The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Medium Bore Rifles 338 FederalGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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I bought a Ruger Hawkeye in 338 Federal. My plan was to buy a couple boxes of Federal Fusion ammo (because it's cheap) and use the brass to load some 210 grain TTSX for elk and black bear. I found 1 box of fusion ammo locally, but the shop discontinued the Fusion brand. Now I'd debating necking up some 308 win brass. There is plenty of Federal Premium factory ammo available, and I would like to have a total of at least 40 pieces of brass, so should I buy 1 more box of the expensive factory ammo to shoot in order to have another 20 pieces of brass, or should I just buy some 308 brass and neck it up? In other words, will I get the accuracy out or the necked up 308 win brass as compared to the factory 338 Fed brass? thanks. | ||
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I don't think you are going to notice a difference in accuracy. But here is what I would do...I would set the fusion ammo aside for some time when you are in a pinch and need 20 rounds and don't have time to reload...and I would neck up 40 pieces of 308 brass so you 40 pieces of all the same type... Mike Legistine actu quod scripsi? Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.  What I have learned on AR, since 2001: 1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken. 2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps. 3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges. 4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down. 5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine. 6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle. 7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions. 8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA. 9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not. 10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact. 11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores. 12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence. 13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances. | |||
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Cabella's and Bass Pro Shops both stock the ammo and both will ship to you If your hunting dog is fat, then you aren't getting enough exercise.  | |||
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What you might get from using 308Win brass is insufficient neck tension to hold the projectile. If so ... after necking up, run them back through the FL sizing die with expander removed. Cheers... Con | |||
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Keep us informed on how that rifle shoots. I rather like the hawkeye. ...tj3006 freedom1st | |||
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I have a 338 Federal Hawkeye. Shoots Fusion ammo great. Haven't hammered anything with it. It's off getting a custom stock from Accurate Innovations. I don't get it back until December. Anybody use one on game yet? | |||
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I've got the same rifle and as Con suggested, I had problems with insufficient neck tension. The cases were once fired Winchester 308 and I'm using RCBS dies. They loaded ok with the initial neckup, but lost tension after one firing. Con very kindly sent me some 358 Win brass which I necked down and had no problems at all. I've since bought some factory ammo (fusions) and as to be expected, and they're loading fine. | |||
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I've only shot 20 rounds through this rifle. I'm having some feeding issues, though. I'm somewhat new to rifles and have only ever used the weatherby vanguard, but every few rounds or so when pushing the bolt forward the round suddenly stops and gets stuck. I've noticed that if after the rounds gets stuck I'm able to pull the bolt back slightly and then push on the back part of the magazine spring and then the round will pop up and then I'm able to load the round. I'm really not happy with how this rifle is feeding, but then again maybe I'm doing something wrong, although I don't think so. | |||
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I think i'd buy two boxes of the same kind of ammo that has the same lot number, and keep the brass to use. I prefer to have all of my brass the same, and that would insure it. That would give you 40 rounds of ammo to sight in and hunt with two... DM | |||
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Ckemp, if it's Fusion ammo. I had one or two rounds out to a few boxes that would not chamber. It's the ammo, not the rifle. | |||
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I hope you're right and it's just the ammo. It was Federal Fusion brand that mostly wouldn't chamber. That's the only box I've shot, although I loaded 5 rounds of speer 200 grain hot core... I think it is, and a few of those wouldn't chamber either. I'm wanting to use 210 grain TTSX in this gun and I'm hoping that ammo will chamber. I'm hoping it's not a rifle problem because I just bought this thing and it would be easier if it just worked properly. | |||
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Make sure your rounds are loaded correctly in the magazine, work the follower up and down a little after inserting each round to double check yourself. Once you know the rounds aren't binding in the magazine, work the bolt briskly when chambering. Full stroke all the way back and then smooth, firm, swift stroke forward. Babying the bolt on claw extractor equipped guns causes jam up like you describe. PA Bear Hunter, NRA Benefactor | |||
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