Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Is the 338 Federal on a come back tour?

I see where Savage is now chambering rifles in 338 Federal. That's a first for them as far as I am aware of.

I have a Tikka T3 and a Ruger 77HE in 338 Federal and like them both very much.

Yeah, I think Savage offers several platforms that will make a good 338Federal rifle. They're already known for their accuracy so chambering for the 338F should just be more of a good thing. powdr

That about sums it up perfectly!

Unlike some here, I really hope that it does come back stronger now. I had one in a Sako when it first came out and I never should have sold that rifle! It is the rifle I most regret selling.

It is an excellent, short-action cartridge that makes a whole lot of practical sense. Truly a useful round for people who want a .338 bore in a shorter package, without all the recoil of the Win Mag. As I recall, mine would chronograph right at 2,670 fps with 210 grain Nosler Partitions and that bullet would penetrate extremely well at that velocity - yet as all Partitions do, would mushroom beautifully.

As I recall, Dave Petzal called it something like, "A brief moment of sanity" in rifle cartridge development.

True, the .338 Federal doesn't really do much more (anything?) that a 30-06 with 200 grain Partitions at around 2,600 fps can't do... besides fit in a short action and maybe be a bit lighter in equal rifles. But it is nice to have something that not every Tom, Dick and Harry has in the gun cabinet.

I've never understood why being 'different' with rifle cartridges was such a big deal.

He I got a rifle in XYZ and no one else in my club has one chambered for that. Who gives a [bleep]?

The Barnes TTSX 160gr bullet is listed at almost 3100fps in the Barnes reload data with AA2230 powder. So I am loading some and starting with 51gr of the AA2230 to see where it falls from my DPMS LR338 Federal. Hoping to get around 3000fps from the 18" barrel. Soon as the weather improves I will test some.

I don't know who said it was a "big deal" but being able to have individual choices, likes and dislikes is one of greatest freedoms we Americans have. It isn't about bragging rights, or whatever it is that you seem to trying to express - at least not for me. I hunt primarily alone and don't belong to "clubs". That said, I truly appreciate things that are unique or a bit different. Isn't that a big part of what being a gun loony is all about?

Amen brother!

You need one to call your own.

Yes, I think you're right!

Battue set your eyes on one of the new 6 variations Savage is going to make this year. That or find you a Tikka T3 and rock on. powdr

A MRC .338Fed is now setting in the safe.

Pics? What loads you planning on trying?

First loads from the bench. They were a couple years old from when I had a Kimber Montana in .338Fed.

After getting on paper, shots 5-9:



Shots: 6-10 at 200.



Both groups put 4 of 5 in around .75

Plan on starting with this load again and some 200gr Accubonds.



It has potential. Also have a lot of RL-15 so will give that a go also.

That's gonna work.

As long as the 308 Win exists, the 338 Fed is dead as far as any market demand is concerned. Still a good round but dead in the water.

The same could be said for any new cartridge. There is at least one traditional cartridge covering every spot on the spectrum. And those traditional cartridges have stood the test of time for a reason and doing anything new is not really possible. Essentially every other new-ish cartridge is just a slightly different way to skin a cat. However, because the .308 isn't going anywhere I never have to worry about buying components for my 338 Fed. That, and the fact that it is Federal's first cartridge tells me it's not going away even if it's not a large part of the market.

This is the first time I zeroed my DPMS LR338 Federal the Final 3 shots in the center and I was happy with AE 180gr bullets. Less than $20 a box.

Only with the ill-informed and ballistically-ignorant.

I love the .308 Winchester, as I would assume most people who appreciate the .338 Federal do, but they are slightly different beasts. I look at the .308 Win as being an excellent all-around cartridge and the 338 Federal as being able to do all this too, but more of a specialized round that is at its best on things like elk, moose and bear. An old friend of mine used his .338 Federal not only on mule deer, elk, black bear, moose and bison in the lower 48, but on an Alaskan Brown Bear and a huge Asian Water Buffalo (est. 1,500+ pounds) in Australia. He used hand loaded 210 Nosler Partitions.

The .338 Federal is at its very best with the 200-210 grain fodder - a niche where the .308 is just a little too meek. Nothing wrong with using the TSX/TTSX/GMX style bullets of slightly lighter weight (180-185) in the .338 Federal, as well. At that point, I do agree that you get more into the ballpark of the .308/30-06.

The .338 Federal is a non-magnum offering that boasts magnum energy. Along with energy figures, let's look at some TKO (Taylor Knock-Out) numbers.

- 7mm Rem Mag........175-grain, TKO 20.3, 3180 ft-lbs, 2860 fps
- 338 Win Mag........200-grain, TKO 28.5, 3866 ft-lbs, 2950 fps
- 30-06 Spg..........180-grain, TKO 21.4, 2915 ft-lbs, 2700 fps
- 30-06 Spg..........200-grain, TKO 23.1, 3060 ft-lbs, 2625 fps
- 308 Win............180-grain, TKO 21.7, 2743 ft-lbs, 2620 fps
- 308 Win............200-grain, TKO 21.7, 2690 ft-lbs, 2461 fps
- 338 Federal........180-grain, TKO 24.6, 3200 ft-lbs, 2830 fps
- 338 Federal.......210-grain, TKO 26.7, 3224 ft-lbs, 2630 fps

(TKO and energy at muzzle)

As seen above, the only cartridge in this factory load sample that surpasses the 338 Federal is the extremely powerful 338 Win Mag.

camera_dude, I understand what you are saying -but- the average Joe gunbuyer doesn't understand it nor does he care.

Average Joe type hunters/shooters will decide on the fate of the 338 Fed.

I still have my unfired Sako Grey Wolf in 338 Fed that I may send down the road when I find something I'd rather own.