Author Topic: 338 Federal should be about dead by now (Read 19239 times)

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #60 on:** September 13, 2009, 05:54:35 AM »

I confess to liking big fat, heavy bullets at moderate recoil levels. A good bullet, well placed at 300+ yards is a pretty useful tool and it only gets better with bigger bullets.

The .338 Federal is fine for about 99% of all hunting needs in NA, but then so are the .308 Win and a host of other cartridges.

Whether it survives or not remains to be seen. Personally I hope it does, as I like having lots of options available.

jro45 · « **Reply #61 on:** September 14, 2009, 01:47:31 AM »

Mine is shooting those bullets faster then the 338 Federal, I have and shoot the 338 RUM
Too Bad about the 338 Federal.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #62 on:** September 14, 2009, 07:00:08 AM »

Quote from: jro45 on September 14, 2009, 01:47:31 AM

Mine is shooting those bullets faster then the 338 Federal, I have and shoot the 338 RUM
Too Bad about the 338 Federal.

Well with that in mind just go with the 50 cal and be gone !!!
Do not have much use for the super Mags myself though I guess they have their own use . If you can not get it with the 338W Mag then get a bit closer .
Going to the 338 F to a 338/06 then 340 Wea, to 338WM to 338 Rum just adds more speed and thump on both ends.
Bigger and faster is not always the need .
A lot of deer here in Ontario were shot in the past with a 32/20 by the native's
Now something in the 300 Savage to the mighty 3006 serves me in the eastern bush.

ctrout · « **Reply #63 on:** September 14, 2009, 12:32:23 PM »

Quote from: Harry Snippe on September 14, 2009, 07:00:08 AM

Quote from: jro45 on September 14, 2009, 01:47:31 AM
Mine is shooting those bullets faster then the 338 Federal, I have and shoot the 338 RUM
Too Bad about the 338 Federal.
If you can not get it with the 338W Mag then get a bit closer .

If you can't kill it at 1000yds, get a bigger gun.

nomosendero · « **Reply #64 on:** September 14, 2009, 01:50:12 PM »

let's just don't start the shooting vs hunting nonsense that starts up every 2-3 months please!!

jro45 · « **Reply #65 on:** September 15, 2009, 01:41:49 AM »

I could kill a moose at 200yds with my 338 RUM. I mean the FT LB are there.

billy_56081 · « **Reply #66 on:** September 15, 2009, 01:55:24 AM »

I'm, not saying the 338 fed is not a good cartridge, just that the niche for is is so tiny that it will not survive. Commercial rounds need large market to survive.

john keyes · « **Reply #67 on:** September 15, 2009, 08:48:17 AM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on September 13, 2009, 05:54:35 AM

The .338 Federal is fine for about 99% of all hunting needs in NA, but then so are the .308 Win and a host of other cartridges.

sad but true...CH
a while back on gunbroker there was an unfired, new old stock whatever Savage 99 in .358. I had cold sweats watching the auction. the BIN was only about $1200. I kept watching the bidding go up infinitesimally so slowly.....I actually wanted to email the seller and proclaim:

these people are dummies.....why don't they BIN if they want the damn rifle

I had to sit there and tell myself "look dude, you have a savage 99 in .308 that is everything you want, has shot cloverleafs at 100 yds (with factory irons) and 1" at 200 yards (vintage weaver). YOU DO NOT NEED THAT 358!

BBF · « **Reply #68 on:** September 16, 2009, 01:51:06 AM »

E v e r y b o d y needs a 35 cal something

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #69 on:** September 16, 2009, 03:57:05 AM »

Quote from: BBF on September 16, 2009, 01:51:06 AM

E v e r y b o d y needs a 35 cal something

I have a .357 Mag revolver - does that count?

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #70 on:** September 16, 2009, 09:29:20 AM »

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on September 16, 2009, 03:57:05 AM

Quote from: BBF on September 16, 2009, 01:51:06 AM
E v e r y b o d y needs a 35 cal something

I have a .357 Mag revolver - does that count?

