338 Federal

[bmbtek02]

I just got a glimpse of a article on this round a 308 necked up to 338? Is this right  and does anyone have any load data or detailed info on this round?

[Lone Star]

Google is your friend.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/338_federal_first_look.htm

http://www.federalcartridge.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=4&s2=6&id=80&brand=5&year=2006

http://fieldandstream.blogs.com/gunnut/2006/02/the_338_federal.html

http://www.shootingtimes.com/gunsmoke/gs0406/

[Gregory]

This thread is on the bolt action forum:

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=91530

[Slamfire]

Ken Waters did a Pet Loads article on it while it was still a wildcat. I'll bet Wolfe Publishin' would be happy to send you a copy of the magazine.  :wink:

[WyoStillhunter]

If I didn't already have an '06, a 35 Whelen, a 35 Rem, and a .444 Marlin, I would be VERY interested in the new Federal 338-308.  It would do anything I wanted done in the lower 48.

[Rummer]

I think this cartridge is a great concept and will be as commercially successful as the .338-06, .358 win, and .35 whelen.  This is to say that it will have a relatively limited following among people who really like it.

It is currently only available in one rifle, and a pricy one at that.  The bullets that are being loaded for it are all premium bullets designed for use at .338 magnum velocities.

The short action works against this cartridge as it limits bullet length and weight.  This isn't that big a deal because there isn't enough powder in the case to make the 225+ grain bullets work, even if they would fit in the magazine.

I think that since the most commonly hunted game on this continent is deer, a soft 200 grain bullet like the speer spitzer or 200 grain hornady flat point will would be great.  But the only loaded bullets for this right now are a partition, an x bullet and I believe an accubond.  The 210 grain partition may be a good "do-it-all" bullet if it is fired in a rifle that can achieve the advertised factory ballistics.

If this were available in a BLR, reington pump, etc., and loaded with a nice soft 200 grain bullet for deer, it would be a real winner.

Rummer

[longwalker]

In my case I went with the 336-06. The reason was to have something just a little bit different, and have a rifle for larger game.  I have found the larger somewhat slower bullets get the job done very effectiively and there is considerably less "meat " damage.

Where the 338 federal may have an advantage is lighter weight rifles. This takes in to consideration the precieved advantages of the lightweight hunting rifle and reduced recoil of non magnum ammunition.

Remember this is the USA if it isn't lighter, faster, and cheaper, it just old school.

longwalker

[Del]

The .338 Federal........

Wow, this looks like a great round, I'm thinking of having my .243 rebarreled to this cartridge.

Using same weight bullets, it's faster & flatter shooting then the .308 & .358 out to 300 yards.
May not be quite as flat shooting as the smaller members of the .308 family, (.243, .260, 7/08) but sure packs more energy!!