Nosler Partitions show some promise.
Conclusions:
1) A 338 Win w/a 26" barrel (factory) will probably do with hot loads will probably do what a 338 RUM will do velocity wise with normal loads.
2) A 30" barrel would do wonders for the RUM.
3) Everyone else's 338 RUM will outshoot mine velocity and accuracy.
4) Unless Nosler match brass is much much better than I expect, your stuck with Remington cases which unless sorted to the nth detail are bad compared to Winchester brass.
5) Don't bank on a factory rifle shooting well. Some are very good, others are so so, and others are duds. If you get a good shootin factory rifle KEEP IT.
Recommendation:
If you want a good shootin' 338 that measureably out does the Win Mag seriously consider the following:
Send your action to one of the rifle smiths on here and get a 30" barrel 338 RUM of their barrel maker recommendation fitted. May as well get them to pillar bed it while they have it.
Doing this you will spend a bit more up front but save a bunch in powder/bullets/primers/time/brass etc in the long run. I think it pretty much evens out.
Now if you really want to reach out and touch, skip the RUM and go straight to the Edge. Search on 338 Edge. Cost will be the same. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif Which is where this old girl is headed next year.
Just my tho'ts and experience.
