I've been trying to figure out how to thin the herd a little, and am considering trading a couple, or one .300 WSM for a .338 Fed.

Would like any input from those who have shot them, or hunt with them. Is it a comfortable round to shoot, and are you getting the accuracy you would expect. (under 1" @ 100)

Thanks

I have a Sako Model 75 in 338 Federal and love it. My rifle will shoot Federal factory 210 patitions into an inch group. I shot two big northern whitetails with it and it creamed them. Recoil to me seems about the same as a 30/06. I really like it!

I have built a couple. I like the round. It will take anything from Moose on down. It can be made into a light rifle for long treks. It doesn't kick much so ladies and youngsters are comfortable with it. I built one for lady that took a 62" moose at 185 yards with it. One shot, the moose went less than 100 yards. I saw a gentleman take a springbuck at just over 500 yards with one. Personelly, I wouldn't have taken the shot, but it worked DRT. I think it is a 300 yard and in cartridge. There is a wide bullet style and weight selection. I like the round as it seems to perform better than one would expect......Tom

I don't understand the need for the 338 Federal..I would prefer to load my .338 win. down as opposed to loading the 338 Fed up and still not getting there...

I see the 338 Fed. as a failure in the foreseen future. The actions are the same size, weight is the same, barrel length the same in most guns, so why not go with the popular .338 Win. probably the best all around caliber in existance and 10 lifetimes of components.

There is no need for the 338Fed Ray, but the same thing can be said of dozens of other cartridges as well. I don't think 'need' concerns cartridge manufacturers.

I've got one, I really like it and I can see it staying with me for a long time.
There's nothing magic about it, it's just a 358Win with a far better selection of projectiles to choose from.

Instead of a .338 Federal, why not step up to a Ruger .338 Compact Magnum. You can get it blued of stainless with a 20 inch or 22 inch barrel. Mine is a blued gun with a 20 inch barrel and it will easily drive a 225 grain bullet to 2600+. It is short, light and handy and a joy to carry.

TC,

I have Ruger Hawkeye 338 Fed. I added iron sights to mine and a Bell & Carson grey stock. It has one of the new Leupold Firedot scopes....1-4x with a German #4. I like mine. It is accurate like a 308. Mine likes both 200 Ballistic Silvertips and 200 Hot Cors. It will regularly print MOA with those bullets. You can expect velocities around 2600-2650 with 200 grain bullets and 2750-2800 fps with 180 Ballistic Tips/185TTSX. I was able to get over 2500 FPS with 225 Deepcurls but it's best when used with 180-210 grain bullets.

It's pretty much going to be my Hog thumper.

i run both a 338 federal and a 338 win mag to tell the truth i wouldnt know if i could get rid of either,the federal keeps on suprising me its easy to load for easy to shoot kills what you hit no fuss no bother.There is a bloke by the name of Ted Mitchel i think uses one on buffalo and scrub bulls with 185 grn barnes bullets. i have used mine on sambar and a few feral reds never needed more than 1 bullet i use hornady 200grn interlocks never bothered with any thing else as they work fine. give it a try i think you will be suprised

quote:

Originally posted by Dave Bush:
Instead of a .338 Federal, why not step up to a Ruger .338 Compact Magnum. You can get it blued of stainless with a 20 inch or 22 inch barrel. Mine is a blued gun with a 20 inch barrel and it will easily drive a 225 grain bullet to 2600+. It is short, light and handy and a joy to carry.

This is another good option. I keep fondling a used one at Cabela's weekly. I love the carbine platform with the iron sights. 338 RCM is essentially a short action 338-06. Sweet platform but I can't really justify buying one since I already have the Federal and a 9.3x62 carbine.

TC,

You might want to PM RobertD. He used his 338 Federal in Africa this summer on plains game. He was using 210 TTX at a hair under 2600 FPS. He cleaned up. I keep waiting for him to post about it but he can give you the details on the performance he experienced.

quote:

It's pretty much going to be my Hog thumper.

Same here, I think my Sako Black Bear, will be used whenever the weather is foul, and also because it is so much lighter than my other rifles.

I have one of the Ruger Hawkeyes in 338Fed. I have been happy with it, accurate and easy to shoot.

i am not really a fan... but its a useful cart.
i prefer the 358 .. but if i had a 338 in my hands, and OUT HUNTING, i wouldn't care

What point is there in a short .318 WR? That's all it is. Does anyone here really think that a few fractions of an inch shorter action is a benefit in the field? That old saw about 'short stroking' a bolt is b*llsh*t. The .338's only advantage is that you can run it through an AR format. If someone absolutely, positively has to have one, go for it. If you're shooting a bolt gun it's just a bit silly. I consider it a down-loaded .338/06, nothing more.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldsarge:
What point is there in a short .318 WR? That's all it is. Does anyone here really think that a few fractions of an inch shorter action is a benefit in the field? That old saw about 'short stroking' a bolt is b*llsh*t. The .338's only advantage is that you can run it through an AR format. If someone absolutely, positively has to have one, go for it. If you're shooting a bolt gun it's just a bit silly. I consider it a down-loaded .338/06, nothing more.

