The .338 Edge and .338 Lapua are two of the most popular long-range cartridges available today.
Both are capable of delivering extremely accurate shots at long distances and are suitable for a variety of different hunting and target shooting activities.
The .338 Edge has slightly less recoil than the .338 Lapua, making it easier to handle and shoot.
The .338 Lapua, however, offers greater range and velocity, making it a better choice for long-range precision shooting.
Ultimately, the choice between the two cartridges will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
The .338 Edge
The .338 Edge is a wildcat rifle cartridge that was designed in 2001 by Shawn Carlock.
It is based on the .300 Remington Ultra Magnum, but with a slightly longer case and a larger diameter.
It is capable of propelling a 250 grain bullet with a muzzle velocity of up to 3,100 feet per second.
This is a great all-around cartridge for various hunting and long-range shooting applications.
The .338 Edge is designed for long-range shooting, with a maximum point-blank range of about 600 – 1000 yards.
This can be further increased by using a higher ballistic coefficient bullet and optimal powder charge.
It is also a great cartridge for hunting big game, such as elk, moose, and bear.
With a good bullet and proper shot placement, it will easily take down large animals.
The .338 Edge is also very accurate and has a great reputation for excellent performance.
Its recoil is manageable, as long as it is used with a good recoil pad and appropriate rifle weight.
It can also be loaded with a variety of bullet weights and types, depending on the application.
This makes it a great choice for hand loaders who want to tailor the ammunition to their preferences.
The .338 Edge is a great cartridge to consider for a variety of applications.
From long-range shooting to hunting large game, it is a versatile and powerful cartridge that will not let you down.
The .338 Lapua Magnum
The .338 Lapua Magnum is a rimless, bottlenecked, centerfire rifle cartridge that was designed in Finland in 1989 by Nammo Lapua Oy.
It is based on the .416 Rigby necked down to a .338 caliber bullet.
The .338 Lapua Magnum is a powerful cartridge and is used primarily for long-range shooting, often in military and law enforcement applications.
It is the most powerful .338 caliber cartridge available and can reach targets up to 1,500 meters and beyond.
The .338 Lapua Magnum has become increasingly popular for many long-range shooting applications, including sniper and target shooting.
It is capable of delivering accurate shots at long distances and is used by military and law enforcement personnel for both training and operational purposes.
It is suitable for medium to large game hunting and can also be used for precision target shooting.
The .338 Lapua Magnum cartridge has a longer case length than other .338 caliber cartridges and is characterized by its efficient internal ballistics.
It has a low recoil and is capable of delivering impressive accuracy and power.
The .338 Lapua Magnum is one of the most versatile cartridge choices for long-range shooting. It is often the cartridge of choice for competitive target shooting and military/law enforcement operations.
.338 Edge and .338 Lapua Magnum Comparison
The .338 Edge and .338 Lapua Magnum are two of the most powerful and accurate long-range cartridges available.
They share many similarities but also have distinct differences that make them suitable for different applications.
Now, we’ll compare the two cartridges in terms of their performance, ballistics, accuracy, and recoil.
Performance
Regarding performance, the .338 Lapua Magnum is the more powerful of the two rounds.
It has a larger case capacity, and as a result, it is able to reach higher velocities and generate more energy than the .338 Edge.
The .338 Lapua Magnum produces muzzle energies of around 5,000 to 7,000 ft-lbs, while the .338 Edge produces muzzle energies of around 4,000 to 5,500 ft-lbs.
This makes the .338 Lapua Magnum the ideal choice for long-range shooting and hunting activities.
The Edge has a rebated rim, meaning it is smaller than the standard .532 inch, which allows it to fit in a standard long-action rifle.
The cartridge is designed to maximize performance with a large capacity case and high pressure loads.
The .338 Edge is capable of producing up to 3200 feet per second velocities with a 250 grain bullet, making it one of the fastest .338 caliber cartridges available.
The .338 Lapua Magnum is a rimless design and uses a standard .532 inch rim diameter.
It is a high pressure cartridge, though not as high as the .338 Edge, and is capable of producing velocities up to 3000 feet per second with 250 grain bullets.
What makes the Lapua unique is its ability to retain high velocities at long range, making it a favorite among long-range shooters.
Ballistics
When it comes to ballistics, the .338 Lapua Magnum and .338 Edge have similar trajectories.
The .338 Lapua Magnum has a flatter trajectory with a slightly higher ballistic coefficient, while the .338 Edge has a slightly steeper trajectory with a lower ballistic coefficient.
Both cartridges have an effective range of around 800 to 1000 yards, making them suitable for long-range shooting.
While the .338 Edge is more suitable for medium to long-range shooting due to its lower muzzle energy, it still packs enough punch to take down large game animals at medium to long distances.
Accuracy
When it comes to accuracy, both the .338 Edge and .338 Lapua are high-performance cartridges that offer superior accuracy and high velocity.
You can maintain their performance by using thicker brass cases that can handle the increased pressure of the larger cartridges and also use a higher grade of powder which gives them more consistent velocities.
The heavier bullets used in these cartridges also help maintain their performance, as they are better able to remain stable in flight and maintain a more consistent trajectory.
The Edge is a bit faster, so it will typically produce slightly flatter trajectories, but the Lapua has the advantage of retaining its velocity better at long range.
Both cartridges are capable of extremely tight groups with the right rifle and ammunition, so it really comes down to the shooter and their preference.
Recoil
In terms of recoil, the .338 Edge is generally considered to have a bit more recoil than the .338 Lapua Magnum.
This is due to the higher pressures and velocities that it produces.
However, both cartridges produce significant recoil and should always be used cautiously.
Higher velocity and acceleration are equal to more recoil.
Conclusion
Overall, the .338 Edge and the .338 Lapua Magnum are excellent cartridges for long-range shooting and hunting.
The .338 Edge is more suitable for medium to long-range shooting, and it still has enough power to take down large game animals.
The Edge is the faster of the two, but the Lapua retains its velocity better at longer ranges.
Both cartridges are capable of excellent accuracy and have significant recoil.
So the decision of which one to use should ultimately come down to the shooter and their preference.
