.338 Federal Opinions

[Veener 7mm]

Just wondering if any of you have had any experience with the .338 Federal cartridge? From what I understand it's a .308 necked up with similar trajectory of a .338 Win Mag without the kick. (210gr. @2630 + 3224 ft-lb). I'm interested because I'm looking to upgrade my Savage 111 (7mm) package to a Tikka and this has caught my eye for an all around (deer, elk, moose)cartridge. I'm also wondering about ammunition availability and cost as I haven't seen much of anything on the major player's websites (WSS, SIR etc...)

Thanks in advance

 

[willy11]

I've got one a T3 lite. I put a sims limbsaver recoil pad and it has the recoil of a 30-06 now, in my opinion. I took it to the range last week and tried 4 different kinds of bullet weights, all factory ammo. These were the fusion 200 grain, 210 grain partition, 185 grain barnes TSX, and the 180 grain accubond, all in the federal line. My best group was with the 200 grain fusion at .775" and it opened up to just over an inch and half with the light stuff. Shoots very good. Ammo availability is as easy as talking to the order guy at your local gun store, for myself anyways. I paid 24.00 bucks a box for the fusion all the way up to 59.00 a box for the barnes.

 

[Veener 7mm]

Thanks for the info. Any hunting experience with them? It seems like a "stop 'em in their tracks" cartridge.

 

[SuperCub]

A 338/06, 358Win and 35Whelen would all be in the same ballpark if your looking for other options.



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[martinbns]

A 338/06, 358Win and 35Whelen would all be in the same ballpark if your looking for other options.



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True, but it's the only one of those calibres that are available in a nice lightweight rifle.

 

[todbartell]

I have a 338F, in a Sako LSS. Nice cartridge, real nice. I shoot 210 gr triple shocks @ 2625 fps (47 grains H4895) and it will put 3 shots inside an inch every time. When Barnes makes me a 185 gr TTSX I will probably try that

 

[Noel]

There's a 5lb Kimber on its way to my BIL's house. The cartridge looks like a potent killing machine in a compact package. 30-06 power in a 308 sized case, using 2/3 the powder. How can it be a bad idea.

Hope to have pics to post of it this November. Willy11 seems to have a good source of factory ammo. We will be going by handloads only.

 

[TimberPig]

I'd say its a closer comparison to a .30-06 than to a .338 Win Mag.

The trajectory of the .338 Fed requires a much lighter bullet to achieve a similar trajectory to a 250 gr out of the Win Mag. The lighter bullet at the slower speed also reduces energy substantially.

It looks to be another good hunting round of moderate recoil, but there are already many options in other chamberings that produce the same results.

 

[blargon]

I'd like to have one, just waiting for the right platform, like a 700 or M7.