Hello,
I rebored a Browning A-Bolt. They use a magazine that snaps on the floor plate. The magazine has an insert in the front that narrows down to fit the profile of the round, this is suppose to help stop the round moving forward during recoil. I had to enlarge that some with a dermel for the larger 338 because the rounds were pinching together while loading the magazine. Also, the 308 Win COL is 2.800 and 338 Fed is 3.820, so I had use the dermel and lengthen the the front of the insert to accommodate the slightly longer COL. The 338 Fed is never going to be a long range round, I think it is best to stay with 160gr to 185gr bullets to keep the speed up. Many field reports have shown the 160 TTSX will break both shoulders of an elk and turn the insides to soup, don't let the lower weight scare you. The 160 TTSX will do everything the 180s-225s cup/core bullets will do and keep the velocity up for a flatter trajectory. A very over looked bullet is the Woodleigh Weldcore 180. They make a 338, 180 bullet just for 338 Fed/338-06, unlike other manufactures that try to make one bullet that covers 338 Fed to overbore 338 Mags, this bullet is designed for up 2900 FPS. The best part about the Woodleigh Weldcore 180 is, the BC is about the same as Nosler 180 AB and about $30 a box less. The Woodleigh bullets are proven in Africa and are every bit as good or better than Nosler AB for $30 less. I wouldn't go heavier than 180s, you lose too much velocity and you can do everything you need with the 160 and 180s. If you feel the need to go heavier than 180s, I wouldn't go with a bonded bullet, those 338 bonded bullets were designed for the 338 magnums. I would go with a standard cup/core bullet, the 338 Fed low velocity, and bullet design for higher velocity should hold together fine.
Last edited by MOW; 12/12/21.
