Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game 338 Fed, 358 Win performance?

Reflecting on the past 10 years or so, I find I do a lot of timber hunting whether its elk in the west, blackbears/deer in the east. On the last 2 western black bear hunts, I was also in the timber most of the time, and even then only had 300 yards shots in the open. All that said, I’m evaluating a short action cartridge capable of throwing a bigger bullet than my current 308 (180 Sierra Game King at 2630). I’m also thinking a Newfoundland moose hunt in the near future.

I’ve done a lot of Google-Fu and found more than few older threads from guys buying 338 Federals a few years back when it was new. I found 2 articles by JB on the cartridges as well as a couple other authors of various articles – most seem really positive on both cartridges. Dennis was a big fan but has moved on to the happy hunting grounds.

I’m thinking a Kimber MT 308 is a trip to JES away from becoming one or the other. I love the 84M platform and really like the NightForce SHV Plex sitting on top of my 308. I find the extra 8 oz scope weight actually improves the recoil handling ability of the platform. Plus after getting banged around for 2 weeks in WY and CO in elk season, I shot it over the weekend – dead on. I’m estimating a 338/358 will weigh 6.5-6.6 lbs with SHV in Talley 30 mm rings. About right for full power loads in either cartridge in my view.

So – now that the 338 Fed has been out for a while, and guys have used the 358 Win for years, what is the on-game performance with the various 225 grain bullets pushed from the 338 Fed/358 Win? I’d likely start with Partitions in either, but think Sierra’s or Speer’s would work as well. Also what bullets you using and velocities with 225’s in a 22” barrel?

Thanks.

No experience with the 338 Fed, but I have had a BLR in 358 Winchester now for 11-12 years and have always been impressed with it. I monkeyed around with some 200's and 250's early on, but just settled on a hunting load of W748, WW cases, and a 225 Nosler Partition or Sierra 225 at 2450/2500. They both shoot identically and have been shot to 400 yards. I have a plain old Burris 2x7 on my rifle and it's really no big trick to get them out to 400 yards. I can't see one being any better than the other, so it would just come down to what you like. I like the .358's so I shoot a bunch of them.. Been using the 180 TTSX in the 350 Rem Mag as well which might be another great one in the 358. I'd think a rifle set up like you stated would be a killer little rifle. I have no idea how much better it would be than your current 308 with 180's would be, but I know the 225 Partition and Sierra are pretty danged awesome on deer which is all I have taken. They put large holes through em, and I have never caught one of them in any deer, even with off, angling shots. It's a fun, easy shooting cartridge.

I have no experience with the 358Win, but have used a 338 Federal for years. The load I settled on is a 185gn TTSX at about 2650fps. It has been an absolute hammer on everything so far. Have not taken anything bigger than a few large hogs, but all have fallen with no tracking needed. Good deer cartridge too. Longest shot on game for me has been about 225 yards. I took it to Texas on our Nilgai hunt with Roger and James, but unfortunately didn't connect. Looking forward to the next time.

The 358Win does interest me though, and may be my next loony project.

The .338 Fed out of a Montana is a handful. A delight to carry, but it lets you know, especially with the 225's from the bench. Re-barreled mine because of it and bought a .338Fed from MRC to replace it. Much nicer to shoot for fun.The Kimber would shoot fine, but the barrel jump off the bench made you work at it and even with the Nightforce it is going to jump. Never had a .358. Shot two Deer with the Fed with no surprises. On one it when in the chest and came out the ham with a Barnes.

Wondering if stock design has a role with the Montana? Mine is built (Thanks Mickey Coleman) on a 700SA in a McMillan stock and is very soft shooting. Could be the heavier bullet, stouter load too, I guess.

Thats my concern with the Kimber 84M platform - recoil with heavier bullets. It calculates out a bit stiff.

What does your MRC weigh?

beretz - thats my exact thoughts on the 358 - 225 Nosler/Sierra at 2450-2500. I think they'd be the ticket for timber elk/moose.

I would think the biggest difference would be the 1.5 additional pounds of the MRC.

Addition: looks more like 2.5 poinds. Which do make a difference.

This is with a LW Leupold 3x and 2 inches taken off the barrel to have it balance better in the hand. I also went to 185's for Deer.

I have/had both but decades apart.

Both are very effective on game but the bullet selection for the 338
is much better than the 358 selection of years ago.

