Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles Reliable .358 Win or more available Federal .338?

.338 Federal is a very cool cartridge. Mine shoots extremely well, and runs 2600 fps with 185 gr TSX's and 200 gr Hornady SpirePoints -- out of an 18.5" barrel.





I've had a .358, and will likely have another one. But it can't do anything that a .338 Federal can't do -- in the real world of flesh and blood game animals.

So you should build whichever one floats your boat -- without believing that either one will provide any signal advantage over the other.

Dennis

I've been playing with my 338 Federal since I got back on-line (and started terrorizing all of you) I've been posting a lot of loads and chronograph data in the reloading area. I really like my 338 Federal, I do feel that it has a little more range to it than a 358. I never fell for the media blitz on the caliber. It just made sense to me. I can get a no BS 2700 and change out of a 180 Accubond and a no BS 2550 out of a 215 Sierra BTSP. Its quite accurate too. Most loads in my testing are under MOA for 5 rounds out of a Tikka T3 Lite. My T3 wears a Burris 2-7x with the ballistic plex reticle, with that setup I have no trouble smackin' the crap out of gongs out to 500 yards.

Right now I'm looking at having to rebarrel one of my favorite rifles (my model 7 in 260, a semi custom job.) I'd hate to lose the versatility that my 260 brings to the gun safe, but the 338 Federal has seriously got my attention...

Dan, I never fell for the hype either, must think alot like you, back around 95-96 I built a 6.5/308, 6 months prior to Big Green announcing the 260. I also stuffed a 338 ballistic tip in a 308 case and it has sat in my drawer for years. I think you are correct, it just makes sense. Not about whether the 35 or 33 bore on an '08 case is best, they are both very good hunting rounds for this country, moderate recoil and will range most needs, on most animals IMHO. Maybe instead of waiting to get a nice Sako I'll just snap up a Tikka one day! Thought in the past or barreling one, but no need now.

BTW, I HAD a 338/06, a very nice round.....but I am ready for the 'short' 338 now.

For you, hey make a switch bbl gun and keep the 260 bbl.

When I had my M7 made into a .358, there were rumors of .338/08 being "adopted" by someone. I was considering the .338/08 very hard, but, I didn't want to go with a wildcat mere months before it was standardized and end up with an out of spec chamber for a new legit round. If that makes sense.

.338 Fed is very cool. So is .358.

Jeff, When I was midway into my 6.5/308, COINCIDENTALLY I heard through the grapevine Rem was coming out with 260, called them:

said, "we cannot confirm nor deny", I said look lady, I want to know if a 6.5/308 will fire YOUR new 260 round, so I called Lonoke, AR plant, got Saami spec sheet, and Chris at Pac-Nor provided me the reamer print for 6.5/308 and low and behold, you could have darned near overlayed them!!! Yes, I did fire some factory 140s, key holed and accuracy horrible, this in a 9 twist, mistakenly done as I requested 8, but that was ok. SO Jeff O, I can relate and would never knock the fine 358, or the owners for choosing it as it is a nice round, bigger heavier bullet, and pistol bullet options, it works well indeed also.

When I started I was planning to build one gun, since it will take 16 weeks or longer I will build the .358 win on my 700 ti and have it for LATE fall (October), but I will also pick up a T3 LITE in .338 Federal.
If I can get the 185 TSX's to group half as good as Mule Deer's .338 Federal's .4 MOA I will be satisfied and still have time to be ready for California's September Deer\Bear season.

Besides two guns are always better than one!

Willy,, I like your thinking.....

Sounds perfect to me....

Willy, would not be surprised you get your wish, as the T3's have a reputation EVERY mfg should strive for and envy!

Bear in mind that my .338 Federal wears a PacNor three-groove barrel, so might have a slight advantage over anyone's factory tube.

While I view Reloder 15 as the "universal solution" to nearly any rifle powder question, I did get equal accuracy results with H335, with 185 TSX and 200 gr Hornady bullets.

Yes...two guns are better than one, and three guns are better than two.

Dennis, aka muledeer

Have em both and like em both. For a reloader you can get either one to perform. For a non-reloader I would go with the 338 Federal. I have shot mine 3-1 over the 358 in the last few months.

I will definitely be using RL 15 for the .338 Federal, it is one of the powders I load 7mm-08 TSX's with. I plan to have my .338 Federal by month's end. Since no one local stocks it so I will be calling back east Friday.

For the build gun, I spoke with the folks at PacNor yesterday, I like the fact they would give me a .358 with a contour to match what I have now. Several others I spoke with would not match Remington's factory contour of the 700 Ti. Since I like the Bell and Carlson stock it came with that is a PLUS. Now it is just the wait time for that one to return home...

Dennis, sorry, got confused and thought you had a T3, anyway, have had many of Chris's bbls, last a 6BR #1 Ruger, shot like your gun, and once a 1/2" group at 330 yds! Good bbls. no doubt.

Holy smokes! Doesn't the TI come with a Mt. contour? That's kinda on the thin side for a .358 isn't it?

JCM

thanks JCM

I just measured the barrel and in does slim down to .570, with the 7mm-08 that leaves .143 wall the .358 would be only leave a .106 wall, I will be making a second call to PacNor..

old willys,
I believe the original Win M70FWT in 358Win ran a 0.550" muzzle. The hesitation of barrel makers to make a light contour 35cal barrel is why I see the 338Federal as perhaps the best chambering for a lightweight rifle for use against larger soft skinned game. When I had my 358Win built, nobody in Australia would cut me anything below a #3 profile ... they would in 338cal.
Cheers...
Con