Yep !!! how are things ol' buddy ?
Which one for the first hunt this year ?
I got the 20 Guage ready for birds ,338F for bear , then 300 Wm for Moose !!!

The 357 is good for close work - When you can see the white of there eye's!!!!!!

crash87 · « **Reply #71 on:** September 19, 2009, 04:55:57 AM »

Quote from: BBF on September 16, 2009, 01:51:06 AM

E v e r y b o d y needs a 35 cal something

OR 2, AMEN!

poncaguy · « **Reply #72 on:** September 19, 2009, 05:42:24 AM »

I guess if my 338 Federal doesn't work, I can use my 35 Whelen, or 45-70, or maybe, my 460 S&W Encore.

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #73 on:** September 19, 2009, 06:44:27 AM »

Quote from: Harry Snippe on September 16, 2009, 09:29:20 AM

Quote from: Coyote Hunter on September 16, 2009, 03:57:05 AM
Quote from: BBF on September 16, 2009, 01:51:06 AM
E v e r y b o d y needs a 35 cal something

I have a .357 Mag revolver - does that count?

Yep !!! how are things ol' buddy ?
Which one for the first hunt this year ?
I got the 20 Guage ready for birds ,338F for bear , then 300 Wm for Moose !!!

The 357 is good for close work - When you can see the white of there eye's!!!!!!

You mean like this?

Coming up :
October 3rd: Wyoming doe antelope (2 tags) = .257 Roberts and Marlin .30-30
October 31st: Colorado cow elk (2 tags) and doe deer (2 tags) = .300 WM and .30-06

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #74 on:** September 19, 2009, 08:51:46 AM »

]

I have a .357 Mag revolver - does that count?
[/quote]

Yep !!! how are things ol' buddy ?
Which one for the first hunt this year ?
I got the 20 Guage ready for birds ,338F for bear , then 300 Wm for Moose !!!

The 357 is good for close work - When you can see the white of there eye's!!!!!!
[/quote]

You mean like this?

Coming up :
October 3rd: Wyoming doe antelope (2 tags) = .257 Roberts and Marlin .30-30
October 31st: Colorado cow elk (2 tags) and doe deer (2 tags) = .300 WM and .30-06

[/quote]

We were just looking at this trough my scope yesterday( same picture) lookin fer bear, Got a look and in a few weeks were are allowed to shoot one.
Wife got the 3006, And I the 300 WM followed by the 338F.The federal will do the close work!!

See your going good ol' buddy

mrbigtexan · « **Reply #75 on:** September 24, 2009, 05:08:48 PM »

i hope it doesn't die because i'm thinking hard about rebarreling a rem. 788 in it.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #76 on:** September 25, 2009, 12:51:13 AM »

Quote from: mrbigtexan on September 24, 2009, 05:08:48 PM

i hope it doesn't die because i'm thinking hard about rebarreling a rem. 788 in it.

All things some time or other will come to an end, Just as the folks who wish this cartridge dead .
Can't see anything going and gone too soon- based on the 308 case- and the 338 bullets too!! are here to stay .

So should the round someday not be on the shelf -you can always roll your own with a 308 case .

Argonaut · « **Reply #77 on:** October 17, 2009, 03:00:01 PM »

Just to throw a little more fuel on the .308 30-06 fight (I like and use both), most load date and factory ammo for the 06 is loaded to lower pressure than the .308. handloading make the gap somewhat harder for the .308 to close and of course the heavier the bullet the bigger the gap.

Tonk · « **Reply #78 on:** October 18, 2009, 04:44:31 AM »

Now what should have been and wasn't, was more manufacturers producing rifles in the .338/06 caliber years ago. I never cared or needed a .338-Federal, I have a couple of .338 Win mag model 70 Winchesters and a wildcat in a .338/300-Ultra Mag that fills the gap.