I've been shooting 210 NPs in Federal factory ammo and it works very well.

My Kimber Montana weighs 5.3 pounds with 2.5x compact scope. It does
kick when shooting from the bench but I didn't buy it for bench rest shooting.
It's a delight to carry when hiking bear country and weighs only slightly more than
some of today's largest handguns.

The MRC was also easier to shoot good groups off the bench. However, in the hand the Kimber Montana did fine.

The MRC is a solid rifle. I really like them.

Bill,

If you decide to go the .338 route, I have a factory take-off Montana barrel in .338 Fed that I'd sell you with dies. That way if you didn't like it, you could just go back to the .308.

PM sent.

Other than more recoil what does that do that a 200 gr Partition or Accubond from a 308 won't do at the same speeds. The 200gr/308 combo will out penetrate 338 or 358 with 225 gr bullets, shoot flatter and kick less. It gives up nothing at woods ranges, yet works better for longer shots. The 308 doesn't top out with 180 gr bullets. There is a reason 338 Fed and 358 Win will never be mainstream cartridges. If someone just wants to be different then go for it, they do kill stuff. But not any deader than you could do with your 308. If the OP is wanting to shoot heavier bullets, then he'd save a lot of money and get better performance by shooting heavier bullets in his 308.

Going to a larger caliber isn't necessarily an advantage. In fact it is a disadvantage unless you go significantly heavier in bullet weight.

I've been using the .358 for a lot of years but only on deer (with several coyotes of opportunity thrown in). I've only used 200 grain cup/core bullets for deer but would think the 225 partition would be the ticket for bigger things. The MRC/Win 70 short actions (and Forbes/NULA/Barrett) have a little longer short action mag box which may be beneficial.

The .308 kills just fine and leaves a good blood trail but the .358 leaves a GREAT blood trail. To me it's the perfect round for still hunting thick mountain sides....even though the .308 has worked just as well....I just like the .358.

I've had good luck with .358 225gr NAB's at 2,425fps, as well as .338 185gr TTSX's at 2,700fps. Neither are being shot from a short action, but the effects should be much the same. They are reliable on hogs and deer at medium ranges, with plentiful blood trails. The pig in my avatar fell to the 225 NAB load from my Whelen single shot.

The 308 Win, 338 Federal and 358 Win are all superb SA big game chambers. Other than wanting one or the other for pure preference there isn't a great deal of difference between them in most respects. For some reason the 338 and 358 get some good press with their use of 210 gr Partition and 225 gr Partition loads. What gets lost is the 308 Win and its use of the 200 gr Partition. A close examination of the 308 Win loaded with a 200 gr Partition reveals pretty similar characteristics to the other two loads. Using 200 yd zero and ballistics at 300 yds shows downrange energy/drop/10 mph wind drift:

-308 Win 200 gr Partition-BC .481-SD .301 @2,450 fps MV: 1,775 ft-lbs/-10.2"/7"

-338 Fed 210 gr Partition-BC .400-SD .263 @2,600 fps MV: 1,947 ft-lbs/-9.3"/7.9"

-358 Win 225 gr Partition-BC .430-SD .251 @2,450 fps MV: 1,895 ft-lbs/-10.4"/7.9"

For any game animal hit with one of these loads I doubt you would see any real world difference. Given the 358 opens up a sizable hole and has the heavier bullet you could claim it the better for close quarter work. The 338 Federal w/210 Partition load shows slightly more power at extended range, but nothing significant over the other two. Point is the 308 Win w/200 Partition load holds its own very well against the other two and is a more versatile cartridge with 110 gr - 200 gr loads. Not knocking the other two at all and am a big fan, just showing that the 308 Win is still possibly the most versatile SA chamber. BTW for any who still put stock in a projectiles penetration per SD, the 308 Win is a real driver in that category. Maybe you should just load some 200 gr Partitions in your 308 Win and see how they do.

Rossimp has a point there, and it's not out of question to bump 2,600fps from a 22" 308 with the right powders and a 200gr bullet. I've done it with RL17 and the 200gr Sierra GKBT. It was a slobberknocker on deer.

