338 Federal
 

I see tha Sako and Federal have teamed up with a cartridge called the .338 Federal. It is a .308 case necked up to .338. I haven't seen any ballistics on it yet and I'm wondering how well it will do.

RE: 338 Federal
 

Scrollto the bottom of thefirst tablefor Federals ballistics...
http://www.federalpremium.com/ballistics/Ammo_Search.aspx?act=choose&firearm=1&s1=1

RE: 338 Federal
 

Thanks for the link.....that 338 federal is a very impressive cartridge for a short action round. Federal is putting some fine bullets in it as well.

IMO the 308 case has always been a player in the elk category but this newest .338 loading compares very favorably with larger cases.

This should be a winner in such guns as the M-7 Remmy.

RE: 338 Federal
 

Looks like a nice round. Federal will need more support than Sako to get this cartidge off the ground. Savage would give it a boost if they decided to pick it up. Lower price gun - less risk if it doesn't take.

RE: 338 Federal
 

I don't expect the .338 Federal to get much traction here in the western states. It looks like a dandycaliber for hunting black bear or even moosein theheavy timber, though.

RE: 338 Federal
 

If you like the 338 Federal, then how aboutthe newly announced378 Federal?

This new cartridge is right in keeping with the new trendtowardssmaller but highly efficient powdervolumescarefully matched up withlarge heavybullets. Instead of thewasteful .308 case, the new 378 Federal usesthe more advanced .223 case as the basis of its superior design.
The 378 Federal is designed for heavy big gameand is only available inthe highest quality 325 grainbullets!

As the final icing on the cake, the 378 Federal incorporates new advancements in black powder technologythat maximizes the powerproduced byitscarefullyoptimized case size and the superb penetration of the finest of hard cast lead bullet technology!

A realpig of a weapon, that one! ;)

RE: 338 Federal
 

Insert witty remark here :eek:

RE: 338 Federal
 

Its an ok cartridge; I an not going to rush out and buy one. Good luck.

RE: 338 Federal
 

It looks like agood cartridge, but nothing really new or awe inspiring. The .358 Winchester is very, very similar in ballistics, but for some reason it never really caught on. Ilike it,but I'll be surprised if it does well.

RE: 338 Federal
 

I just posted a thread on the 338 Federal intill I seen this thread and deleated my own.:DWas to lazy to search:eek:
I am very interested in this round,and hopefully Remington will pick it up.

RE: 338 Federal
 

For those who liked the 358 Winchester, this should be even a little better. This because of the same edge the 338-06 has over the 35 Whelen. More SD bullets and a bit flatter shooting. As mentioned above, it should be an excellent woods hunting round for big critters at modest ranges. I will have one. However, it won't be until the smoke clears from the last purchase. :D

EKM. Is the CZ going to be available in that new sizzeler?:D

RE: 338 Federal
 

Methinks more like Marlin!

My impression of the 338 Federal?
Kinda weak.

RE: 338 Federal
 

I am Shocked:D:D

Fedaral will offer a 180 grain Accubond at 2830 fps.
185 Barnes TXS at 2750 fps.
210 grain Nosler Partition at 2630.

It should have good energy out to 250 yards.

RE: 338 Federal
 

If they woulda put the word magnum behind it he woulda already ordered 5 :D

RE: 338 Federal
 

Au contrare, Doe Dump

The word magnum doesn't make a cartridge good, performance does.

Actually, mylast two rifles purchasedhave NOTbeen magnums!
416 Rigby
458 Lott

No "magnum" word after those,,,.
....kinda been looking at a 7mm STW--- no "magnum" word there either, however, they all have performace!

Speaking of performance, IMHO, 338 Federal is a step backwards not forwards, except perhaps for accommodating the ever-growing "recoil sensitive" crowd.

I'm thoroughly underwhelmed.

RE: 338 Federal
 

It shouldn't take too long before someone will will shoot something BIG with one of those loads, not get the penetration they should, and proclaim it a junk caliber...

Drilling Man

RE: 338 Federal
 

It will short you about 100 yards compared to the 338 Win mag. The 338 Federal has the same ME at 300 as the 338 Win Mag has at 400. I doon't see it as a step up or a step down, It simply a different step. The above ballistics are for the 180 grain accubond. in both guns.

RE: 338 Federal
 

180 grain?
For big game that is a good .308 bullet.

In a 338, it doesn't strike me as being a real penetrator.
Poor sectional density IMHO.

RE: 338 Federal
 

That site did not list the heavier bullets but just running the figures, the same hold true for the 185 and 210. It costs you about 100 yards. I am betting that the 185 grain TXS at 2700 will have no shortage of penetration. Time will tell. I will be willing to give it a try in the field. More bullets will come out for it as well. I think bullet makers will add a new bullet or two for it if time testing bears out the first tests on Elk and moose.

RE: 338 Federal
 

Your too busy looking at the energy... I'm with EKM, i want some penetration and that's what i was refering to in my last post!!!

Drilling Man

RE: 338 Federal
 

It would be an excellent brush and medium range gun, it could reach across a field and be fine, but be at home in the woods too. I'm trying to convince my dad to let me buy a 45-70 though right now, everyone here thinks it's an elephant gun becuase of the caliber though.

RE: 338 Federal
 

This is very true, but there's nothing it can do that the 308 Win. can't do just as well, and out shines it at longer ranges!!!

I've put tons of meat in my freezer with a 338-06 (includeing the caribou pictured below) so i do have some idea what a 338-08 would be like.

Drilling Man

RE: 338 Federal
 

I think it will sell pretty well if someone besides Sako jumps into it. Savage or the SPS would interest me greatly. To me it fills that nich for a hard hittet out to 200-250 yards. Thios without a great deal of recoil. Those of us who don't have any desire for more recoil than needed will like it. That makes me a whimp or smarter that a piece of hardwood. Whatever the case may be.;)

RE: 338 Federal
 

Just out of curiosity,Whats the big difference in 338-06 and 338-08(federal) in terms of velocity and energy.
I do understand the 338-06 is more of a custom gun and made for reloading but I guess in general my all important question would be---Why hasn't any of the big gun companies picked up the 338-06 in favor of the 338-08 if we are talking more case capacity.?
A-square is making the 338-06 production rifle I am sure but not sure about anyone else.

RE: 338 Federal
 

Good question. The difference is about 100 fps with bullets up to 200 grains. The 338-06 would have the edge with the 200-250 grain bullets and is not far behind the 338 Win Mag. The 338 Federal may not fly but the trend toward short certridges may help it out. It will have to appear in a less expensive rifle to make any splash at all. The 338-06 is a very good cartridge and deserved better treatment than it got. Everything based on the 308 case has done pretty well. Of course the 308 case was just a shortened 30-06 case.