its going to be a wet season here in Georgia and I have resisted buying a stainless steel rifle for years as I just like classic looking rifles. I am done resisting now as I have to recrown a blue rifle due to rust on the crown.

I shoot WT deer so either rifle would work fine. Most shots are under 200 yards. The goal would be to buy 100 cases, a box of hornady 225's or two, (200's for the 338 Federal) a pound of RL15, lighten the trigger to 2 pounds, put a fixed FXII 4X Leupold on it, and pull it out when it rains.

Pro's for SS 338 RCM = iron sights, 338-06 power, flatter trajectory with 200 grain bullets, a simpler more robust trigger mechanism, lower cost, can cast a 250 if ever needed.

Cons for SS 338 RCM = more weight probably 73/4 pounds full up, possibly more finiky to reload for based on some reports, burns more powder.

Pros for a 338 federal Kimber montana = reasonable power in a very light weight rifle, 308 cases easily necked up, probably easier to reload for, uses less powder, has a much better factory stock

Cons for the 338 federal Kimber montana = box type trigger mechanism more complicated, cost 40% more than the Ruger.

Its a tough decision, the goal is a handy weatherproof gun that will last me a while, can be wiped down and put away, and do the job quickly if I do my part. My poor back and legs says Kimber montana but the utilitarian in me says Ruger!

Your thoughts?

I looked at the same scenerio. Under 200 yards there is NO reason for the RCM...unless you like recoil. You will not see any advantage of the RCM over the Fed. until you get beyond 400 yards. Flatter trajectory will make about 1/4" difference inside 200 yards.

Perry

I tend to like more power, but just bought 2 .338 Federal rifles because I've wanted to try the cartridge (I think it will be good for my local pigs and deer) one tikka blue and one Sako stainless. Currently you can buy a NIB stainless Sako GW .338F for $750 plus shipping, etc, or a NIB stainless Tikka T3 .338F for $576 plus shipping, etc, both on GB. I've got the Sako but haven't had time to mount a scope on it yet, Tikka, which I got used and is blued for $429, is still on way. My son has a T3 in .308 which is an excellent rifle.

Bottom line, the argument of the cost differential is not really a factor. Again, I'd lean towards more power but if all you're going to use it for is 250 yard deer or less I think either one would do.

The cost differential really is not a factor, the RCM seems more versatile, but the 338 fed seems very adequate, if I went with the 338 federal the Kimber montana in a 5 pound few ounce rifle makes the most sense.

I wouldn't have another Kimber, but that's another story. Of the two, I would go with the 338 Federal. You can make cases from 308 for a long time after Ruger stops making the RCM. If you want light, I would buy a used Model 7 and have it re-barrelled.

I have a ruger 338 federal hawkeye. For what you want to use it for, I'd say 338 Federal in the Kimber is a great choice. The 338 Fed kicks slightly more than a 308 and has the same inherent accuracy of the 308 win family. If you ever wanted to shoot at long ranges, a 160 TTSX at 3,000 fps would be perfect.

Another option is the stainless hawkeye in 338 Fed.

I have had good luck with Kimbers, (cross my fingers) they are picky about which bullet and powder they shoot but when you find the right one they do just fine. The only regret would be that the 338 fed would be only a WT and Black bear cartridge.

really? you think the 338 Fed won't handle elk, moose or African Plains game? Loaded up with 185 TSX, 200 trophy bonded tips, or 210 partitions...it will do fine. It's really more of a CXP3 cartridge. It's a little overkill for deer and black bear. you might as well get a 7mm/08. I wouldn't use it on brown bear but I think it's fine for anything else within 300 yards.

I have Sako 85 in the 338 Federal. The trigger on the the Sako's is factory about 2.5-3 lbs of pull. I bought them on Gun Broker for $750 plus shipping. I own Browning, Kimber, older Remmy's, Cooper's, Tikka's in bolt actions. The Sako is a steal at $750. The 338 is very good round and groups very well. I voted with my money for the 338 Federal. I would buy it again. Just my 2 cents. It has very controlable recoil and I have killed two deer and one elk with the 338 Federal with one shot per animal
. The 338 RCM would also be a good round. I would shoulder some guns and find one that is comfortable fit.
Good Luck.

quote:

It has very controlable recoil and I have killed two deer and one elk with the 338 Federal with one shot.

