Thinking about getting a 338 fed barrel for my Encore. None of my gun buddies seem to know much about the round. Any advice would be great.

i don't see any reason to get an encore in 338 federal, I have a 338'06 barrel which gives 200 more fps but if I had it to do again I'd get a Whelen.. The 338 federal is for short action short barreled rifles.

280,

Here is a link to a lot of views on the 338 federal. Mule Deer is the handle for John Barsness, a respected gun writer. He had a 338 Federal built for him on a Ruger short action. He said he was prepared to not like the cartridge but found himself liking it just fine. There is also some good load data on the thread. Enjoy...Rusty.

http://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php...0/page/3#Post1849390

I agree with Tom, there's really no need for the 338 Fed in an Encore, but there's also no need in anything outside a 30-06 bbl

It's a good cartridge. I'm growing fond of it after only a couple kills and a few trips to the range.

Although I haven't been able to come close to the velocities of the factory federal loads I bought soley for the brass, it's given acceptable velocity from a 22" tube. The Factory 200grn loads give 2675fps @ 12' and the best I've gotten w/ 200s from several different powders is 2550 fps, but the hunt is still on and I intend to explore a few more powders this spring.

The trajectory in this little round is not as bad as one may think, Identical to that of an 30-06 with 180s.

Good luck

Reloader

Thanks for the advice guys. The whole reason I'm looking into this round is for a trip to Louisiana next winter. Where I want to try and come back with a pig. I have the lower end of calibers covered .243-7mm mag and I'm just looking for something a little bit bigger but I don't want to get into the big magnums.

quote:

Here is a link to a lot of views on the 338 federal. Mule Deer is the handle for John Barsness, a respected gun writer. He had a 338 Federal built for him on a Ruger short action. He said he was prepared to not like the cartridge but found himself liking it just fine. There is also some good load data on the thread. Enjoy...Rusty.

FWIW,

There are two members that use Mule Deer as a handle. The one spelled "muledeer", no caps and one word is not John Barsness. JB = Mule Deer.

Nonetheless, muledeer, whom built the .338 mentioned, is a been there done that kind of guy and it seems he posts from personal experience, thus I'd not doubt anything he posts.

The .338 Federal has no reason to exist and within five years or so, it will be gone. Let's let it die in peace. If you want something in .338, get a .338-06. It's a much better cartridge.

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
The .338 Federal has no reason to exist and within five years or so, it will be gone. Let's let it die in peace. If you want something in .338, get a .338-06. It's a much better cartridge.

Dave

That's a load of crap. The .338 Fed is a very pleasant cartridge to shoot and capable too. Hyper velocity is not needed in every instance, if it were, the .35 Rem would have died off long ago.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
The .338 Federal has no reason to exist and within five years or so, it will be gone. Let's let it die in peace. If you want something in .338, get a .338-06. It's a much better cartridge.Dave

I could not disagree more. First it was created for light short actions rifles. The 338/06 is adapted to long actions only. The recoil is moderate whereas the recoil from the 338/06 is much heavier and again not desirable in light rifles.

It is a great cartridge for states like PA and ME where a 200 yard shot is rare and cover can be thick.

Only time will tell if it succeeds or fails but I think it will take root with savvy shooters and spread from there.

quote:

Originally posted by Dogface:

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
The .338 Federal has no reason to exist and within five years or so, it will be gone. Let's let it die in peace. If you want something in .338, get a .338-06. It's a much better cartridge.Dave

I could not disagree more. First it was created for light short actions rifles. The 338/06 is adapted to long actions only. The recoil is moderate whereas the recoil from the 338/06 is much heavier and again not desirable in light rifles.

It is a great cartridge for states like PA and ME where a 200 yard shot is rare and cover can be thick.

Only time will tell if it succeeds or fails but I think it will take root with savvy shooters and spread from there.

C'mon Dogface, do you really believe that there really is that much difference in weight and handling between a rifle with a .308 length action and one with a 30-06 length action? Is there really that much difference in recoil between a .338-06 and a .338 Federal given the same bullet weight?

The real problem with the .338 Federal is case capacity. It's fine with light for caliber bullets but it is ill suited for heavier bullets of good sectional density. Why in heaven's name would you handicap yourself with this short case.

