.338 federal, looking for first hand experience/ feedback

cody c

cody c

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I'm looking at actually buying a left handed .338 federal, on paper it looks like a really efficient round. Power similar to the 30-06, maybe better knock down with larger bullets available and plentiful reloading options.

Does anyone have some feedback on how's this caliber has performed for them, specifically longer shots (200-400 yards)? As well as knock down performance at these kind of ranges?

Any other feedback on real world experience with it? Is it a caliber you could be happy with for the rest of your life or would you be happier with a 9.3x62 or a .270 or something, most of my hunting is big game in central or northern Alberta.

I understand availability for .270 or 30-06 is much better obviously, but sourcing ammo locally and acquiring a large stock is not a problem for me.
 
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hi mate.. im not an owner. although I do own a .35 Whelen and a .308 win.. and .270w.

in my opinion one 338 federal will do what all of the above will do, out to 350m with practise and placed shots. im also a LH shooter an if I sold all the RH guns to buy one, I would go for a .338 Federal. versatile round and esp in Canada, slightly bigger animals on average than down under. I used the Whelen on buffalo and would do so with a 338 fed in close.

id have no trouble with a 308 for life either... same same but a bit different.

Cheers

WL
 
I always had interest in this round just never really needed here in Ontario other than maybe Black bear hunting over the bait.
Lots of punch and able to have it in lightweight rifle(not that i need one for BB hunt.but...)for someone that hunt maybe elk or some other game with stalking i think it would be great round.
I wonder is there going to be some more responses since always nice to hear hunters opinion on these kinda of topic instead Craig Bodington or other writers where there is no bad round once they are writing an article in Guns and Ammo or other magazines.
Not that i have anything against them but anyone can google the facts versus hearing firsthand experience from someone who actually paid money and intend to use it for hunting is something else other than just firing box or two ammo on the range for an article sake

Would i be happy with this round for all my life,probably not.
Great round but probably not sharing top of my list.
 
I have owned two .338 Fed's, both Ruger's, an M77 Hawkeye and an M77 MKII Frontier. They were both very accurate rifles in that chambering. I liked the availability of quality bullets.... I ran 200's and 225's. I shot one deer with the .338 Fed Frontier... it reacted like I would expect from a lung shot deer, 30 yard dash and pile up... bullet not recovered, very little meat damage. I have sold both Fed's as I have been downsizing and decided to stick with my .308's and .358's. With the limited case capacity and heavier bullets, I don't feel that the Fed is a 400 yard cartridge... it can do it, but it is in its niche as a medium range option, IMO.
 
The 338 Federal and 8x57JS Mauser are very similar in performance with the 200-225 gr class. When you compare a 8mm 200gr Nosler Partion at 2600fts vs. .338 210 Partion at 2630 theres very little difference when you look at charts up to 400 yards. The 220 gr at 2520fts out of the 8mm does overtake the 210 when it reaches the 200 yard mark, not that it will make a difference. In saying that they almost look like ballistic twins on paper. I've shot quite a few of animals with the 8MM and I myself would consider the 338 to do the same and preform just as well or maybe better for different scenarios. In my opinion its a great 200-400 yard round with the proper bullet. This is one of the cartridges that makes sense to have, that has come out in the past decade. (Low recoil, powerful, efficient on powder and short action.)

8x57:220gr.

Indices Range 0 -400 yards
Range 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Velocity - fps 2520 2437 2356 2276 2198 2122 2047 1974 1902
Energy - ft.-lbs. 3102 2901 2711 2530 2360 2199 2047 1903 1768
Momentum - lbs-sec 2.45 2.37 2.29 2.22 2.14 2.07 1.99 1.92 1.85
Path - in. -1.5 1.2 2.4 2.0 0.0 -3.8 -9.6 -17.4 -27.5




338 Fed with 210

Indices Range 0 -400 yards
Range 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400
Velocity - fps 2630 2521 2416 2312 2212 2114 2019 1926 1836
Energy - ft.-lbs. 3225 2964 2720 2493 2281 2083 1900 1730 1572
Momentum - lbs-sec 2.44 2.34 2.24 2.15 2.06 1.96 1.88 1.79 1.71
Path - in. -1.5 1.1 2.2 1.9 0.0 -3.7 -9.4 -17.1 -27.3
 
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I've wanted a .338federal in a semi auto , tactical/hunting/survival rifle set up for some time now.
A friend loaned me a ruger 77 custom in .338 federal and I've been shooting it on paper to 300 and been really impressed. Recoil is not a concern for me with the 225gr handloads he gave me to shoot with it.
I'd like to have one for elk hunting in BC grizz country. The short action is a plus and the bullet selection gives it a serious edge, in a potentially very light and very powerful set up
I am currently saving my coin to get a titanium pierce action to do a .338federal build. probably be winter before I get serious on having it put together.
I'm also eagerly watching the entry into the market of the new Modern Hunter semi auto by ATRS , which if my guess is right, would make for an outstanding package in .338federal...... I may go that route as well.
 
I've always been amazed at the ballistics of the 225gr and 250gr bullets in a .338 Win Mag cartridge and I've always thought that
the 225gr .338 Federal would be an interesting choice, but the Ammo manufactures all seem to think that the 210gr is the max for
the .338 Federal cartridge. Why is that?
 
I've shot 2 bull elk with mine so far using 185gr TSX handloads (not the ideal load for the .338 Federal imho, I'd rather use the 210gr) and they both dropped on the spot. One was at approx 65yds frontal shot, the other approx 125yds broadside.
 
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