How did you get them to line up?

Gato,

Surely you know the magic words, "please" and "thank-you"
GWB

For what you want it for I would pick the 338 Federal.

its an oversight that Ruger does not chamber the 338 Federal in their SS ultralight series.

quote:

Originally posted by crashcarruthers:
I have Sako 85 in the 338 Federal. The trigger on the the Sako's is factory about 2.5-3 lbs of pull. I bought them on Gun Broker for $750 plus shipping. I own Browning, Kimber, older Remmy's, Cooper's, Tikka's in bolt actions. The Sako is a steal at $750. The 338 is very good round and groups very well. I voted with my money for the 338 Federal. I would buy it again. Just my 2 cents. It has very controlable recoil and I have killed two deer and one elk with the 338 Federal with one shot. The 338 RCM would also be a good round. I would shoulder some guns and find one that is comfortable fit.
Good Luck.

What does the Sako 85 weight out of the box?

Damn it, now I want a 338Fed again.

Perry

Perry,
Send me a PM, I'll reply and help you get over that craving.

I generally try to be positive in most of my posts and perhaps I'll get flamed, but the only chamberings I will never own again are any of the WSSM's and the 338 federal. I currently reload for 50 or so chamberings and try to go to the range weekly.
I own 15 or so Sako rifles in chamberings from 222 through 375 H&H. Never had one before that I could not get to group an inch or better with a little tweaking and my handloads.
First 338 federal I owned was a Sako 85 stainless synthetic. I tried factory loads in 200 gr. federal fusion and 180 gr accubonds. In my handloads I think I tried something like four different powders, three different bullets and four different load densities (around 50 different individual 3 shot groups) over a three month period. Never could get this rifle to shoot groups consistently under three inches. I tried everything including changing bases, scopes, shimming the stock, opening the barrel channel, no luck.
I trade quite a bit at the gun store from which I bought the rifle. I showed them the targets and they traded out the rifle for a new one. Tried it, another Sako 85 stainless synthetic.A little better, but not what I'd expect from a Sako.

As to reloading, Maybe I just got a bad set of dies, but I broke three decapping dies while full length resizing for this cartridge. I never do that. Only way to get correct head stamped brass is to shoot factory fodder then reload. Never could get it to get within 150 fps of what the reloading manuals, (Barnes, Hornady, and Nosler) said I should get. Paid over a $1,000 for it and due to Sako discontinuing the chambering, and Europtics flooding the market, I was lucky enough to sell it for $700.
338-06, 338 win mag, 338 ultra-mag, no problem. 35 Whelen, 9.3 x 62 are mighty fine.
Just my $.02
GWB

Now you tell me! That's what I've read about the Sako .338Fs too and why I was hesitant to buy one. I hope mine sitting a few feet from me as I write is an exception. They have an accuracy guarantee but I hate shipping stuff around. If it doesn't shoot, I'll just take my licking or rebarrel.

338 Fed. In 10 years a bunch of these new cartridges ar'nt going to be around. 308 cases always will. And 338 Fed performs well.

I haven't had any issues with my Ruger 338 Federal. It shoots really well with factory fusion ammo. It's the only rifle I own that doesn't have a thin barrel so I so get a little more shooting and less waiting for the barrel to cool. I think Federal loads it like a Lt Magnum round to get those velocities. Mine is off getting an Accurate Innovations Stock but I'm working on some 160 TTSX loads using AA-2230. Barnes list max velocity at 3080. If I get close to 3,000, it would be a great load. The 130 TTSX over 47gr of 2230 shoots 3/4" in my 77RSI 308.