In addition, short case and a short action all translate into a short magazine so you can't seat your bullets out to compensate for the lack of case capacity.

A great cartridge for PA or ME? Yea, well so is a 30-06.

Don't kill the messenger. It never caught fire with the shooting public and it will be an afterthought in five years.

Dave

Reloader

If you don't mind me asking what game have you taken with your 338 fed?

quote:

If you don't mind me asking what game have you taken with your 338 fed?

280Wahoo,

Like I said, I've only a couple kills with this cartridge since I purchased the rifle. That's not much of a sample size by any means. Both were small whitetails in the 120lb range and both DRT. One at 250yds and the other at 120yds. One was hit in the chest facing straight on and the other broad side through the lungs and taking out the bottom of the spine. Both with federal factory 200grn Fusions. I bought 2 boxes of the Fusions for the brass and after breakin I still had a few left. I tried several loads, but wasn't satisfied with the results by the time season arrived. I just zeroed with the ramaining Fusions and I've taken it on several hunts. Haven't seen a buck big enough to shoot with it yet. I'll probably hunt with the 200 Hdy ILs next year as they've shown the most promise thus far accuracy wise. I wanted to use the 200 grn NBTs, but they took up too much case capacity to get them to any descent velocity. The good thing about the Tikka is it is a LA, so all I have to do is switch to a LA magazine(Clip) and a LA bolt stop and I'd be able to finally get close to the lands, gain the extra capacity needed, and fit the longer loads in the mag.

I'll be sure and update as I get more kills with this new toy.

Ya'll have a good one,

Reloader

Given the popularity of the .358 Winchester, I wonder why Federal thought a .338 would be more loved......expecially when no one was chambering for the round when they introduced it.

If you're a man with a 99 Savage or other such lever gun and want a bit more for elk hunting or moose hunting then the .338 Federal is a good option. That said....one could have always opted for rebarreling to the .358 Winchester as well.

Like so many new cartridges of today....it's the answer to the unasked question! Not that it's not a fine round......but then the 8mm-08 would have been fine too!.....it certainly is.....but I really can't see what it does for one that the .308 wouldn't do.

As far as I'm concerned, the .338 Federal is just another "unasked for" cartridge as if I really want something more than .308 caliber then I want it in a larger case as well.....the .30-06 case at a minimum.

quote:

Originally posted by Reloader:

quote:

If you don't mind me asking what game have you taken with your 338 fed?

280Wahoo,

I wanted to use the 200 grn NBTs, but they took up too much case capacity to get them to any descent velocity. The good thing about the Tikka is it is a LA, so all I have to do is switch to a LA magazine(Clip) and a LA bolt stop and I'd be able to finally get close to the lands, gain the extra capacity needed, and fit the longer loads in the mag.

Reloader

That's EXACTLY what I am talking about and if you have to put the .338 Federal into a 30-06 length action, what's the point?

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
C'mon Dogface, do you really believe that there really is that much difference in weight and handling between a rifle with a .308 length action and one with a 30-06 length action? Dave

Yes I do.

I have the Kimber 84 M in .338 Federal and it is light. I have / had a lot of rifles in 30/06 and similar calibers and the lightweight Kimber is a pleasure to hunt with.

As for capabilities the mid range cartridges are for all practical purposes equal. The big difference is bullet performance as opposed to caliber. Since deer, bear and moose could be the targets then I prefer to go with the bigger diameter bullet.

One other aspect is recoil. I'd bet the 338/06 would be a "bear" when fired in a 5.5 lb rifle. The .338 Federal is not bad.

Since the .338 provides all the velocity and power I need within the range that I hunt then I do not need anything more.

VapoDog has it right, but I got to admitt it is almost as good as an 8mmX57mm.Oh My roger

it is positively bad

358 win!

Unasked for? Well, this guy here stuffed a 6.5 bullet in a 308 case before Jim Carmichael claimed a 260 panther/bobcat and how he 'created' the 260, and I also stuffed a 338 200gr btip in a 308 case, both about 10 years ago, then I built a 6mm BR in a couple of rifles, no own around here that I know of shot it, nor thought much of it, let alone heard of it, now there is a website 6mmbr.com, and all the tactical shooter, many rather use a 260, some 6.5/284, and now we have the 6.5x47 and 6.5 creedmore hitting the scene.

