I am going to buy a 338 magnum for shooting longer range with higher bc bullets. I am somewhat a Weatherby fan so that is my first choice. There is a lot written about the edge and lapua. Is there that much if a difference? The gun will be used at the range and if ever hunting then meadow watching for elk. Thanks for your thoughts.

Are you going to build a custom rifle, or are you wanting to buy a factory rifle???

Undecided. No tactical gun, rather a sporting at nine to ten pounds. 28 inch barrel with muzzle break.

The weatherby case is a mighty one. However the difference between that and the Lapua/edge is only marginal. I personally would go with the 338 edge. Brass is about one fifth of the cost of either lapua and weatherby and will fit a magnum bolt face. I will also assume you have your eye on the 300gr bullets. If so, go with a 1-9.5 or better twist to stabilize the bullet. With a 1-10 twist in my 338 edge I get good accuracy with the 300's but I get great accuracy in the 250's. To shoot long range you have to go custom, or at least semi custom.

The .338-378 will beat the Edge or Lapua in similar length barrels.

quote:

Originally posted by IanD:
The .338-378 will beat the Edge or Lapua in similar length barrels.

Yes, but only by about 50-80fps. Does the added cost of brass warrant that, especially in that light of a rifle?

Are there any inherent accuracy differences between these rounds?

All things being equal, no their is not. However, more shooting matches have been won with beltless cases.

Costs and hunting, the 338 RUM would be the most bang for buck. For elegance and design I would go with either the Lapua or the new 338 Norma, both on a Rigby casehead. For .532" boltface and elegance, the 338 Campfire (375Ruger case).

If you have a donor rifle, then the magazine length will play a role.
If long, then a RUM or 338/378 or Lapua could work.
If standard, then either the 338 Norma (a .589" Rigby case head) or 338 Campfire (a .532" Ruger case head). Ruger cases are pretty economical, though this latter only matches 340Weath. ballistics. The standard length cases can also be used in rifles with long magazines where extra long bullets are seated out to long COAL.

Thanks Canadien. The gun will be semi custom and I think that I will move forward with the Weatherby based on preference. Never had a nightforce scope, are they worth the money?

I used my 338-378 Weatherby on a brown bear hunt in Alaska in 2001. I was impressed with the accuracy and velocity that I got using 250gr Swift A-Frames. I had higher velocity with that than my 338 RUM using 225gr Swifts. I agree with canadian in general but the 1000yd guys really liked the 30-378 Weatherby and that's the same case as the 338-378.

quote:

Originally posted by Buffalo Jack:
Thanks Canadien. The gun will be semi custom and I think that I will move forward with the Weatherby based on preference. Never had a nightforce scope, are they worth the money?

Nightforce is top-notch!!! However, it depends on what magnification you plan on using. If you are looking at 24 and less, there are less expensive scopes with equal glass quality. I have a Sightron SIII 8-32 with the modified mill dot. It seems to be on par with nightforce in terms of glass quality. On hot days it is a bit too much magnification due to mirage but when I can, its nice to crank the power up.

I was thinking of something to 25 power. I have used mostly leupold and left to my own devise would get a mk4. Nikon as seems to making higher grade long range scopes. I just hear so much about night force. Any experience with US optics?

quote:

Originally posted by Buffalo Jack:
I was thinking of something to 25 power. I have used mostly leupold and left to my own devise would get a mk4. Nikon as seems to making higher grade long range scopes. I just hear so much about night force. Any experience with US optics?

Buffalo Jack,

I owned a 338-378 Accumark and always lament selling it..............I do howvere now own a .338 Norma Mag but its a 20 pound rifle by god it is accurate though.

regarding scopes. I own a couple US optics an SN9 10-42x80 and it is by far the clearest long range scope I have ever seen. All adjustment is external nothing inside to distort view is what I am told.

The other scope I am yet to mount is a SN3 3.8-22x44 it is a really nice scope as well and will soon adorn a rifle.

In regards to Night force I own a few and tehy ARE the best bang for buck in a Long range type scope. While some say the glass is not up to the Euro standards I will say that the glass is very good and you would never miss game as a result of the glass. What you will get is the TOUGHEST scope in the industry, very rugged, ver reliable, built like a tank. I am a fan as once you get beyond NXS price bracket the law of diminishing returns apply's. I also own an SB PM11 5-25 and while it has some nice features and is a great scope I dont think its worth neally twice the price. Organise a good drop chart for your load once you have worked it out and buy a rangefinder and an NXS 3.5-15x50 F1 (front focal plain and they come with free night force ultra lite rings so your reticle reads true on any magnification) with MLR 2.0 or the new Mildot Gen 2 reticle with Mil high speed turrets, zero stop and dont look back.

If you plan on reloading then stick with Lapua or better yet make it a 338 Lapua Improved!

I've gotten 7 full tits reloads so far and the brass still looks decent.