Ok, I get the comment about short stroking etc. but my question is concerning the ease of shooting, ease of loading, overall weight of the rifle, and performance out to 3 or 400 yards. Would like to shoot 180 to 220 gr. bullets, and don't want anymore recoil than absolutely neccesary. This rifle should be one that most could shoot comfortably.

I have a model 98 in a .338-06 AI, and it weights about 8 1/2 lbs. I'm looking for the 7 lbs. range. I have a couple of .300 WSMs, and my only complaint really is feeding the fat cartridges. May not be terrible, but sure isn't as smooth as a .308, or especially a .338 Fed. if common sense serves me correctly.

What is the consensus on longevity of this cartridge. Is it gonna make it?
Everyone say's the WSMs will, but I would be hard pressed to agree that the 7mm WSM, or .325 will ever be a popular caliber.

The answers in this post are the reason I'm asking. Don't want to make the mistake of buying a short timer and taking a deep bath if I ever want to unload it. I've heard from some that this is a really good tweener!

As long as you reload who cares if the round survives. You will always have .308 brass to size up for it.

quote:

Originally posted by Donald Nelson:
As long as you reload who cares if the round survives. You will always have .308 brass to size up for it.

Absolutely. There will always be 308 brass and 338 bullets.

The 338 Federal... The modern 8x57.

As Mike Detorre points out, ask folks what they think of a good filet mignon, juicy pinkish in the middle, charred on the outside...and they'll tell you that you shouldn't want steak, you should want ham!

The .338 Federal is a really good, useful cartridge for 95% of the hunting in the "south 48". If you handload, there are literally tons of components available.

Someday when ALL cartridge brass manufacture has ceased thanks to political correctness, I'd wager it still would take 30-50 more years before you couldn't find at least some donor .308 stock hoarded away and available in private hands in the U.S. I doubt there are very many other donor cases, except maybe the .223 and the '06 you'll be able to say that about.

Add a .338 bullet mould or two, some primers, and you'll still have a rifle that works for hunting, defense of you and your loved ones, whatever turns your crank. And so could your heirs.

What's wrong with that? Not much that I can think of. In the meantime, it will still be handy, powerful enough, light enough to carry, all that good stuff. You can use heavy bullets if you feel the need, or light ones if that suits your mood.

So, I say, HEY! Go for it! It's not often anything in life comes along that is that practical.

Like most cartridges that have recently come on scene, the 338 Fed is an answer to a question not asked. Unless you're a 338 nut, you have the venerable 308 and 358 Win - a personal favorite of mine.

Got a 338 fed in a kimber 84m. The gun is very light and has a really nice piece of wood. It shoots right at moa with factory 338 fed fusion 200 grainers. Have not had this gun long so I have not handloaded yet. With a zeiss and sling, its a joy to carry. Bare gun weighs 5lbs 13oz. Recoil is the same as my model 70 featherweight 3006. Great little round.

ALMOST as good as a properly loaded 8X57IS.

Johnfox,
No arguement from me with your statement, but the man asked for opinnions good or bad..

Mine opine is I see no need for any .338 other than the 338 win. as I can load it up or down and duplicate most of the others and in the same size action same weight, same barrel length or whatever..Also, I have a 9.3x62, and your right I don't NEED either.

But by that attitude all I actualy need is my 30-06..rabbits to elephants with the proper bullets.

'T's a funny thing about that. Even Jack O'Connor admitted that however much he loved his .270, the '06 was a more versatile cartridge and yet I've never owned one. I may be the only shooter in N. America who hasn't and I can't for the life of me understand why I don't. Just odd, I guess.

O'Connor also talked about a 338x57 and how that would be such a great woods round with a 200 grain bullet at 2400 fps. I don't understand why he didn't like the 8x57 since commercial loadings provided the same performance.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
Johnfox,
No arguement from me with your statement, but the man asked for opinnions good or bad..

Mine opine is I see no need for any .338 other than the 338 win. as I can load it up or down and duplicate most of the others and in the same size action same weight, same barrel length or whatever..

That can be said about a multitude of cartridges.. What is the point of a 30-06 since one can load down a 300 RUM...

Maybe some of us dont want a 300 RUM, and likewise maybe some of us dont want a 338 WM..

I see the 338 fed as the 358 Wins little brother, VERY little difference, and we know what the 358 has come to represent.. I expect the 338 fed will be relegated to a similar cult following, the bees knees to some and downright anemic to others..

Get whatever suits you..

As a side note, I love my 358 Win for stalking in thick timber, its light, quick and plenty gun for Elk @ 200+ yds. But the Whelen is quite a bit more versatile. I feel the same applies to the 338 variations.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldsarge:
What point is there in a short .318 WR? That's all it is.

Can you get 318 WR ammo @ Wal Mart?

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:

quote:

Originally posted by Oldsarge:
What point is there in a short .318 WR? That's all it is.

Can you get 318 WR ammo @ Wal Mart?

Give it a few years & you won't see any 338 Federal ammo @ Wally world either.

quote:

Originally posted by wildcat junkie:

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:

quote:

Originally posted by Oldsarge:
What point is there in a short .318 WR? That's all it is.

