.338 rounds
- Thread starter blindman
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john-brennan
CGN frequent flyer
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338
338 federal is a 308 necked up to 338, a 338WM is in the same family as the 7mm Rem Mag and has been around since 1958. The 338WM has about 350fps more velocity with the same weight bullet than the 338 federal. Both great calibres for hunting big game, more range and power with the 338WM.
338 federal is a 308 necked up to 338, a 338WM is in the same family as the 7mm Rem Mag and has been around since 1958. The 338WM has about 350fps more velocity with the same weight bullet than the 338 federal. Both great calibres for hunting big game, more range and power with the 338WM.
It's all about sales, sales and more sales. Ammunition manufacturer's need to come up with new stuff to keep the buying public interested. There's nothing that the new .338 Federal can do that you can't do with a good old 30-06 or a .308 period. To my knowledge, the only ones so far to chamber for it is Sako. I'd suggest that if you "must" launch a .338 bullet, than go with the
.338WM, start off with a mild load and work your way up until recoil becomes an issue.
Having said that, I too got caught up in the craze of new calibers. I bought a .270WSM a year ago. I do like it, but I wouldn't look down upon the man who shoots a standard .270 and think my gun mightier than his.
.338WM, start off with a mild load and work your way up until recoil becomes an issue.
Having said that, I too got caught up in the craze of new calibers. I bought a .270WSM a year ago. I do like it, but I wouldn't look down upon the man who shoots a standard .270 and think my gun mightier than his.
It's not really a 'new' round, it's really a revival of a very old round, the 33WCF, now in more modern guise. Case capacity is nearly identical, so really this is nothing terribly earth shattering. Take the 33WCF, and add a modern rimless case, modern pressures with modern powder and you have the 338 Federal.
Quite possibly one of the most sensible of the new cartridges lately, and it'll certainly get the job done. It lacks the glitz and blinkenlights of the other new cartridges that are much less sensible, but more sensational. I predict it'll disappear before long, which is a shame. There's no reason why this couldn't be the 'next' 30-06 among cartridges
Quite possibly one of the most sensible of the new cartridges lately, and it'll certainly get the job done. It lacks the glitz and blinkenlights of the other new cartridges that are much less sensible, but more sensational. I predict it'll disappear before long, which is a shame. There's no reason why this couldn't be the 'next' 30-06 among cartridges
Up to a point - add expansion (usually about 3 times in most bullets these days) and its more like .09 - then you have to remember that this affects the displacement wave moving around the bullet when it passes thru an animal.
It's not necessarily a huge difference, but there is a difference between a 30 cal bullet and a 338 cal bullet even if they are launched with the same energy.
agilent one: I can do the math, both I think you miss the point of the original question. He questions the difference between a .338 Federal and a .338 WM. You guys are basing your comparisons on bullet diameter. Have you considered the brass capacity differences of a .338 WM & the new Federal offering. Stuffing a .338 bullet into a .308 casing does not equal a .338 WM.
I rank the .338WM as a great long range elk cartridge. I think the .338 Federal will have a tough time fulfilling that job. Having said that, it would make a wonderful lever gun cartridge.
I rank the .338WM as a great long range elk cartridge. I think the .338 Federal will have a tough time fulfilling that job. Having said that, it would make a wonderful lever gun cartridge.
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Would fit right in with the Winchester Model 88 - the lever gun that was introduced with the .308 in 1955 and ultimately chambered the offspring .243 and .358 Win. as well as the Original Short Magnum itself, the .284 Win...gitrdun said:
Click to compare ballistics
The highly-accurate Winchester Model 88 short-throw lever-action rifle incorporated many bolt-action features, such as forward triple rotating locking lugs and a one-piece stock. Eventually, the line would be expanded with the Model 100 semi-automatic rifle as well as carbine versions of both. As owner of a .284 Model 100 carbine, it handles sweetly and speaks with real authority!
A truly excellent rifle, the shooting world was lessened when Winchester canceled the line. The .358 and .284 chamberings have the most collector value.
Mike
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Mike, thanks for the cartridge graphics. Can I get you to post one including the .338 WM & a .338-06 as compared to the .338 Fed.
I visited your website by the way, very nice. I have to do something with Java scripting and then I could have posted my own graphics comparisons. No question about it, the .338 Fed would be an awesome marriage to the old 88. Boy, what a union that would be.
I visited your website by the way, very nice. I have to do something with Java scripting and then I could have posted my own graphics comparisons. No question about it, the .338 Fed would be an awesome marriage to the old 88. Boy, what a union that would be.