In my opinion the 358 is the way to go. I have used it on elk and with 250 gr. Hornady bullets it's close to the perfect timber cartridge. I've used the 225 sierras also on elk , kills 'em dead. The real advantage of the 358 vrs. the 338 fed is that with the heavy bullets( 250gr) the hornady bullet is much shorter and allows for more powder in the case. A 338 250gr is a long bullet and restricts power capacity. I shoot 2550 with the hornady bullet out of my steel receiver BLR. The 338 fed may shoot somewhat flatter but the 225 gr sierra has the BC and will almost match the longer bullets
They will both get the job done well---personal choice
You'll never even remember the recoil in the field, they are not bench cartridges and were never intended to be.
Good Luck and Good Hunting
Lj

Never thought of the 358 or 338 as really "better" but sometimes different is enough for us to have a little fun.. The old 308 is a good one, but the 338 or 358 aren't bad either, and no elk or what have you will be less dead from a 200, 210 or 225 Partition. All three of them are some killin SOB's!

350 Remington the original short mag ! the 225 nosler is all you need . if you have to use the non lead the 200 barns is uber as well. don't build anything until looking at the 350, thank me later.

Interesting thread. Just a couple days ago I was telling my son I'm going to look for a cheap 308 to send to JES to become a 358. He was trying hard to steer me towards the 338 Federal.

I have always liked the idea of the .35 on a short action and have great respect for the 350 and 6.5mm Rem Mags (way ahead of their time), but now I would be more tempted to build a power house SA with the Ruger Compact Magnum case. The 30 RCM throws 200 gr loads at 2,750 fps and the 338 RCM throws 225 gr at 2,700+ fps. You could wildcat the 30 RCM or 338 RCM case to .35 and easily match and exceed 350 Rem Mag due to superior case length, shoulder and neck dimensions in a true SA length. Still love the 35s and the 350 Remington is the pro generator of SA powerhouse chambers.

Just watching here. Haven't shot a Fed, but the 358 Winchester has done all I have asked of it on whitetail. Bang flop usually in the rifle. The Lone eagle hasn't been used on whitetail a lot. Had to follow the last doe shot a bit. Plenty of blood trail though. I never saw a need for the fed. I have some 275 gr RNs from the Hornady co, haven't needed them . Hope you get a 358 and report back your results. Rusty

Having owned both, I like the 338 Federal a little better. Admittedly though, because factory ammunition is so much more plentiful. I do handload, but occasionally, take a spell of laziness. Both are good cartridges.

I think he’s trying to keep it on a 308 sized case if I’m not mistaken.

But you’re right, I love my 350 Rem Mag!

For what it's worth.....

Over the years I've owned all 3 calibers and have killed bear in Maine & Canada with a 308 & 338 Fed. In my experience there is no real or perceived difference in the killing power or effectiveness between the 3 calibers. If I had a good shooting 308 I would not get it bored to a 338 or 358. The only cal that remains in my safes is 2 308's.

What loads? I struggled to get 2650 from my 30-06 with 200 gr bullets and a 23" barrel.

Yep

I'm not sure I disagree with this. In full disclosure I've owned a bunch of 35 caliber cartridges - 35 Rem, 350 Rem Mag, 35 Whelen, 358 JDJ. I've always liked mid power 35 caliber rounds. I've killed deer with all of them using 180 Speer, 225 NAB, and various Hornady bullets. It seemed to me that a 35 caliber bullet, by virtue of its size, seemed to always exit and cut a bigger hole - at least in deer size critters.

Having said that, I've run the numbers on the 200 gr 308. It definitely shoots flatter, and has more retained velocity and energy, if you buy the whole energy argument which I don't buy 100%. A bit of an eye opener was a statement by John B a couple days back on another thread concerning expanded diameters of various 30, 33, 35 caliber bullets. As a result, I've been looking at alot of bullets tests in recent days and looking at the Nosler Forum and their bullet test threads, JB is right as per the norm. There isn't a big difference between expanded diameters of cup/core 30, 33, or 35 caliber bullets. Barnes seem to have a wider expanded diameter but shed not weight (r.e. shrapnel effect). I was also surprised that the 36 and 37 caliber bullets weren't even that much bigger. Almost regardless of starting velocity, most 30, 33, 35 caliber bullets expand to 0.600 to 0.675. Retained weight varies and seems to drive penetration with expanded diameter playing a part.

