Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Good 338 Federal loads

What bullets are you planning on using? I would guess you’ll be in the high 2600s with a 180.

A 180 AB & the 160 TTSX are some Serious bullets for big critters. That said, I think you're probably correct in a sensible 300yd limit.

Not handloads as I just started shooting this cartridge but I recovered a couple of bullets that I thought were interesting. These were fired into a wet clay bank so in no way represent how they will act in tissue but at least you can compare them to each other.
Left is a Barnes 185gr TSX from a Federal factory load. My Chrono showed a MV of 2650 so approximate impact velocity of 2440fps at 100 yards. Recovered weight is 125.2 gr or 67.7%. I didn't find the petals and can't tell where in the path they were shed.
Right is a 200gr Fusion Federal factory load. 2600fps MV so approximate impact velocity of 2420fps at 100 yards. Recovered weight is 136.1 gr or 68.1%.
Interesting that both bullets retained about the same amount of material but got there in a different way. I was impressed by how wide the Fusion expanded but still held the core to the jacket.

338 federal, 185 gr TTSX. The buck stood facing me 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.

That's a good looking recovered bullet. Factory load?

I was looking for a temp stable powder to use with the 160 TTSX. H322 has worked quite well. 48.5gn resulted in very good accuracy and ~2940 FPS.

I also had a few boxes of 200 Hot Cors and wanted to find a load for them. Played with H4895 and have had real solid accuracy. A book max load is in the 2650s. Think I’ll call that good and load some up to hunt with.

Hand load. federal brass, 185 gr TTSX, 48 gr 8208XBR, CCI #200. The bullet was set .03 from the lands. I’m trying to simplify my reloading so I’m pretty much exclusively using 8208 in the 338 fed. It works great with 160 - 200gr bullets.

I put the 308 back in the safe and I'm hunting with the 338 Federal this year. Using 200 Hot Cors over 46.5 of XBR 8208 which is good for 2550 fps.

I’m thinking about cutting the barrel on my Ruger down to 20” and threading it. The 338 Federal is exactly the reason I bought a SilencerCo Hybrid.

Should be fun suppressed!

I really want to have a suppressed hunting rifle. I currently have a 23” PacNor on my 338FED 84M and cutting it back is an option. How hard is it to get a silencer? Can you recommend brands, lengths, etc.

Tons of stuff out there and lots of opinions.

I bought the Silencerco Hybrid specifically with the bigger bores in mind. It’s .46 caliber, so it’ll work on anything up to that. I can switch face plates out if I want to use it on some smaller too. There may be quieter stuff out there, but this one is pretty versatile.

Not hard to get - it just takes a while to get one. Some states are different than others on requirements, but expect an eight month wait after you’ve paid for it and the tax stamp.

I started buying a few years ago. I have seven now with another on the way!

Thanks! I need to look into this.

I was curious if anyone has tried the 185 GMX in the federal? I asked this question a few years back without much luck. Maybe by now someone’s givin it a try. Wondering how it compares to the 185 TTSX?

OB Before Hornady published data I tried the 185 GMAX with a lighter load of 44.5 gr of 8208 and a 210M. About all I can say is I did not have any pressure signs accuracy was like 2" I did not have my chrono so no velocity. Since then Hornady has published data and their max is 44.4. I was in the same shape you were wondering what accuracy would be like I wanted to work up to the 47gr load that has shot well (5 in about 1") consistently with the 185TSX. Since then I obtained the Hornady number 10 and saw the published data and have not revisited.

In any case the 160 ttsx has proven itself to be quite exceptional and the 185TSX is darn good as well both with 8208 and 2230. If I have a need to use a bigger bullet the 210 SS2 and HLVR looks like a winning combo.

Good luck and shoot straight all.

My rifle also likes both the 160 & 185 TTSX. I’m headed to Newfoundland next September for moose and currently the 185 TTSX is at the top of my list. I like many reloaders like to experiment with different bullets and have been curious about the GMX for a good while now. Maybe I’ll make that my next reloading project. Would be interested in comparing it to the TTSX.

Amazing thread! No point in letting it die!

I expect delivery of a 338 Fed today and I am very excited. 200gr Woodleighs on the way. Got some new 338 Federal brass. Just need some dies and powder. Thanks to this thread I'll be picking up some TAC and/or 8208XBR.

It might be a while, but I'll be back to report on load results.

CM,
I didn't think Federal was still selling .338 Fed brass anymore! Was it old stock maybe?
Cheers, Jack

200gr Hornady Interlocks (discontinued) over 46-46.5gr H4895 has hammered everything I have pointed it at...

Federal is still making brass. Can also get Starline.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/766778/federal-premium-gold-medal-reloading-brass

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/183455/starline-reloading-brass

Interesting. I haven't been able to find either here in Oz for a couple of years.
The LGS told me Federal were no longer selling 338 Fed cases as a component. No doubt they can't be bothered ordering them in. If I want correctly head-stamped cases I've had to buy expensive premium 210 Nosler Partition factory loads. I've found that simply necking-up .308 brass has its draw-backs since drawing some of the shoulder brass up into the neck forms a "doughnut". Not such a problem when loading my preferred flat-based 200g Woodleighs that don't seat that deep, but could cause concern with 210 Scirroco or SST's.
PRM , have you used the Starline brass?

Jack