Handi in 338 Federal

[Urza444]

So I have a Handi Rifle with two barrels, one in 243, and one in 308.  My original idea was that they would make an excellent pair to hunt just about anything in North America with.  Now that I have them, and have hunted with them, I find myself shooting the 243 way more than the 308.  And I feel that the 308, is a bit underpowered for elk, bear, and moose.

So I have been wondering if it would be possible to have the 308 re-bored and re-chambered for the new 338 Federal.  For those who don't know, the 338 Federal is just a 308 necked up to accept .33 caliber bullets.  It uses much heavier bullets and carries more energy than the 308.  Now guys have ben wildcatting this for years, but Federal just made it into a factory cartridge a few years back.  I hand load so ammo would not be a problem. 

Does anyone know if this is possible, and an educated guess as to the price?  Any gunsmith recommendations?

[quickdtoo]

Welcome! Go for it, GBO sponsor Wayne York is your man, he's done several rebores for me and many other members here, I had him do a 338-06 A-Square from a 26" 25-06 Ultra for me, plan on spending $325 for the rebore and chamber work.  

Tim

www.oregunsmithingllc.com

[quickdtoo]

Another thought before you grab your wallet, H&R 308Win barrels like most of their chamberings are long throated, I can load 200gr Nosler partitions in my 308Win H&R to 3.044" which puts the base of the bullet right at the neck-shoulder junction which is ideal IMO, so you're not giving up any powder space for bigger bullets. And FWIW, I've killed a lot of elk with 180gr Failsafes in my 308Win BLR, all one shot kills. 

Tim

[gomerdog]

One of my co-workers kills an elk every year with a 308...when he doesn't stick one with an arrow. Savage Model 99 and 180 gr. bullets. This year, it was a small 6-point.

[Dinny]

Some food for thought.... Although I like the 338 Fed, I prefer the 358 Win more. If you're cost conscious, a 357 MAG barrel fitted to a SB2 frame could be rechambered to 358 Win and that would be a cheaper route than reboring. Just a guess but the average costs are- $125 for rechambering and $325 for reboring and rechambering.

Please keep us informed of what you decide. Also, we like range reports with pictures.

Thanks, Dinny

[moorepower]

I would agree with all above. The .308 with a good bullet will kill anything in the lower 48 with ease. In Finland, the most popular round for moose is the 6.5 swede. You don't have to have a cannon for moose.

[Urza444]

I know that the 308, 6.5 Swede, 30-30 and other similar calibers are capable of killing moose and elk cleanly.  However, I would rather have something a bit larger when hunting large game.  It's just a preference, just like I'd rather have a 308 or 243 than a 30-06 or 25-06.

I like the idea about the 358 win, something I hadn't thought about.  I will have to do some research on that cartridge because I know nothing about it.   When I make up my mind, I'll let you know. 

[S.E.Ak]

308 and 30-06 are about as popular as it gets in Alaska for everything but really big bears.

[Urza444]

Now you got me thinking about the .358 Win...my only concern is that the twist on the .357 Mag barrel might be to slow to stabilize the longer heavier bullets the 358 uses.

[Dinny]

Now you got me thinking about the .358 Win...my only concern is that the twist on the .357 Mag barrel might be to slow to stabilize the longer heavier bullets the 358 uses.

Have no worries, the twist on the newer 357s is 1:15 1/2". 1:16" is a standard twist for the 358 Win. I have a MGM Encore barrel in that twist.

Thanks, Dinny

[Spanky]

Your 308 will put moose down all day long.
I've been moose hunting quite a few times in Quebec and the 303 British is pretty popular up there.



Spanky