Which brings me to my 'empirical bias' - maybe my experience with 35 caliber bullets is strictly empirical and not factual............. Which is why I asked the question concerning elk/moose and experience of others. I'm checking my bias against the much broader and deeper 24 Hour brain trust. I trust the guys here.

Good discussion so far.

A 358 may not be better than a 308 but I enjoy 35 caliber and currently do not own one so I'm still thinking about getting a rebore to 358 Win done. I like the look of the 35 cal cartridges and I like the bigger hole in the end of the barrel because that is cool to me as well.

That’s all that matters. If you like it, you’ll have more fun with it. They are pretty easy on meat as well.

As a handloader, I went 358 Win for the versatility. I load 225 gr for hunting, reduced 158gr pistol bullets for small game/plinking, and shotshell capsules for the off chance of running across a rattlesnake on the warmer days.

These three loads really turn this rifle into a "one does all", for me.

Not to hi Jack the thread but has anyone run a Savage Hog Hunter in 338 Fed ? I was thinking about them.
A buddy ran a different 338 Federal and I was impressed at the authority it hammered deer.

If you want to rebore a 308 you might as well base the new cartridge on the 284 brass instead of 308 and get what horsepower you can. A 30-284 is basically a short action 30/06, so expect the same with the 338 and 358 bore on the 284 case. Same rim diameter, larger body.

I've got a lot of experience with both the 338 Federal and 358. Both are wonderful rounds. Two of the best IMO. I bought a Tikka in 338 Federal when they first came out, and have used it extensively ever since. I've taken everything from wolves to bison with it. I've even taken two big game animals at what I consider long range with the Federal. A dall ram at 325-yards and a big bison at 300. I've taken a lot of game with the 358 too. You cant go wrong with either and dont buy into the 'brush gun' BS. Both the 358 or 338 Federal will take game cleanly as far as you are ever likely to have to shoot. If I had to pick one, it would be the 338, lots of good bullets out there and it shoots a tad flatter.

I built myself a 308 to be my end all hunting rifle. Not sure if it's the x-calber barrel or if i botched something up during the build, but it just never has enthralled me with it's accuracy. I am going to send it to JES for a rebore to .358 because it seems to me to be the most versatile when you consider the 35 Cal handgun bullets that you can use as well. I thought about getting a 35 Cal blank and .358 reamer and just building another rifle, but I just have no love for this one at the moment and maybe the rebore will change that!

Yawn.

I stumbled on a Kimber 84M Classic in 338 Federal at a price I couldn't pass up. I wasn't really looking for this cartridge but had considered building a 358Win in the past and really liked the look and feel of this rifle so I gave it a whirl. So far I really like it. I have only shot an antelope doe with it which wasn't much of a challenge but it worked just fine. Recoil looks stout by the numbers but honestly it is very manageable. Off the bench it jumps pretty good but I didn't buy it for a benchrest or varmint rifle. In the field I barely felt the recoil. I don't know that it is any better than many other cartridges but sometimes it is fun to use something a little different. I have only used 185 TSX and 200 Fusions so far and don't anticipate I will go any heavier than 200gr bullets. It carries and points like a champ as you would expect an 84M to do.

I'd go 358 , 308 to 338 diameter seems like taking a half step , 358 is old school cool . And being able to throw [powder] a couple of hundred pistol bullet loads would be fun for off-hand practice - which is always a good thing for a hunter to do .

Good luck on your choice and hunts .

I like both but yeah, the 358 is just a cool caliber.. Not that cool kills anything, it does cut a heckuva swath with the right bullets.

I bought a SS model seven 308 plan was to rebarrel to a 358 but after some reading/research I left it alone . Shooting a 208 amax - no hog has takin a step , haven't shot a deer with the combo but of coarse I know what will happen .
Easy to love the 308win. IMO but the big fat 358 bullets can lead a man astray .

Indeed!

My .358 is a Sako Forester full stock rebore. It was originally a .243, which just didn’t fit with my idea of the handy carbine. I wanted a quick pointing, hard hitting, public land elk hunting rifle and this really did fill the bill nicely.

I’ve killed several elk with it now, most at less than 100 yards. All with either the Nosler 225 pt or the Sierra 225 bt. Both worked very well, with the Sierra being noticeably softer. The longest shot was on a big Roosevelt cow elk at 257 yards. She died within feet of where she was hit with the Sierra - complete penetration.

