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Gunsmithing The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

LRI

Lance Criminal
Full Member
Minuteman
  • Mar 14, 2010
    6,346
    7,709
    53
    Sturgis, S. Dakota
    www.longriflesinc.com
    Here's the latest, a 338 Edge built on a Stiller and stuffed into a A-5 stock.

    Barreling was done a while back. Had to fill the stock back up and we just finished the inletting. Onto goopin this bugger up!

    As you can see the barrel flutes are off and the back end is pulled from the stock. Totally normal at this point. The tape on the lug prevents the barrel from clocking and the weight on the muzzle is rocking it in the inlet. Once were in the goop we'll address this.

    Easy stuff.

    More to come.

    C.

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    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    Is it your explicit goal to prevent me from getting anything done at work or around the house with your constant barrage of consistently awesome posts, or is that just a pleasant side-effect?
     
    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Eric Bryant</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it your explicit goal to prevent me from getting anything done at work or around the house with your constant barrage of consistently awesome posts, or is that just a pleasant side-effect? </div></div>

    This is all an elaborate scheme to:

    Take your money
    Expedite your divorce
    Take more of your money

    smile.gif


    Thanks for the kind words.

    C.
     
    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    Oky doky,

    Houston, were bedded! Vern called the other day and wants this bugger as a single shot. Sooo, we installed some brass inserts to locate the single shot follower I'll be making.

    Not too chabby. Barrel runs right down the pipe.

    Garrett inletted/bedded this rifle. Now you guys know why we hired him. Can't tell the work apart.

    Making progress!

    C.

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    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: C. Dixon</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Eric Bryant</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Is it your explicit goal to prevent me from getting anything done at work or around the house with your constant barrage of consistently awesome posts, or is that just a pleasant side-effect? </div></div>

    This is all an elaborate scheme to:

    Take your money
    <span style="font-weight: bold">Expedite your divorce</span>
    Take more of your money

    smile.gif


    Thanks for the kind words.

    C. </div></div>

    So there are good reasons?
     
    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    Status update:

    Here's the single shot follower installed. Made this from a stick of 303 S/S.

    Overkill?

    Absolutely! This fugger will be here after the roaches take over.

    Too bad it gets coated! Maybe we'll put the bling on it and leave it in there. Nothing like a "tactical single shot"
    smile.gif


    Were setting up to port the brake now. Soon as that's done its a trial assembly and OFF TO THE RANGE! (the fun part!)

    We'll be in/out the rest of the day so if you call expect the machine. . .

    C.

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    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    Here's the brake blank installed and contoured.

    Now just to set up in the 4th axis to poke some holes so Vern's little girly man's shoulder doesn't get sore. (what a biche
    smile.gif
    -If you've ever seen Vern you'll get the joke. He's a big ol sum biche that'd squash me like a grape.)

    J/K We still love you Vern.

    More to come. . .

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    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    Just came back from the Range. Momma and I didn't have much going on today so we thought we'd do some chootin.

    Vern, here's your 3 shot record group after breaking in the barrel.

    250 Match king
    93.0 grains RL25
    215 Federal Primer.
    Rem case
    Seating depth "just about right"
    smile.gif


    I think we have a winner.

    C.

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    I think the one that squeaked out to the right (top in this case due to photo's rotation) might be due to some mirage or Chad just being impatient. Not much wind at this range so boils off the barrel are pretty common. We've had to actually "fan" a barrel with a tgt before to be able to see the paper well enough. Still, I think it shows the rifle will work. I shot these one right after another.

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    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    If I was to compare/describe the recoil I'd give it a 6/10.

    A 10 being a 416 Wby, 375 H/H, or some other buffalo stomper cartridge.

    What I found really intersting is how little the gun "torques" during follow through. I've had some that just twist up like a piece of licorice. This one doesn't seem to do it as much.

    Odd but interesting.

    All in all it's a baby to shoot. I think most women wouldn't mind it once they got past the "snap" from the brake.

    Bear in mind I was shooting 250's too. Vern plans to use 300's. Every 338LM I've shot gets progressively nastier once you load the "trident missile" bullets. I'd guess the Edge isn't that much different.

    I'd compare it to a heavy gun WSM. It's not a push. More of a sharp chop to the shoulder, but it's not hard or abusive at all.

    C.

    I'm just happy with how it shoots. I shot/cleaned for 5 rounds and just "went for it". We swag'd (guessed) at a load so we either got really lucky or this is one of those magical/forgiving cartridges/guns that just eats whatever you feed it.
     
    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    Here she is Vern.

    The rings are still cooling off in the oven along with the cocking piece. She came out pretty nice me thinks. This is my NF 8-42x56 "shop beater" scope that I use for testing. Just threw it on there for looks. Yours is sitting on the top shelf.

    This is our new "final assy" bench. Now I get to build a new inspection/gauging table. (running out of room in this place already)

    Ready for delivery here shortly. (soon as we go shoot about 400 rounds through it! We like this gun!)
    smile.gif


    Thanks again,

    Chad/Garrett

    PS: Yesterday while testing a 338LM we finished up I brought out my 300-338 LM set up for light bullets. 99 grains of RL25 (light load) slings 110 grain Vmax bullets like nobodies business. Well over 4400FPS. Nice 3' flame out the muzzle too. Garrett shot some vid with his phone but you lose the flash when you upload/send it to someone.

    Groups were a little big. The throat on this cartridge is for 125's. The 110's are short little suckers. I can barely seat them now as it is. Maybe gassing it up a bit more will tighten things up a bit. Have to see. That or just go back to the 125BT's from Nosler.



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    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    Well I got to see this rifle in action this week and give props to Chad and Garrett. To both vern and I this rifle shooting the 300smk seems to recoil less than a 308 with a heavy load. Also saw a 1.16" group shot at 460 yards with Vern behind the barrel. Pretty damn good for "Cletus" to be shooting that group.
     
    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: C. Dixon</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just came back from the Range.
    250 Match king
    93.0 grains RL25
    215 Federal Primer.
    Rem case
    Seating depth "just about right"
    smile.gif

    </div></div>

    What combination of dies were you using? I've read a few different setups on here.
     
    Re: The "VERNINATOR" 338 EDGE

    I used a 338 Neck mandrel die from Sinclair to stretch the necks.

    I made my own mandrel as the one provided was too much of a good thing. The cases behaved better with a more progressive "stretch".

    I seated bullets with a 338 LM micrometer die from Redding.

    I don't have the actual die set. We just cobbled enough together to be able to test the gun. Once I start building 10 of them a month I'll invest in a dedicated die set.

    Hope this helps.

    C.