The .338/06 does everything the .338 mag will do out to at least 250 yards or better and recoil is less to boot. I love that little lightweight .338/06 in the high country. It is a real pleasure to carry around and your arms don't get near as tired after hunting for 10 hours a day etc.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #79 on:** October 18, 2009, 06:55:37 AM »

You guys and your big Mags . There is a place for Untra Mag something , and even the 300 something WHY, , then also the 300 and 338 Winchesters , but who wants to carry something that big in the eastern bush , where the 300 Savage , 308, 338F and 358W through to the good ol' 06 will get the job done . We are not shooting across canyons , no shots are under 200 yards with ninty persent going 60 to 75 yards .This is were a 200-225 Gr. bullet goes nicely in a big black bear &Moose,the 150, 165, are great for deer and the 180 gr. and the 06 will tackle the moose .

I would not even think of anything larger than the 300W Mag here unless I am in a bit more open country where a longer shot will present it'self . This is the place for the medium bores and also the levers not mentioned .

Now for the western hunter there is probably a need for your 338/300 Altra and no use for the 30/30 , but every situation is different

Drilling Man · « **Reply #80 on:** October 18, 2009, 11:40:24 AM »

Quote from: Tonk on October 18, 2009, 04:44:31 AM

Now what should have been and wasn't, was more manufacturers producing rifles in the .338/06 caliber years ago.

The .338/06 does everything the .338 mag will do out to at least 250 yards or better and recoil is less to boot.

I agree with that part of your post, it really IS too bad more .338-06's weren't produced.

Waaaaay back when Sierra produced their "first" .338, 250 BT's, they were on the soft side. It didn't take too long before Sierra toughened them up, but i had already bought some of the first ones for my .338-06, and i carried a few of them along on hunts.

One time on a brown bear hunt, nearly every morning, i'd spot the same bull caribou walking along the side of the top of a mountain, always in about the same place. After I had helped a couple friends get their bears, i decided to focus on that caribou.

So, one morning a friend and i, got up early, and headed up on the mountain to flatten that caribou, as the meat would be welcome in camp. Anyway, about an hour after we got up there, i spotted him wondering along the top, which was quite flat. IT didn't take long to figure out, there was NO WAY i could get any closer than about 250 yards, as he started feeding away from us, and you just can't catch up with a caribou that's moving away from you, even if it's feeding! Anyway, i slipped in one of those Sierra's, lay down prone, and shot him in the ribs.

That bullet never exited that caribou, it did flatten him, but the bullet came apart inside him and i never trusted those bullets again on anything but perfect rib shots.

DM

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #81 on:** October 19, 2009, 09:12:41 AM »

Quote from: Harry Snippe on October 18, 2009, 06:55:37 AM

You guys and your big Mags . There is a place for Untra Mag something , and even the 300 something WHY, , then also the 300 and 338 Winchesters , but who wants to carry something that big in the eastern bush , where the 300 Savage , 308, 338F and 358W through to the good ol' 06 will get the job done . We are not shooting across canyons , no shots are under 200 yards with ninty persent going 60 to 75 yards .This is were a 200-225 Gr. bullet goes nicely in a big black bear &Moose,the 150, 165, are great for deer and the 180 gr. and the 06 will tackle the moose .

I would not even think of anything larger than the 300W Mag here unless I am in a bit more open country where a longer shot will present it'self . This is the place for the medium bores and also the levers not mentioned .

Now for the western hunter there is probably a need for your 338/300 Altra and no use for the 30/30 , but every situation is different

Harry –

Carrying substantially more gun that is needed is just that – and unnecessarily hard on the shoulder to boot. As I get older I definitely appreciate guns that are easy on the shoulder, and my hunting buddy, who just had shoulder surgery a few months back, finds that his 7mm RM gets to be too much after a few rounds.

Yesterday it was my two .30-06s and .300 WM that were at the range. The Rem .30-06 is a virgin and will go hunting elk in a 11 days, the Ruger .30-06 was there just to have another rifle to shoot while the others cooled. The .300 WM will be my main elk rifle this year and the Remington .30-06 will get pulled out only after the first elk is down or when I’m hunting deer.

