I'm not jumping to get either the .338F or a .325 WSM and don't see a line forming to order ahead of whats selling.

I already have a .308 carbine, .30-06, 7mm RM, and a .338 Wm. What isn't covered?

If I were starting out, didn't have anything for elk hunting I would consider it. Probably wouldn't buy it even then. Yes, the .338F is a mild mannered medium bore. With 210gr Partitions loaded hot it may be a good elk rifle simply for it's carrying / handling, but the 210gr is the minimum weight For elk in a .338 the way I see it. I like the 250gr best and the .308 case can't hold enough powder behind a .250gr bullet. Why not load a 200gr RN or even a 220gr RN in the .308?

The .325 WSM won't go over any better I don't think. 8mm isn't a popular flavor. It's a capable round but I don't think USRAC is going to spend enough money promoting it. It would have done better as a .338.

There are times I like a short barreled rifle and then I grab the .308W in the Mod 600, but for elk hunting only, the .338WM will be my choice every time. Mine has a 22" barrel and shoots better than I do. With 250gr bullets arriving at the energy levels that the .338F produced at the muzzle. I'll carry the extra weight.

We don't need another deer rifle. It's a new toy, nothing more. Nate

Honestly, I hope the 338 Federal makes it, I really do. However, my practical side sees it as redundant and unnecessary. Furthermore, most 338 bullets are tough and designed for cartridges that produce more velocity than Federal's round is capable of delivering. For those who tout it as all the 358 is and more, and you can see them here, I think disappointment lies ahead.
I fervently believe that the 338 bore is at its best with 250 grain bullets. Perhaps this will go a long way toward explaining why I think so little of the new round.

Of course he's going to tell you that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, that's what he gets paid for, not honesty.

CLK,

SSK made a 338 JDJ and I read long ago a review by the guy who was in all those TC ads, an MD, he shot an elk WELL over 300 yards and I doubt his ctg had anything over a 338 F in a rifle. He said the elk dropped very quickly.

Big Nate, perhaps if Federal had some '338 WM Lite loads" for reduced recoil, they would sell, but there might be some pact with Sako who knows, yes the industry needs to make money to stay in business.....

buckshot, 180-200gr should be 'soft' enough on deer, 210's will open quick but hold at the partition for complete penetration. When I had my 338-06 I picked a 225 pt for all around use, but 200 Btip on deer......BUT I have heard all too often guys who use 210's in the 338WM like the lesser recoil, super accuracy in factory ammo-Federal.......And rave about field performance.

The SD is lower on the 210, but apparently it works well. .263 SD is not bad and at a lower speed in the 338F, it will expand slower and penetrate deeper, all else equal.

So yes Buckshot, in a Win mag, I agree about the 250 if you can handle the recoil and the 225's combine trajectory and punch, but in the 338 F out to 300 yds, I think it does fine with 210's and 225's can add more weight if wanted with slightly more drop downrange.

Nope, nothing has been sliced bread since the old 6.5x55, 7x57, 30-06, 375 if you are saying what round has done a lot of good field work around the world for years, but I think at normal hunting ranges it will be a solid performer if one has a place for a new rifle.

I guess I am just plained bored with many rounds and want a new 'toy' to slam whitetails on the ground (but not slam me in the process) especially when hunting in the evenings when I hate to see an animal run after a shot and then have to track them, sometimes without a good blood trail. I think bigger the bore = bigger blood trail and hopefully shorter.

It won't be my only gun, as I will still carry others on morning hunts (if needed, following a blood trail is much easier in daylight...) esp. if I hunt an open field, either my 6BR fast twist with 105's or my 7/08 heavy barrel as they both are very accurate and shoot flat enough for distances to 400 yds or so.

Having different options and trying new things in the field always looking for an improvement and gaining more knowledge is a lot of why I enjoy hunting, and also why I don't use a 30-06.

Thanks.