drh1175

.338 Federal sounds like an interesting cartridge and they are teaming up with Sako.

http://outdoorwriters.atk.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=3&s2=8&id=80&amp ;brand=5&year=2005

Rootsy

nothing but a necked up 308... Federal just decided to legitimize it...

Rammer

I love how they are comparing it to a.284 caliber gun. Sounds like a marketing ploy that isn't going to be very successful.

Charley

Saw this in another forum, and I don't think it will be succesful. Look at how many long term successes there are based on the .308 case. The .243 can be called a huge marketing success...but how about the others?
.358 Winchester? Popular with some, but the masses don't know it exists.
7mm/08? Very popular with a small segment of hunters. Again, not seeting sales records.
.260 Remington? Dead before it hit the shelves!

Four children of the .308, three currently dead or almost dead. IMO, it doesn't bode well for the .338 Federal

mossy33oak

I wonder why the 338-06 wasnt concidered over the 308 casing?? I would think the extra case capacity of the 06 would be more desirable. I am seriously concidering having one of these guns built.

RedAllison

I'm sure inside of 200-250yds it probably would be "ok" on larger game. But can it be expected to be that much better than the .358? I doubt it and as good as the .358 is, as was said most aren't even aware such a cartridge exists. Would someone who has a 30/06, 7mag, one of the 300mag variants or either of the WSMs really want or gain anything with a 338Fed?

I guess you can't quit testing new waters but I just don't see new cartridges utilizing old cases ever gaining ground in todays market. I think new cartridges like the WSMs (I realize they are based on the .404 Jeffreys but most deer/big game hunters have never been around large or big bore cals such as those so for them they are still new).

Can the 338Fed offer something that a 338/06 or 35 Whelen cant? I don't see how. Everything sounds like it is "acceptable" instead of "more than". In todays whizbang world that alone is the kiss of death!
RA

bigcountry

If they can meet those numbers, it will be a success. I just don't see them getting that much horsepower out of a 308 case. The 338-06 has a hard time getting those number accurately

popeye

The 338-308 wildcat has been around along time and except for a very few people no one has even heard of it. I saw 1 about 20 years ago that owned by a guy who built wildcats mainly to see what they would do but I never shot it.

The 338 Fed isn't bringing anything to the table that the 358 Win can't but American hunters seem to love338's and hate 35's so maybe it will catch on. If it does the more main stream rifle company's will need to chamber it. Nothing against Sako but they don't selllike Remington, Ruger or Savage.

Personally I wouldrather have Federal sell ammo for my 338-06(yea I like 338's better than 35's thandomesticating an obscure wildcat.

trailer

Being that Sako rifles are two to three times the price of brands listed would be a major factor in the market for selling Sako....

zrexpilot

Dont we have enough calibers to argue about.
I dont think anyone could come up with a caliber that can do anything better, than one of the many we have to choose from now.
Does that make sense ?