Thoughts on a 338 Federal?

[mattri]

Kicking around the idea of a 338 Federal- anyone here have any experience with one?

Would mostly be for hunting med game, deer, pigs, maybe elk if we ever get back west to hunt.

Like the idea of something a little different, I reload so no issues trying to find ammo.

Would probably play with at the range through the off seasons, we have a local one that goes to 600, might be fun.

Thoughts?

[handirifle]

I think it's an excellent idea. Bullets can go from 160 gr to 210gr, heavier bullets are there, not sure they would work in the '08 based case though. Too big of a hit on performance.

[scope eye]

Remember bullets are going to be traveling sub 2500 FPS, by the time you put a decent bullet in the case, you can only fit 40gr or so of powder, 338-06 would be a more viable option IMHO.

Dean

[LoneWolf]

Well I didn't have the knowledge to back it up, but my mind was right where Scope eye's is. There's a reason the .338 round is usually chambered in a magnum cartridge. could always go with a 7mm-08. I thought about that to use a higher BC round and still be effective for hunting.

[goinssr]

I have a 338 Federal that I built on a model 10 left hand action. I installed an ER Shaw 22" fluted barrel and parked it in a Boyd's gray laminated stock. Anyone who says get something different, or build something different obviously does not have one! It is a very dynamic cartridge and will do anything that you said you want to do with it and do it **** well. You will find that factory loads are easier to locate than those for the 338-06 also.I have been shooting some factory loads from Federal just so I can get empties for reloading and it is impressive with those. I have 200 grain Nosler Accubonds that I will reload for it and I'm expecting some really good results. The recoil is very similar to a 30-06 with lightweight bullets so it's nothing earth shattering. I expect it to be a sledge hammer out to about 250 yards which is as far as I will shoot at an animal anyway.

[mattri]

Great replies thanks.

I have looked long and hard at the 338-06 and think it is a great round but question how much of a gain you get over a 338 Federal, just like the 308 vs 30-06 debate I suppose.

I don't expect Edge velocities by any means but think it might be fun to play with.

Shoot a 7mm-08 now and have no complaints, just thinking about what to do next. Won't build a 308, prefer the oddballs.

[bootsmcguire]

I just thumbed through my Lee manual I keep here by the computer for quick reference, and it looks like there is a pretty fair gain by going with the 338-06 over the 338 Fed.

I looked at bullets from 160 to 210 grains, and it seems the 338-06 was between 150 to 200 FPS faster. In those same weight ranges going to the 338 Win Mag would add another 150 FPS.

If you prefer the oddballs, have you thought about a wildcat like a 338 WSM or SAUM?

[stangfish]

Think brush gun not a 400 yard eland rifle.

[handirifle]

Remember bullets are going to be traveling sub 2500 FPS, by the time you put a decent bullet in the case, you can only fit 40gr or so of powder, 338-06 would be a more viable option IMHO.

Dean

I have to respectfully disagree. Just take a real look at the ballistics. Not sure where you're getting the 2500 from, but the 338 launches a 180gr at 2800fps, from factory loads. It launches a 180gr bullet, FASTER that 30-06 std loads, and in the factory loads.

The 338 still retains over 1800ftlbs of energy in all 3 factory loading, at 300yds.

As I mentioned in my first post, you would not use the 338 Federal with a 250gr .338 bullet. The cartridge wasn't designed to be taking on Alaska Brown bear, although some up there do use the 30-06, and this thing will match the '06 in power.

The bullet diameter adds a lot of mass, and mass retains energy.

At normal hunting ranges he will not be disappointed with the performance of ANY of the animals listed, and many he did not.

[mattri]

Excellent replies again!

Just plugging some quick #s into Hornady's ballistic calculator it looks like a 200gr Nosler that leaves the muzzle @ 2700fps with a 225 yard zero is down 19" @ 400 yards and still hits with 1700 ft/lbs of energy.

Seems like with a little practice and maybe a bdc reticle it would do ok on eland?

Not saying its the perfect round at all, just kicking it around.

[sinman]

I like my 338s that push the 250gr to 3000fps and 300gr to 2800fps or faster

[goinssr]

I have to respectfully disagree. Just take a real look at the ballistics. Not sure where you're getting the 2500 from, but the 338 launches a 180gr at 2800fps, from factory loads. It launches a 180gr bullet, FASTER that 30-06 std loads, and in the factory loads.

The 338 still retains over 1800ftlbs of energy in all 3 factory loading, at 300yds.

As I mentioned in my first post, you would not use the 338 Federal with a 250gr .338 bullet. The cartridge wasn't designed to be taking on Alaska Brown bear, although some up there do use the 30-06, and this thing will match the '06 in power.

The bullet diameter adds a lot of mass, and mass retains energy.

At normal hunting ranges he will not be disappointed with the performance of ANY of the animals listed, and many he did not.

This is relative to the information that I used when I decided to build the 338 Federal. It's external ballistics are very impressive. Actually far more so than one would imagine. The 180-200 grain bullets in the 308 sized case is just a very efficient combination. With a Barnes all copper bullet, Nosler Partition, or any of the other super premium bullets I cannot see where it would fall short of ideal for any North American game except maybe the Brown/Grizzly bears and I think it would be respectable on those at 200 yards or less. The 338-06 or the 338 Win Mag would certainly deliver the more potent punch but the problem with those is that they deliver more on each end of the rifle.

[JASmith]

We could go nut figuring this out -- even making arguments that the .308 Winchester will handle heavier bullets when using 1-10 twist or faster barrels.

Point is that the .338 Federal will do a good job for what you want.

The neat thing about the Savage is you get to change things without hocking the family silver when you want to go to a different caliber.

Enjoy!

[mattri]

C'mon Devin, what's 1000fps between friends? If only there were a 338 that would deliver that kind of performance and fit in a la mag well.....

The comment re building on a savage is spot on. There is absolutely nothing wrong with any of the rifles I'm shooting right now. In fact they all shoot pretty well- so time for a change. Maybe not tomorrow but time to start putting ideas together.

[sinman]

Actually there is, if you haven't read up on my 338 Sin give it a look, it will put those numbers out through a 24" barrel with a COAL of 3.50"

[mattri]

LOL yeah I was just giving you a hard time.

[navyman]

As a new member on here and a savage fan, also a gunsmith I have built a half dozen of 338 Federals and with mixed feelings,
I think its a great cal. out to 400 yards but the drop off at that point is a lot. But killing power is there for deer, pigs. better choices in 338 are there if YOU! want them. 338 ultra mag 338 win mag 338/06 ect. But if you like the idea of a 338 fed. then build it . if you find you need more its just a reamer away.. navy!

[FW Conch]

matti, I don't have a 338 Fed., but I do have a 358 Win. and I love it. I shoot 225 grn pills and it doesn't drop Deer- it knocks them off their feet out to 225yds! And no "bloodshot" meat ! I say "go for it" !

[JASmith]

...if you find you need more its just a reamer away.. navy!

+1 !!

[handirifle]

Navyman
I know you're a smith, cause you said so, but ya gotta get the Savage mentality here, it's not a reamer away, it's a barrel swap away. Twenty minutes of work, and voila! A new gun:cheer2:. Welcome to the brotherhood of the barrel nut, by the way.