Is there anything the 338 does the 308 cannot do besides heavier bullets?

Yep! Incite topics of discussion.

the 338 is more efficient and the 358 the most efficient for the 308 case...

if you like bigger holes to let the air in and blood out...

i think the 358 is the best and most versitile but the 338 has the better coeficient for longer range and match grade bullets

quote:

Is there anything the 338 does the 308 cannot do besides heavier bullets?

While the .308 case is adequate for hunting big game such as elk, it would be my stand that if the task needed anything larger than the .308 bullet then one really needs to step up in case size as well as powder. This means minimally the 338-06.

There is one exception and that is for the guy that absolutely feels he has to hunt with a classic Savage 99. For this guy the .338 federal is a better choice hunting big game.

For the guy that hunts deer and pronghorns and black bear the .308 win is all he needs and more isn't necessarily better.

QUOTE:Originally posted by vapodog:

"While the .308 case is adequate for hunting big game such as elk, it would be my stand that if the task needed anything larger than the .308 bullet then one really needs to step up in case size as well as powder. This means minimally the 338-06."

I would have to agree with vapodog on this.
Counldn't have said it better myself.

The load data probably does not exist but a big "what if" question to me is could you load a .375 caliber bullet in a short case to go from 225 grain bullets at 1700 fps for white tail deer to 270 grain bullets at 2500 fps for "what ever". The 270 grain 2500 fps is covered by the .376 Steyr but I know of no load data that shows 225 grain bullets at 1700 or so in this case. This would really be interesting a 35 Remington to a near 375 H&H performance range!

i've gotta see if the 338 federal goes anyplace except the junkpile in a couple years. i think if i wanted something like that i'd just go to a 358, which also ended up on the junkpile. not to call them bad rounds its just try to find 358 ammo somewhere when you really need it

Here's my opinion for what it's worth.

Bigger diameter kills better, higher velocity kills farther. The 338-Federal is going to hit harder than the 308 and likewise, the 358 will hit harder than the 338.

quote:

While the .308 case is adequate for hunting big game such as elk, it would be my stand that if the task needed anything larger than the .308 bullet then one really needs to step up in case size as well as powder. This means minimally the 338-06.

I agree 100%. That is the exact same reasoning that I chose the 338-06 over the 35 Whelen. I feel that the 35 caliber needs a little more powder behind it to shoot the optimum bullet weight in that caliber 225-250gr. Where as the 338-06 shines with the 210-225gr bullets. That is when comparing bullets of like SD.

The exact same could be said of the -08 based cases. When comparing bullets of like SD.

Great points from all, I just want to say I could be happy with a 338F, 358 Win, and a 338-06, and truth be known, a WHELEN if you did not tell me, as I just don't have an interest in that round, nothing against it's performance.

SD has great points, I chose a 338-06 also in the past, but on the '08 case, could enjoy the pros each one uniquely has.....I think on game in the field there will be little difference seen. There might be a slight difference in killing power say from 338F going to the 350 RM or Whelen, but I think the 338F and 358 Win will kill very similarly and perhaps more bang flops due to caliber and mass, compared to 25-30 cal as their is a much larger differential increase in frontal area and mass going to either round in like SD bullets.

ALL rounds discussed in these forums are deadly, but the reason I would use and have used mid bores, is either for game larger than deer-specifically elk, OR when wanted to put an animal i.e. deer down as close to where I hit them as possible, despite whatever shot angle is offered, and if not a bang flop, want to have the most liberal blood trail to follow, WHILE having tolerable recoil in a package I can shoot without flinching and get some range time beyond just one or two groups.

Everyone has to decide what they feel comfortable carrying as to perceived killing power, and as to their ability to shoot their weapon well enough to place their shots with deadly precision, not derailed by a flinch or fear of recoil.

I dropped a hog a few days ago at 240 yds with a 243, NEVER expected to see one, and it was my first while hunting, but having an 85 X bullet gave me confidence so I without hesitation as someone put it something like this, 'shot fast but slowly', more like, got a sight pic as soon as possible using a good rest, and did not let fear of failure enter my mind, and let a bullet rip from my #1 Mannlicher hitting the hog at the top of the shoulder, clipping the backbone, and dropping it RIGHT THERE. I was amazed, not that it died, but that it died RIGHT there. That is what I LIKE to see happen, my blood pressure dropped instead of going up worrying about a tracking job or lost animal.

THAT is the situation when having a midbore gives you a margin of error, or better feeling of confidence in your shot doing the deed. IF for any reason I had chambered the 85 Sierra BTHP, I would have had MANY concerns shooting the hog, but would have WITHOUT a doubt or hesitation aimed at the hogs head and hoped to have killed it just as quick, but never would have contemplated getting through the hide/gristle into the vitals with a bullet not made for that animal.

A 338F and 358W as well as other mid bores use bullets made to do that all day long if pressed into it. My buddy has never been so impressed before having used my (now his-he had to buy it) 350 Rem mag and 225's on 2 deer, and had both DRT. He was amazed at the lightning fast kills.

If I build a 338F or 358 Win, or buy one, I expect the same performance out of either with good bullets within common shooting distances.

I do believe many or most smaller caliber ctgs can deliver similar results, but I think the mid bores can/will do it somewhat with more frequency/regularity.

BTW, M7LSS, I do believe that what the 338 offers over the 308, is that when game sees the bigger hole, they will get more scared, just as a criminal would looking down a 12 guage pump bore, or 45 pistol vs say a 38 snub nose.

Just don't tell the animal to look at the muzzle! Ok, just kidding. But, my friend who plastered a buck with the 350, sure admires the size of the hole in the muzzle much more so than his 280, and he liked seeing the hole in the hide about the size of a quarter to fifty cents piece, of course after I heard him yelling immediately after he downed this buck with a nice rack. It all adds up to owner satisfaction and confidence. He had recently lost it using his dad's 25-06 due to his lack of shooting ability, so he needed something different.

Perhaps that will explain why people (some) will use the 338F as they tried the WSM's or anything that is new, it gives them something different and the hope it will offer some benefit not had in what they previously have used.


Just my .02 of course. Good hunting gentleman, enjoy the wisdom you all share.

Good day.

BTW, make that, "when I get one....a 338F or 358 Win" as I will sometime in the near future.

Neither offer what my 338-06 did, or the 350 Rem Mag, but I think they offer enough within most ranges I hunt, and still have plenty left over....and I want to give them a try and expand my knowlege/experience.

Since I cannot decide, nor everyone agree should we come up with say a 348/08 and call it even?