338 FEDERAL

[ms]

Anoka, MN – December 2, 2005 – The new .338 Federal is a cartridge that provides the energy of a 7mm Rem Mag in a necked-up .308 case. It’s the ultimate big game caliber designed with reasonable recoil for today’s lightweight rifles. It exhibits great performance on a variety of large game and is the first ever rifle cartridge to earn the right to bear the Federal name on its headstamp.

Federal Cartridge Company pioneered the Premium ammunition category in 1977. With decades of successful manufacturing, forward-thinking and outstanding quality, only one thing was missing—Federal’s own cartridge.

This void is now filled with a unique combination of two time-tested designs—the .338 bullet atop the versatile .308 cartridge case. It’s a combination that’s been made a legitimate cartridge by the development efforts of the engineering and ballistics staff at Federal in collaboration with Sako rifles. A larger diameter bullet in the shorter-action .308 case generates approximately 200 feet per second more velocity than a standard .308 with a 30-caliber bullet (when comparable bullet weights are considered).

The .338 Federal delivers the only modern .338-caliber load that isn’t a magnum configuration. It gives big game hunters a larger diameter bullet for more weight and overall energy on target—without magnum recoil.

According to Federal President Mark DeYoung, "This product breaks new ground for Federal and compliments our emphasis on product innovation. The .338 Federal captures the capability of the longstanding .308 case, and offers the respected performance of the .338 bullet, a favorite of big game hunters. These two mainstays have been proven time and again and are now brought together into a quality factory load. This cartridge also offers an advanced option in support of the current trend for lighter rifles. The .338 Federal offers hunters more muzzle energy than a 30-06 Springfield—equaling that of a 7mm Rem Mag. It’s a non-magnum offering that boasts magnum energy. The round delivers devastating performance on game, including deer, bear and elk and we’re proud to put our name on it."

Three Premium load offerings will be available in the fall of 2006:
P338FA1: 180-grain Nosler AccuBond 2830 fps
P338FB: 210-grain Nosler Partition 2630 fps
P338FC: 185-grain Barnes Triple-Shock 2750 fps

Product will be available in spring of 2006. Keep an eye on the Federal and Sako websites for more ballistic information and availability updates.

About Federal Cartridge Company
Headquartered in Anoka, Minnesota, Federal Cartridge Company has been providing hunters and shooters with high-quality rimfire, centerfire and shotshell ammunition since 1922 and is part of ATK’s Ammunition Group. For more information on Federal, visit www.federalpremium.com.

About Sako
Since 1921, Sako has been producing what many experts consider the best bolt-action sporting rifles on the market. Their core knowledge manifests itself most notably in the form of superior accuracy: every rifle leaving Sako's Riihimaki, Finland, factory is tested to shoot 1" groups at 100 yards or better. Also, Sako actions are greatly prized by custom gunsmiths for their precision engineering, smoothness and trigger-quality. Sako also manufactures their sister-brand Tikka, which is becoming increasingly popular in the United states for the incredible value it provides for the price. Both the Sako and Tikka brands have been part of the Beretta family of companies since 2000. Find out more at www.sako.fi.

[Jim n Iowa]

whoa I have got to quite drinking this cheap "Whiskey" I shoot and load for a 338 mag. So have I missed something ie: 338 Federal. I shoot a Ruger M77 and the lightest bullet that it will accecpt is a Sierra 215 SPBT that can be seated .010 off the lands. I trust we are not talking about a true .338 Mag in this thread.
Jim

[quickdtoo]

It's a .338-08....

http://outdoorwriters.atk.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=3&s2=8&id=80&brand=5&year=2005

[longwalker]

I feel the love. I built up a 338-06, a great gun and great cartidge. I expect the 338 Federal will just about anything the 338-06 will. I also bet the ammunition won't be as expensive as the Weatherby 40.00 a box 338-06 ammo.

Easy to shoot, great on game animal, what more could you ask for?

longwalker

bigger is better

[Jim n Iowa]

Tim
Thanks for the reply. I am not sure I see the need for this cal. ( I shoot 7mm mag and 338 mag) for me but then their are a lot of new and fresh ideas coming out, and I hope it sells.
Jim

[TNrifleman]

The 338 Federal sounds very interesting to me. Does anyone know who intends to chamber this cartridge? A short action bolt gun would be sweet!

[quickdtoo]

This void is now filled with a unique combination of two time-tested designs—the .338 bullet atop the versatile .308 cartridge case. It’s a combination that’s been made a legitimate cartridge by the development efforts of the engineering and ballistics staff at Federal in collaboration with Sako rifles. A larger diameter bullet in the shorter-action .308 case generates approximately 200 feet per second more velocity than a standard .308 with a 30-caliber bullet (when comparable bullet weights are considered).

