Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 338 Federal

If you'd prefer a short action as I would, it's a better option than the -06.

As for the 308 vs 338Fed, not too much in it. But there aren't too many flies on a .338, 200g SST at 2700fps. They hit considerably harder than the .308, 165g version at about the same velocity. (I've shot a good few pigs with both combos FWIW.)

GeorgiaBoy - "It must be a regional thing. I have never seen 338 Federal on the shelves. " A very good chance you are correct. Despite its attributes (better SD/BC etc.) factory loads are very hard to find locally. Had to feed my Ruger All Weather Hawkeye with components initially gathered for a .338WM. IMHO - it outshines the .358Win and the .338-06 (i.e. can't shoot what's not available). Homesteader

bobnob17 - "As for the 308 vs 338Fed, not too much in it. But there aren't too many flies on a .338, 200g SST at 2700fps. They hit considerably harder than the .308..." Amen to that. Homesteader

I seldom, if ever see anything new on the shelves that interests me. With all the emphasis on "affordability" these days, Tupperware rifles and ARs get the most play. The majority of new, higher-end investment seems to be $1000+ 1911s. I understand the business reasoning, but it must cut into impulse purchases, from fussy old guys, anyway.

They marketed it as equal to an 06. Why would I want something that at its best is like an 06, and falling behind with distance. The 308 is so similar, and established.

If someone would kick in reloading stuff with one of the Tikka 338 Feds sold locally I might be a buyer, if cheap enough. I do not want one, but would be willing to try it. We usually can't see over 200 yards.

Not to disagree, but I ran the numbers out of curiosity, using Point Blank, 50F. 7500 ft altitude and MPBR for a 6" diameter target

Muzzle =======================
2775fpe = .308/178g ELD @ 2650fps
2960fpe = .308/200g ELD @ 2582fps

3197fpe = .338 Fed/160g TTSX @ 3000fps
3122fpe = .338 Fed/225g AB @ 2500fps


300 yards =======================
5.5" drop, 2289fps, 2071fpe, 4.5" drift = .308/178g ELD @ 2650fps
6.7" drop, 2252fps, 2253fpe, 4.3" drift = .308/200g ELD @ 2582fps

3.4" drop, 2387fps, 2025fpe, 6.4" drift = .338 Fed/160g TTSX @ 3000fps
7.6" drop, 2150fps, 2309fpe, 5.1" drift = .338 Fed/225g AB @ 2500fps


400 yards =======================
19.4" drop, 2175fps, 1870fpe, 8.5" drift = .308/178g ELD @ 2650fps
20.9" drop, 2148fps, 2049fpe, 8.0" drift = .308/200g ELD @ 2582fps

15.1" drop, 2201fps, 1721fpe, 11.9" drift = .338 Fed/160g TTSX @ 3000fps
23.7" drop, 2040fps, 2078fpe, 9.1" drift = .338 Fed/225g AB @ 2500fps


MPBR =======================
296yd = .338 Fed/160g TTSX
268yd = .308/200g ELD

274yd = .308/178g ELD
257ys = .338 Fed/225g AB


Recoil (8.3LB rifle/scope/ammo) =======================
17.8 ft-lb = .308/178g ELD
20.3 ft-lb = .308/200g ELD

19.8 ft-lb = .338 Fed/160g TTSX
23.7 ft-lb = .338 Fed/225g AB



I've often thought the strength of the .338 Fed was in the short range and the muzzle energies above tend to show that.

An ELD would not be my choice for hunting big game but I do use the TTSX and AB in various rifles, calibers and weights, hence their choice for the above comparison. Swapping the178g and 200g ELD bullets for 180g and 200g AB doesn't change the results much and is the way I would go.

The 338 Fed isn't going to win a longer range math contest, especially not comparing a TTSX to an ELD-X. It's a fatter bullet. But I know from experience the fatter 338 makes things very dead and using a CDS and a rangefinder I could care less about a little difference in drop. If shooting beyond 400-500 yds was what I was planning for I wouldn't get the 338. Since everything I've shot has been at shorter distances it works well for me.

