Was the 338 Fed ever a main battle rifle cartridge? Those do hang around for a while.
Of course not. Although I don't own one, I consider the .338 Fed to be a fine cartridge, particularly for people who don't reload but want a want a hefty bullet at moderate velocities with moderate recoil. Federal lists 200g Trophy Bonded and 210g Partition bullets at bullets at 2630fps. According to Federal, both retain over 2000fps and 1500fpe at 400 yards.
Most game is taken well under 400 yards. Since I started hunting big game in 1982, I've only taken 2 shots of 400 yards or more and certainly wouldn't feel undergunned if carrying a .338 Fed. The older I get, though, the more I appreciate cartridges with moderate recoil. Hodgdon lists a 180g AccuBond load at 2746fps. While this is more of a 350 yard load based on 2000fps/1500fpe, it will do virtually everything I need done with less recoil than a .30-06.
Using the same (admittedly arbitrary) 2000fps/1500fpe limits, let's compare my 22" barreled .338WM loads to Hodgdon's .338 Fed loads for a 24" barrel.
.300WM, 225g AB, 2742fps
2000fps = 505 yards
1500fpe = 710 yards
33.8 ft/lbs recoil
.338Fed, 225g AB, 2515fps
2000fps = 360 yards
1500fpe= 565 yards
23.9 ft/lbs recoil
Given that most of my game has been taken under 325 yards and that the .338Fed/225g AB at 2515 fps MV retains over 2000fps and 2000fpe at that range, that load would have done just fine. I, for one, hope the .338 Fed survives.
