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I was thinking about buying a rifle chambered in 338 Federal. I would use it to hunt whitetail and hogs in east Texas. I was wondering if yall thought this was overkill, or a good choice. My shots would be two hundred yards max. | ||
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Mitchell just in my opinion if you like it and you enjoy shooting it, and it does the job, as it certainly will then there is no such thing as overkill. I think it would be a great choice. (When I was a kid my father used to tell me that God hated a coward, I finally realized he has even less use for a fool.) | |||
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Frankly you'd be better served with a 7-08 if you're wanting a short stroke rifle. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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+2 As usual just my $.02 Paul K | |||
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i think any of the 0-8's would do fine for what you need the 308,338 or 358 even. if it were just for deer then the 7 would be my first choice i have even taken elk with a 7, but in thick stuff and on hogs the bigger bore is probably a better choice. | |||
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Frankly...you'de be better served with 338 federal...buy it 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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For East texas, I would rather have something that can buck the brush, so I would think the .338 has a little advantage over the 7-08 for your needs. Plus you never know when a BIG hog shows up out here. Bailey Bradshaw www.bradshawgunandrifle.com I'm in the gun buildin bidness, and cousin....bidness is a boomin | |||
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I agree... DM | |||
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Mr. Bradshaw, There is no such thing a a"brush buster". That is a misguided myth that seems to still be perpetuated? I'm not looking for an arguement, not do I disrespect your valued opinions. It's just that this myth was dispelled a long time ago. I too would opt for the 338. The reason is I just like it. That's reason enough to be sure! Respectfully, Don | |||
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I built myself a 338/06 several years ago, and love the way this rifle preforms. Thought there was nothing out there that would ever change my mind on this caliber. Then comes Federal with the 338/08 and I took it hook line and sinker...Building one right now. There just something about that .338 bullet that has always worked for me. I like it and hope the Federal is as good as the 338/06, within it limits if it has any! Enjoy _____________________ Steve Traxson | |||
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At least with the .338-06 it has enough case capacity to handle the heavier bullets that "should" be used on the bigger animals like moose... I built my first .338-06 in the 70's, and then two more in the early 80's. I used mine for weeks at a time in the Alaskan bush, harvesting everything from moose and brown bear on down... Used with heavier bullets, it's an excelent round for anything that's in NA... I'm not thrilled with the Federal because it just can't handle the heavier bullets that "should" be used on the bigger animals... And a .338 bullet just isn't needed to kill the smaller animals... DM | |||
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I have to respectfully disagree that the 338 Fed is inadequate with heavier bullets. Shorter-ranged in the big scheme of things perhaps. The 8 x 57 and the 9.3 x 57 (not to mention the 9 x 57 and 9.5 x 57) have done yeoman service on big animals for many many decades, all throwing very heavy bullets at very modest speeds. There is no reason that a heavy 338 bullet won't kill just as well as these calibers. You still have to do your part; maybe just not as far away. "Experience" is the only class you take where the exam comes before the lesson. | |||
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I hear ya, but not many moose and brown bear roaming N.E. Oklahoma...  . I find a .338 bullet on the "littler stuff", kills. Even in my 338/06 I shoot 185 gr. Accubonds and really dont feel the need to go to a heavier bullet. Should I ever need a heavier bullet, it will handle them nicley. I think the Federal will fit just right in my little creek bottom, on a stand wanting Mr. Big Rack to come around the corner. Every round has its limits and not all rounds are a one size fits all, and for that reason / I get to own more than one gun!_____________________ Steve Traxson | |||
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Buy what you feel is right and you will not be wrong. . . | |||
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I think something like a 185 gr XXX in the 338 Fed would be great for your intended use. I don't know why Vapo far prefers the 7mm but I would like to know--he has much magic..... I do like the big hole in the big whitetails a lot though, and inside of 200 you should really get decent speed and great penetration with something like the 185 XXX. Like others said either one of them would do you well. Good Luck | |||
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All things considered I'd rather have an early BLR in 358win. AD If I provoke you into thinking then I've done my good deed for the day! Those who manage to provoke themselves into other activities have only themselves to blame. *We Band of 45-70er's* 35 year Life Member of the NRA NRA Life Member since 1984 | |||
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I think the .338 Fed would be a great East TX round and by no means overkill. Most of East TX is so thick a shot over 100 yrds can be rare and I know fom experience you it's a big plus not to need to do much tracking in the that thick stuff. Of course shot placement is critical by the .338 will give you a little help dropping them DRT with a marginal shot. it's a fresh wind that ... Blows Against the Empire | |||
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If .338fed recoil does not bother you, I dont see a problem on deer & hogs. .338fed 200TBT shows me good moose medicine. | |||
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338 Federal is by far the better choice for what you want to do--and there is no way this little cartridge is overkill! Michael http://www.b-mriflesandcartridges.com/default.html The New Word is "Non-Conventional", add "Conventional" to the Endangered Species List! Live Outside The Box of "Conventional Wisdom" I do Not Own Any Part of Any Bullet Company, I am not in the Employ Of Any Bullet Company. I do not represent, own stock, nor do I receive any proceeds, or monies from ANY BULLET COMPANY. I am not in the bullet business, and have no Bullets to sell to you, nor anyone else. | |||