If I were hunting in grizzly country, I would definitely be packing that rifle and the Nosler combination.
There’s lots of other Bullet combos to play with, such as the pistol bullets, but I haven’t bothered. I just run the Sierra for practice and they would get the nod for deer and the Nosler for elk.

The paper ballistics are interesting and hard to argue with, but the big hole and confidence of the 35’s is compelling.

My thoughts exactly. A 200 grain Partition would be a start. I buy the old semi-pointed version at gun shows for the conditions described by the OP.

I have hunted with a 358 winchester for over 15 years, always by canoe and more recently by dog team. I have taken my biggest 2 moose with the 358 Winchester. I'm very pleased to see the cartridge discussed and the great praise given to the cartridge. It is my hope, that more hunters will put away their 30 caliber and 7 mm magnums and grab a 358 for ANY hunt they have planned in North America. Over the years, I've seen a bunch of "theoretical thinking out loud" and marginal information written on the internet about the 358 Winchester. Lotta these guys are posers who think they're important. Elmer Keith once said the 358 Winchester is suitable for any North American big game with 250 grain bullets. Not much has changed. Lookey here:

Yukon254 downed North America's largest animal with a 250 grain partition:

"Mainer, I was following your posts on the 358 right from the beginning over on the AOF. Early on a lot of guys were of the opinion that the 225 grain bullets were about as heavy as the little 358 could push reliably. You were going heavy for caliber, and if my memory is correct worked your way up to 300 grain bullets. I stopped at 250 grain NP. I would have gone heavier but the 250 NP was almost flawless on large game. The bison here are pretty spooky and quite tough to hunt. Our season runs in the winter months so a guy can do a lot of snowshoeing. Anyway I got up on a small herd that were feeding in a big slough, but they got my wind before I was where I wanted to be and busted out for the hills. Luckily I found an opening an shot a big bull that was bringing up the rear. I wanted to anchor him so held right in the middle of his shoulder. The bullet broke both shoulders and I found it perfectly mushroomed under the hide on the off side. The distance was about 90 meters and that bullet lifted that bull right off his feet. Anyone who has ever butchered a big bull bison will know that they are the biggest heaviest boned animals in NA."

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...ridge-for-alaska-moose-hunt#Post13231558

Of the three moose I've shot with the 358, my two largest bulls were shot with the 275 grain woodleigh. Not because the 275 woodleigh was needed, but simply because I could. The kills were immediate. I like that, as I solo hunt rivers, I want them anchored right where I hit them, not 3 seconds later in the cold water, or 3 seconds later, dead in a swamp hole:





I am not interested in a 358 as a bolt action. If I wanted a bolt action, I'd grab a 9.3 mauser carbine. The 9.3 mauser carbine, from it's very beginning as a bolt gun to compete with the fancy british doubles used in Africa, cannot be outdone. To extract as much advantage from the 358 as possible, it needs to be light in weight and fast on the repeat shots. Make my 358 a Savage 99, Winchester 88 or Browning BLR carbine. The 358 gets it's magic, from a 250 grain bullet. I hunt winter caribou by dog team in open, windy, treeless country. My winter clothing is very heavy, and shots get out there to 400 yds, like this past weekend:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...78682/3-caribou-by-dog-team#Post13278682

No more scoped bolt action, walking through crusted snow. Time to go light and fast with an ultralight 358 with 200 grain TTSX blazing through the 30-40 mph winds. It's only a matter of months, before I figure out it they will also work on Spring grizz:

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbt...ralight-blr-358-win-project#Post13260417


I'm very reluctant to go any lighter, but if you must, the 200 grain TTSX would be my first choice. At least with the light-weight TTSX, the things have an actual shank for decent penetration after expansion, unlike the 200 grain Nosler Accubonds.



Here's some of my older load development:
http://forums.outdoorsdirectory.com...ta-200-grain-Accubond-and-200-grain-TTSX

I like the 358 myself and the 35 Whelen too. Only used them on feral hogs and deer but they are deadly fast killers that leave good blood trails. I have used the 308 a bunch also and fine it deadly also. For night hunting feral hogs I would be happiest with a 358 and 250 grain Speer bullets.

Loving my Savage lightweight hunter in .338 federal but struggled with having it rebored to.338 federal or to.358 Winchester. The nice part is that I can always rebore larger to the.358. It’s a winner either way.

