I would imagine the .338 Federal kicks like a mule,
It doesn't kick like a mule, but morelike a 3006 if the rifle weights are similar and useing similar weight bullets...
Anyone care to explain how you take a 308 case, neck up to a 338 and shoot the same weight bullets at a higher velocity? Higher chamber pressures from more bearing surface or what?
The expansion ratio is different...... I guess another way to explain it is, the .338 bore is bigger than a .308 bore, so you can use a bit more powder to fill the space...
Here's another thing though... All else being equil, you have to use a "heavier" bullet in .338 to get the same penetration as a .308 bullet... So, a 180 grain.308 bullet is going to out perform an 180 perform.338 bullet...
Next problem, if you use heavier bullets in the .338 Federal, like 250 grain bullets your not going to be able to push them fast enough to get them to expand properly as they are designedfor a higher velocity than the .338 Federal can push them.
DM