A method of manufacturing an outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint, which is constructed by forming, through use of separate members, a cup section having track grooves formed at an inner periphery of the cup section and engageable with torque transmitting elements , and a shaft section formed at a bottom portion (12a2) of the cup section , and by welding a cup member forming the cup section and a shaft member forming the shaft section , the method comprising: forming the cup member and the shaft member of medium carbon steel; preparing, as the cup member , a cup member having a cylindrical portion (12a1) and a bottom portion (12a2) integrally formed by forging, and a joining end surface formed on an outer surface of the bottom portion (12a2) in a machining step after the forging; preparing, as the shaft member , a shaft member having a joining end surface to be joined to the bottom portion (12a2) of the cup member , which is formed in the machining step; bringing the joining end surface of the cup member and the joining end surface of the shaft member into abutment against each other; and welding the cup member and the shaft member by radiating a beam from an outer side of the cup member to an abutment portion between the cup member and the shaft member in a radial direction of the cup member , characterized in that the shaft member has a step portion in which the joining end surface is formed and a radially inner side recessed portion formed thereon by forging from a billet (13a") cut from a bar material, and in that the forging of the shaft member comprises a preforming step of forming the step portion in which the joining end surface is formed from the billet (13a") into a tapered shape, and a main forming step of forming the step portion in which the joining end surface is formed and the recessed portion . forming the cup member and the shaft member of medium carbon steel; preparing, as the cup member , a cup member having a cylindrical portion (12a1) and a bottom portion (12a2) integrally formed by forging, and a joining end surface formed on an outer surface of the bottom portion (12a2) in a machining step after the forging; preparing, as the shaft member , a shaft member having a joining end surface to be joined to the bottom portion (12a2) of the cup member , which is formed in the machining step; bringing the joining end surface of the cup member and the joining end surface of the shaft member into abutment against each other; and welding the cup member and the shaft member by radiating a beam from an outer side of the cup member to an abutment portion between the cup member and the shaft member in a radial direction of the cup member , characterized in that the shaft member has a step portion in which the joining end surface is formed and a radially inner side recessed portion formed thereon by forging from a billet (13a") cut from a bar material, and in that the forging of the shaft member comprises a preforming step of forming the step portion in which the joining end surface is formed from the billet (13a") into a tapered shape, and a main forming step of forming the step portion in which the joining end surface is formed and the recessed portion . <EOS>