308 Win vs. 338 Fed
- Thread starter Craiger12
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bobnob
Member
Well I reckon the 308 will shoot flatter, which might make only a small distance to 300 yards. But I think the 338 when it hits will make a bigger hole (duh, sorry) and because its going to be a heavier bullet, penetrate deeper, all other things being equal.
tahoe2
Member
308 Win/338 Fed
bang-run-flop or bang-flop
bang-run-flop or bang-flop
R.W.Dale
Member
There's something about 338 federal that bugs me.
Aside from 338 fed every other 338 cartridge is 338wm or faster and always has been. This means that 338 caliber bullets are designed with magnum speeds in mind. But with the advent of 338 fed those same bullets are now being launched 400fps -/+ slower.
Does this matter, I know not but its something to consider
posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complaints about
Aside from 338 fed every other 338 cartridge is 338wm or faster and always has been. This means that 338 caliber bullets are designed with magnum speeds in mind. But with the advent of 338 fed those same bullets are now being launched 400fps -/+ slower.
Does this matter, I know not but its something to consider
posted via that mobile app with the sig lines everyone complaints about
tahoe2
Member
I think that with lighter bullets (180, 200, 215) the Fed hits harder than it's ballistics would indicate, and definitely harder than the 308.
I think shock factor is the 338 Fed's advantage, at reasonable ranges of course (300 & less)! Personally, I use an 8mm mauser, handloaded
to European specs, and it dumps deer in their tracks, can't wait to try it on Elk & Bear !
I think shock factor is the 338 Fed's advantage, at reasonable ranges of course (300 & less)! Personally, I use an 8mm mauser, handloaded
to European specs, and it dumps deer in their tracks, can't wait to try it on Elk & Bear !
Factory balliatics show the 338 with a slight adgantage, but my loading manuals all show they both shoot the same bullet weights to the same velocity. The same bullet weight in 308 will out penerate the same bullet weight from 338. The extra .03" diameter is about the same as your fingernail so I don't see any help from bullet diameter.
I don't see the 338 being any worse on larger game, but not any better. The 308 will have better long range perfromance
The 308 will kill anything in N America at 300 yards. Can't see using something that is harder to find ammo for and may not even be available in 10 years.
I don't see the 338 being any worse on larger game, but not any better. The 308 will have better long range perfromance
The 308 will kill anything in N America at 300 yards. Can't see using something that is harder to find ammo for and may not even be available in 10 years.
cougar1717
Member
Between these two there is probably not a huge difference deer hunting. I was really looking into the 338Fed when it was introduced. The 308 Win has the edge at longer distances with better bullet bc's. 338 has the thump advantage on closer shots. What really turned me away from the 338Fed was bullet selection. Almost all factory ammo is between 180 and 200gr. Many more choices with 308.
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