Interest in 338 Federal

Go for it. I would suggest buying a donor rifle with a compatible boltface (.308 Win, .243 Win, etc) that is easy to rebarrel instead of rebore it.

I am partial to Savage rifles but pre-fit barrels with barrel nuts can be found on quite a few rifles now.

I keep toying with the idea of picking up an IBI barrels in .338 Fed but am happy with my .308s.
 
boxhitch said:
found this old post, from somewhere
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Hey, awesome job finding that! It is nice to have a contact for him if I ultimately decide to go that route.
homer76 said:
Go for it. I would suggest buying a donor rifle with a compatible boltface (.308 Win, .243 Win, etc) that is easy to rebarrel instead of rebore it.

I am partial to Savage rifles but pre-fit barrels with barrel nuts can be found on quite a few rifles now.

I keep toying with the idea of picking up an IBI barrels in .338 Fed but am happy with my .308s.
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Yeah, if I rebarrel any of those would work. If I could find a good enough deal on the gun and barrel it would be a good option for sure
 
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slinkylegs said:
Hey, awesome job finding that! It is nice to have a contact for him if I ultimately decide to go that route.

Yeah, if I rebarrel any of those would work. If I could find a good enough deal on the gun and barrel it would be a good option for sure
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Ron's getting up there. His son is working with him now. If you're going to jump, best keep that in mind. - dan
 
This is one I keep coming back to, I go down the rabbit hole every few years and for some reason choose some other caliber/cartridge. Once again, this thread has me thinking about a nice short barreled custom.

Is anyone still making brass for this? I remember seeing a dozen or so boxes of loaded ammo on the shelf at BassPro about 10 years ago, should have picked it up.
 
slinkylegs said:
Hey, awesome job finding that! It is nice to have a contact for him if I ultimately decide to go that route.

Yeah, if I rebarrel any of those would work. If I could find a good enough deal on the gun and barrel it would be a good option for sure
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I was going to build a NICE 338 Fedeal on one of my REM M600 308s - called up R smith and he said it would be more than a year to get it rebored and rechambered . I found and bought the Tikka T3
I liked the 18.5 inch barrel length of the M600 .
The Tikka worked out Great 👍 Fast easy mag system and any good smith can shorten and recrown the barrel if you like .
 
Don't have one but the velocities in the Sierra online manual with PowerPro 2000 got my attention. Substituting with a 230 eldx, .309G7 at 2550, 3300 ftlbs. and it's not just a bush cartridge. 2.5 inch point blank radius makes it point and shoot to 250yds with 2500ft lbs. 10 from a chassis mag would be 1/3 pound of bullets, not necessary for game but I like it.
Starline dealers have it in stock.
 
Steyr101 said:
This is one I keep coming back to, I go down the rabbit hole every few years and for some reason choose some other caliber/cartridge. Once again, this thread has me thinking about a nice short barreled custom.

Is anyone still making brass for this? I remember seeing a dozen or so boxes of loaded ammo on the shelf at BassPro about 10 years ago, should have picked it up.
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This is the first time I've really paid any attention to it, but you should do it haha. If it is always a lingering itch, you'll need to scratch it eventually!

I believe Starline is making brass for it, and maybe Hornady too? Could be mistaken on that last one.
 
Steyr101 said:
This is one I keep coming back to, I go down the rabbit hole every few years and for some reason choose some other caliber/cartridge. Once again, this thread has me thinking about a nice short barreled custom.