While I hadn’t shot the .300 WM since 2006 when I took a cow elk at 260 yards, it shot superbly. During the day I took only 5 shots with it – three at 100 yards with three different loads – 180g North Fork, 180g MRX and 168g A-MAX. They printed in a .9” group, a double and a “flyer”, with only 1.8” vertical dispersion. The remaining two shots were at the freshly painted steel at 500 and 600 yards with a 180g MRX, the bullet I will use this year. The first at 500 was a hit at the 4:30 position and 3” out from center, the shot at 600 was 2-1/2” due east of dead center. Didn’t allow quite enough for the crosswind in either case, I guess.

Long shots may well be important this year. In fact, I’m using Google Earth to explore Colorado’s Unit 5, which I’ll be hunting for the first time this year, to locate areas where long shots are possible – hoping to catch some elk as they head for the higher, darker woods early in the morning. The .300 WM should be just the ticket.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #82 on:** October 20, 2009, 11:01:28 AM »

Coyote Hunter

Watching some of the shows on TSN , I can only dream of the country you hunt in . Elk are animals just introduced here , and the few that were planted at the begining of this century are some times seen but never hunted here in Eastern Ontario .
Moose from 500 to 800 Lbs are our big game animals though black bears can sometimes be found up to 500 Lbs but 200 to 250 Lbs are the norm.Then there is Whitetails a plenty .
Some people have a 300 to 338 Mag for the long Hydo cuts we see near North Bay , and this is were I will carry the 300 WM. I like the medium calipiers for moose / bear/ deer where shoots are usually under 100 yards and this is were the 308, 338 F and 358 W guns do well, as also the 308ME and the 338ME
Some still carry the 30/30 W , the 300 Sav. and the 303 British , and laugh at me sitting on the end of a swamp with my 300 WM . You see even with the 30/30 they get their moose , Just get a bit closer and place your shot .Then some times all you have is a snap shot in the thick and it is all over for either you of the deer in about ten seconds .
You need to be quick on the draw -and still be able to place that shot .
I could not imagine any one shooting or even having the time to place a shot , at some of the distance's you guys shoot in the west .Then that what makes us all different

Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #83 on:** October 20, 2009, 02:44:27 PM »

Quote from: Harry Snippe on October 20, 2009, 11:01:28 AM

...
I could not imagine any one shooting or even having the time to place a shot , at some of the distance's you guys shoot in the west .Then that what makes us all different

Harry –

You’d like to hunt elk, I’d love to hunt moose – at least once! While I have 3 preference points for Colorado I don’t expect I’ll ever get enough to get drawn.

The longest shot I’ve ever taken was 350 yards on a nice 6x5 bull. We had been watching the herd of about 80 for 6 hours through sun, wind, rain, sleet, three inches off snow and more sunshine. At sundown I was able to get within 350 yards, pushing myself the last 100 yards head first on my back through barrel cactus and sage. When I arrived at the desired spot I discovered snow in the muzzle. I removed the bolt, cleaned the muzzle with a sage twig, reassembled and reloaded. By then the bull had laid down again, behind a cow. I waited and they got up and started walking off together, the bull shielded by the cow – I thought I was never going to get a shot! Then the cow stopped and the bull stepped out in front – BLAM! One 160g Grand Slam, in and out through the shoulders. The bull dropped straight down, struggled to its feet and took a couple steps. Just as the trigger broke on my follow-up shot it collapsed for the last time, done for. My second shot missed high as a result.

At the time I thought that was a long shot. These days I practice with clay pigeons at 400 and steel out to 600. Got notice from Krieger that my 6.5mm-06AI finally shipped today – if all goes well it will get me out even further. Here are some pics taken from hunting seasons gone by – just to whet your appetite:

Dink 6x6 bull, 213 lasered yards, Marlin .45-70

Marlin .30-30 in thicker stuff (but not that thick..)

My buddy, Dave, is the speck of orange out around 270 yards and his doe is just the other side of the tree he is standing in front of. Ruger 7mm RM.

Cow elk taken at 260 yards with the Ruger .300WM shortly after Dave took one at 60 or 80 with his Ruger 7mm RM.

