Here is a link to that discussion.

338 Federal

The local Gander Mtn has rifles from Tikka and Sako in .338 Fed, but I didn't see any ammo on the shelf...

When I checked this out only sako and hill country are chambering rifles for the 338/08 none of the others show any in their ads of new for 2006.

I think Steyr is going to make it in the Pro Hunter.

I have a Ruger short action I bought cheap because it has a bent 243 barrel. I've been thinking about what to rebarrel it in, and the 338 Federal keeps coming to mind as a good choice.

With the 210 gr or 225 gr Barnes, it would be amazing for such a small cartridge.

One thing good about a custom barrel is that I get to make it in 12" twist rate.

I have a good supply of 200 gr .338 bullets. With a 20" barrel, I think it will be a pretty handy little rifle.

KB

quote:

Originally posted by scr83jp:
When I checked this out only sako and hill country are chambering rifles for the 338/08 none of the others show any in their ads of new for 2006.

I don't believe anyone said the additional rifles would be in 2006. They will be a while before they show up.

Here is the answer on the COL of the 338 Federal.

"The maximum OAL for the 338 Federal is 2.820".

Headache"

I was wondering if it would fit in a 84M Kimber and I am sure what with it being only .010" over the 308. I am sure they will find a way to fit one in.

As to my interest in the 338 Federal I already have plenty of .358's. Of course the rifle is more important than the cartridge but I am still obsessing over the 308 Montana that I just got.

Savage99,

It works fine in the 84M Kimber. I got a black bear June 6th with my proto-type using the 338 Federal 185 gr. Triple Shock. The bear was almost 400 pounds and ond shot did him in.

Headache

New cartridges stimulate new rifle sales. Thus the 338 Federal will sell some new guns and do no harm but in fact be fun for those who can have fun.

Since I like that 84M so much I can't help myself and I am thinking of how I would use it by dreaming of bullets and bears.

I go to the range in Southington at least once a week and shoot four rifles. At least two of them are Kimbers.

Keep up the good work.

Kabluewy,

A 12 twists is nice in a 358 W and proper, in a 338, even in a 338F with 200-225, I would choose 10 twist. My opinion of course.

quote:

Originally posted by 6.5BR:
Kabluewy,

A 12 twists is nice in a 358 W and proper, in a 338, even in a 338F with 200-225, I would choose 10 twist. My opinion of course.

My reasoning is that the 10" twist in .338 was initially for the 300 gr and 270 gr bullets when the 338 WM was first introduced. Not many people use these heavy bullets anymore, finding the 250 gr will do what needs to be done with a 338 WM. I think 10" twist rate is excessive for the lighter bullets.

Since I'll not be using anything heavier than 225gr in the 338F, I just figured the 12" twist is more appropriate.

I took a chance a few years back and had a 12" twist Lilja barrel in .338WM put on my Winchester mod 70. I have been very happy with its accuracy, including the 250gr bullets.

KB

Just like the 325 WSM I don't feel the 338 fed is going to make me comfortable as a DGR or hit all that much harder than a 308.

I ran the .338" up the flagpole and back down when considering a 338 WSM when it was a topic. The bullet selection in 338 has recoi written all over it and higher prices as well for the bullets.

I just don't see the 338 fed as more than gun fun. That enough reason however to get one.

I wish Kimber would make a French Walnut stocked 84M to the profile of the Ruger Ultra Light. A mag capacity of three or four rounds would be plenty for me.

I've got a Remington 600 Mohawk action sitting around, lets see; Wyatts center feed magazine (internal 2.880), Lilja #3 1/2 or 4, 22", McM classic style stock, some 225gr barnes would make a stout little thumper out to about 300 yards. Heavy enough to lessen recoil, not to heavy to carry. It's an idea?

Re: Twist rate, I am no expert no have researched it in 338, but Magnum speeds need a lesser twist as you likely know to get the same RPM's, at lower speeds, all else equal one needs a faster twist, you are using shorter/lighter bullets than max, but I always have chosen a twist that handles all weights where possible, and if anything on a hunting rifle I rather err on the faster twist side as I believe a bullet has a better chance of straight line penetration keeping the nose forward doing damage along the way, if it tumbles in say a 5.56 and you are using an FMJ, that's different, but I can see you getting good accuracy with 12 in the one you built, funny some Remington 308's were mfg. with 10 while other models 12 twist. I believe the SS DBM had a 10 for hunting weight bullets, while the heavy barreled models had 12 for accuracy with 168's, I may be confused, but do know they had 2 twists in different models.

I always thought that 10 was THE normal twist and people did well with them in 338's.

I'm thinking a short barrel Browning BAR with the 338 federal would be a real fun fun woods gun. PLUS----it will operate in the velocity window that ALL bullet makers will match up to for great performance.

It is nice to see a new caliber gun. But I would like to see several guns in 358 WCF show up. And some loaded ammo too. I don't think your 1-12 twist will hurt the 338F but a 1-10 would probably prove out. I'm going to load some 275 gr RNs in the 358 WCF with 1-12 twist rate. Will see how it does. Good shooting. Packrattusnongratus

For those with a .338 Federal what is recoil like?
I have an action setting around I have been wanting to build a light weight rifle on. The rifle will be mostly for deer and hopefully black bear in PA. if I ever get the time to go for bear.
However I have a bad shoulder and really don't want something that is going to beat me up at the range.

quote:

Originally posted by kraky:
I'm thinking a short barrel Browning BAR with the 338 federal would be a real fun fun woods gun. PLUS----it will operate in the velocity window that ALL bullet makers will match up to for great performance.

I like that Idea. If you do it let us know how it turns out.

Re: that 600, that sounds like a good set up, I would prefer a 20-21 as the expansion ratio is good to be efficient in a shorter barrel, but some like longer barrels depending on the shooters build, for balance, slight reduction in blast as well.

Re: the recoil, it would have to be nearly equal of a 358 win with 200-225's gr, I would guess it will be very similar to a 30-06 with 180's, just a guess, there is software out there that can calculate it. An email to federal would probably get you the answer, it will vary some on whether you shoot 180's, or the heavies, or between.

I don't believe it will be bad at all, enough to know it means business but not uncomfortable is my guess. My 338-06 was not bad a good shove, not quite as quick of recoil as a 7mag, it was 8lb naked, and had a decelerator pad.

quote:

Originally posted by kraky:
I'm thinking a short barrel Browning BAR with the 338 federal would be a real fun fun woods gun. PLUS----it will operate in the velocity window that ALL bullet makers will match up to for great performance.

I just picked up a 358 W BLR from my ffl yesterday. I thought of the same thing, in fact, if it would have been available I probably would have got one in 338 fed. No matter though, not enough difference between the two to loose any sleep over. It would make a neat package though. The quintessential modern day woods rifle.

I can imagine many 358 BLR owners being 'just curious enough' in the 338F that some might just give them a try.

I actually like both rounds, and nobody talks bad about the BLR's either for the most part, accurate and durable.