Wow 18 boxes!!!
is this one of those cartrdges that it would be more cheaper to reload from the get go?
whats 18 boxes worth in Canada?
308 win vs 338 fed
- Thread starter brybenn
- Start date
Wow 18 boxes!!!
is this one of those cartrdges that it would be more cheaper to reload from the get go?
whats 18 boxes worth in Canada?
Ardent
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Spomer must be on Federal’s payroll.
It can match the energy of the 7 Mag, but not beat it, nor will it hang with the 7 at any sort of range ballistically or carry that energy as far. Flatter than the -06... that takes some serious load cherry picking, best ignore the 150sI had a hate on for the .338 Fed, almost as much as I do for the .45-70 for a long time. I didn’t get the round as the .308 will send the 200gr at the same speeds with CFE223, but with better BCs and SD. And still let your shoot 130s if you so desire, and find ammo anywhere.
But, I had one client bring one and had to respect the numbers. It doesn’t do anything new or different, but I’ve gone to pains to develop wildcats that’s also true of. It’s efficient and miserly on powder, a nice cross roads of bullet weight and BCs for bears, elk, and moose, and still fast enough to reach. Not going to buy one, but I won’t rag on it anymore either. It’s as decent a round as most, and better than many.
prairie lover
CGN Regular
- Location
- southern MB
shoots flatter than a 30-06? not likely. definitely cherry picked stats.
Im not most familiar with reloading but depending on your bullet choice I am sure there are some savings to be found. If you are happy with non premium ammo it can be had for ~$40 a box.
I paid $60CAD per box (google says this is around 66.75AUD per box today) for the Factory loaded AB's
I just did some google-fu and of you dont count the cost of dies + shipping of components for reloading you can save around $1 a round.
New Camper
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Lurking in the woods near SFRC.
Spomer must be on Federal’s payroll.
I had a hate on for the .338 Fed, almost as much as I do for the .45-70 for a long time. I didn’t get the round as the .308 will send the 200gr at the same speeds with CFE223, but with better BCs and SD. And still let your shoot 130s if you so desire, and find ammo anywhere.
But, I had one client bring one and had to respect the numbers. It doesn’t do anything new or different, but I’ve gone to pains to develop wildcats that’s also true of. It’s efficient and miserly on powder, a nice cross roads of bullet weight and BCs for bears, elk, and moose, and still fast enough to reach. Not going to buy one, but I won’t rag on it anymore either. It’s as decent a round as most, and better than many.
^^^
The opinion of a columnist/outdoor celebrity... and for good reason: that statement defies the logic of anyone with a basic comprehension of ballistics and ultimately Newton's Law. If it shoots "flatter and harder" than another round, it will recoil more. If it's someones favorite cartridge, just admit it instead of discrediting it and yourself. I have favorites (like the 250-3000) but don't ramble on in defiance of the laws of physics to make it's case: it's case can be made in the fact that it is a very good round up to <500lb animals and has been doing it since 1910... long before someone yesterday cloned its AI version and necked it up.
But back on topic: because I naturally oppose new fads I'm automatically biased against the latest and greatest... objectively I'm biased toward all firearms and rounds
and the heavy slow class is where I have not spent that much time. Rounds like the 358win, 45-70, 32-40, (handgun round chambered rifles) and even the new kid 338f appeal to me even though I haven't handled all of them. As a direct answer to the OPs question: for what I do, I prefer neither but if given the choice would take the 338f for having slightly better performance for the purpose I have in mind... though I despise the thought of having to wipe off fanboy drool.interesting , I cant even find any on any Shelfs online here in Aus, an 338 win mag Ammo is $90 for 20 Federal power shok, with a rare Super X for $48 ? everything else factory is in excess of $85 up ............... for a rare 338 Federal - you would be expecting to pay this much for a Box downunder.
FYI- Woodleigh makes a 338 Federal projectile in 180 Grains, (that also works awesome in the RCM) which its intended to open up at lower Velocity than the Big 338 Woodleighs.............
perfect Deer , Blackbear and Elk medicine..... an turns the Fed into a 308
perfect Deer , Blackbear and Elk medicine..... an turns the Fed into a 308
Assuming the OP reloads since he mentioned having a .458 Win mag and .45-70, I'd argue the .308 makes even more sense then the .338 Federal. One less caliber of bullets to stock and they will be cheaper, his goal is fitting in an MDT chassis and providing less meat damage than his .300 Mag up close while still reaching more than the .45-70.
If I were 20 years younger I would be buying one out of curiosity and playing with it for sure, although certainly not because of anything Ron Spomer claims. Ever seen the guy on TV? It just reinforces the impression that his writing gives me...
But today, finding myself running out of that kind of curiosity, I glance at the numbers and know that if I had a .338Fed I would be wondering why I hadn't just gotten another .358Win instead. It's tough for me to imagine a circumstance where I wouldn't prefer the .358. It's sort of like the solitary .30-30 I still own; every time I shoot it, I wonder why I am not holding one of my .45-70's instead.