Point is, I feel more convinced now I was more 'forward thinking' in practical BALANCED cartridges back then. I admit, I built then also a 338/06, loved the round, the gun shot great, then the freaking 700 bolt handle broke so I never trusted it even after Rem repaired it, so gone it went.

NOW, I would be happy to have another 338/06 in a quality rifle, BUT, my next 338 bore I do believe 99.99% will be a 338 federal. Why? For me, it offers a mid bore slug at sufficient speeds for the trajectory neeeded for what I anticipate needing it for, as well as power.

Now, if one hunts wide open spaces often and wants 400 yd or more capability, then use a WSM case, 338/06, Win Mag or similar, but I have only killed one animal beyond 300, a deer at 400, went 25 yds after my lowly 6mmBR using a 105 amax punched through both lungs.

Shot placement did that job. So it is with any, and speaking for the 'average joe blow' who is not on AR, the 338 federal to my thinking provides 30/06 punch able to be chambered in handy compact carbines. No one disputes the 30/06.

Now when it comes to Sectional Density. Let's remember that MY logic tells me it holds true with LEAD core projectiles but not apples to apples if you load a say 185 barnes, as that bullet has more weight after finishing what it started, than likely I am sure a 210 or even 225 partition (70%= 157.5 gr).

SO, I strongly believe the federal round offers all the punch needed, albeit 100 yds less than a 338/06 which is in itself a great round.

Was it needed? No. Yet I have only 1 long actioned bolt now, inherited, promised before the cancer sick man died never to sell it, a 270, otherwise it would be replaced with a short round i.e. 260 or 708.

Guys, Na Sayers I admit, the round was not needed, but it DOES offer a few small advantages to those who don't now own a mid bore rifle. To reloaders, a plethora of 308 brass to use if needed, and less work to bump up to 33 vs 35, yes a 358 can use cast bullets, I never did in a rifle, not even my 357. Did use a few pistol bullets in a 350 RM, cheap, yet you get what you pay for, 200 yd accuracy suffers, fall out fast beyond 250/300.....one could ALWAYS use their pointed rifle bullets in 358 with a light charge if they really want to hunt small game with minimal meat damage-as you can a 338 federal and many other rounds.

I'll stop rambling, but myself, I could be very happy hunting about any game in NA with a gun i.e. a Sako Finnlight, 20" bbl on the 338 Fed model, all you need in that round. A 338/06 would need 22-23 for me to be happy, not alot of difference, but when you handle two different guns configured as above, you can notice an improvement, or I can.

Let's face it reality is even if the '06 was never created, the Swedes 6.5x55 could have done just about all needed at typical hunting ranges over the past 100 years in NA. I do believe that, with shot placement and decent bullets. A 338 bore just gives you a heavier impact, and spreads shock over a wider area, also giving a wider wound channel, all in a rifle that has MODEST Recoil that even NON reloaders can shoot well, even if they shoot less than 2-3 boxes of ammo a year, as MANY hunters do.

That said, anyone who has a distaste for this cartridge, send me a pm on how bad you want to get rid of a good rifle in that caliber and I might be owning mine sooner than later!

quote:

Originally posted by vapodog:
As far as I'm concerned, the .338 Federal is just another "unasked for" cartridge as if I really want something more than .308 caliber then I want it in a larger case as well.....the .30-06 case at a minimum.

I don't know if you could say the .338 Federal was "unasked for". It became a wildcat a few years after the introduction of the 308 Winchester in 1954. Someone saw the value in the bigger bullet.

Federal just made a wildcat available commercially.

I always wanted a358 win in a bolt action,liked the way this round in a BLR handled sambar hunting over hounds.hunted around found a BSA in 243 with a stuffed barrel ,heard bout the 338 federal thought why not.new stainless 338 fed barrel fitted and away i went .Using 200grn handloads what a dream if its within 250 metres its dead.easy to load easy to shoot.I have other rifles i use 30/06 308 303 epps 300win mag 338 win mag 375HH mag 45/70 on a siameese mauser .The 338 fed is the rifle that goes with me most days.

I have been shooting .308s since 1964 and have had a lot fun shooting my .358 Win. for the past 10 years. So, it was just a natural reaction for me to want to add the .338 Federal to must-have list. However, with the introduction of the .338 RCM, I am confident that I will be able to hand load it to .338-06 levels and do it with a light weight short action rifle. I don’t believe that I will have an exclusive on this decision strategy and a lot of potential .338 Federal sales will be cannibalized by the .338 RCM. CP.

