I have acquired a 338 federal in Ruger Stainless through a series of trades if anyone is interested. I love the caliber and think I want to build one on a remington action instead. This gun has never been shot but I don't ahve the box for it. any comments on the 338 federal?

I have that one and a Ruger 77 RSI I had redone to .338 Federal with a PacNor barrel. Just got the stainless/synthetic Hawkeye, so shooting it at the range is the best I've done. But I've used the RSI to kill a couple of mule deer and a Texas boar with it, and I'm very very happy with it. I own Remington .35 Whelen, .260 Rem and .257 Roberts rifles, so I'm not at all opposed to Remingtons -- but I would much rather have the .338 Feds in the Ruger versions.

I'd try the Ruger a little before I sold it off and had a Remington built to replace it. And if you don't like the synthetic stock, it would be cheaper to replace the synthetic stock with something you like better, than replacing the barrel on a Remington.

Just my thoughts...

Dennis

Dennis what scope do you have on your 338 RCM? Just curious! also can you load it "down" to 338 fed levels?

The Ruger has a slightly longer mag box than a 700 S/A, to allow seating heavier bullets further out...But if you're only going to shoot 180-200gr bullets, it doesn't much matter...

I had one made on a Rem 760, to allow me to use heavy for caliber bullets without compromising powder space.

I have a "post and reticle" FX II 6x36 at the moment. I'd likely be just as happy with a 4X, though. I started my handloading with loads in the .338 Fed mid-range, and worked my way up well past that level. I still haven't pressed the issue, though. But if you wanted a lighter load --say, a 200 gr bullet at 2650 fps -- it is real easy to achieve with dandy accuracy.

Having both .338 Fed (2) and .338 RCM in Ruger rifles is kinda fun... .

Dennis

Just do it right. Build a .358.

Dennis,

Just curious, is your .338 RSI built on a Ruger 77 original, Mark II or Hawkeye platform? Either way, I bet that is a dandy package.

Dave

I have one (Ruger 77 stainless) I picked up second-hand for a very good price, and I've been very happy with it. It's my designated Calif. rifle, as it happens to shoot non-lead ammo very well.

It was a Mk II RSI in .308; I had it rebarreled with a PacNor 3-groove barrel. Here's a pic, with my recently acquired Hawkeye S/S .338 Fed:



It shoots well and seems to hit game pretty well... .

Dennis

Folks, remember...

The first words Dennis spoke as a toddler were, "three three eight."

Dennis,

Love the rifles, especially the RSI. I have an RSI in 308 and recently bought a Hawkeye in 338 Federal. It's off right now getting a little work done. Shot nicely with Fusions. I haven't started load development yet. Plan on playing with 200 interlocks and 215 sierras over TAC.

IMO, 338 is great in the Roy....but if you like a short action..... .358 Win. is the real McCoy.

I've had a .358, and still have a .356 Win. Trust me -- for what I hunt with a short-action medium bore, the .338 Fed is quite a bit better than a .358 Win. The .358 isn't "bad" -- it's just not as flexible and useful as a .338 Fed.

But that's only based on my experience.

Dennis

Muledeer, how do you like the PacNor? I'm going to put a new 338 Fed barrel on my Hawkeye and considering them along with others. Biggest issue now is wait times to get a rifle rebarreled. Some have mentioned 6-8 months! I'm guessing they all shoot just fine so I'm not willing to wait that long. Especially since I'm not looking for a benchrest rifle, just a solid hunting rifle.

I like the PacNor a lot; it shoots really well. Certainly looks good, and doesn't seem to hold residue as much as factory barrels.

Every other person I know who's gotten a PacNor barrel has been pleased with it, at least as far as I've ever heard. They'll be the first one I get in touch with next time I want a new barrel.

Dennis

Thanks. I'm down to PacNor, Douglas or McGowan. Others just have way too long of a wait (Bartlein 8 mos, Hart 5 mos, ER Shaw 6 mos. etc).

I have a m77 SS in 338f, shoots good. Not a fancy rifle, but it works.

185 TSX, 38 gr 4198 2600 fps right through both shoulders of mature cow Elk.