I'm thinking of having a short action lever rifle re-barelled, and the .338 Federal seems appealing...I don't reload...Am I making a mistake ~ will commercial ammo be available?

I suppose so as 308 brass is all over the place much the same as the 338-06 will remain.

my personal advice would be to go the .358 Winchester route.....

Since you do not reload, and I have seen one box of 338 Federal in my life, I would stick to the 308 Winchester. At the ranges the 338 Fed is mostly useable, I doubt a 308 with a 180 Partition would be much less effective. But that is just me.

Not many 338s in Kansas but lots of them in PA. My favorite whitetail and bear gun! Accurate with mild recoil. Lots of bullet choices if you choose to reload and you can get an AR in 338 Federal!

I'll add my 2 cents since I own one. I don't think Federal will abandon their first proprietary rifle round so I think there always be commercial ammo for it. I don't think they will continue to carry so many choices like they do currently.

If you reload, it will always survive. They will always make 308 brass,338 bullets and large rifle primers.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
my personal advice would be to go the .358 Winchester route.....

Good to see you back on the forum.

If you're limited to factory ammo, I think the suggestion of going with a .308 win instead is a good one. Even if the .338 Federal doesn't completely die off, it's lack of popularity will still mean you won't find more than one or two loads for it. I have a savage 99 in .308, and I'd use it on anything in North America except for brown bears.

yeah,, they'd never drop the 9mm federal.

Thanks to all; I have a great lever gun in .308, but because of the cartridge's military history, its banned in some African countries as well as France, places I still want to hunt. I also have a .358, great round, just looking to mix things up a bit, ballistically... I could always do a 7mm-08 but the .33's really intrigue me.

In that case, go for it. The worst case scenario is you have to get into hand loading to keep using the gun. Or you can have on of the places that loads custom ammo load for you.

I am going to get a 100 win in 308 rebored and chambered to 338 federal and maybe an 88 if I see another one with a broken stock cheap. I like that round.

Rich

Joester
If you want something different you better get ready to reload. All of these "different" rounds will eventually go the way of the dodo bird.
If you reload you might as well consider a 9X57 Mauser or the .358 Win. - Easy brass and easy bullets.
A .338X57 would be nice also but you would have to invest in high priced dies and a chamber reamer.

My impression is that the US shooter is MV crazy. The 338 Federal makes all kinds of sense but not sure it has enough "testosterone" appeal. I would wager it stays on the fringe for a while and fades away

MV crazy - yes they are obsessed with comparing things in books without a lot of practical experience. The 338 Fed will, like the .358 Win, have an uncomfortable amount of recoil for all of those that argue for shooting deer with a 5.56/.223. And it will not have enough umph for those that think anything under .416 is a varmit rifle.

quote:

Originally posted by JonP:
My impression is that the US shooter is MV crazy. The 338 Federal makes all kinds of sense but not sure it has enough "testosterone" appeal. I would wager it stays on the fringe for a while and fades away

I have a BLR in .358 and I don't find it the least bit uncormfortable to shoot...its not even a magnum cartridge. I often use it for whitetail deer on small (eg: under 50 acre) properties here in Pennsylvania...I hate wounding deer. I really hate when a wounded deer travels onto private, "no-hunting-allowed" property. All too common here in the eastern US. Cheers!

As stated above, finding factory ammo may become a problem , but the cartridge itself will NOT disappear. In fact, it existed long before Federal decided to commercialize it.

Under various names, .308 cases necked up to .338 with no other changes have been around since the late 1950s,and WILL be around so long as bullet moulds, powder, primers, and surplus .308 cases can be obtained or made by shooters (legally or otherwise).

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:
As stated above, finding factory ammo may become a problem , but the cartridge itself will NOT disappear. In fact, it existed long before Federal decided to commercialize it.

Under various names, .308 cases necked up to .338 with no other changes have been around since the late 1950s,and WILL be around so long as bullet moulds, powder, primers, and surplus .308 cases can be obtained or made by shooters (legally or otherwise).

