Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Is the new 338 federal caliber here to stay

I got a hunch it has something to do with better bullets, flatter trajectories, and less recoil.

The Kimber Montana kept the WSMs alive - they make no sense in a M-70 or 700. Also, bullets get better every day - the TSX line makes lighter cartridges more viable every day. And who knows what's around the corner?

The 338-08 had a good reputation before Federal picked it up. CNC machinery has changed the gun business as much as scope sights did, so who knows? There is no reason for the 338 Federal NOT to survive.


Okie John

Larry,

It's a 1-10 3-groove PacNor -- the original Ruger barrel in the RSI is too skinny to rebore to .338. Jim did the rebarrel and rest of the work. Haven't shot it yet, but I like it pretty well .

Shooting will come this week, weather permitting.

DN

Mid South has 338 Federal Fusion 200 grain bullets for $22.95 a box, buy 100 dollars worth shoot them and you have brass for a long while. Does anyone know if this round operates at any higher pressure than a 308?

I'm for betting that it does as the couple of buds that I have that are working with the round can't get to the speeds that were reported via the gun write ups.

Go figure.

Dober

I think you should post that zebra heart one more time to make it an even Bakers-dozen while you tout your TSX...grin...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the .338 Federal performance numbers unobtainable with the powders available to us mere mortals???

If that's the case, then the round is basically useless to handloaders, sad to say.

scott

That's not the case as for as I know. I believe that you are thinking about the Ruger 338 RCM

Just letting people see what happened............

Dober,
+1 on that. Try to match their velocity on a 140 grain 7WSM load!
Marty

RSY, long ago I built a 6BR, 6.5/308, and also stuffed a 200 ballistic tip 338, into a 308 case, been sitting in my desk for about 10 years if not more, while I had a 338/06.

I have to say, there was a guy LONG ago, written up in Precision shooting IIRC that did a 338/08, perhaps Roy Smith-M88 lever as at the time, no partition existed for a 358 IIRC, later Ken Waters and others built them, BEFORE it was factory loaded with 'magical mystery pixie dust=SPECIAL POWDERS' as the round was deemed viable, and did very well in testing including on game.

To say the 338 federal is useless is not correct IMHO. It has a place, and w/in 300 yds, I'd shoot any moose, deer, black bear, or elk with a good 185x, 210 x, 210 partition, 225gr, and perhaps even the 200 hornady-even on the big stuff. Let's face it......handgunners have been killing LARGE game with bullets not much heavier at speeds less than half the 338 federal. It is not a whimp, it stands on its merits despite taking a back seat to larger ctgs. Just because it does not hit 3,000 fps does not mean the game will refuse to fall/drop when hit right.

Good 200 zero I'd suspect would put you on a hold that is never a hair over the backline on deer or larger at 300 yds. That is further than MOST game is shot, or most should be shot at by a majority of hunters. Remove the sandbags and see how people do under stress, cold weather, etc. etc. Anything the '06 has done, I think the 338 federal can do on large game w/in 300 yds. Same vs the 358, just using say 25 grains less lead to equal fps and SD and killing effect is little different I'd strongly believe.

I agree. It surely is not useless.

But, again, as a handloader, it is definitely useless to me, putting it lightly, if my handloads can't match the factory offerings.

scott

Well Scott, I hate to tell you, but if 50 fps or so is going to change the outcome of what you are doing, look at the RCM, 338/06, or Win Mag version. I have serious doubt about so called, factory load specs being unobtainable by handloaders. I think Hornady does as much as far as HOW they pack powder in a case, as much as WHAT pixie dust they use. Nothing magical as far as I am concerned.

Think of all the 308 and 30-06 shooters who have done fine ALL these years before the light magnum and high energy loads came out! A non issue in the real world as we are talking very little difference.

My buddy had some Federal 280 160 gr accubonds, such a HIGH tech bullet and guess what, from his 24" Custom shop 700, his load clocked a mere 2625 over my chrony. I say heck, my 708 could EASILY do that, yet he busted a big fat hog with it, hog never argued, died fast, true long shot trajectory will be affected, but what the 338 federal is designed to do, trust me, if you use top loads with available powders you will get plenty good ballistics, just remember, MANY factory loads never shoot to spec. When Rem 260/140 gr came out, spec at 2750, yet reality had them 200-250fps or more SLOWER. That is a big difference-one where reloading would HELP. Don't buy the hype of all the marketing efforts. Some is just that.....

To me while matching factory offerings is a goal to work toward (or better) it does not mean that the handload I make is useless if I cannot match the factory load. A 210 grain 338 caliber bullet at 2500 FPS is reasonable in my mind.

It really escapes me as to why Ruger chambered the 338 Federal in a 16 1/2" barrel.

Handy is one thing , emasculating the cartridge is another! I will probably buy a rifle chambered in 338 Federal with a 22" barrel. I am enamored with the Remington Model 7 since it is a lightweight, not prohibitively priced rifle, but would like it to be offered witha 21-22" barrel.

Well, 65BR and jimmyp, I have to admit that it's really not an issue of FPS. It's more on the principle of what I see as another in a series of recent attempts by the ammo companies to marginalize handloaders by introducing rounds with performance we can't duplicate. Maybe far-fetched, but it bothers me.

Now, with regard to the .338 Federal, I also have to admit that when it was first introduced I began secretly hoping for a Ruger No. 1 International in .338 Fed. It probably will never happen, but my interest in the round was indeed piqued.

jpg,(and others),I've had NO problems getting either of my 338Feds to shoot faster than factory advertised velocities. That is baloney about "secret,factory only" powders. Canister powders are working fine. Get one and go out and play. By the way, when did us guys start asking each other if it's OK to buy this or that gun? Kinda getting to sound like a bunch of gals--"Do you think I should buy these shoes or those shoes? What will Ethel think? Will they work with my outfit?" Love,338 Federal. P.S. Factory 210 partitions give me 2504fps.Enjoy your new toy!

Good Post 338F, now tell me what barrel length, gun, powder and bullet are you using?? I want to go this way as I want to shoot 180's fast 90% of the time and heavier fast as well. I am stuck at home today due to Turkey and being rained out this AM, I heard a deer blow just when my silly sister called me at 7:00AM, we keep our cell phones on vibrate in case one of us has an emergency..so buzz went the phone, and the deer blew above me. Finally the rain this AM conswaided me to forget another blue gun and get the SS Montana. By the way Ethel can't shoot for beans anyway..

Awesome!! Love the cal/gun package!

I have the 300wsm and would in a heart beat get the 338fed/325wsm/or a 308 if I was looking!! Nice real nice!

RSY, I understand your thoughts, and at the SHOT show '07 RUGER planned to make a 1A, but I like you would prefer the handier RSI, as I had one in 243 that was SWEET and .6-.8 moa accurate at 200 yds with a 6x Swaro.

I personally don't care for the super short bbl rugers but there must be people who like the size, for me the blast alone would deter me, let alone I like 19-22" for a mid bore, with good expansion ration ie. 338F or 358.