Got the .338 Edge to the range today.

[Biggerhammer]

I had Benchmark barrels switch barrel my 450 Ultra Magnum. I built the 450 just for the hell of it and couldn't stand the thought of it just sitting in the safe. So I had Benchmark screw on a 30" 9 1/2 twist, Sendero contour with a brake. Now if need be I can change back to the 450 Ultra in 10 min or so. I played with the 300gr Berger Hybrids a bit but they were real finicky in my rifle, they seamed to always throw one slighly out. They would rarely shoot under a 1 1/2" @ 300 yards.

So I loaded up some Hornady Match 285's, on top of 93 gr of Retumbo. This load is towards the top end for my rifle. If you held the case into the sun, there was a slight ejector mark but bolt lift and ejection was smooth. The first group was shot with a VERY clean barrel, it had just got the WIPE OUT treatment. So the first round was slightly out and the next two stacked up. Same went for the second group fired, I had let the barrel completly cool and the first round was slightly out and the second two stacked up. It could have been me but the first shot in the second group felt solid when the trigger broke. Either way the barrel show promise and I'm looking forward to testing some different loads in it.

Now that I know it will shoot I'll  switch a NightForce over to it. The groups bellow were shot with virgin Remington brass. All I did was neck them up straight out of the bag, did a quick check of the necks after sizing them up and tossed the one's with crap necks. Remington brass takes some serious sorting and prepping. I'll do all that after the first firing.







The rifle was originally built by Benchmark barrels. The bolt fluting, bolt knob and bedding was done by Kampfeld Custom, another top notch smith to work with and his attention to detail is exceptional.



There's still a bunch of smoke here from the fires.





Just got a chance to measure the group. Outside to outside, edge of the black on the paper went 1.010, subtract the bullet diameter of .338 and I get a center to center group of .672

[BULLBLASTER]

the 300 grainers only went 1.5 inches at 300 yards! not good enough!?  your crazy hammer!
you going to try any of the Berger elite hunting hybrids? they are out in 250 and 300 grain.
that gun is awesome!

[SquirrelHunter]

Awesome rifle, where can i find one  ive been looking for a new. 338

[yorketransport]

Looks good! I feel like I need a 338 Edge. Everybody else has one and I feel like an outsider!

I love that .5 MOA isn't good enough for you. You've been spoiled by Benchmark. There is some sort of Voodoo at work with their 338 barrels. My 338/375 Striker has a Benchmark barrel and if it doesn't hold .5 MOA I know that it's time to clean the barrel. Fortunately that's only once every 60-75 rounds.

Andrew

[dscubame]

That is a nice lead slinger Biggerhammer!!  What are your plans for it now that you saved the barrel from being a safe queen?

[Biggerhammer]

Looks good! I feel like I need a 338 Edge. Everybody else has one and I feel like an outsider!

I love that .5 MOA isn't good enough for you. You've been spoiled by Benchmark. There is some sort of Voodoo at work with their 338 barrels. My 338/375 Striker has a Benchmark barrel and if it doesn't hold .5 MOA I know that it's time to clean the barrel. Fortunately that's only once every 60-75 rounds.

Andrew

Benchmark makes a hell of a barrel, I haven't shot mine enough to know when it needs cleaned. I'm still in the break in process. I have less than 40 rounds on it, I'm going to match prep some once fired brass and give it a go mid week and see if it will tighten up a bit. For now I am more than pleased with the barrel.

[Biggerhammer]

That is a nice lead slinger Biggerhead!!  What are your plans for it now that you saved the barrel from being a safe queen?

The usual of course.. Groundhogs & Mulies!

[Biggerhammer]

the 300 grainers only went 1.5 inches at 300 yards! not good enough!?  your crazy hammer!
you going to try any of the Berger elite hunting hybrids? they are out in 250 and 300 grain.
that gun is awesome!

I'll end up giving them a try Blaster, next are some 300gr Sierra MK's. I like the fact that the Elite's are packed 100 to a box.

[Austrian Hunter]

OMG, she is gorgeous!!!!    I want one NOW!!  Nice shooting too!! 

[coachcw]

very nice ! my 6.5 took 90 rounds to come around i'm sure she will tighten up for you . how far out is she free ?

[Biggerhammer]

very nice ! my 6.5 took 90 rounds to come around i'm sure she will tighten up for you . how far out is she free ?

I'm "Jumping" these bullet quite a ways! My Bergers (300gr) @ 20 thou off are 4.035. My overall for the 285's is 3.750. I actually came up with this load, testing for a load that will run in my brothers Benchmark .338 Edge he had built in a AICS AX stock. We are having the front reinforcement rib machined out of the Lapua mags so the Edge case will feed properly out of them. I needed a shorter OAL, he has the same barrel and chamber.

By mid week, both will have a NightForce NXS 8-32x56, high speed zero stop, MOAR reticle scope parked on top. He already has NightForce rings and bases, I need to pick up a 8/40 screw base. His is unfired as of now, he's bringing it over this week and ill mount the scopes and install a trigger.

Here's  his, we had them barreled at the same time. He will have his barreled action coated after the hunting season, didn't have time to do it.

[BULLBLASTER]

those are sweet! does the indexing on the barrel and brake change any if you switch barrels too often?
you have all the awesome toys! i really wish i could affordx a nightforce without selling my house!
keep us updated on how it shoots after break in!

[Biggerhammer]

those are sweet! does the indexing on the barrel and brake change any if you switch barrels too often?
you have all the awesome toys! i really wish i could affordx a nightforce without selling my house!
keep us updated on how it shoots after break in!

Indexing the barrel isn't a problem. I had them put a index mark on my action and both barrels. You just never want to over torque them! I just screw the barrel on and creep it untill the index marks line up and it's a done deal. The recoil lug moving isn't a issue because I had it pinned in place.

Index mark on the Lilja .450 Ultra Magnum barrel.

[coachcw]

what do you one hand your brothers ! thats wicked ! have you ever used break in bullets ?

[mountainman]

Hopefully groups tighten some after break-in. nice gun.