Whats the difference between these 2 .338 magnums

[06mauser]

Do any of you guys know what the real difference between a .338 express (aka .338-.404 jeffries) and the .338 EDGE. I know that both catridges are built off of the .404 jeffries case but I am having a hard time trying to find the case dimension of these cartridges to compare.

Thanks
Ian

 

[James Jones]

I would say not much at all , the 404 necked down to the 338 might hold a little more powder , I think the RUM cases are a little shorter that the parrent 404 but I could be wrong

 

[Long Time Long Ranger]

James I think they are a little shorter so remington could fit them into their current actions instead of designing a new one for the ultramag which is what they should have done. The other difference is that neither is as powerful as the 338-378 or the 338-416 rigby so what does it matter. Just kidding, I like the fact that much power will fit on my sako actions.

 

[J E Custom]

My guess is that the .338 Express uses the 404 case necked down.

This would make the 338 Express have a rim dia. of .537 and it has a shorter
case body ( Less powder capacity than the .338 Edge )

There is a cartrige called the .338 Abe Express that has a rim dia.
of .541 an a case length of 2.240.

Also I think the Edge is based on a 300 RUM case with a .534 rim dia.
( standard magnum bolt face )

The .338 RUM is shorter than all other RUM's ( Case length is 2.295 with
a over all case length of 3.60 )

The other RUM's have a case length of 2.845 and the same 3.60 overall case
length to fit in the magnum length actions.Note: what I'm calling 'over all case
length' is just the brass not the loaded round!!!!!

I looked into the Dakota rifles and they use the 404 case on most of thier
rifles and they had a case head dia. of (.545 )
requiring opening the bolt face on all standard magnum bolts.

If I am wrong about any of this please correct me.
J E CUSTOM

 

[azvarminthunter]

I was Googling 338 Abe Express and this forum showed your post. Did you ever build a 338 magnum? I've been shooting a 338 Abe Express since 1981. I have read about the 338 Edge and downloaded a general document.

I primarily shot 250 grain Nosler Partitions during the '80s and early 90's. Currently I have moved down to the 225 grain Nosler. Haven't tried any of the newer Barnes or Hornady mono bullets. I had 3 barreled actions made up, two on Sako actions and one Mauser.

gun)azvarminthunter

 

[J E Custom]

Do any of you guys know what the real difference between a .338 express (aka .338-.404 jeffries) and the .338 EDGE. I know that both catridges are built off of the .404 jeffries case but I am having a hard time trying to find the case dimension of these cartridges to compare.

Thanks
Ian

Ian
The 404 Jeffery's is a rimless case with a head dia. of.537.
the body is only 2.000 long with a long shoulder and a neck length of .620.

The 338 ABE is based on the Jeffery's but has a case head dia. of .541 and
a much longer body (2.240 ) and a neck length of .375 .

The 338 Edge is a necked up 300 RUM and is also based off the 404 case except
that Remington made it into a rebated rim case by turning the case head down
to.534 and the body blown out to .550 with .011 of total body taper and body
length of 2.387 and a neck length of .306 giving it more case capacity than the
404 or the ABE.

Hope this helps.

J E CUSTOM