I don't no the pro/cons of the 338 Federal, but I am going to find out. I have one coming in a Ruger Frontier. I am going to use it for deer and bear hunting.

Do I think the 338 Federal is going to die out, no. People said the 500 Mag and 460 Mag were going to die out, but they are still going strong. Hell the 30-30 and 45-70 were going to die out also, but they are still around.

I don't know why some guys have to be so negative about the round, if it is not for you that is fine, but let others enjoy it. JMHO.

If you'd get a Federal 338 why wouldn't you take the step to 358 Win?

If you'd do that why not a 35 Whelen?

Which leads to the 9.3x62!

I'd second the 358 on the Frontier, save factory bullet choice, or a reloader who has 338 bullets already. Expansion ratio helps in that very short ableit handy bbl carbine, be great in close quarters-woods/timber, but blast and velocity loss not for me, I'd want a 19-21 bbl.

AS to cannibalizing sales, the 338 RCM will appeal to a larger crowd due to 'the american philosophy- MO is betta!'

[QUOTE]
I don't know why some guys have to be so negative about the round, if it is not for you that is fine, but let others enjoy it. QUOTE]

Redhawk

It doesn't seem that looking at the evidence objectiely and expressing ones opinion based on that is trying to reduce anyone's enjoyment.Personally I think that the cartridge has wide spread useage but truely it brings nothing significantly new to the table.I hope you do enjoy your new toy. roger

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
[QUOTE]

It doesn't seem that looking at the evidence objectiely and expressing ones opinion based on that is trying to reduce anyone's enjoyment.Personally I think that the cartridge has wide spread useage but truely it brings nothing significantly new to the table.I hope you do enjoy your new toy. roger

Don't you think we have done our home work prior to buying the 338 Federal?
And yes negative opinion are not needed. I have been shooing and hunting of well over 25 years and have and still own rifles from 22-250 to 416 Rigby. Some times we look for a round to fill a void in our rifle ranges.

I want the Federal 338 to match the Ruger Frontier for heavy brush and just the ease of having a short barreled gun with a big bullet. One thing is, at least I will find out first hand before making statements without ever shooting one.

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk1:

And yes negative opinion are not needed.

Redhawk, I am kinda scratching my head here. The purpose of this thread was the pros and CONS of the .338 Federal not the pros and pros! Okay, I'll try and be more positive. If you want to shoot bullets that are light for caliber and have poor sectional density, it great!

Dave

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk1:

And yes negative opinion are not needed.

Redhawk, I am kinda scratching my head here. The purpose of this thread was the pros and CONS of the .338 Federal not the pros and pros! Okay, I'll try and be more positive. If you want to shoot bullets that are light for caliber and have poor sectional density, it great!

Dave

Well I see you missed the point, it is comments like.
"The .338 Federal has no reason to exist and within five years or so, it will be gone. Let's let it die in peace. If you want something in .338, get a .338-06. It's a much better cartridge."

That is what I am talking about, sure pro and cons are great to hear and I am one that will give honest feed back to someone as long as I have actual hands on experience, but not just pulling things out of my ass without actual experiencing it first hand. Other than that it is just an opinion and we all know about opinions.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:

quote:

Originally posted by Redhawk1:

And yes negative opinion are not needed.

If you want to shoot bullets that are light for caliber and have poor sectional density, it great!

Dave

That's kinda funny because the 358 shoots bullets that are even lighter for caliber and have worse BC & SD.

Yeah, I like the .338 fed. It's to the .338-06 what the 9.3x57 is to the 9.3x62 and maybe a bit more. Most things that I shoot just don't need the extra womp that a 9.3x62 delivers, they die just fine with the 9.3x57 and will likewise do so with the .338 Fed.

Kinda like in my every day driving where a 1/2 Ton pickup will get the job done with aplomb. Don't hardly need a 3/4 Ton. And should I require one, I'd get one.

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
it is almost as good as an 8mmX57mm.

