338 Federal
- Thread starter ldemeo
- Start date
Its a neat caliber, for some reason it seems to be a really efficient round in regards to powder usage vs. velocity, well at least on paper anyways.
So for instance, for the 338 fed google gives : 180 grain accubond at 2,830 fps, or a 210gr partition at 2,630
now compare to a typical 30-06 180 grain core-lokt at 2700 fps, or a 220gr RN at 2,500.
or to a 338 win mag with 225 grain SP at 2,800fps.
Bang for the buck, it has pretty good velocities, and having a bigger footprint helps to push it out the tube quick/er in comparison to the 30-06, the only con I see is that the .308 diameter bullet should retain energy/speed a bit better out to a distance, but then again there is lots of bullet selection for the .338, so if you want to shoot up to moderate distances a partition should drop game easily, and if you want to go a bit further to match the capability of say a 30-06 or 270 then there is rounds like the LR accubond, bergers TTSX's etc.
Now add to the fact that you can get this in a shorter/lighter action with a shorter barrel, which should be cheaper to reload then similar larger brass, to me it has a lot of things going for it.
I should say, I never owned own, but this is just my take on the caliber.
So for instance, for the 338 fed google gives : 180 grain accubond at 2,830 fps, or a 210gr partition at 2,630
now compare to a typical 30-06 180 grain core-lokt at 2700 fps, or a 220gr RN at 2,500.
or to a 338 win mag with 225 grain SP at 2,800fps.
Bang for the buck, it has pretty good velocities, and having a bigger footprint helps to push it out the tube quick/er in comparison to the 30-06, the only con I see is that the .308 diameter bullet should retain energy/speed a bit better out to a distance, but then again there is lots of bullet selection for the .338, so if you want to shoot up to moderate distances a partition should drop game easily, and if you want to go a bit further to match the capability of say a 30-06 or 270 then there is rounds like the LR accubond, bergers TTSX's etc.
Now add to the fact that you can get this in a shorter/lighter action with a shorter barrel, which should be cheaper to reload then similar larger brass, to me it has a lot of things going for it.
I should say, I never owned own, but this is just my take on the caliber.
I do own one... In a stubbed H&R Ultra... I have the whole .308 family and it is indeed a very efficient caliber as are all of the .308 case calibers. It is a relatively light recoiling caliber that does well in shorter barrel lengths and lighter guns... Mine has a 20" tube with a medium #4 taper and is definitely NOT light, but due to its compactness it carries and handles well... For moose and sometimes bear, this is the go to gun (well, its kinda a toss up between the 338F and the 35W)... As mentioned above, there is a nice assortment of bullets available and if you reload, you probably already have good powders to load for it. I think you will really enjoy the gun and caliber as long as you appreciate what it brings to the table and don't get caught up in the "one upping" syndrome.
Built one on a Rem 760, 20" barrel. only had it for a short while, another member has it now. great cartridge for the game you hunt, using 200-225gr pills. I recall the 225gr interlock doing 2400+. A 210gr partition would be perfect.
If you are going to use lighter than 200gr, might as well get a .308
If you are going to use lighter than 200gr, might as well get a .308
It's one of the many answers to unasked questions. If you opt for buying the rifle, buy as much brass as you can afford at the same time. Even if you don't reload now. The firearms company marketing types tend to discontinue stuff with no regard for their existing customers. Having a bunch of brass means you won't end up with a rifle you can't get ammo for.
I heard it was already dead as far as factory ammo goes.................yes/no? Completely irrelevant if you reload or have a buddy who does. I prefer the 358 Win myself or even better the 350 RM. Both give the option of using jacketed pistol bullets for reduced loads and plinking or popping the heads off grouse while looking for a swamp donkey. The 358 will give even better velocities with 180-200-225 gn bullets due to the greater base dia but at the loss of SD. The 338 Fed is a ballistic twin but I think the 358 is a superior cartridge with greater potential and versatility.
the 210 grain partition is a great answer for that caliber.