Excellent post by Mainer in Ak.

Here's my only concern with going the 358/250 route - recoil will be rather 'brisk' in a 6-6.25 lb rifle and max loads. I'm probably going the 338 Fed route and stick with 225s. I can always have it rebored to 358 later.

I would imagine 225's in a .338 bore will be indistinguishable in recoil from 250's in a .358 bore. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.😆

338 federal with 200 gr. federal trophy copper BB's is a hammer on hogs and deer.

I have some 160 TTSX that I want to reload for it also...

I've hunted a few years now with an E.R. Shaw MK VII chambered in 338 Federal. So far I've only taken deer but plan on using if for a Newfoundland moose hunt next September. I've taken deer with the 200gr fuston load and hand loaded with 200gr Interlocks, 185 TTSX and 160 TTSX. All worked like a charm. I'm planning on using the 185 TTSX for the moose hunt.

JCM
Redheaded deer are definitely cool looking animals!

I agree with other posts to consider 200 grain spitzers in the 308 Win.

With modern powders, you should be able to get a MV of 2450+ FPS with them. With a sectional density of .300 , and BC of near .500 of 200 grain spitzers, you get good down range energy, and great penetration. It should be easy to test/ evaluate, and a very low cost alternative to reboring.

There was a thread on Alaska outdoor forums about using this set up (.308 win + 200 grain bullet) for bison. You need to develop 2000 ft-lbs energy at 100 yards with a qualifying cartridge. The .308 Win / 200 grain / 2450+ FPS load met the criteria (2400 ft-lbs @100 yards, 2000 ft-lbs @ 200 yards). Should be fine for moose needs. Plenty of moose up here in Maine are taken with factory 308 Win and 30-06 180 grain bullets. The 308 / 200 grainer should be quite a thumper.

Just an easy, low-cost option to consider for a “bigger bullet”, instead of a rebore job.

Link to Alaska outdoors: 308 Win / 200 grain / 2500+ FPS
308 Win / 200 grain / 2500 FPS loading data results

Right. The old Winchester factory 250 gr Silvertips were very “brisk” out of my Savage 99. I have a box gathering dust....
Happy Trails

I have shot a few deer with .35s Never have used a .338 Federal. While smaller calibers will do the job I have never seen blood trails like my .358 Win or .356 Win leave. In thick cover that is a bonus. My loads consist of 225g NPT and Sierra's over book load of W748. Getting ~2450 FPS.

A friend of mine from Kentucky has a .338 Federal. While he hasn't shot anything with it yet he does say it hits steel targets with more authority than his .308.

I've not really noticed a difference between the .308 and .358 in killing deer. Certainly not a scientific study, but with exits on 200 grain cup/core bullets the blood trails from .358's seem to be all out of proportion in how much they increase over the .308 with exits on 150/165 grain cup/core bullets....and it's not that the .308 is lacking there. Of course shot placement/angle of exit/etc make a difference and taking out the shoulders can make this a null point.....

I'm especially fond of a light handy .358 when still hunting mountain sides on rainy days. A lung shot deer running downhill on a mountain side can cover some ground before it dies (...likely in the deep ravine....). On wet ground it's nice to follow a blood trail that looks like someone was pouring it out of a bottomless cup rather than a normal blood trail from spot to spot.

I have a 308 and the 338 Fed. Only shot one deer with the 308 but it worked well (180 Partition), the 338 Fed has worked with authority on lots of stuff. I know it doesn’t mean much, but when the 338 bullet hits there seems to be a more audible thwack. It’s kind of cool I think. I considered the 225s and did load some Partitions. It is a bit stout. I’d prefer the 210s as they don’t take up as much powder space. If I were to load one bullet for anything it would be the 185 TTSX. Massive damage, great penetration and, for me at least, the easiest bullet to get to shoot really well. But there are so many great bullets to choose from. If you want heavier I’d consider the 200 Woodleighs.
To your 225 argument, I will say the PH I hunted with in Africa really like the Fed, but said he’d load 225 A-Frames to 2400-2500 for a perfect plains game rifle.

When selecting a cartridge, I wanted the biggest bullet that didn’t really limit my personal range. I felt the 338 Fed was just right for me. The ballistics are better than some seem to think, especially when hunting at higher elevations.