I don't really get that excited about the 338 fed. But certainly would be a good one for a LA pig hunt.
For me, either the .338 or the 358 would be prety dandy in a lever gun.
And it would be fine in a bolt I supose. But I would rather have a .308.
Still, if your mag is long enough you could do prety well with a 185 grain tripple shock.
If you can get it up into the 2850 speed range, most any thing you point it woud die prety quick.
As for a pig hunt. 45/70
...tj3006

I'll vote for the 338 Federal if you just shit can the Encore..

I believe in the 338 Federal as well. I had one built and it's a great round!

Why does SD and BC matter with the intent of this round. I use the 185gr TSX and it shoots well within MOA in my rifle. All shots should be within 300 yards with this cartridge so a high SD/BC isn't a big deal.

Is it a necessary round, probably not, then again there hasn't been a necessary round since the 30-06. We all like different cars, trucks and homes, why not cartridges as well.

I get quite irritated when someone says why bother with say the 338 federal, get a 338-06, or 358, or 338 win mag and load down. With a point of view like that, why don't we scrap all 338's and we all use the 338/378.

My point being, if I wanted a 338/378 that is what I would have bought. In this case I wanted a 338 Federal and that's what I had built.

The only Con I see with this round is it's lack of powder capacity if you hunt elk at 600 yards with a 250 grain bullet. If you hunt average distances it's just fine.

Well I own the 338 RUM and that is one fine cartridge. I Shot a big bear with it so far. PLan on shooting another with it this summer.

I may get toasted for this one, but I dont think anyones touched on this yet.....

I think the .338 Fed has more market value over the .358 Win! For ONE particular reason....not everyone handloads! In 338 Fed you have 3 premium offerings in varying weights/bullet construction, and the Fusion ammo on the low end. Whats around for .358? Every now and then you MIGHT find a box of the Winchester silver tips at a rediculous cost (my bro has the 358 BLR, so we're always on the look out for ammo and this is the case) Until the big guys start loading commercial 358 ammo, it can't hold a finger to the 33d Fed. I had my doubts on the Fed when at first it was a 1500$ Sako or custom, but now you have Tikka, Ruger and Kimber offering factory rifles. Yes, Ruger is now offering the .358 in the Frontier. But, unless their in-the-sack-bullet-buddies Hornady start loading a variety of .358 Win, the Fed will last for the hunters who like the "bigger is better" without taking a pounding from a magnum.

quote:

Originally posted by MileHighShooter:
I think the .338 Fed has more market value over the .358 Win! For ONE particular reason....not everyone handloads!

A very valid point, at least while there remains interest.

I personally think the 338Federal is a great idea ... even though I prefer the 358Win!! As commented above ... the lack of quality factory ammunition kills the 358Win's factory sales. The 338Federal shows you can have your cake and eat it within sane hunting distances. Relatively mild recoil, larger diameter, premium projectiles ... I'd have bought one in 2008 if the Remington SPS was chambered for it. Those shooting a 338/06 just need to deal with facts ... the larger cartridge flopped.
Cheers...
Con

I originally was down on the 338 F but figured later on it brought some light on the 358 Winchester which is good. It does kinda irritate me they brought out several factory loads and have done nothing for the 358. I already have a 358 and 35 Whelen so the 338 Federal has no appeal but if I had no 35's I might get a 338 federal and a medium mauser action so I can seat longer bullets out where they belong.

Obviously most know my stance on this round.

Let me say that MY choice for my all around elk load was a 225 gr partition at 2670, not blazing fast, but adequate, enough so that the gentlemen in Oregon who really sold me busted both shoulders of an elk around 370-380 yds same round/bullet.

That said, the 210 partition is raved and chosen as the PRIMARY bullet of choice by MANY 338 Win Mag shooters (factory ammo often used too and heard many say under spec-seems like 2800 mv is common), And 338/06 owners alike, even for African game, not to mention elk. SO if you talk BC/SD, how can you explain the LONG list of successes and track record of game killed quickly, large game, with 210 PT in 338 bores? The 338 Federal may not push them AS fast, but shorten range to say 300 max, and you are good! My opinion of course, but can anyone dispute what I just said?

Really, talking SD, how about Layne Simpson busted a bull elk in the article he wrote? Lasered 314 yds IIRC, exited off shoulder, seemed the 185 barnes busted perhaps both shoulders in his animal and down it went in short order.

SD numbers DO matter, and BC, but with penetration like that, what is to argue or complain?

