I found a Kimber 338 Federal Montana.I was wondering if anyone else had one.Its only 5 1/2 pounds.It looks like the ticket for t he thickets and walking up the mountains.I wondeed how it would handle 200 gr hornady and 225 gr hornady bullets.I shoot the 338 win mag and the 338-378 alot and love them.I think it would do good with these softer bullets.I had bad luck with the 210 gr Nosler partitions in my 338 win mag but love the 200 gr Winchester power points in my 338 win mag for deer,bears and hogs.I would mostly be using this gun in the mountain thickets most shots under 100 yards.Its just a good feeling gun.I like the 338 caliber alot better than 308.Has anyone had feeding problems with their kimbers.I know the wsm ones did but i only heard of one 338 federal with feeding problems from a bad spring.
I have a Kimber in a 30WSM. It shoots .5 at a hundred yards with factory loads. I have not had a problem with the feeding, I just wish I could put 4 shells in it, and not just 3. I dont own a 338 Federal, but have read in more then one post that they really don't shot the heavier bullets that well. That's just my .02 for what its worth.
Posts: 89 | Location: North Dakota | Registered: 21 July 2010
I have a Ruger 338 Federal and it handles 200 grain bullets just fine. I had my best results with the new Alliant powders with 52 grains 2000MR. 200 Interlocks, 200 SSTs and 210 Partitions all Chronied at 2650 FPS. 2230 works really well with the lighter bullets. 2800+ out of the 185TTSX and 180 NBT. I even tried the 160TTSX and it did 3050 fps. The 338 Fed is a pretty versatile round.
Posts: 1941 | Location: Texas | Registered: 19 July 2009
I like .338 Fed. How well it shoots heavy bullets depends on the twist. I just built one with a 1-8 twist. It is very accurate, sub-MOA, with 225 gr. bullets. Most .338 Fed are 1-10 twist. Since it is not a fast cartridge 1-10 will not stablize heavier bullets well, but the faster 185 to 200 gr. work great. I think some manufacture should make one in 1-8 twist as it changes the round a great deal. I like mine for it's accuracy and ability to shoot heavier bullets. With the 1-8 twist I give up the light, fast bullets. If I want that I'll shoot a 7 RM or similar gun......Tom
Interesting about the stability issue with heavy bullets and the 1 in 10 twist. I see the 338 Fed as a modern 8x57. With heavy bullets it will act like the 9x57. So how do the 180 and 200 grain bullets act in the 8 twist barrel????? Thanks!
I have a Kimber Montana in 7mm08 & I used to own a Win Mod 70 358win. Comparing those rifles, I would say that the Kimber in 338 Fed would be rather lively in felt recoil.
"When the wind stops....start rowing. When the wind starts, get the sail up quick."
Posts: 11402 | Location: New Zealand | Registered: 02 July 2008
The .338 Federal is quite a nice little cartridge, specially the Kimber rendition of it. While it should do just fine with a 210-grain Partition, it does just as well-plus extend its range a great deal-with bullets around 180 grains.
Posts: 1103 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 04 January 2005
Originally posted by boom stick: Interesting about the stability issue with heavy bullets and the 1 in 10 twist. I see the 338 Fed as a modern 8x57. With heavy bullets it will act like the 9x57. So how do the 180 and 200 grain bullets act in the 8 twist barrel????? Thanks!
I have not shot 185 gr. bullets, but I have tried the 200 gr. They worked fine. I haven't done what I should, yet. I haven't chrony'ed any loads yet. The reason is I don't care about loads that aren't accurate and accurate loads, it's not too important, if they work. As I do more I will post it..........Tom
Mine shot lights out with the Federal TSX load. It didn't like Federals Partition load all that much 2-2.5" groups @ 100. In the end I sold it on a whim to get a .223 Montana since I already have a Custom 700 .358 Win.
Oh and it sure felt like a 30-06 recoil wise at the bench.
