Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Long Range Hunting Which Big .33?

My vote is edge with 300 mk or 300 bergers

That is very impressive. How fast are you driving 300 grain SMK's to reach 2300 yards out of an 338 RUM?

One of my big 33's is a 338-378 WBY Elk, had it built over 25 years ago before I ever heard of the Lapua, RUM, or Allen Mags, hell, they may have not even been invented yet.

Mine wears a 2.5-10x42 Nightforce compact and fires 300 gr Accubonds to 3000 fps through a 28" Shilen stainless match barrel, it's a 10lb hunting rifle that you can carry on a hunt quite easily, and it may go without saying, those 338 cal. 300 gr Accubonds hit DAMN hard way out there.

First off the rim size is the same as a 338 Lapua and I have a 338 Lapua built on a 700 action. The case capacity is close to the same. I also have seen 30/378' built on a 700 action.

I push them to about 2800 FPS out of my 338 Lapua. The case capacity is about the same.

338 Lapua brass from Lapua is the best and a Lapua can be fitted in a Rem 700 action. I have one and Remington made and sold some.

Yup,you're correct. Remington even makes a .338 Lapua.

Hunted elk and deer in the Gila and Lincoln NF. Fished in the Caballo and Elephant Butte quite a bit. Never hunted big game in Northern New Mexico.

Killed this buck in the Lincoln NF last month.

First off the rim size is the same as a 338 Lapua and I have a 338 Lapua built on a 700 action. The case capacity is close to the same. I also have seen 30/378' built on a 700 action. [/quote

338-378 is a recipe for disaster in a 700. Seen action stretch and bolts come apart on that combo

Only if over loaded and or built incorrectly. I've seem the full length 338/378 work just fine in a 700 action.

When Rem marketed the M-700 in 338 Lapua they tested to 100,000 psi. But people overload wildcats and shoot a lot of ammo through them and then blame the action.

The Rum and Lapua duplicated 338/378 Kt ballistics in available cases.

Jeff get an action that is designed for the bigger cartridges,just. Because some of them will work in a 700 doesn't mean it's the best or safest way to go!

Hmm. A late push against the M700 action. Couple thoughts there--

-Yes. I believe you guys that it's not the "best" for a truly big cartridge.

-even though a rifle like this is the very definition of "magnumitis", I don't in any way need the biggest baddest out there. Don't need it practically and don't need it to fulfill some sort of desire. A little pipsqueek like the RUM or EDGE will suffice.

-again it's contradictory because you SHOVEL money at this type of rifle, but keeping costs contained matters here. A Rem700 action that I do the work on myself is one big way to do that. SWFA instead of NF is perhaps another. HS stock with a cheekpiece strapped on rather than one of those wacky adjustable stocks.... Etc.

-the M700 is the devil I know in terms of aftermarket parts. The stock and the trigger especially.

But just to keep an open mind about using a different action, the timeline dictates I get the barrel ordered ASAP and I'm planning on doing that after I hopefully survive the holidays. As I look out the window, at the falling snow, and contemplate the 8 hour drive I'm about to embark on, that's not a given <grin>. But assuming I do survive, if I DID decide to use a different action, would that in any way change the barrel blank I order?

On that note my next question is about the barrel.... if we assume an EDGE @ 28" plus brake, for the moment, what twist would you advise? Number of lands/grooves? Does that change for say a Lapua?

The Rum cases will be fine in a 700, and you should be able to find a donor fairly cheap, twist's you should be looking at a 10" depending on bullet choice!

338 RUM. The 250 gr AB at 3000 fps is a hammer on game both near and far.

JD338

I seen alot of 700 action with streched received and bolts locked up due to blown primers. There not enough meat on the bolt head after opening it up to .580, or .588 for the LM. I used BAT action for my 338-378 nd 338 Lapua mag

A Mauser has no meat around the case head and none is needed.

Again the work must be performed correctly and since Remington has marketed and sold the 338 Lapua which has the same case head that rather prove the 700 is adequate by Remington's calculations.

The Rem 700 action is just fine for a big 33. You can add a different extractor if you wish; i.e., a Sako or AR type as well as a 3-pos safety; twink or add an after market trigger; "true" the barreled action. You can also go to PGT and get a one-piece bolt with a tactical knob for ergo's if you want. The 700 is probably one of the most practical solutions. Get a quality barrel at your twist and have at it.

This is not rocket science.

If I was going to use a Remington 700 action for a 338 built then I would build a 338 Edge or a 340Wby but 300 ultra cases are cheaper than Wby. and just be done with it.

A Mauser has no meat around the case head and none is needed.

Again the work must be performed correctly and since Remington has marketed and sold the 338 Lapua which has the same case head that rather prove the 700 is adequate by Remington's calculations.

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Yes but with a Mauser you don't have a barrel bolt counter bore that gives a chance for the thin metal on the bolt head to jam the action. Had seen this many times.