Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 338 Federal loads

I am using TAC. I can't remember what he was using but I am sure he will be along to fill ya in.

Promising bullet no doubt. Hope to use it for sheep hunting this coming year if all works out. A .5 BC bullet at 2900 or 3K does show some pretty good ability to buck the wind for these 338 lights

So far, I've only tried AA2230 with the 175 MTH. At first I thought it would be good as initial groups were fine at shorter distances. .5"-.6" which is not impressive, but workable. I was using 50yds on that day due to range limitations. Once I started shooting them at 100, they gave me fits. I intended to use them elk hunting, but decided to shoot six different loads in one session and pick the winner for elk season. The MTH wasn't even close... Velocity was great at 2889, which was not a max load but had shown the greatest potential early on. Started to feel a tiny bit of a stiff bolt at 2940. I too assume the BC is not quite as advertised, but even if quite a bit less it would still be impressive. I intend to play with them more and find some accuracy. Being limited to 2.82 to fit the mag can be a challenge though.

I may try to seat deeper and then try 8208 as it does well with lighter bullets.

Good to hear! I've only shot one whitetail with my 338 Fed, and that was with a 185 TTSX. It worked as you described. I really need to find some place to hunt with my rifle here in No. VA.!

I've got a good bit of handloads ready to go as soon as I can get to a range. 180, 200AB's, 210PT's, 200 Speers, and I bought a box of Federal 200 Fusions.

I've not seen anyone comment on the Fusions. They're promoted as a Deer round, but seems to me to be a sufficient bear round as well.

What about accuracy?

All those are excellent 338 Federal bullets. Fusions are great bullets, the factory ammo I've shot is accurate. Fusions don't get mentioned here much because this a reloading thread and Fusions aren't component bullets. I wouldn't think twice about using a 200 Fusion on black bear.

I've found Fusions to be quite accurate in two rifles and they match the published velocity.

On another note, I just saw on the Federal Premium site that they have a new factory load with the 200 Ballistic Tip. They claim 2700 FPS.

I shot a box of fusions when I first got my rifle. They were accurate but I was more interested in the 160s at the time so I didn't check the velocity.

If Federal is offering a 200BT, then I'm going to keep my eye on the SPS website for 2nd's. They're bound to show up sooner or later ! I think a 200BT in the 338 Fed would be the match akin to a 7mm/08 & a 140BT. Dmn near perfect.

Can anyone tell me if there is a reduced recoil load in this caliber/cartridge suitable for deer that would kick about like a 7mm-08 when the 338 is in a 8.5-9lb rifle? I have acquired a significant amount of spending money and am on the verge of rebarreling my Savage to the 338, or buying a Model 70 Winny in 7mm-08. I know either caliber is suitable for elk (maybe i will get to go a few times in my life) with proper shot placement but 338 Fed and handloading equipment sounds like a cool gun to pass along someday, and would thump anything I ever hunt so i can be a one man with different load recipes. However I would hate to find that I developed an irreparable flinch with this cartridge as I've never shot anything regularly besides a 7mm-08.

I got a response from Federal, turns out the 200 Ballistic Tip is an error on their website. It's still a soft point bullet.

Doc7, I'd try light, though not necessarily reduced, load with a 180 Accubond or Ballistic Tip. Recoil should be very similar to a 7-08.

Edit: G46, 200gn Ballistic Silvertips show up occasionally. Same bullet except for coating.

Doc 7: Here's a link for you to play with concerning recoil. Plug in the load info for your 7/08 and then play with 338Fed data.

A 7/08 paired with the 338Fed will have you set up for just about anything that walks N. America, as well as most of the earth. Toss in a 223 and your Golden.

These just happen to be my personal 3-Gun library!

http://www.shooterscalculator.com/recoil-calculator.php

Doc7, I shoot two very similar rifles in 7mm08 and 338Fed. They have the same action, scope, mounts, stock shape...everything. The only difference is the 338Fed is a regular McMillan and the 7mm08 is an EDGE McMillan, The 7mm08 is about a pound lighter (5 1/2 vs 6 1/2). I shoot a max load of 139gr Hornady IBs in the 7mm08 and a max load of 200gr Hornady ILs in the 338Fed.

The recoil is really about the same with maybe the 7mm-08 being a little sharper. Neither one a hard recoiler. Not even close to an '06 is a standard sporter.

I finally tried AA2230 with the 185TTSX. Very promising. Barnes max is 49, and at 48.5 they shot .8" with velocities of 2802 and 2791. I've since clocked two more at 2796 and 2797.

Dang that 185TTSX sounds like it might be the bullet to use in the 338 fed much like the 210 is the one to use in the 338-06.

I like a 200 grain in the 338 Fed but the 185TTSX will likely out perform the 200 and do it at a faster velocity.
Good information prm, thanks for sharing.

I have two 338 fed rifles, a Tikka lite and a Ruger 77 Hawkeye. The tikka shoots 185 ttsx at 2750 and the Ruger likes the factory 210 partitions or I handload the 160ttsx @ 2990.
I truly believe this is the most underrated caliber and it doesn't get enough credit.

My only shot on game was a quartering away 230 yard shot on a mountain goat using the Tikka and 185ttsx. The bullet did not strike a rib entering, split the heart in two and exited striking and breaking the left front leg. The goat hunched and fell over, DRT.

concerning the earlier post, recoil is very minimal which allowed me to watch the impact on the goat. I dont' think I could've done this with my 300WM or 30-06.

Shot a coyote at 400 yds today with 180 accubond at 2800 fps not much the 338 fed can't do and it's not limited to just the woods.

SPS has a few bags of Nosler 210NP's on sale right now. I just ordered 200 for less than $100.

They are down another 400 thanks to me. Makes shooting cheap

Wow PRM, I like your load with the 185 grain TTSX. I've been lurking for some time. Could you tell us your OAL for this load? Thanks in advance. I plan on trying this load in a Sako 85, of course I'll start with less powder and work up.