Brybenn, you have always sounded like a big-bore guy; I kinda think you might feel that same kind of regret with this cartridge.
But today, finding myself running out of that kind of curiosity, I glance at the numbers and know that if I had a .338Fed I would be wondering why I hadn't just gotten another .358Win instead. It's tough for me to imagine a circumstance where I wouldn't prefer the .358. It's sort of like the solitary .30-30 I still own; every time I shoot it, I wonder why I am not holding one of my .45-70's instead.
Brybenn, you have always sounded like a big-bore guy; I kinda think you might feel that same kind of regret with this cartridge.
I do reload.
My 4570 is a double rifle and regulated for extremely short ranges although it still shoots well enough to 100 yards.
I do prefer heavier for caliber bullets going at moderate velocities even though i love my 2506 and enjoy my 300wm. I have plans to build a 275 rigby and a 375 rne so ive lost interest in rhe 358win and 708. Im looking to add a big brother to my 22lr and 223 both of which are in a mdt chassis. Hence my choices of 308 and 338federal. Currently i dont have any 338 caliber guns and realistically the lighter softer 338 bullets are at least the same amount of coin for more premium 308 bullets so cost isnt a issue. Both will allow me to reach 300 yards if i decide to hunt a marsh edge or beaver pond. The 338 fed can push equal wight bullets faster and can easily handle 225gr bullets.
I find 308 more for 150 to 180gr range personally.
Maybe the best option is to buy a barrel vise and action wrench as ill be buyin a 308 to rebarrel to 338fed.
My 4570 is a double rifle and regulated for extremely short ranges although it still shoots well enough to 100 yards.
I do prefer heavier for caliber bullets going at moderate velocities even though i love my 2506 and enjoy my 300wm. I have plans to build a 275 rigby and a 375 rne so ive lost interest in rhe 358win and 708. Im looking to add a big brother to my 22lr and 223 both of which are in a mdt chassis. Hence my choices of 308 and 338federal. Currently i dont have any 338 caliber guns and realistically the lighter softer 338 bullets are at least the same amount of coin for more premium 308 bullets so cost isnt a issue. Both will allow me to reach 300 yards if i decide to hunt a marsh edge or beaver pond. The 338 fed can push equal wight bullets faster and can easily handle 225gr bullets.
I find 308 more for 150 to 180gr range personally.
Maybe the best option is to buy a barrel vise and action wrench as ill be buyin a 308 to rebarrel to 338fed.
Likely true. I remember seeing expanded 338 bullets from a buddy shooting water jugs at 3 and 400 yards. Just cheap speer and hornady bullets from his 338 wm and comoaring them to my 308 bullets in my 300wm. I coukd easily get an extra jug or two pentration wise using 180gr woodlieghs but about equal when i sent 180gr sst bullets. More dramatic first jug splash for sure but his expanded bullets were bigger heavier and beautifully expanded. Very similar to the woodliegh to be honest at about half the cost or less. Now cut those ranges in half and skip the belted mags the 308win vs 338fed fight begins.
I have my 300wms for sending premium bullets downrange fast but 30 to 60 yard shots meat damage is extreme and that hitting power isnt needed for my desires.
I like to let more light into critters as ive found the more light that enters them the faster they die. Very similar performance as lighter faster cartridges but with out the meat damage.
I really like my T3 SS Lite - I have shot 2 deer with it using 160 TTSX at nearly 2950 fps from a 22.5 barrel and Very ACCURATE ! - I'm going to load some 185 TTSX and 185 GMX and see the results for speed and accuracy- The Federal Fusion 200 gr-ers are at 2700 fps and shoot under 3/4 " groups each and every time too ! - Pretty good for Cheaper fact ammo ! RJ
Weatherby2
CGN Regular
- Location
- British Columbia
I have a Ruger 77 in 338 fed absolutely love it! So much I sold my gunsite scout in 308. I took a nice bull moose with my 338 fed loaded with a 180 gr Accubond at 150 meters a couple years ago 1 shot is all it took. I never bought it cause it's better then the odd 6 or the 308 I got it cause it's different! And seeing as I use to own a 308 I have copious amounts of brass to use.
Last edited:
I've been hunting with a .338 wm for years and recently took some game with a lighter faster caliber for the first time. Not a ton of experience but it is what it is.
I've always done 225's for smaller animals, and 250's for elk. Never had a complaint, even with cheaper bullets in heavier weights
I'm going to rebarrel my .338 wm having sold my old lightweight one. I'm thinking of saving the take off barrel for a .338 fed in a kimber hunter with irons or a low power scope. Seems like I'm in good company
I've always done 225's for smaller animals, and 250's for elk. Never had a complaint, even with cheaper bullets in heavier weights
I'm going to rebarrel my .338 wm having sold my old lightweight one. I'm thinking of saving the take off barrel for a .338 fed in a kimber hunter with irons or a low power scope. Seems like I'm in good company
