338 Federal

7

700-223

CGN Regular
Rating - 100%
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Location
Edmonton
Just figured out that I should get rid of a couple of rifles, which inevitably had me looking at what new rifle I'd like. Just decided I'd like to get a Tikka in 338 federal but it seems the cartridge is on it's way out and I don't reload.

Have a Tikka T3 compact lite in 243 and would really like another relatively light shorter barreled hunting rifle with a bit more killing power. I have a 26" 7 mm rem mag but would like something a little shorter. Was thinking I'd look for one in a few years but it seems like they might not be around. Anybody who's using this caliber have any comments? I'm thinking of it mostly as a bear/moose rifle. How's ammo availability?
 
I have a 338 fed in a t3 and a 336 06 in a rem custom. both are reloader calibres these days. did see 338 fed ammo at reliable and I believe it was in the $43 range. both are great all round deer to moose rifles.
 
The 338 Federal is a great cartridge. Like you mention it isn't all that popular and can be extremely difficult to find.

If you want a lot more thump at the target but don't want the added recoil, the 338Fed has a lot more felt recoil than the 243, go to a 7-08 or the venerable 308win.

As far as your 243, if you do your part it will cleanly take any animal in North America. The two I mentioned will do it as well. Nothing can trump a properly placed shot.
 
If you want a 338 Federal go for it. Ammo is still readily available. Buy a few cases and it should last a lifetime. I was in the same boat as you. I don't reload either. I went the 338/06 route though. I have a few cases of ammo on order as we speak. I figured if I shoot 10 rounds a year that's 20 years worth of ammo. I will worry about reloading or finding more then. Also after you have a good stock pile nothing wrong with adding to it. Canadian tire even stocks 338 federal ammo. Good luck!
 
For what it's worth 338 Fed is still made but few dealers now bring it in. I just checked our inventory and we only have a few boxes in inventory but their at old (2 years ago) pricing, Fusion 200 grain @$35 and Fed Premium 210 grain Partition @$49. When we placed our Federal order last year we just skipped over this caliber as I think most other dealers did as well. Buy enough now while it's here and plan to reload for the future. Phil.
 
I know.

On that note....would any kind of conically shaped mandrel work, like in a 21st century expander?

Was just hoping for proper head stamps, etc.
 
Thanks for all the help everyone. Love the idea of the 338 federal and having a lighter medium bore with reasonable recoil, but they do seem to be pretty rare at this point. Don't want a savage, and have not been able to find any rifles or reloading dies thus far, only factory ammo at a few places and a I don't even reload anyway!

Would fill a nice gap between my lightweight 243 and my 7mm RM which is about 9 lbs with a 26" barrel if I manage to find one...
 
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