Dave,
I have built several 338 Kahns on the Rem 700 receivers. I have a couple requirements that I follow when doing so. First off, simply from a length issue, they have to be single shots. No doubt they could be converted with a long magazing box but I do not recommend it with this length of a round.
Second, they have to be chrome moly receivers. THe reason is because the chrome moly steel is more resistant to bolt lug set back then the stainless steel counterparts are. Again, a requirement for me at least to use only chrome moly receivers.
Finally, they need to be loaded to sain pressures. If your wanting to load a 338 Kahn up so that you get one firing per case, first off your nuts in my opinion, and second, your running pressures far higher then the case was ever designed to be loaded to.
I tell my customers this and that if they want to load to red line then we need to order a custom receiver and even then its a very bad idea to load this hot. I tell them a velocity range to load into and if they go over that they understand they are pushing things at their own risk.
This is no differnet then what I recommend with a Wby MkV receiver. If your loosening primer pockets with your handloads, your loading to hot period.
If you load to good working pressures, a properly trued Rem 700 is plenty strong for this type of round.
With all that said, if the customer can afford it, I recommend a custom BAT or Nesika receiver every time but many can not affort the extra cost.
I will also agree that the easiest thing to do with the Rem 700 is just have chamber it for the 338 Edge and be done with it. Yes, the 338 Kahn will out perform the 338 Edge but the increased performance will lessen as the range increases. TO be honest, the difference between the 338 RUM, 338 Lapua, 338 Edge or even 338 Kahn at ranges past 1/2 mile are so small its hardly worth talking about. The key is rifle quality and shooters skill far more then the differnece of these chamberings.
The only way to see significant performance increases at long range is to jump up to the 338 AM, 338 Sniper Tac or the 338 Baer. All based on the 408 CT and all requiring custom actions.
So will the 338 Kahn, 338-378 Wby work on Rem 700 receivers, I say on chrome moly receivers you bet if loaded to proper pressure levels for the chamberings.
Is a BAT or Nesika receiver a better choice, sure it is. Hell of alot easier to build on as well but that does not mean the Rem 700 does not work very well when properly set up for such a round.
Good Shooting!!
Kirby Allen(50)
