338 Federal

davs2601 · 07-31-2007, 03:24 PM

I did a search and didnt find any info on the 338 federal so here goes.

I got drawn for an elk tag this year and im going to purchase a new rifle for the hunt. I have been reading and gathering info on calibers for the past few weeks. I am very interested in the 338 federal, has anyone had any experience with this rifle?

popeye · 07-31-2007, 04:24 PM

The 338 Fed is nothing more than a 308 Win necked up to 338. If a 338-308 fits the type of hunting you plan on doing, then go for it. I'm not a big fan of magnums, I use a 338-06, but if you think you'll need either additional range or hitting power then you'll need to get something with a few more horses.

rjhans53 · 07-31-2007, 04:57 PM

No hunting experience to date. I've got a tikka and a savage 110 that I've rebarreled. Both seem to prefer the speer 200 over the hornady, I haven't tried any of the lighter bullets from barnes or nosler. The tikka is a 1/2" @ 100 gun the savage isa 1". Recoil a little more than a 06 but not a lot. I had some problems with my 1st set of dies, but RCBS sent me another sizer and expander and it works really well. Oh I shoot those bullets sitting on 46.5 of IMR 4895

Chris_H · 07-31-2007, 05:07 PM

Have you thought about the .300 Mag?

kdvollmer · 07-31-2007, 11:39 PM

Sorry, I haven't shot the .338 Remington. I bought a .338 Lapua Mag. I've read a few good things about it in the last year or so.

kdvollmer · 07-31-2007, 11:42 PM

Correction for above:

Sorry, I seem to have Remington on the mind as I typed. I meant with the .338 Federal.

Typing in here, and talking with the guys I work with about the Rem 700.

goos_blues · 08-01-2007, 12:21 AM

This round seems like it would be a little weak. However, i did see a guy use it on a show earlier today. It was pretty impressive. The shot was over 200 yards and he used Fusions of all things. I thought the fusion was a deer round. Worker pretty good though. If it were me I would get a 325WSM

Frank in the Laurels · 08-01-2007, 06:12 AM

Don't send a boy to do a man's jobs !! Even you need to have the .338 caliber then buy the .338 WMag and get over it.....SSsssshhhh

ipscshooter · 08-01-2007, 08:24 AM

Yep. Cuz if you've got a magnum you get to thump your chest, and your more likely to win p!ssing contests...

The .338 Fed looks to me like it would be a goodchoice for shots under about250-300 yards, particularly if you're going to be lugging it around in the mountains where it might be nice to have a lighter weight short-action rifle.

If it was me, I'd just load my .30-06 up with a properly constructed 180 grain round and have at it. Hits harder than the .338 Fed after about the 100 yard mark. Shoots flatter than the .338 Win Mag with 210's or the .325 WSM with 220's.That way, I save the money on the purchase of a new rifle and can better afford my taxidermy bill after the hunt.

kdvollmer · 08-01-2007, 08:25 AM

hey now, just leave that little plinker at home and take a .338 Lapua Mag.

(sorry guys, I am just a little biased there)