I run both 338WINMAG and 338 federal i load 225 or 250 Hornady Interlocks in the win and 200 grn interlocks in the federal.Truth is they both kill deer (sambar)dead and thats what counts.Truly at the ranges most of my hunting is done 0 to 200 meters you wouldnt notice any difference.I hunt several times a week and have quite a few different deer rifles to choose from ranging from 45 cal thru 25 cal .which ever 338 comes to hand first is usually the gun that goes for a walk.The dif between 338 &358 is not something a animal is going to notice.

The 7-08 is just a modern analog of the 7x57mm mauser. W.M.D. "Karamojo" Bell killed elephants with the 173gr FMJ bullet at about 2200 - 2300 fps. Loading a 7-08 with a 160 gr premium or 175gr bullet will penetrate practically anything that lives. I doubt that your wife will be any better equipped for the game you intend to hunt than she already has with LESS recoil. No caliber is good for taking marginal shots at bad angles on big game. A bad shot is a bad shot period. It sounds like your wife must have pretty good judgment as to when to shoot. The 338-08 is a new caliber with a lot of hype. Its just a medium caliber at medium velocities.

Here's the link to a target I shot earlier this week at 200 yards with the 338 Federal.

The case is Lapua 308 resized, Federal match primers, 42.5grs of RL7 and 180gr Accubonds.

I've never had much luck with the Accubonds, but this is now my hunting round. The same charge was used in my 185gr TSX loads and I got 2750fps so I suspect they're in the same ballpark. I'll check next time I'm out.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t302/hannahcarlo/338federaltarget-1.jpg

I'd be real happy with that group at 100 yards.

these are re-incarnations of the 348 win

If you are just going to shoot 180 to 210 grain bullets in your .338 Fed. why not just stay with the .308 Winchester?

I am sure the 338 Fed is a good round, but I don't have one and don't plan to. I am a fan of the classy and magical 358 Win. For me it's my go to rifle for hunting deer, pigs and black bear at close to moderate ranges. 358 Win, there are no substitutes, just wannabes.

I was thinking of building a 338/08 in a lightweight rifle for Sambar. 200gr Accubond at 2600 fps or thereabouts. Now the choice is easy.