I had a 338-08 built knowing it was a near twin of the 358winny. But I wanted something a bit different AND something that was a true wildcat but still easy to load for.

Maybe I'm just weird but I like having a true wildcat that can walk the walk and talk the talk when it comes to having plenty of smack.

The 338-08 will push heavier (i.e. 200, 210, & 215 grain) bullets faster than a 308 can push 180, 200, or 220s.

What the 338-06 does for the 30-06 the 338-08 does for the 308.

Besides as I said it is fun to have something truely different and there really doesn't need to be a reason to build a wildcat, just to have one is reason enough.

There was a forum which I can't remember the name of that has gone off the 'Net which had quite a bit of info on the 338-08. A guy who posted there, I think his handle was DoubleD, took his 338-08 to Africa and had great success with it. It is a good cartridge, and is very accurate.

talk me into a 338-08...

Just go ahead with your idea, because that's what you had in your mind from the beginning, and because "it was the from the beginning" probably because you thought about the great number of .33-caliber bullets you can use with it. I imagine you could use from 160-grain bullets to 210, and still get plenty velocity.

There was an article in Rifle (or maybe Handloader) last year, and there were several loads for it. The author shot his friend's rifle in that caliber, and was impressed with its performance. I may have the article somewhere around my home, so if I find it I can point you in the right direction. As with any .338 wildcat, only the 30-caliber ones have so many bullets you can choose from.

Another impressive wildcat would be the .375 Taylor, but you would need a .338WM action to build that one. It's impressive, not necessarily because there are more .375-caliber bullets for it, but because the relatively short .338 case can launch .375 bullets that almost and safely duplicate the ballistics of the .375 H&H. Also, such a cartridge is at least one pound, if not more, lighter that the average .375 H&H.

I sure appreciate all the replies. I have considered an 8mm-08, and in fact I have an spare 8mm Douglas barrel laying around. However, it is chambered already for an 8x57, but I could back it up a 1/2" or so and ream from there.

Already have a 250-3000 - one of my all time favorites.

So many calibers, so little time (and $)...

I would get a .338-08. I have long thought about that one, but I guess I like the .308 too much.

you've already got a 358, which is a more powerful round, (do the enery calcs)

I would suggest, sorry fellas, stepping up to a 376 steyr, if you can take a 3.15" round..

if not, the 338-08 CAN be a super super light rifle, as 160gr barnes X at 2750+ from an 18.5" barrel, 6#, is only 25-26 # recoil... or a 225 XLC at 2250, just CRUiSING is 36#...

would make a SUPER nifty ultralight... and, well, just a humddinger...

my light 358 is 7.1, with no scope/mounts, just iron sights, with 225 at 2500... and kills like a death ray

jeffe

Here's a question: How fast do we think the 308 case could push a 220g .375" bullet? I'm thinking 2600+ fps, if the 200g .338" goes 2670. Not quite the SD of a 200g .338" but still a thumper for short range. You could seat the FN's out farther also, increasing powder room. Maybe even get 2650.
Just another thought to further confuse.

I agree with elkslayer, I have two 358's and one 338-08. I know they're pretty darn close, but then so are everyother cartridge outhere.
I have my 338-08 in a Model 88 Winchester. I read an article on this setup in an old Rifle Mag. (May-June 1974) and just had to have a wildcat like it. The author (Roy Smith)was hunting in Alaska and wanted a lever action carry rifle to hunt moose and also enough for bear. I had two Model 88's in the safe and figured this would be a no-brainer.
I sent the 88 off to Dick Nickels for a rebore/rechamber job. Halfway through the process Dick passed away. It took me awhile to get the half finished rifle back with a note stating the Nickles family had made arrangments for Cliff LaBounty to finish Dick's remaining jobs.
About 6 months after it was started I had it back, I feel very fortunate to have had two great smiths work on this rifle .
Favorite loads are with 200gr. Hornady spire points and 200 gr. Combined Technologies Ballistic Tips. and figure a speed of between 2500 and 2600 fps. I also picked up a copy of Ken Walters Pet Loads that has more than 60 loads for this caliber.
Do it, it's just different enough that people what to stop and ask questions and it works darn good on deer also.