Doug,
I have been always tempted by the 350rem mag but still don't have the guts to try ....
I know that a lot of older guys (with respect) love the 358 win .... but again the brass lol ...
Well... Here's the deal... I mentioned the concept of "one upping" above. With just about every cartridge choice you might make, there will be one or two or three better... There has to be other more subjective and intangible criteria at play when we make firearm choices. For me I combined two loves... H&R Handi rifles (goes back to when I was a kid reading the bible... The S.I.R Catalogue!) And my love for the .308 case. I already owned Handi rifles in .243, 7mm-08 and .308 (and a couple dozen others) and I wanted to fill out the family, but H&R did not make a 6.5mm or .338... So I resorted to "stubbing" and created the .338F Ultra and 6.5-08 Ultra... You can probably guess what's coming in the not-too-distant future... But first I am rechambering a Handi Hornet to a distant cousin of the .308... The .22 BR Remington (via 6BR and .308X1.5")... None of these guns were chosen for a purely "ballistic" reason, although they are all fine cartridges in their own right. They all have pet loads and see daylight often, and I smile when they go bang.
Not dead yet when I was looking at buying my 350 I found ammo for the 338 fed everywhere and for a decent price
CreamySmooth
CGN frequent flyer
I just bought a Kimber 84M in the discontinued .338 Fed. Love it. Shoots well, kick is similiar to a 180 grn .30-06 so I don't find it bad. Especially considering its in a 5pd2oz rifle.
Ammo is available at the big stores. Brass is Federal and Nosler only I believe, and I couldn't find Nosler so I picked up 100 Fed brass (Gold Medal my a$$... had to be sized out of the bag...). But Cabelas has brass available for 28 bucks a bag. Bullets are easy of course.
You won't be disappointed in a Kimber. I only put a 1.5 to 4.5 Nikon Monarch on it as it isn't intended for as a target rifle is my bush moose/elk gun. But I have been shooting sub inch 3 round groups out of a Lead Sled with it, so it is accurate for it's uses. Barrels really thin so I don't shoot more than 3 at a time.
Overall it's an A+ gun/round combination.
Ammo is available at the big stores. Brass is Federal and Nosler only I believe, and I couldn't find Nosler so I picked up 100 Fed brass (Gold Medal my a$$... had to be sized out of the bag...). But Cabelas has brass available for 28 bucks a bag. Bullets are easy of course.
You won't be disappointed in a Kimber. I only put a 1.5 to 4.5 Nikon Monarch on it as it isn't intended for as a target rifle is my bush moose/elk gun. But I have been shooting sub inch 3 round groups out of a Lead Sled with it, so it is accurate for it's uses. Barrels really thin so I don't shoot more than 3 at a time.
Overall it's an A+ gun/round combination.
It is most certainly possible via a rebore/rechamber or barrel stub... I would (and did) stub to get my 6.5... I looked at the Swede as I have a couple in bolt actions, but stayed with the .308 case theme. I also considered (and still may) doing a Creedmore. My 6.5-08 is in a custom black maple bench mannlicher.
Despite firearms and hunting being a passionate hobby of mine, working in a gun store for a few years and being on this forum a few years I have never heard the term barrel stubbing until now. Looked up the process online, cool! I also never knew there was such a following around the H&R, I've always just seen them as economical, ugly but functional little things. I just had a bit of an awakening as some people have put a lot of effort into some H&R projects and they really turned out well. Looks like I have a new found respect for those handi-rifles. Learn something new everyday.
Oh yes indeed, there is quite a following for these rifles...
http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php?board=126.0
I just got a new TIKKA T3 SS in the 338 Federal - i also have a 358 Win in a BLR - I disagree with you about the cartridges - I think the 338 FED is the SUPERIOR cartridge to the 358 Win with the MUCH BETTER choice of Higher BC's & SD's bullets avail to handloaders ! Also there is MUCH more factory ammo avail for the 338 FEDERAL !
Just MHO ! RJ
I don't know about ugly...
In stock form they are a little homely. Great work on that stock, good looking compact package there.