Gato,

I guess I could have rebarreled, I've never sold a Sako out of my collection. However, at some point economics takes over, even with rifles. I already had about $1,100 in the rifle and probably another $300 in bullets, dies and factory ammo. I figured it would cost around another $600 to fix it. Decided I'd rather blow it out and do something else.
Hopefully you'll have better luck than I did. I have 243, 260rem, 7-08, 308 in several iterations an love 'em. The 338 federal and 358 win. are not for me. Tried them both and was unimpressed compared to the other 308 and 30-06 based chamberings. Once again, not trying to stir shit, just my $.02.
Best to you and yours during the hunting/holiday season
GWB

GWB, I would think that the 338 Fed would be no different than any other rifle cartridge? Do you have any clue as to why it shot so poorly? Per Gatogordo's reply is it just something with the Sako's? I was thinking Kimber Montana in the 338 federal. A 308 Kimber is twisted 1-12 and I prefer 1-10 in the 30 calibers. The 338 Federal is twisted 1-10 however. I wonder what the twist is in the Sako and the Ruger?

if the odds of getting a 338 Federal that does not shoot are high maybe the 338RCM is a better bet.

also I returned a Ruger hawkeye in .358 win that was headspaced incorrectly. they gave me my money back.

The Ruger has a 1-10 twist. Not sure about the Sako.

I changed my posting to one shot per animal. If the Sako you have won't group send it to Sako for their MOA warranty. I have had good luck shooting Speer Hot Cor 200 grain bullet and VV 135 powder. If you reload use Wincherster 358 brass and down size to 338 Federal. Factory Federal 200 grain works for me also. I shoot the Federal 338 Sako more than I shoot my 300 Win. Mag.

Jimmy,

For a 200 yard light rifle in 338 federal, you might want to consider the the now discontinued Ruger Frontier. 6 3/4 lbs and they are still available on Gunbroker in 338 or 358.

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti...m.asp?Item=145163679

CrashC.

Gatogordo has a keen scence of humor that can sometimes cut like a knife. He is a great guy. He saw the opportunity to inject some humor. Me, I was just piling on. Hope you did not take offense as none was meant.

Jimmy P.,
I did not mean to imply that a short action 338 chambering was no good. Kinda like Matthew Quigley and handguns. Didn't say he didn't know how to use it, rather he had no use for them.
Thats kinda how I am with the 338 federal. I know rifles are inantimate objects. However, it seems like some of them have a soul. I've owned well over a hundred in the last 15 years or so. I see one that calls out to me, I buy it. Even though I am a blue steel and wood guy, I really liked the look, and feel of the Sako 85, stainless synthetic. Light, handy, quick to the shoulder, 22" barrel, action slicker than owl shit. Love at first sight, but she let me down and so did her sister so I had to cut her loose. Perhaps you understand.
What was it another poster said, "I'm just one rifle away from being satisfied". I can relate
GWB

Scott, thanks for the link. I recon I will stick in the Kimber family for the bit longer barrel. GWB I know how you feel, I have done the same thing in the past. My last project my Kimber Roberts I tried I forget how many powders and bullets to find two that shot just fine. A project yes but a hunting gun in the end. Its just blue and too pretty to hunt in the rain with! (and I NEED a 33)

Jimmy, I figured you'd lean towards the Kimber. I know you are a kimber guy. Like you, I'm more of a walnut and blue steel guy. I currently don't own a stainless gun. I do think the Montana is a really nice looking stainless rifle. The stock doesn't look like a piece to tupperware. My first rifle was the old stainless ruger 308 with that hideous zytel stock with the big Ruger logo on the stock. The rifle was a gift so I used it but yearned for walnut and blue steel.

I have decided on the 1-12 308, kimber says a cup and core 180 is no problem...wait Kimber 84L will be released in April 2010 in the 30-06 Montana.

The 338 Fed. is a good cartridge. Built one on a savage action, 1-10 twist, just to try the cartridge. Liked the gun, it shot MOA. Sold it to a customer for his wife to hunt moose. She took a 62" moose at 180 yards with one shot. Both of them are sold on the cartridge.....Tom