CORRECT!!!! But not as a commercially marketed rifle and ammo. Probably a similar future life of the .348 or 25 souper, but not as long as the future life of the .35 Rem. or any future wildcat for that matter. JMHO roger

Can't fathom using the 338 Fed when the fine 338-06 is a reality.

quote:

Originally posted by Brad:
Can't fathom using the 338 Fed when the fine 338-06 is a reality.

It is a fine cartridge, and it'll do everything the 338 Fed can do, except, it can't fit into short actions, which may include certain lever actions.

Let's grant that it's a great cartridge too and agree that different folks have different needs.

IMO the best things ever to happen to the .308 Winchester case isn't what Winchester (or federal) did to it but what Remington did to it......the .260 Rem and the 7-08....it's still not too late for Winchester.....the ".257 Winchester" is still available.....maybe they will call it the 25-08 instead.....LOL

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
my personal advice would be to go the .358 Winchester route.....

Good to see you back on the forum.

Thank you

BTW....I must concede that the .338 Federal is quite a thumper

quote:

Originally posted by Brad:
Can't fathom using the 338 Fed when the fine 338-06 is a reality.

Can't fathom using the.338 Federal or building a 338-06 when the fine .338 Ruger Compact Magnum is a reality!

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:

quote:

Originally posted by Brad:
Can't fathom using the 338 Fed when the fine 338-06 is a reality.

Can't fathom using the.338 Federal or building a 338-06 when the fine .338 Ruger Compact Magnum is a reality!

OR 308 when a 30-06 is reality. Or a 7-08 when a 270 is a reality. OR....

The little Federal is an excellent cartridge for both lightweight bolt guns like a Kimber or an AR platform.

It is accurate and with the correct bullets used in the appropriate distance envelope, it's a winner.

As long as 308 cases are around, no one need worry about it vanishing. Most of my 338 F's were made from LC National Match 7.62 cases.

The AR application is of special value for pig hunters as a 185 TSX @ 2700 fps will drop any pig right now.

The little Kimber is a wonderful "walk about" rifle that will take game up to Elk or Moose in the hands of a careful hunter.

It's a winner !

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:

quote:

Originally posted by Brad:
Can't fathom using the 338 Fed when the fine 338-06 is a reality.

Can't fathom using the.338 Federal or building a 338-06 when the fine .338 Ruger Compact Magnum is a reality!

OR 308 when a 30-06 is reality. Or a 7-08 when a 270 is a reality. OR....

sure is a lot of "unfathoming" going on around here.....

Totally subjective on my part but what the hey.

IIRC, i've reloaded for 57 different chamberings between pistol and rifle.

Two chamberings I will most likely never own again.

243 WSSM
338 Federal.


On the 338 federal
Perhaps it's because I was totally snakebit on this cartridge. Had two Sako Stainless synthetics that would not hold consistent 3" groups at 100. Gave em both back. I'm not a velocity slut, but could not get within 150 fps. of published book velocity, even with compressed loads.
Only had real problems with brass/dies with two chamberings in 20 years when reloading. The 338 fed. was one. Broke decapping pins, brass was a pain.
I try to always keep in mind, this is for fun. If it ain't fun, don't do it. The 338 fed. was no fun.

just my $.02

Best

GWB

GWB: Very interesting you had problems with two Sakos. What bullet weight did you use? I have an 85 Gray Wolf and with factory Federal 210 grain partitions it makes a ragged hole at 100 yards. I don't like to chrono anything because I'm usually disappointed!
The load I'm using really hammers a deer!

My Ruger 338 Federal shoots right at MOA with 200 Hot Core, 200 Accubond and 200 Ballistic Silvertips. I can get a little over 2600 FPS using MR2000 or TAC. I've been able to push the 185 TTSX and the 180 Nosler Ballistic tip to right at 2800 using 2230. The 180s shoot about 1.5 MOA on average. The 160 TTSX went a little over 3000 FPS with 2230 but I never checked for accuracy.

Right now, I'm a little more infatuated with my 350 Rem Mag.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
IMO the best things ever to happen to the .308 Winchester case isn't what Winchester (or federal) did to it but what Remington did to it......the .260 Rem and the 7-08....