Looks like Sako to start with....think of it as a short action 338-06 or a non-magnum short mag!! :wink:

[TNrifleman]

Yeah, I saw the Sako thing in the article. I'm hoping that Remington, Winchester, or Ruger will pick the 338 Federal up.

[Buckfever]

Besides being a short action what does this caliber do that a 30-06 doesn't?  Aren't 338 bullets designed to be tougher to handle the velocity?
Maybe Federal has that handled?  Just wondered what the gain would be if you had a 30-06, and used High Energy Loads?  Buckfever

[nomosendero]

Buckfever, let's don't get too logical, now.  
I am with you on this one, but it may be a way for some to justify a new
rifle & definitely a way for Federal to sell more ammo.

[TNrifleman]

Buckfever,

You do have a point about the good old '06. It will do about anything 90%+ of the cartridges available will do. There is no real debate there. But wouldn't it be a boring thing if we didn't have new toys to wish for and play with?

If you think about it, we have way too many flavors of ice cream too.... :grin:

[358Win]

This should be a great round.  I'm a little confused as to why this hasn't already been with us for 45 years.  I can only assume that the market failure of the 358 Winchester has a lot to do with being afraid to try moderation in all thiings lead to great works.

It clear from the published ballistics; three offerings will be available in the fall of 2006:
         P338FA1: 180-grain Nosler AccuBond 2830 fps
         P338FB: 210-grain Nosler Partition 2630 fps
        P338FC: 185-grain Barnes Triple-Shock 2750 fps
that the loading pressure and/or the duration of high pressure are somewhat higher than for the 358 Winchester.

I'm able to get 2,600 fps from the 20" barrel of my BLR in 358 Win. with 49.5 grains of Accurate Arms AA2520.  Note that this is a compressed maximum load, please start your efforts at least 2.0 grains lower to begin with.

.358 WINCHESTER
Introduced in 1955 by Winchester for their Model70 bolt action and Model 88 lever action rifles, the .358 Winchester is based on the .308 Winchester
case necked up to .35 caliber.  In Europe it is known as the 8.8 x 51mm and is currently chambered by several European rifle manufacturers. Both accurate and powerful, the .358 is adequate for any North American Big     Game as long as the range is not stretched too far.
The .358 Winchester has an advantage over its predecessors, the .35 Winchester and the .348 Winchester in that it can be loaded to higher  pressures, and it utilizes spitzer bullets which retain down-range velocity better. This is a cartridge that was too good to die but did anyway.
The SAAMI Maximum Average Pressure for the .358 Winchester is 52,000 C.U.P.

.358 WINCHESTER

START LOADS MAXIMUM LOADS Cartridge
Bullet Powder Grains Vel. Powder Grains Vel. C.U.P. Length Comment

205 (L) RNGC 5744 25.0 1820 5744 30.0 2091 42,600 2.595 " LY358315
                     2015 36.9 2174 2015 41.0 2470 41,600
                     2230 36.9 2061 2230 41.0 2342 43,300
                     2460 38.7 2132 2460 43.0 2423 42,700
                     2495 38.7 2177 2495 43.0 2474 44,800
                     2520 40.5 2167 2520 45.0 2462 41,200
                     2700 44.7 2080 2700 47.0 2213 42,600


HDY 200 SP 2015 37.8 2218 2015 42.0 2520 49,400 2.640 "
                  2230 39.6 2160 2230 44.0 2454 51,400
                  2460 41.4 2206 2460 46.0 2507 51,400
                  2495 41.4 2124 2495 46.0 2414 40,700 Compressed
                  2520 44.6 2260 2520 49.5 2568 48,900 Compressed
                  2700 47.5 2164 2700 50.0 2302 45,500 Compressed


.Bullet Powder Grains Vel. Powder Grains Vel. C.U.P. Length Comment
SRA 225 SBT 2015 36.9 2109 2015 41.0 2397 49,300 2.740 "
                    2230 38.7 2062 2230 43.0 2343 50,800
                    2460 39.6 2090 2460 44.0 2375 51,000
                    2495 41.4 2116 2495 46.0 2405 47,800 Compressed
                    2520 43.2 2167 2520 48.0 2462 49,000 Compressed
                    2700 47.5 2111 2700 50.0 2246 47,600 Compressed


HDY 250 RN 2015 36.0 2013 2015 40.0 2288 49,600 2.745 "
                  2230 38.7 1998 2230 43.0 2271 52,000
                  260 39.6 2033 2460 44.0 2310 52,000
                  2495 41.4 2027 2495 46.0 2303 43,400 Compressed
                  2520 45.6 2247 2520 48.0 2390 49,700 Compressed
                  2700 47.5 2081 2700 50.0 2214 49,800 Compressed

NOTE:  I'm going  to chronograph the 125 grain revolver bullet.benind 43.0 grains Hogdon 380 this satureday.  then a'lll know

[Daveinthebush]

I would like to see some energy levels for the .338 compared to the .325 WSM. They are both short action rounds and should be handy.  But which one has the better energy levels?