Is anyone still making brass for this? I remember seeing a dozen or so boxes of loaded ammo on the shelf at BassPro about 10 years ago, should have picked it up.
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I used Federal and STARLINE
 
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remington jim said:
I had both the 338 Fed and a 358 Win ! Both rifles had 22 “ barrels The 338 Fed shot faster and with SUPERIOR BC bullets shot flatter . The 338 Fed certainly can out distance a 358 Win BUT at distances most game is shot at makes no PRACTICAL difference ! Although a member on her shot a large Moose at over 400 yards with 160 Barnes TTSX AND GOT PLUS 4/ft of penetration ! DRT .
Higher SD with the 338 bullets too . More better selection of Good quality bullets in 338 Diameter too .
358 Guys will start in with the Bigger bullet Diameter of 20 thou trying to convince you that makes a Difference ! Totally the least important factor 🤪
If I was buying a rifle I liked either or would do for me but would take the 338 Fed if available.If I was building or buying a custom rifle it would be 338 Fed .👍
I did like the 2 BLR s I owned in 358 Win but that‘s more the gun as I liked my 308s also .

JMHO. Cheers RJ

Check out AlpineRifleCraft.ca Custom Canadian built rifles and now offering the 338 Federal as a option
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It's funny how frontal diameters are the least important attribute to you "at typical ranges game is shot at," but you bring up superior SDs meaning LOTS at those same ranges. Lol. Whatevers convenient to support cartridges you prefer there RJ?

I'm going to make a large bet you don't hunt Africa which is a shame because I sure would like to hear how important BCs are at putting things on the ground over there.

4 feet of penetration on a Moose? Texas bullseye Jimmy?
 
remington jim said:
And both the 308 & 338 will do anything a 358 with do with No Fuss at all 👍😊
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If one wants to own (and shoot) a 338 Federal or 358 Winchester they have to go out of their way to do so with +/- fuss to find a rifle and feed it. It's certainly a lot easier and cheaper just to buy a 308 and really not lose any perceived advantage that a 338 or 358 might offer.

Do I like the 358W? .... Yes!! I own one right now and have owned a few in the past but also know that a 308 or 30-06 would do just the same for me in the field. (y):giggle:
 
708fan said:
Don't have one but the velocities in the Sierra online manual with PowerPro 2000 got my attention. Substituting with a 230 eldx, .309G7 at 2550, 3300 ftlbs. and it's not just a bush cartridge. 2.5 inch point blank radius makes it point and shoot to 250yds with 2500ft lbs. 10 from a chassis mag would be 1/3 pound of bullets, not necessary for game but I like it.
Starline dealers have it in stock.
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https://barnesbullets.com/content/barnes-loaddata/rifle/338/338-Federal.pdf

I burned the A2230 in my 338;Fed - got both accuracy and speed with it 👍

I used mostly the 160 gr but I loaded some FC Fusion Bonded 200 grers to 2700 fps - The Factory Fusion 200 gr ammo shot Very Well in my rifle too .
 
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I have multiple rifles in 338 Federal. My go to is a custom built early production Remington 760 BDL with a tikka barrel fitted up to it. Love the round. A monster of a round that doesn't beat a guy to death when you pull the trigger. 200gr Federal Accubond has very effectively taken the wiggle out of everything that I've shot at, bull moose, elk and numerous deer. I also recently acquired a 358 Win custom build on a mauser action. Still getting it dialed in but really liking it already.
 
Black Watch 357 said:
I have multiple rifles in 338 Federal. My go to is a custom built early production Remington 760 BDL with a tikka barrel fitted up to it. Love the round. A monster of a round that doesn't beat a guy to death when you pull the trigger. 200gr Federal Accubond has very effectively taken the wiggle out of everything that I've shot at, bull moose, elk and numerous deer. I also recently acquired a 358 Win custom build on a mauser action. Still getting it dialed in but really liking it already.
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Yeah , I forgot . I want my guns back lol . Get out and shoot that 358 .
 
I have substantial experience with both the 338 federal and 358 win. They are ballistic cousins, and performance on game to 300 yards has been excellent for a bunch of animals. Getting older now and sold off a few, but last years' vension kills were brought to table using a 200 grain bullet launched by my custom 358 win. Enjoy either, they punch well above their weight class, and are utterly reliable when paired with a decent bullet at velocities in the 2500-2600 fps range for the 200 grain editions.
 
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