I have never been a fan of the 338 Federal because I believe that the 338 cal. bullet needs to be heavier to be better. Compared on paper and computer the 308 shoots flatter, retains more energy resulting in a harder hit. The problem is lack of powder capacity which prevents the 338 Federal from pushing the heavier bullets fast enough to gain any measure of improvement.

It falls into the law of negative return. Every case has been necked up and down to every caliber that can be dreamed up but there is a limit for each case as to how small it can be squeezed or how large a bullet it can push before its performance wanes. Its a bell curve with optimum being the top of the curve and anything over or less is falling below optimum.

I am not the only one who understands this principle but it is however the latests and greates thing which sometimes is all it takes. A couple of gun rags inflating its performance beyond what any other caliber is capable of and gun nuts line up to aquire one.

I am not a fan of the 308 and would much prefer the 06 but would choose the 308 over the 338 Fed in this horse race any day.

The biggest opponents to the 338 Federal feel it's a cartridge that was not needed (like most new cartridges introduced the last 25 years). If it was never adopted, and you said your were building a 338-08 wildcat, people would think it was cool.

Just to let everyone know, the gun I ordered was a bust!

My local dealer recieved the gun, and I imeadiately had several concerns.

1. Gun didn't look new, and was the older Finn light stock design.
2. Box looked like it had been through several moves.
3. Light scratches on barrel
4. Light scratch in the rubber inserts on the forearm.
5. No grip cap on the stock.
6. Black ring around the firing pin hole on the bolt.

So I called the dealer and told him I wasn't saticfied, and would like to return the gun. He proceeded to try to deal with me, and finally agreed to reduce the price $100.00 I asked for $200.00
Lucky me he didn't take the deal. He told me that he couldn't accept the gun back, and that I really didn't have another option.

I called Beretta, and asked to speak to a Customer Service rep. After about 30 minutes of conversation, we learned that the SN on the box didn't match the SN on the gun. The SN on the gun was for a Sako 85 Classic with a walnut stock. (Blue gun)
After another call to the dealer, he checked his inventory, and discovered that he had another gun with the same incorrect SN etc.

To the dealers credit, he sent a Fed Ex label to my local dealer for return shippment, and credited my card that day.

So, I do not have a .338 Federal, and have decided not to purchas one. Not that I don't like the potential, but I already have a Model 98 in a .338-06 AI that my dad built. It will be all the .338 I will need, and I really need to be having some fun with it anyway.

Obviously the way things are suppose to be!

Yep, 338-06 AI trumps the little Federale. Glad things worked out in the end. Too bad you had to deal with all the aggravation.

I can't say anything bad about my Sako 85S in 338 Federal.

It is lightweight and doesn't have unpleasant recoil. And, it is pretty much a ballisitc twin to the 30/06. Thus, all around useful.

I have killed pigs and deer with it here at home. The Trijicon scope I put on it was a real good idea.

I took my 338 Federal to RSA last March and killed 18 different PG animals with it. Distance varied between 40 and 315 yds. I used my 375H&H on eland and giraffe, due to being larger game.

No flies are on the .338 Federal in my experience!

You never know, I may end up with one yet. I have been looking at a .338 Fed. in a Kimber 84 Classic. That could be a really nice gun to carry and get used alot. I may sell one of my .300 WSM. Have a Kimber Montana, and a Sako 85 Finnlight SM. Like em both, but may shuck one.

quote:

Originally posted by scottfromdallas:
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.

Nice looking rifle, wondering what stock you have on it? Thanks, Dennis



This group was with Hot Cors.

Nice looking rifle, wondering what stock you have on it?
Thanks, Dennis

Just a Bell & Carlson Carbelite.

Thanks much; looking for a stock on my Sako L61R

338 RCM
20" barrel
SUPERFORMANCE Hodgdon
185 GR TTSX BT

I have a Ruger takeoff .338 Fed barrel with 0 round count . I've had it a couple of years , just waiting for the right Rem 760 to come along to put it on . I don't know why I want one , I have a .358 Win. , I'd just like to own every cartridge spawned by the .308 !