I actually have the article from American Rifleman in front of me and here are the ballistics for the new 338

with a 200 yard zero

338 federal is 8.94"low
358 win is 13.66" low
308 is 9.37" low
*magazine claims a 200 grain federal silvertip bullet was used for all testing

308 with 200 grain shoots @ 2571 FPS (generous handload)

358 win shoots @ 2490 FPS with 200 grain silvertips

338 with a 180 grain accubond has a muzzle velocity of 2830 FPS.

the 338 with a 200 yard zero using the 180 grain accubond is 1.8" high at 100 yards and 8.2" low at 300

I wouldn't exactly limit the 338 as a close range round with these ballistics.. Especially since the numbers outperform the mighty 308