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No magic at all....it's simply that The 7-08 is completely adequate for the task described. I just don't see the need to push larger than necessary bullets to do the same job as can be done with more traditional cartridges. The 7-08 is by no means a lightweight round....it's on the heels of the .270 and .280 Rem......and this makes it a major league cartridge. Many describe it as an adequate elk round too! In my shooting, I've found it much easier to shoot lower recoiling cartridges than heavier recoiling rounds and this leads to superior placement.....as I've evolved my shooting of 200-300 pound animals to the .264 diameters I've done better shooting and a lot more 1-shot kills. The key is to use an adequate round as well.....and the 7-08 is fully adequate IMO. /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill | |||
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338 federal with 200grn around 2600fps works fine on sambar,(tho i will be trying some 180 woopdleighs soon as i can get my hands on some)so i think it should be just right for you.used to use 7x57 for the same task much prefer 338 fed | |||
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sambar02, what range are you using yer 338fed in plugging the mighty sambar, and what angle shots/penetration are you achieving? | |||
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so far from between 20 to 160 long paces,complete penatration on angling and broad side shots.using 200 grain hornady's and the fusion factory loads,these have been spikes and does so far. | |||
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Well shoot Vapo, that just makes good sense! I was thinking there might have been something more cryptic  Oh, I happen to agree with everything you said! | |||
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First thing before we answer . . . How many rounds will you shoot through this rifle in a year? Do you reload? Now when we get an answer we can come up an educated answer for you. Of course like some have stated 7-08 and any of the 08 based rounds will do what ya want. IF you do not reload then think about where you are going to buy ammo . . . EVERYONE has 308 ammo. Don't limit your challenges . . . Challenge your limits | |||
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I do reload and I will shoot maybe 50 rounds a year | |||
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I own and shoot the 338 Rem Ultra Mag. As far as hunting I use those 225 Accubonds at 3178 FPS. That rifle is one sweet rifle. | |||
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I have one built on a 700 action. It's just fantastic. I load 210gr Swift Scirrocco II's at 2610 fps. How can anyone find that marginal for moose? Many moose are shot here yearly with the .303 brit, 308win, so yes the 338 fed is more then enough. I would highly recommend it since you're shooting hogs as well, and on deer it's a definite bang/flop scenario. Recoil is no more than a 30-06 in my opinion and with a 200 yard zero, I'm 9 inches low at 300 and close to 2K for energy which is more then enough for me. | |||
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GREAT choice!! | |||
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Those of you old enough to remember the original advertising hype accompanying the new (1964) .444 Marlin: "goes through brush like a hot knife through butter," now know that this was based on nonsense. Subsequent tests show that even the .50 MG round (750 grains at about 2800 FPS) can be deflected by brush. The closer the target is to the intervening brush, the better your chances of hitting it. The .338 Federal, like the .358 Winchester, would make a wonderful lever action and semi-auto round for brush and woods hunting for those who prefer a larger or heavier bullet. Yet, the cartridge would have far more reach than traditional numbers like the .35 Rem. Those of you who believe that hyper-velocity is an essential element of quick kills need only look at the original 7mm Mauser loadings (about 45,000 PSI). This mild round was deadly, from Cuba to all the continents probably because it was so much easier to hit with it. This flies in the face of contemporary attempts to market all the new short, fat magnums. | |||
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I am getting a real kick out of the arguement that a heavier bullet does not go through brush any better than a lighter one. Shoot a 55 grain 22-250 on one hand and an eight pound cannonball on the other and tell me which one deflects more... It is a fact of life folks that mass makes a difference, as does the shape of the tip, and the bullet construction, as well as the speed. Any idiot knows that there is no such thing as a bullet that is not affected by hitting a twig or two. But to say that there is no difference between the deflection of different calibers at different speeds and bullet weights is ridiculous. The 338 federal with heavy bullets at moderate speeds is a great choice for hogs in the thick stuff. If you have ever hunted these conditions you know that often it is dim light, hurried shots, and there is a good chance that you might have a twig or some grass in the way, that you may or may not even notice. Mass does make a difference, it just depends on how much, and how far the animal is past the obstruction to determine the amount of yaw or deflection the bullet is likely to have by the time it reaches its target. A whitetail buck fifty yards past the bush is a stupid shot, a hog two feet past is another story. Sectional density, bullet construction, velocity, distance beyond obstruction and yes the type of obstruction in the way all play a part. It is up to the hunter to determine how much. The 338 fed is a great compromise choice, far better than the 7-08. If it was simply deer then the 7-08 would be the go to round, but with hogs in the mix and yes ever so often needing to blast one through some twigs in the way then the 338 with heavy bullets is the best bet. (When I was a kid my father used to tell me that God hated a coward, I finally realized he has even less use for a fool.) | |||
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bucko, Your logic is right, but the pratical differences are surprisingly small! Here's kinda a summary of what I've seen and read on bullet deflection testing:
________ Ray | |||
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Ray of course you are right, and I have already read the information you suggest, and conducted many in the field real life tests of shooting through brush at game. It all comes down to a matter of degrees, bigger and blunter does better. How much better? that is a variable that we can't answer. But yet the facts of the matter are that some do better than others. From that point on it is a a matter of the hunter assessing the obstructions, and the distance behind them the game is. As I said many hogs are shot in low brush or grass and in dim light. We can't always see what is between us and the game, and if someone takes issue with that then they need to get out of their chair and into the bush. It happens, and it happens a lot. And big blunt bullets do make make a difference. (When I was a kid my father used to tell me that God hated a coward, I finally realized he has even less use for a fool.) | |||
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The 338 Federal should be a great all around cartrige for deer and pigs. You don't "need" that much gun for deer, but you never know when you are going to run into a big pig. Get what you want. | |||
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