My perspective as a South African hunter is that the original is still the best. I've used a standard .308 Win quite extensively. That said, for much of our bushveld hunting a 338 Federal is probably better and I think it deserved to do better than it has.

I think the other calibers are great too and many are quite popular here. When it comes to killing larger game cleanly though the 30 cal and heavier bullets win me over. Much of my hunting involves and "either or" type sceanrio and being tempted t oshoot larger game with a smaller rifle is not something that I enjoy. If I hunt in open country the 165gr does great and in the bushveld a 165gr is good and a 180gr is better still. But this was a thread about the 338 Federal, so back with the progaram... I think it is great on paper and deserves to survive.

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
IMO the best things ever to happen to the .308 Winchester case isn't what Winchester (or federal) did to it but what Remington did to it......the .260 Rem and the 7-08...

Amusing to say the least, since in a modern rifle, the 6.5x55 (1891) and the 7x57 (1892) will outperform either the 260 or 7mm08. At least the 338 Federal has no ancient rival still out there that outperforms it.

quote:

Originally posted by pigmaster:
At least the 338 Federal has no ancient rival still out there that outperforms it.

8x57 with a modern load? /shrug.

I like the .338 Fed, but truthfully I gave up on it kinda like I gave up on my .350 RMag. The short answer is that for anything I'd use them on I'd be better served by my .375 H&H...which (*sadly) I know I can get factory ammo for just about anywhere in the world. For me, it just came down to logistics and being able to buy ammo overseas for hunting purposes.

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:

Right now, I'm a little more infatuated with my 350 Rem Mag.

The 350 Rem mag. will flat put a hurt on game.




GWB

quote:

Originally posted by Geedubya:

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:

Right now, I'm a little more infatuated with my 350 Rem Mag.

The 350 Rem mag. will flat put a hurt on game.



GWB

Here is what I did to mine. Your 48 Custom 325 WSM was my inspiration.

I will suggest that it like the .358 Win will eventually fade into oblivion, but if your a handloader, it makes no difference unless you intend to go abroad with it, then that may or may not be a factor..

The 338 Win IMO is so practical that there is no real need or reason for a 338 Federal. I know everyone that owns one will have chillbains over that statement but its only my opinnion.

quote:

Originally posted by joester:
I have a BLR in .358 and I don't find it the least bit uncormfortable to shoot...its not even a magnum cartridge. I often use it for whitetail deer on small (eg: under 50 acre) properties here in Pennsylvania...I hate wounding deer. I really hate when a wounded deer travels onto private, "no-hunting-allowed" property. All too common here in the eastern US. Cheers!

A perfect scenario for why the .358 Win is still alive - also applicable to the .338 Federal cartridge.

quote:

Originally posted by nugman:
I have a 308 Win and 30-06. Don't have the need (or niche) to fill with a 338 Federal (or 338-06 for that matter).

Which is exactly why I don't own a 30-06. One 30-06 fills too many niches. Besides, my wife has a rather nice one.

Dean

I'm taking the risk of reviving an old thread.

Has many an opinion changed in one year?

And question: Will the .325 WSM outrival the .338 Fed?
Seems they both are short action rounds (the .325 WSM is, isn't it?) but as the .325 is so much faster then, despite being an 8mm, it probably wins the biggest gun country's, i.e. USA's heart....

True enough, the 8x57 is performance-wise on the par with the .338 except it doesn't fit into a short action.

- Lars/Finland

One thing for sure if you do your homework, the damn 30-06 pretty well screws up a lot of campfire caliber conversations. Sometimes I wonder if we ever needed another caliber in the first place..

If I had to walk the entire length of the African continent on my own and carry all my supplies, I would choose a 30-06 if allowed 40 solids and plenty of 200 gr. Noslers.

Don't think it's gained any popularity since this thread started. Federal still makes a lot of different ammo for it and it's easy to reload with 308 brass & 338 bullets being abundant. Doesn't do anything different than a lot of other calibers, just something different.