This year’s Wyoming doe antelope, Ruger .257 Roberts, ~300 yards.

Big cow elk, Ruger .30-06, 125 lasered yards.

Dave scanning for deer. There were antelope aplenty, with deer in the trees a mile distant (and, grumble, in another state)...

Deer hunting last year. Had my Remington .30-06.

Also last year, same day, other side of the mountain.

A couple years ago. Spotted elk a mile off, was ready for a 500 yard shot. Some idiot on the next hill to my left started shooting when they were still 400-500 yards out and walking straight up the hill towards him. Turned the herd and I ened up with them coming up my hill, popping up about 25 feet in front of me. I ended up taking a (from memory) 40 yard shot to drop one that had separated from the rest.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #84 on:** October 21, 2009, 10:08:16 AM »

Coyote hunter .
Thanks for sharing and posting your pictures .Your Marlin Picture of the thicker stuff is more our Norm. Then if your into a thick of balsoms any thing can happen We had grouse land on us while on watch , to deer exploding from cover as we stop to rest a spell . The deer was holding until we stopped beside it when he broke and tore off . No one got the shot . Another day one of the lads put his rifle down to go for a walk. As he was reaching for the toilet paper- a deer broke away not twenty yards away . ( his gun about ten feet away. ) We tease him all the time over this .

I would think hunting with you would be a great experiance . First thing would be to learn to hold in the wind and learning our shooting positions , as here it is more instinct. The shot going off by reflex and experiance . No time to think of it
Last Long shot I have had was paced off @ 275 yards by foot, with my 308 Rem 660. I aimed for a low chest shot and first round went under her . the second shot aimed for her spine took the top off her heart. Most of the other animals were taken under 75 yards , along with a few trees when the lead was just not perfect.
This is were the 2000 to 2400 FPS rounds with heavy bullets come in . If you hit a twig the bullet might key hole , but then still hit the target . There- in a funny entrance wound, but you still got the animal

God Bless

Happy

jumpsteady · « **Reply #85 on:** October 29, 2009, 03:09:27 PM »

I personally love my .338 Federal.

Harry Snippe · « **Reply #86 on:** November 01, 2009, 07:53:28 AM »

Yeah!
I second that after shooting my first animal . Not planning to be in any country where shots go beyond a hundred yards , but she is sighted two inch's high, just in case.

Wyo. Coyote Hunter · « **Reply #87 on:** November 01, 2009, 09:26:18 AM »

I must confess I have paid scant attention to the the .338 federal. But the other day I did look at a marlin with aa 24 in" barrel and half mag. My favorite style of Marlin.

I felt the specks on the cartridge came close to the old .348, and it was a dandy heavy cover rifle, also close to the .358 win. another dandy heavy cover rifle, but both are now obsolete..

I toy with the idea of the .338, but decided my 99 in .358 would have to do.. I have little opportunity to use a really heavy cover rifle in my area.
But like the rest, I hope it survives, but I have my doubts... $:-\$

Lone Star · « **Reply #88 on:** November 01, 2009, 11:58:08 AM »

I duplicated .338 Federal performance with my lightweight .338 Magnum, and performance was as expected - one shot = one dead hog. A 200 Hornady at 2400 fps, mild recoil (for a .338 Mag) and 1.5 moa accuracy. The Federal or Marlin in a .338" bore make plenty of sense for a lot of American hunters, but without a 3000+ muzzle velocity they will fail to excite buyers. If one of them hangs on as well as the 6mm Remington did, we'll be lucky.

.

jumpsteady · « **Reply #89 on:** November 01, 2009, 04:53:47 PM »

I personnally don't believe that anybody really need 3000+ fps. Seems like a lot of wasted powder. If you are having to make shots at a constant 350 yard plus range than I think you need to learn to be a little quieter and get closer. A deer or elk is not going to know the difference betwen 500 fps, once you get above about 1800 fps, if you put a good shot on it. If all I ever get out of my .338 federal is 2500 fps yet I can get 35 or 40 more loads out of a can of powder than I will be thrilled.