[nomosendero]

The 325 WSM has much more energy as WSM case is substantially bigger
& able to handle comparable wt. bullets & also bigger ones again because of the powder capacity.

[358Win]

Yes the powder capacity of the 325 WSM is in the high 70's, low 80's.  The 338 Federal has a max powder capacity of about 50 grains.  Out to about 250 yards both will be equally suitable for Elk.  The 325 WSM definitely has the range advantage.  But you pay for that with about double the recoil and triple the muzzle blast.

As you can tell I'd much rather have the 338 Federal, or even better yet a 358 Win.  Odd things like the 9.3x57mm or a 375 using the 284 Win case which is essentially a 375 Whelen in a short action would all be preferred to Winchesters new 8mm Magnum i.e. the 325 WSM.

[kombi1976]

It must be in a similar vein to Jack O'Connor's proposed wildcat, the .338-57 O'Connor, which is basically 7x57 necked up to .338 cal.
Chuck Hawks talks about it doing about 2450fps with a 200gn bullet.
Anyone wishing read a bit more here's a link:
http://www.chuckhawks.com/sensible_cartridges.htm
Sure the .338 Fed is punchier but you can see the same logic behind O'Connor's wild cat.
In all truth a .338/8x57 would be a better performer, but I digress.

[Con]

The 338Federal would make a pretty neat cartridge for a light trim auto-loader. It'll be interesting nevertheless to watch how this one fares. I'm also particularly interested in how the first gunrag hunting reports are portrayed ... will it be pitted against elk, black bear, hogs or whitetail? As just another deer cartridge it wont go far, but as an elk cartridge it might build a different perception of itself.
Cheers...
Con

[Idaho_Hick]

I feel like crying.  First they took that wonderful .308 case and necked it down to .243.  Then they necked it up to .358, then down to .284 and then .264 and now, they have necked it up to .338.  Now why, deer sweet jesus, does everybody avoid the .257 caliber.  Why has it been necked down and up to the bastard (at least here in america) .264 and .358 calibers, and yet our semi-popular quarter bore is being ignored.  Is anybody listening?  Give me a factory .25 souper and ammo and I will buy it.  And for the love of god, give it a fast enough twist to stabilize 120 grain bullets and all the VLD designs.

[kombi1976]

I feel like crying.  First they took that wonderful .308 case and necked it down to .243.  Then they necked it up to .358, then down to .284 and then .264 and now, they have necked it up to .338.  Now why, deer sweet jesus, does everybody avoid the .257 caliber.  Why has it been necked down and up to the bastard (at least here in america) .264 and .358 calibers, and yet our semi-popular quarter bore is being ignored.  Is anybody listening?  Give me a factory .25 souper and ammo and I will buy it.  And for the love of god, give it a fast enough twist to stabilize 120 grain bullets and all the VLD designs.

One word.......25-06.

[beemanbeme]

To play the Devil's Advocate for a moment, I uderstand this could be said of a lot of cartridges but what does the .338 Federal bring to the table that a .358 Win doesn't??  And the .358 is dying a lingering death from lack of interest.
Also, what sort of bullets are available that would be suitable for a sub magnum cartridge??

[aulrich]

what sort of bullets are available that would be suitable for a sub magnum cartridge

The 180 and 200 grain BT, 200 grain Accubond, 210 partition, the 210 and sum Barnes TSX, and probably all of the sub 225 standard cup and core bullets.  The BT and TSX's are supposed to open up down to 1400 fps so that is well inside the performance window.

[kombi1976]

Woodleigh, from memory, also makes a 225gn RNSN that'll open down to 1900fps.
It's a bonded core bullet and probably would be suitable for brush busting.

[358Win]

I'm just glad that Browning is keeping the 358 Win alive in the BLR.  It is such a dead round here in Utah that I've yet to be able to find a box of factory ammo.  Fortunately there is plenty of empty brass available and if I don't reload it myself, I pretty much don't shoot it.  In fact I'd say that reloading is my first love and shooting is my second.

I sure hope the headspace on the 338 Federal is the same as the 308 and 358.  Since I got another good lot of brass by firing 308's in the 358 chamber.  They fire-form perfectly.  I've always liked Federal brass and it the headspace is the same I'm sure I'll make some more 358 brass by shooting 338 Federals in the 358 chamber.  Then I'll have some really nice 358 Win cases in Federal brass.  But I do hold to the school of thought that there is nothing the 338 Federal can do that the 358 Win can't do better.  Not to mention varmint/predator rounds using 357 Revolver bullets at 3,000 fps +