Yes, an 06 case, Win Mag, and now RCM WILL go faster across a Chrony, but will it kill any deader at normal ranges?

Point spot on re: 338 Federal factory ammo vs 358, better selection and I'd venture 90% of hunters shoot factory.

Look at big green, great selection in their own 350 REM MAG, ONLY a LOWLY 200 grain 35 bullet, very poor SD, yet my friend took a NICE 6x6 bull this year with a factory round, as airline regs did not allow his ammo, my 225 partition reloads to ship in the zip lock bags as regs say must be in original boxes.......end of the day he panicked and I said DON"T sweat it, place your shot, hopefully broadside behind shoulder, which he did, and steaks came home.....Oh, it went about 346 IIRC which is supposed to be a very good bull, and the pics seem to indicate that. That elk dropped on the shot by the way, true only 100-150 yds, but I wonder how many percentage wise are killed under 250 vs much further? I don't know.

Shot placement cannot be understated in terms of how much that variable plays into the 'lethality' of any round. The 338 Federal you have to admit, to the SO many more NON reloaders who shoot very little, and have limited range time, does give an average shooter a greater chance to shoot FLINCH free and place the round.

Simple example, friend had another buddy who wanted someone else to sight in his new 300 win mag 77 Hawkeye, WHY, HE is a 1-2box a year shooter, did NOT want to develop a flinch, knowing full well the reputation of the 300 and it's ability to worse shooters skills.

Anyone who does alot of shooting and can well handle and shoot more cartridge and does not mind tolerated them, go ahead but that is not for me.....the big stuff, unless absolutely necessary.

One of the tech guys at a major bullet mfg co. had MAJOR neck issues he suspects do the the 'shooting data' with the then new 338 Lapua Magnum. What does that tell you? That gun put alot more damage on him then the chrony or paper targets!

All these rounds get it done, but most likely we all drive different brand cars, trucks, and suvs and a variety of colors, they each get us to our destination. Some with more or less finesse, more or less comfort and ease.

Drive what you choose, may we all reach our goals however we do it! At least the debates here show the desire for all to achieve quick humane kills, and that is key and I am confident we will most all accomplish the same task albeit with different tools that in essence perhaps define somewhat are different personalities. Thank God we have choices!

Hate for all of us to be driving black Fords and be shooting the same 30-06's.......(ok no debate on that note....not intended). If so this board likely would not exist. Then what would we occupy our time and thought with each day?

May we all keep our debates in good taste here, respecting others choices and tastes, as well as everyone's own personal experiences however they might differ from ours. Enjoyed all the info exchanged on this site, learned much and expect that to continue. Thanks for sharing.

Merry Christmas to all and happy New Year!

quote:

Originally posted by Con:
I personally think the 338Federal is a great idea ... even though I prefer the 358Win!! As commented above ... the lack of quality factory ammunition kills the 358Win's factory sales. The 338Federal shows you can have your cake and eat it within sane hunting distances. Relatively mild recoil, larger diameter, premium projectiles ... I'd have bought one in 2008 if the Remington SPS was chambered for it. Those shooting a 338/06 just need to deal with facts ... the larger cartridge flopped.
Cheers...
Con

You are correct about the .338 Federal, of course. The .338-o6 is another wonderful cartridge.

The .338 Federal has a few things going for it. For example:

1. It's not necessarily a new cartridge, since it has been used as the .338-08 for several years, and quite a few loads for it have already been developed by its users.

2. It's ballistically a sort of .358, except that unlike the latter, there are plenty of .338-caliber bullets to choose from.

3. What company gave it it's official name? Isn't it one of the most successful ammo manufacturers around? It only makes sense for Federal to continue loading for it.

4. Ammo availability is what has kept guns alive. If you look long enough, you will notice that those cartridges that have or are going by the wayside haven't had much support from bullet and ammo manufacturers.

6. Another factor: several gun manufacturers are already producing the .338 Federal.

7. There is head-stamped brass for it, and best of all, plenty of .308 brass for it.

The .338 Federal is a neat little cartridge, although with a somewhat large head. But hey, isn't this "head" what does the killing during the hunt? With the number of .338 bullets from 165 to around 200 grains, the .338 Federal should be an outstanding deer to elk cartridge. Just load it with some 180-grain TSX and go hunting.