Can you get 318 WR ammo @ Wal Mart?

Give it a few years & you won't see any 338 Federal ammo @ Wally world either.

But if you are a handloader, that won't matter hardly at all anyway.

quote:

Originally posted by wildcat junkie:

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:

quote:

Originally posted by Oldsarge:
What point is there in a short .318 WR? That's all it is.

Can you get 318 WR ammo @ Wal Mart?

Give it a few years & you won't see any 338 Federal ammo @ Wally world either.

If ammo availability at Walmart is a criteria, you better buy a 30/30, 270, 30-06 or 243.

I don't understand the negative attitude toward anything new. The 358 has a cult like following yet the 338 Federal is unnecessary. The 338 Federal is very pleasant to shoot with lots more bullet options. Yes, you can find a 338WM and download. Usually the 338 will be an 8.5 pound rifle with a 24 or 26 inch barrel unless you build a custom. In reality for everything that walks in North America a 30/06 will suffice but wouldn't that be boring. Most of the critics don't have a 338 Federal nor have ever used one. This reminds me of my young niece who refuses to eat something but has never tried it. She just knows its no good.

I do not own one but I am wanting to build one so bad I have a Remington 700 action just wanting to be used for something it keeps calling my name and think it is about time to do something with it...

so I think it is time to build me a 338 FED I have always thought the idea of a short action 338 was a very cool idea I remember talking with a few gun smiths a number of years back of making a 338-08 and what their thoughts were and some thought it was cool some thought ok whatever .. then 2 years later the 338 FED come to play and never got one .. Now it is about time .. I hunt in Northern Central MN where we have a mix of thicker woods and some Tamarack swamps but also some open Ares 300-400 yards and sometime further but most of the deer shot have been well within 300 yards..

I first wanted one built off a Remington Model 7 action with a 23" barrel about .675 at the muzzle and a 1-10" twist with Iron sights and a Warren basses so I can have quick detach rings and use it on deer drives thru some thicker areas..

And with it being based off a 308 WIN it can be made very easily heck i have a 5 gallon pal full of 308 win brass just from picking it up at the ranges and like said before there is a good selection of .338 bullets out there to chose from

Thought I would post a pic of mine. With any luck, I'll bloody it this season on a deer or hog. Using 200 grain Hot Cors.



This group was with Hot Cors.

Great pic Scott. How do you like the new Leupold? Did you have this gun made, or is it a stock model? Looks great.

The new Firedot 1-4x is pretty kick ass. It automatically shuts off after 5 minutes of inactivity, then reactivates when there is movement. The rifle is just a Hawkeye. I just added some NEC sights and a Bell & Carlson stock. I'm mostly a walnut guy, this is my only synthetic hunting rifle. It's a pretty faithful shooter. Always prints good groups and never shifts point of impact. It's dead on from a cold barrel.

It should be the perfect hog thumper for my place since it's mostly hard woods and a long shot is 125 yards.

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:

But if you are a handloader, that won't matter hardly at all anyway.

It sure wouldnt to matter me. I cant even remember the last time I bought a box of shells. Not everyone reloads though..

I got no problem with the 338 Fed. In fact I find it rather intriging. Of corse I dont have one either, but I do think the bullet availability for a 338 vs 358 is a valid point.

I WISH I could get a 225 gn interlock for my 358..

quote:

.338 Federal? Any fans, likes or dislikes?

I don't dislike the 338 Fed - Just don't have a use for it.

quote:

Originally posted by Wstrnhuntr:

quote:

Originally posted by Alberta Canuck:

But if you are a handloader, that won't matter hardly at all anyway.

It sure wouldnt to matter me. I cant even remember the last time I bought a box of shells. Not everyone reloads though..

Quite true. For them, it may not be a good investment as a long-term rifle for their own use.

Still, he asked what we thought of the cartridge, so I guess I'd have to say (from my viewpoint)

"If you're a handloader, it's a good round with lots of bullet choices, and good performance in a variety of circumstances. However, if you are not a handloader, you might not want to buy one...or you might want to get someone to teach you to handload, and improve ammo availability and versatility for ALL of your rifles now and in the future."

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:

quote:

.338 Federal? Any fans, likes or dislikes?

I don't dislike the 338 Fed - Just don't have a use for it.

Exactly. It's a round for the guy who has to have something new. Nothing particularly wrong with that, just not for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Oldsarge:

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:

quote:

.338 Federal? Any fans, likes or dislikes?

I don't dislike the 338 Fed - Just don't have a use for it.

Exactly. It's a round for the guy who has to have something new. Nothing particularly wrong with that, just not for me.

This has nothing to do with having something new, or a latest greatest mentality. It has to do with lighter carrying rifles to hunt mountains with and still having a good sized bullet with plenty of thump at 300 or less yards. This caliber just makes sense to me, and for a larger bore, should be pretty comfortable to shoot. I do hand load, and am looking forward to loading some up. I just bought a Sako 85 Finn light Custom. Looking forward to shooting it.