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

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 .