Who has built a .338 Federal?

[Newtosavage]

Since acquiring my 7x57, I find my .308 a little boring and redundant. Been toying with the idea of a rebarrel on that action for a while, but couldn't figure out what to go with. I have a 7.62x39 Savage model 10 that covers me on the low end, the 7x57 for most intermediate uses, and now I'm toying with the idea of converting my model 11 in .308 to a .338 Federal for a "heavy" gun in the hopes I may use it on elk someday.

Looking at the ballistics of the .338 Federal, they compare very favorably for a short action cartridge based on the .308 case, without going the WSM route on a small shank action.

Has anyone done this build? Thoughts, results?

Thanks.

[Newtosavage]

That many, huh? :D

[Hotolds442]

I have one in a Remington 600, built way before Federal adopted the cartrige and put their name on it.

[FW Conch]

I have done a 358 Win and really like it. Have taken deer with it, hit bone and anchored them rite there with no blood shot meat! :-)

[alphapygmy]

I built a 338 Federal using a 21" SS fluted Pac-Nor that was real nice to carry in the dense woods of NW Oregon. I also built a 338-06 with a 22" A&B barrel. Since I use Barnes bullets I preferred the 338-06 velocities. Only 2650 FPS for the 338 Fed but almost 3000 for the 338-06. If you want a combo deer/elk I would say go with a 338-06 if you have a long action. If you have to do a short action 338 Fed is okay just find something else besides Barnes which seem to work better the faster you push, within reason. The old 200 grain Nosler Ballistic Tip was a perfect match but I think they discontinued them.

[kwood94xj]

I have also been thinking of a rebarrel to .338 Federal. I like the fact that I can switch barrels pretty quickly and not have to change anything else from the parent .308 rifle.

[Newtosavage]

What little information I can find suggests the .338 Federal punches above it's weight class for elk-sized game. Of course, the .308 with the right loading is a known performer on elk within reasonable ranges too, so I am not sure how much I'd be gaining. But I like unique guns, and a Savage short action in .338 Federal would be a unique gun alright.

[Newtosavage]

I guess since Savage has been making model 11's and model 10 Hog Hunters in .338, there would be factory .338 Federal barrels available from Savage?

[Hotolds442]

Savage will not sell you a barrel under any circumstances per Effie at Savage Customer Service.

[Newtosavage]

Well darn. Do you know if they would rebarrel my rifle?

[thatguyshm]

338 Federal is an amazing round. Load it up with 180 gr Accubonds and some faster medium burning powder and you are good to go.

I'm working this spring on TAC powder and mr2000 a bit more. I gave up on it this past summer once I really started working with my 338-06. For 200 gr HotCor 46.0 gr RL15 gave amazing results in both my DPMS and Ruger. Never put it over the chrono though.

Varmint was giving some pretty good results, just hadn't zeroed in on my go to load yet. I think varmint will kick butt with Barnes 160gr.

[Newtosavage]

I assume you mean "Varget?"

Glad to hear you've had good luck with the .338 Federal. I may have to just find a Hog Hunter chambered in the round, and see what I can do with it.

My .308 is too close to my 7x57 and it's redundant now that I have that 7x57 shooting MOA out to 300 yards. So if I'm going to keep that rifle, I feel like I need something else out of it.

[thatguyshm]

Nope, Alliant Varmint powder. It's similar in burn rate to Reloader 12, which puts it very close to TAC. Seems to work great with light for caliber medium rifle projectiles. I want to try a new chrono this year, but early numbers put the 180 gr ABs around 2750 if I recall correctly. I don't have my numbers in front of me at the moment.

[Newtosavage]

180's at 2750 is some strong medicine in a short action non-magnum. I'm intrigued.

[thatguyshm]

I think after I finish my 300 winny build I'm going to pick up a magnetospeed to verify. It's been very easy to work with. Just need to take time with my rifle, it heats up easy, want to ensure its a cold bore speed before I post charge weights.