Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters Real world experiences with the 338 Federal

The cheap AE 185gn SP loads are a good source for brass.

Not too shabby at the range or on deer either...

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I love my 338 Federal. Killed my first couple of deer with it this year. My buck was at about 30 yards and I killed a doe at a lasered 303 yards. Perfect performance on both.

I used the 160TTSX ahead of 8208. My load only pushes the bullet at about 2850fps, but is extremely accurate from my Ruger. I can find more speed, but I stuck with accuracy.

I'll be using the rifle again this weekend to bust another doe or two. I really like the cartridge...

Picture of the buck...



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Yea, but I wouldn't shoot at a critter 300 yards away with it..

I'll give you lessons:)

Those 160s work real well! Nice buck!

It wasn't too many years ago that you could get a basic blued Tikka in .338 Federal for a song. I will always regret not getting one. I was just too enamored with the .338 WM and RCM to think straight.

My experience with .338 Fed was limited to shooting a few hogs, which were dispatched with admirable efficiency. The cartridge certainly has a reputation for punching above its weight class, particularly among true believers pushing Partitions down the barrel. I believe it MIGHT have been the late Greg Rodriguez who told me he used a .338 Fed extensively in cropping a chitload of Kudu, and he found it well-suited to that purpose. I believe he was shooting factory ammo, but unfortunately, I don't recall what it was...

It is most likely going away, not too many chambered in new rifles now. I bought my Tikka T3 cheap $400, it does what Tikka's do, accurate no issues. It is my rough use hunting rifle that just plain flat works. No particular attachment, like a good tool, a good hammer. It will stick around, as it is a go to, proven to get the job done. So far only deer and a hog. Have used the 185TSX but may now try some others.

Greg Rodriguez told me at the time that he used the 200 Fusion load.

That sounds about right. I just couldn't remember for certain. That certainly speaks well of the Fusion load.

Does anyone remember what mag MD's article about .338 Fed VS .358 Win was in? I'd like to get a copy.
Thanks!

Here Teeder-Handloader August 2008 #254

Awesome! Thanks!

Barnes X bullets, called this one in to 50 yards.

I've taken 3 whitetail bucks with my E.R.Shaw MK VII in 338 federal. Three bucks and three different loads. On the first buck I used the factory fusion ammo. The deer was a nice seven point buck standing at about 90 yards. The bullet entered the base of the neck and exited the off side ribs. The deer actually ran after the shot but didn't make it far. The second deer was also a seven point. This time I uses a 200 gr hornady interlock, 47 gr of 8208, CCI #200. The bullet was set .01 from the lands and went 2665 fps. The deer stood broadside at 13 steps! The bullet entered mid chest and exited low and just behind the offside front leg. It turned out to be a heart shot. The deer ran about 30 yards and fell over dead. The blood trail was unreal. The third buck I took just a few days ago. The load was 185 gr TTSX, 48 gr 8208, CCI #200. The bullet was ser .03 from the lands and went 2770 fps. The six point buck stood facing my at about 30 yards. The bullet entered the base of the neck and traveled almost the entire length of the deer. He dropped like a rock where he stood. I recovered the bullet in the bottom round while butchering him up. Here's a few photos of the bullet. It looks like it worked as advertised.

Obie what was the final price of that rifle? powdr

I don't remember exectly what the rifle cost and i can't find my receipt at the moment. The price was about $1000. I placed my order in December 2010 and I got the rifle ten months later. I was looking for a rife in 338 fed. i saw a few nice rifles chambered in 338 fed. but nothing I liked was offered left handed. I saw a few favorable articles in magazines on the mk. VII so I thought I would take a look at their web page. There's a nice gun builder feature on their page and after seeing some of the options I was sold. It's a great rifle and for what you get I thought the price was pretty reasonable.

Nice looking rifle! What's the barrel length?

22" 2.5 contour with helical fluting. Here's the gun builder link.
http://www.ershawbarrels.com/build-your-e-r-shaw-mk-VII-rifle.htm