Got to test the 338 Federal on game.

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Captcurt

Captcurt

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I have been playing with a Savage 11 chambered for 338 Federal and finally got to test it on deer. This gun has had me pulling my hair. Never did find a load that suits me after several range sessions. Most groups run 1 1/2"-2" with the Speer 200gr HC. Even the Federal Fusions shoot about the same. The load that I hunted with was 44 gr of Varget pushing the 200 gr at 2450 fps.

To make a long story short, I had a 30 yard shot at a doe as she quartered to me. I hit her at the base of the neck with the bullet exiting on the offside shoulder. The shoulder was totally demolished with about a 4" hole in the middle of the shoulder blade. If a bullet going 2450 does that what would one of the factory Fusions do. They claim 2700 fps and I chrono'ed them at 2750. May have to try one and see.
 
It's a devastating round. Had an old Remington 7400 .243 with the barrel shot out. Had it bored out to .338 just for fun. Shoots well and packs a punch without ridiculous recoil. An underrated caliber IMO.
 
I want this so bad for an elk rifle.

my goal is to have a rifle in each of the 308based cartridges. So far I only have 7mm-08 Tikka T3 (shoots 120 NBTs at 0.80” - still need a chance to shoot a deer with it, two seasons without a shot opportunity so far, rifle opens again in 36 hours!).

I want to get 243 in a Model 70 Featherweight Compact, possibly a Model 70 or Montana rifle company rifle in 338Fed, not sure of 308 (either a “precision range rifle” setup that is home built or like a Tikka/Ruger precision rifle option, or more like an AR10, totally undecided).

The 338Fed seems like a round that should have taken off big time and never did.
 
Captcurt said:
I have been playing with a Savage 11 chambered for 338 Federal and finally got to test it on deer. This gun has had me pulling my hair. Never did find a load that suits me after several range sessions. Most groups run 1 1/2"-2" with the Speer 200gr HC. Even the Federal Fusions shoot about the same. The load that I hunted with was 44 gr of Varget pushing the 200 gr at 2450 fps.

To make a long story short, I had a 30 yard shot at a doe as she quartered to me. I hit her at the base of the neck with the bullet exiting on the offside shoulder. The shoulder was totally demolished with about a 4" hole in the middle of the shoulder blade. If a bullet going 2450 does that what would one of the factory Fusions do. They claim 2700 fps and I chrono'ed them at 2750. May have to try one and see.
Click to expand...
Did you ever try a Nosler 180 gr Accubond with IMR-8208XBR? That combo works well in my son's Ruger Hawkeye. Also had good results with that powder with 200 gr bullets. Ramshot TAC gave slightly higher velocity, but IMR-8208XBR was close, with better accuracy in his rifle.
 
2ndtimer said:
Did you ever try a Nosler 180 gr Accubond with IMR-8208XBR? That combo works well in my son's Ruger Hawkeye. Also had good results with that powder with 200 gr bullets. Ramshot TAC gave slightly higher velocity, but IMR-8208XBR was close, with better accuracy in his rifle.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. I found the Speers on sale and bought 5 boxes at half price. I wanted to go with heavier bullets since my 300 WSM can handle 180's and even 200 gr better than the 338, but I prefer 165s in it. I will be sure to try the powders.
 
When younger, I too had the dream of all the -08 rounds. I did manage to play with the .338-08 but never took it hunting. Age and changing desires took me another direction and I sold it off. But I liked the round and it performed well in my Tika. Sorry I don't remember the loads. Never fired factory ammo.
 
alfsauve said:
When younger, I too had the dream of all the -08 rounds. I did manage to play with the .338-08 but never took it hunting. Age and changing desires took me another direction and I sold it off. But I liked the round and it performed well in my Tika. Sorry I don't remember the loads. Never fired factory ammo.
Click to expand...
Rifles for most of the 308 based rounds would fill a pretty big safe. Most people forget that the 260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor and several other target rounds are based on that case.
 
Captcurt said:
Rifles for most of the 308 based rounds would fill a pretty big safe. Most people forget that the 260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor and several other target rounds are based on that case.
Click to expand...

I think I had on my wish list: .243 Win., .260 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem., .308 Win., .338 Federal, .358 Win. Basically it gives you 6-9mm. I know there are several others, but this would pretty much covers everything except for 5.56mm.
 
Captcurt said:
Rifles for most of the 308 based rounds would fill a pretty big safe. Most people forget that the 260 Rem, 6.5 Creedmoor and several other target rounds are based on that case.
Click to expand...

The .30 Thompson Center is the parent to the 6.5 Creedmoor.
 
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