Serious Question- 338 Federal

WhelanLad said:
Good post thanks mate, interesting a gunnut at the store who will sell the Kimber barrel, also mentioned it would be best to re chamber for $150-200 into 338-06 in that Tikka.. some sort of technical issue meant the Ackley version was called for, which would lead me to Dies...... 338-06 AI Die set....where on earth?


its a top idea though!
I'm starting to like that idea, but I have a feeling the 338 Federal on the 308 case is enough powder for my needs.... that is all

WL
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Whelanlad Advertise on a couple websites and watch E-bay for a set of 338-06 Ackley Imp dies. When I was looking for a set that's what I did and I had several replies. Picked up a used set for about $ 60 delivered by mail. A T3 in 338-06 Imp would be the best of both worlds. Light enough to carry in the hills and it can be loaded down to 338 Fed ballistics or loaded up to full throttle loads for bigger game. The 338-06 Imp loaded with 210 gr partitions or 210 gr TTSX bullets will handle just about anything up to buffalo and still be flat shooting.
 
I , personally would go .358 Win before a .338 Federal. Why ? because most of the .338 bullets out there are constructed for large case capacity cartridges and higher velocity while there are lots of 35 caliber bullets suitable for a smaller capacity case like the .308.
 
The .308 is able to act like a .338 Fed at 200gr with CFE223. It's a bad load in that cartridge too, just a tad too heavy for the case, which is all the .338 Fed does. I fail to see the point of the .338 Fed as you're shooting relatively low SD bullet and you're shooting them slowly at that. Bullet diameter doesn't kill anything, let alone thirty thousandths of a inch. It's the hard way, but some folks like that path. You're giving up a wonderful cartridge in your .270. There's a reason it's been so popular, for so long, and you'd be adopting a mediocre new age marketing rifle that really does nothing new and is even arguably behind its parent.
 
Ardent said:
The .308 is able to act like a .338 Fed at 200gr with CFE223. It's a bad load in that cartridge too, just a tad too heavy for the case, which is all the .338 Fed does. I fail to see the point of the .338 Fed as you're shooting relatively low SD bullet and you're shooting them slowly at that. Bullet diameter doesn't kill anything, let alone thirty thousandths of a inch. It's the hard way, but some folks like that path. You're giving up a wonderful cartridge in your .270. There's a reason it's been so popular, for so long, and you'd be adopting a mediocre new age marketing rifle that really does nothing new and is even arguably behind its parent.
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I agree with your synopsis... unfortunately, the same argumemt would invalidate one of my personal favourites... the .358 Win.
 
haha yeah, same could almost be said for any calibre created.

seems moot points, from a hunters point of view?
the 7mm08 for instance still suffers from the same points of the 338Federal, heavier end projectiles chewing too much powder space for higher numbers on paper.
the minor differences in bullet size from 243-260-284-30 ?




tossing up still... undicded as it gets. not rushing
 
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WhelanLad said:
haha yeah, same could almost be said for any calibre created.

seems moot points, from a hunters point of view?
the 7mm08 for instance still suffers from the same points of the 338Federal, heavier end projectiles chewing too much powder space for higher numbers on paper.
the minor differences in bullet size from 243-260-284-30 ?




tossing up still... undicded as it gets. not rushing
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At one time, I had rifles chambered for the whole .308 case family... duplication? Yes, for sure... but they were in different platforms and had their purposes... now, I am down to .243/.308/.358... but have a new 7-08 on the way... it will likely not stick around long though. For the Eastern hunting that I primarily do, I could happily live with .243/.308/.358 and nothing else... same case but clear niches for Eastern species and scenarios. If I was primarily a Western (or maybe NZ) hunter, I might completely disagree with this opinion.
 
Ardent said:
The academics and common sense side kill all the fun anyhow. :p I'd be more disappointed than anyone if I had to run with what makes the most sense, as it's always boring.
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Good post, my belief too.
When I had my 700 Ti re-barreled to 270 / 08 I was continually asked " why ? " To which I replied " why not ? "
The general consensus was that I should have gone 7 mm / 08..
 
Ardent said:
The academics and common sense side kill all the fun anyhow. :p I'd be more disappointed than anyone if I had to run with what makes the most sense, as it's always boring.
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Got that fookin' right.:)

For me, the .338's are just plain fun to work with and when folks have some decent boolit moulds made for 'em in weights from 200-300 gr. the rewards can be most gratifying in shooting pleasure as well as putting meat in the freezer.

I wish Pedersoli would make their 86/71 lever gun in .33 Winchester for folks that do CAS or love to play with the oldies. Better yet, some company should bring back the H&R single shot rifle and include the chambering in a classic, Buffalo Hunter style rifle that would be affordable to many more shooters.;)

WL,

CBE in yer country makes a nice 250 gr. boolit mould that would work well for the .338 Fed in a Tikka
seein' that it be a standard length action. Cast 'em hard for best results, say 25 BHN.:)

http://www.castbulletengineering.com.au/bullet-moulds/rifle/338-calibre

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