Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunting Rifles 338 FEDERAL vs 8x57 JS

I already have the 338 and am thinking of selling it and buying the 8x57.
The 8x57 i am considering is a modern rifle factory chambered in the caliber and a submoa shooter.

338 federal
built on true short action
easy to obtain brass by resizing 308
good choice of bullets due to commonality
4 factory loads, avail only from 1 company.
stiff kicker in light carbines.

8x57
built on 30-06 action (can load out heavy bullets with room to spare)
brass can be sized from 7x57
not a great choice of reloading components
small number of domestic factory loads (and most are low powered)
less kick than comparable full length calibers w/ like bullets.

8x57 200-gr Speer SP 3.175" 2539 MV
338 federal 200-gr Hornady SP 2.820" 2600 MV

Well, I guess so but the shoulder is further forward on the 8x57 than the 7x57. You'd have to blow the shoulder forward, by fire forming, when using 7x57 brass to make 8x57 cases. 8x57 cases are plentiful and available so using 7x57 brass really shouldn't be needed.




There's really not much to choose, at least ballistically, between the 8x57JS and the .338 Federal.



That said, I have a Rem Model 700 Classic in 8x57JS that I really like. I really don't need a .338 Federal (and I don't own one though I like the concept of the cartridge) since I have an 8x57. The bullet selection for handloading is ample in 8mm but you'll have more choices with the .338" bullets.

Even though I'm a big fan of the 8x57, I don't think the 8x57 offers any compelling advantage over the .338 Federal that it would be worth getting rid of your .338 Federal for an 8x57. But, IMHO, it's all about what we want and what makes us happy and not necessarily about what we need. Do what makes you happy. If you really want the 8x57 then get it. Life is too short.

My two cents. Cheers!
-Bob F.

Love the 8x57

you'd have trouble sticking a feeler gauge between those two....only a terminal rifle looney could sweat the difference.

Load an 8X57 to the same pressures as a 338 Federal and the 8 wins easily!

Ted

Roger that Yukoner. Check out the Vihta Vuori load manual for 8x57JS. Using their powder and their specs is an eye opener.

Why would you NOT buy a sub-MOA rifle if the price is right?

After owning thousands of rifles, I have come to believe that there are not all that many sub-MOA rifles, and even fewer sub-MOA shooters, out there.

I like the 8x57JS and think that the Remington 700 Classics make a pretty nice package, if that is the modern rifle that you're looking at. My Remington in 8x57 is a humble parts gun; 78 action, 700 ADL stock, and 700 Classic barrel.

Jeff

jeff, its a steyr mannlicher and when you buy a steyr you can pretty much expect it to be SubMOA. in fact I have only seen one, a 260 prohunter, that wasnt a shooter. it shot about 1.5" with factory ammo.

By far, I would go with the 8.
I have an RCBS form die that makes 8x57 brass out of 30-06 brass (or .25-06, .270, etc.)

I recently had a .260 Prohunter though, and found that the design is one that you either like or dislike. It didn't handle, or fit me right, for lack of a better description. It shot well, but I could never get over the cosmetic and ergonomic shortcomings that I had with it.

I sounds like you already have experience with the Prohunters though, and if you like the rifles overall, then I would say to go for it.

i am considering selling the kimber montana 338 federal, all the factory ammo, dies and brass and buying the 8x57JS.

Nothing that receives a bullet from the other side will be able to tell the difference. The fact that someone likes an 8x57 a lot and someone else likes a .338 Federal a lot is also wholly inconsequential. The only advantages that can be gained by selling one and buying another will be found wholly within your mind, and only you can tell if they matter to you.

So do whatever appeals to you. And then next year, do whatever else appeals to you. It will not matter in any realm except that within your perception.

Dennis

FWIW:

I would take an 8x57js over a 338 fed because I am fairly certain the 8x57 will survive the decade.

BMT

And you're under the impression that .308 brass and .338 bullets won't be available at the end of the decade?

And oh by the way...exactly who is it that is currently producing hunting-quality 8x57 ammunition? With factory-loaded TSX's?

Dennis

8x57

Which factory brand are you buying 8x57 ammo from?

Precisely my point.

Dennis

I have some Norma ammo and Remington I picked up, seems it's been loaded for a few centuries.

One could even make a ball burping rifle with one, considering all the inexpensive surplus ammo.

8x57 all the way!

Have you chronographed the velocity difference between the Remington and Norma?

Dennis

Remington sucks

Interestingly enough, Nosler is making factory 8x57 ammo -- for sale at Midway USA.

I'd bet that the Remington and Winchester ammo is 300 fps less than the Norma and Nosler.

Dennis

I'll bet you are correct. I don't remember the exact numbers but the Remington was @2300 and that with a 170, the Norma 196 was pushing 2600.

Didn't know about Nosler loading it. Still think the Oryx is about the perfect bullet for that cartridge.

Have you ever killed anything with the Vulcan or Alaska bullets (can't recall which ones you had)