I'm pretty much sold on a 338 Federal. I would like something that shoots a bigger pill then my 270. This will be a moose elk gun only. I don't think I feel confident taking any shots past 300 because my local range doesn't have this distance to practice. Not interested in a 300wm 30-06, 308. Had them all and went back to the 270. I also am not a fan of violent snappy recoil(magnum rounds). From everything I've read sounds like the 338 Federal is the gun for me. Anyone got any better options or opinions?
338 Federal
- Thread starter billyc
- Start date
I have one in a Tikka wood blue, which is a little heavier than the synthetic model. The recoil is heavier than my 06 and 7 rem mag, that is using 215 gr game kings. I would suggest you fire one before you decide, because you seem to indicate you dont care for heavy recoil. My rifle is a tack driver and im happy with it. It hasnt been blooded yet but by all accounts its a thumper.
My bride really liked the Kimber Montana she took her deer with last fall in 338 Fed. Rifle balances nicely, nice trigger, feeding. Super light yet the recoil is not bad. Fed some 200gr pills I'd say your Elk are in trouble.
As far as recoil goes I have no problems with slugs turkey loads and other rifles. But I had a Synthetic T3 in 300wm which was downright violent. I don't imagine the hockey puck pad helped. From what I've read this is more on par with a 30-06.
Nope. I had one in a T3 synthetic and recoil was stiff. It kicked more then any 06 I ever owned and was actually worse then a .300 Winchester. In fact that cartridge in that rifle kicked more like my .300 Weatherby.
MuleyMadness
Regular
- Location
- Kamloops, BC
That's interesting...I have a T3 Lite s/s in .300wm with a limbsaver on the back and still find the recoil to be considerably heavier than my friend's 338 fed in the same rifle (and his has the hockey puck). Can't compare it to an 06, but to my shoulder the quick snap recoil was definitely more noticeable than the 338fed.
Best bet is to try it out, but the above experience is the exception to what everyone I have spoke to about the round says and my own personal experience.
I have one in a tikka T3 and I have a limbsaver recoil pad on it and am shooting 215 sierra bullets and I don't find it much worse as far as recoil goes than my old husky 270. It shoots well with the 215 but I think I'm going to try the 180 accubonds this year just to flatten out the trajectory a bit.
Bottom line...I really like mine, plus, not everybody else has one so it's still a little different.
Bottom line...I really like mine, plus, not everybody else has one so it's still a little different.
Wrong Way
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Come on! "the same recoil as a 300 weatherby"? Puleeeze!
I shoot a little tiny Ruger Frontier in 338 fed, and the round is a pussycat. I'd put the recoil at 270 win levels......*maybe* 30-06.....but comparing it to the magnums and supermagnums? That's just silly.
I shoot a little tiny Ruger Frontier in 338 fed, and the round is a pussycat. I'd put the recoil at 270 win levels......*maybe* 30-06.....but comparing it to the magnums and supermagnums? That's just silly.
It's all in the pad. I was at the range one day when I had that rifle and two guys came down, one had a T3 in .300 WSM with a limbsaver on it. We traded rifles for a few shots and his was a pussycat to shoot and I quite enjoyed it, he hated mine.
That's exactly what I said, and I didn't stutter.
I have a T3 in .338 Win Mag. and it doesnt kick like a .300 Wby ( a caliber I also own) Never mind the Anemic little .338 fed.
savage express
CGN Regular
- Location
- In a house built outside
I've got a Thompson Center in .338 Federal with a 19" barrel that weighs 6lbs. Also have a .338 Win Mag that weighs 10lbs. The Federal is no where near the recoil of the Win Mag.
I can fire off the Federal all day long and not be bothered. Where as the Win Mag, 20-30 rds and I'm good.
I can fire off the Federal all day long and not be bothered. Where as the Win Mag, 20-30 rds and I'm good.
If the OP is interested, this was a project I did with the fed.
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223976&highlight=moose+bucket
http://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223976&highlight=moose+bucket
Mine is a Tikka T3 Lite Stainless model . Get one and use the Federal Premium 185gr Barnes Triple shock load and don't look back. It dumps deer and elk just as fast if not faster than anything else I've ever used. Very impressive ! !! !
Nice post. From that test I think I'm sold on the caliber
- Location
- British Canuckistan
I had the opportunity to shoot a 35 Whelen...recoil was much lighter then my 30.06 and it's a 'bigger pill', so you might like to consider it.
- Location
- Somewhere on the Hudson Bay Coast
A 9.3X57 or a 9.3X62 would completely outclass the .338 Fed in terms of performance and versatility, and do so with manageable recoil. Check them out at Tradex.
own one in a t3 lite stainless , slinging 210 gr, doesn't kick so much as it jumps. but recoil more than an 06.
handloads are very cheap as no need for premium bullets with moderate impact velocities. and very low powder consumption.
.308 brass reforms nice. but now federal sells .338 brass.
shoots faster than an 06 with less powder , smaller case and a bigger hole.
handloads are very cheap as no need for premium bullets with moderate impact velocities. and very low powder consumption.
.308 brass reforms nice. but now federal sells .338 brass.
shoots faster than an 06 with less powder , smaller case and a bigger hole.
Ive owned two, a Sako 85 and currently a Ruger m77 Hawkeye SS. Great cartridge, should fit your needs very well. As for recoil, I find it more similar to a 280 or 30-06. I have a 8.5 lb 8mm Mag which I assume would recoil about the same as a 300 Wby Mag, and it's a heck of alot more jam than the 338f. I used to mainly shoot 210tsx/215 Sierra in the Sako at 2625 fps, and in the Ruger Im shooting 185gr Barnes TTSX (velocity yet to be determined, waiting for the past 7 months to get the new McMillan stock!)