I bet you're right Dogger. I've killed deer with the 180 Accubond and moose with a 210 Partition with my .338 Federal All Weather Hawkeye. It's easy to make brass out of .308 cases and it has a certain cool factor to it. Mine loves 180-185 bullets with TAC.
I see Starline is making brass for .338 Federal now so maybe that will make people happy. It seems like some reloaders don't care too much for Federal brass and as far as I know they were the only ones to produce .338 Fed head stamped brass in the past.

You are not concerned about trajectory, like others are not concerned about recoil.
I can easily think of reasons for .338fed for BG
225AB @ 2500mv = 2100 energy 300yd
210tsx approaching 2600mv can out-penetrate 200/220NP 30/06!

-some people will never shoot game at 300yd or 400yd in their life,
those people are in no way ballistically disadvantaged by .338F

95% of my hunting happpens within 200 yards, 200 grain hot cors at about 2500 fps, out of a 17" kimber montana is some good medicine for deer and big bodied hogs.

6# all up and hits like a hammer on both ends!

Would like to try to handlaod the faster pills before next year... but it's hard to improve upon that light of a package that shoots MOA, and kills everything it hits.

That's why everyone flocks to the 270 over the 30-06.

Pappy348 - "I'm seldom, if ever see anything new on the shelves... Local outlets i.e. gun-shops, Wallyworld and the like, stock what their records show SELLS best i.e. .308/.30-06. 22LR and so on. Had to look really hard to find one that had 5 boxes of .338 Federal on the shelf. This is a LGS that stocks .470NE and assorted other exotica. "Tupperware rifles and ARs get the most play..." True again, at least for now. Have plenty of .308 brass I can turn into .243W and .338F (fills a niche) if necessary. However, .338F factory ammo and head-stamped brass, are nice to have around too. Homessteader

My Montana is going to get a .338Fed take off slapped on it as soon as my current project is done.

You already have the take off? I know where one is located.

Also, a 200gn out of the Fed is really good for a lot of things!

Yes, I have one in-hand. Thanks, though.

I'd have a .338 Fed. in a flash if I didn't have my .358 Win. There's no point in having both and I've been happy with my .358 since 1977.

What is your experience with the 200 SST? They fly well for me but I've always questioned their toughness. I have no experience with them on game.

jmho- i've never laid eyes on any animal where i've hunted
that i couldn't kill cleanly with one of my 30/30's or
.308's or 12 gauge with appropriate ammo, so any of the
"newer" chamberings would just be for personal satisfaction
for me

My impression of the SST is that it bloodies meat pretty bad at high speeds. I wonder what it will do when traveling at 2,500-2,700 fps?

I won't disagree on BC and LR shooting with a smaller bore.

Yes, will say I had a 338/06 built by Hart years back, mid 90s, and around 96-97 stuffed one of my 200 BTs in a 308 case.

It was done LONG ago and a write up in Precision Shooting was done, I believe on a M88, and the premise was at the time, there was not a 35 bore partition, so the author, cannot recall the name right now, used a 338 bore to use the 210 PT.

It works and well to around 300 yds of decent trajectory. If one hunts wooded areas, like the 358 you will get a nice entry and exit holes if you need a blood trail. Yet you do not have less expensive pistol bullets to plink and practice, or small game hunt if one so inclines.

I see it like the 358, best in a 17-20 inch carbine that thumps deer and hogs, or larger, but keeping shots to around 300 yds where it's trajectory and retained impact speed for expansion is best. Sure it can be stretched but would choose a smaller bore if longer shots were expected.

185-210s are IMHO where the round is works best, no doubt the lighter Barnes works fine to ranges where is expands. I would choose the 185 Barnes and 200 loads, the 200 BT is a longer bullet and deep seating required for many mag boxes.

I did see a 338 Federal at a SHOT show in a Ruger 1A IIRC, 99% sure, but never seen them hit production that was scheduled. I may be wrong. COL might be generous in that rifle, but an '06 case more fully exploits the potential of the round, giving it around another 100 yds of usable distance, again - if it matters to one's hunting conditions.