I too have a factory 84M 338Fed barrel if you need one.

Edit: 48gr of Leverevolution got 2508 in my current 338 Fed with 225 Partitions.

Don't know about the 338 Fed, do know it best take it's vitamins and eat a chit-ton load of wheaties if it's going to top 200gr TSX/TTSX's at 2700+ fps, 1/2 inch groups, and brutal take no prisoners performance is all I've seen from my 358 hawkeye all weather, it's a hard, fast killing little SOB.

This post hit the nail on the head. Do not underestimate the penetration ability of a 200 grain bullet in the 308 Win. Awesome with the right bullet.

I'm about to rebore to 358. Would you be so kind to PM me some load data please.

I own one .338F and four .358W. Only real difference is that the .338 is a bit flatter shooting... if you need that.

.358W is a monster medium bore... only thing better IMHO would be a .375 Raptor... http://www.375raptor.com/375RAPTOR/test/

.375 Raptor is basically .35 Whelen on .308 brass with .375 bullets

We own the reamer (so does X-Caliber)... I'll keep ya'll posted when we get a few to the range

NICE STUFF!!!

You are a very Blessed man.

Well, there’s not much on that parent case that doesn’t work well for the intended service. I don’t mean to digress on the thread.

I had no intention of bashing the 358 Win. After all, I am a big 35 Whelen fan. Nothing wrong at all with a .358 caliber bullet at modest velocity. Just that the 308 gets shorted a lot when it comes to bigger bullets. I see all the time where people say anything bigger that a 180 grain bullet is too heavy for the 308. Not true.

A 250 grainer is.

And no matter how hard you try, a .358 won't squeeze through a .308 bore without issues.

There are good reasons to use the .358. Just because a .308 or .338 can and does work very well does not mean there is no good that can come from the .358's. A good loading from a .356/.358Win/.35Whelen flat out stomps stuff hard at reasonable hunting distances. Fact.

No argument from me. I shoot the 35 Whelen as my main deer/hog rifle for a reason. Just like to give the 308 its due. Works well with a 200 grain when you don't have a .358.

Agreed.
My .308 Montana pushed a lot of rifles to the back row of the safe.

I'm wondering, if when I rebore my L579, I base my cartridge on the 284 Winchester it might be closer to a Whelen in performance? Just considering the L579 is a short action. Rusty

That link you provided was my load data from many years ago. That savage 99 was eventually rebored to 358. Though minimally sufficient for what might be hunting me, that load could hardly compare to a 200 grain ttsx at 2700 fps from that same 20" barrel that was rebored. Where the little 308 is maxing out, the 358 is just getting warmed up.

I've a thousand mile solo mushing expedition next month with no re-supply. The ole nine-three is too heavy with winter clothes. I couldn't think of a better gun for the journey than my ultralight 358.

That's cool mainer!

My BLR with it's steep drop at the comb was buckish as the recoil seemed mostly an upward stroke. I really couldn't tell much difference between the lighter bullets and the 250's loaded to full power. That said I really didn't bench shoot the rifle much once I got it sighted in and never notice recoil when shooting game for some reason.

theres several guys in my elk hunting club that really prefer to carry a browning BLR, my late hunting partner, RON, preferred a BLR in 358 win loaded with a 250 grain speer over 44 grains of IMR 4064 and a fed 215 primer
consistent 1"-1.2" bench rested 100 yard 3 shot groups were common.
sighted in at 3.5" high at 100 yards its almost dead on at 200 yards and about 10"-12" low at 300 yards, he used that load for over 3 decades and was very successful, most elk were 1 shot kills.
I don,t think either guy ever had in the last 35-40 years a single shot taken exceeding 200 yards
https://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullets/rifle-bullets/hot-cor-rifle-bullet/2453
http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...;type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=


one other guy FRANK, prefers the 308 win BLR loaded with a speer 200 grain bullet over 45 grains of WW760 was his preferred load.

https://www.speer-ammo.com/products/bullets/rifle-bullets/hot-cor-rifle-bullet/2211


http://www.handloads.com/loaddata/d...;type=rifle&Order=Powder&Source=

The 338 Fed is not a long range cartridge by any stretch, but I’ve never felt limited to how far I’m going to shoot either. The numbers get much better at elk and Muley elevations, but even here it’s fine for me.