.338 federal ???? all around gun
- Thread starter rwmcquigge
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If you have a Savage or Stevens long action you can do it yourself for about $160. Any other brand will run you over $300 for a smith to do it by swapping barrels or maybe for a little less by boring out the barrel (30.06) to 338.
GooseGestapo
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BigR;
A-Sqare built the rifles and produced the ammo, and the SAAMI standardization data calls it the .338/06 A-Square.
Weatherby produced the Super BigGame Master MkV in the .338/06 but called it the .338/06 Weatherby, as well but no longer catalogs it except as a special order option. Ammo is still available in the Weatherby version (same cartridge, just different names).
Lee stamps it's dies .338/06 Ackley to keep from having to pay license fee's to the recievership for A-Square for use of the name.
You can very cheaply build yourself a .338/06 if you want one.
You can either get a Savage M110 or a Mauser M98 variant and order a barrel from MidwayUSA and have a gunsmith install the barrel, or even order the tools from MidwayUSA and build it yourself.
I bought my barrel on sale for $57.00. A gunsmith charged me $100.00 to fit, ream, and blue the barrel and action of my MkX Mauser. Throw in the dies that cast $22.00 and voila, in 3 weeks I had my custom .338/06.
It, with ammo it likes will shoot to about 1" for 3-shots, maybe better with the best load but Nosler no longer makes that bullet (180gr BallisticTip) though they do make the 180gr Accubond at 2x the price. I routinely see 2,900-3,000fps with a 180gr, 2,800fps with a 200gr, 2700+ with a 210-215, and 2,600+ with a 225. I've yet to run across a "deal" on some 250's so I haven't tried any yet. Its basically a ".300magnum" from a .30/06 case. It gets roughly the same velocity as the .338winmag with a bullet weighing ~20-25grs lighter.
I would suggest though that you go with the .35Whelen. There are more bullet options, especially the excellent 200gr Remington Corlokt PtdSpt. for general use, also more readily available factory ammo (Remington). Ballistic difference is nothing to make note of. Just a few higher digits on the chrono for the .338 than the .35.
Or, save yourself a bundle and stick with the .30/06 and 2-3boxes of factory ammo every year. (but what fun is that ??)
A-Sqare built the rifles and produced the ammo, and the SAAMI standardization data calls it the .338/06 A-Square.
Weatherby produced the Super BigGame Master MkV in the .338/06 but called it the .338/06 Weatherby, as well but no longer catalogs it except as a special order option. Ammo is still available in the Weatherby version (same cartridge, just different names).
Lee stamps it's dies .338/06 Ackley to keep from having to pay license fee's to the recievership for A-Square for use of the name.
You can very cheaply build yourself a .338/06 if you want one.
You can either get a Savage M110 or a Mauser M98 variant and order a barrel from MidwayUSA and have a gunsmith install the barrel, or even order the tools from MidwayUSA and build it yourself.
I bought my barrel on sale for $57.00. A gunsmith charged me $100.00 to fit, ream, and blue the barrel and action of my MkX Mauser. Throw in the dies that cast $22.00 and voila, in 3 weeks I had my custom .338/06.
It, with ammo it likes will shoot to about 1" for 3-shots, maybe better with the best load but Nosler no longer makes that bullet (180gr BallisticTip) though they do make the 180gr Accubond at 2x the price. I routinely see 2,900-3,000fps with a 180gr, 2,800fps with a 200gr, 2700+ with a 210-215, and 2,600+ with a 225. I've yet to run across a "deal" on some 250's so I haven't tried any yet. Its basically a ".300magnum" from a .30/06 case. It gets roughly the same velocity as the .338winmag with a bullet weighing ~20-25grs lighter.
I would suggest though that you go with the .35Whelen. There are more bullet options, especially the excellent 200gr Remington Corlokt PtdSpt. for general use, also more readily available factory ammo (Remington). Ballistic difference is nothing to make note of. Just a few higher digits on the chrono for the .338 than the .35.
Or, save yourself a bundle and stick with the .30/06 and 2-3boxes of factory ammo every year. (but what fun is that ??)
All other things equal, the .338 Federal should not produce any more blast than a .308, nor produce any more felt recoil than a .358 Win.
I think it is a neat idea; however .308 bullets of equal weight have better sectional density. A .30 caliber 180 grain Nosler Partition is capable of plenty.
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I think it is a neat idea; however .308 bullets of equal weight have better sectional density. A .30 caliber 180 grain Nosler Partition is capable of plenty.
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http://ussliberty.org
http://ssunitedstates.org
Charles S
Member
The 338/06 A-Square/Weatherby has a different shoulder angle than the 338/06 Ackley. Both the 338-06 and the 338-06 Ackley can be used in an Ackley chambered gun, but 338-06 Ackley cannot be used in a standard 338-06 chamber.
http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=304
Lee does not call is standard 338-06 die Ackley.
http://www.leeprecision.com/html/catalog/dies-rifle.html
About 2/3 down the page.
I'VE got three 30.06's a 300 WIN. MAG. , 7mm08, 22-250 and .223 but would like to have something different that not every Joe in the woods has. Something with a little more umph than the 06 and maybe just under a 338 WIN. MAG. I reload so ammo wouldn't be a huge problem. Sounds like the 338 federal or 35 whelen might be getting close to what I am thinking about.
carnaby
Member
I would have put the .300 win mag on the list. That's what I've got and I like it. I'm a noob, so that doesn't really count, but it seems like a do-all round 
terry264
Member
From the list you have posted for choices for an "all around" caliber, I would choose the .30/06. If you reload, choose anything you want, even if it needs fire formedbeltedradiusedworkuploadpuffinwooferMagnum. But if you are looking for ammo. away from your usual/familiar buying area and need ammo=you will find .30/06's. Just my opinion.
bromdenlong
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- Joined
- Mar 2, 2006
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- 106
If you want to step up from .30 cal
It seems like a good round, on paper, but what's it going to do that an 8mm Mauser won't do? (or .358, .35 Whelen, etc., as previously noted)
8mm Mauser (8x57) will be cheaper by far to shoot, whether you handload or not. If you've no objection to shooting corrosive surplus ammo, you can save tons of money practicing. Even if you don't like corrosive surplus stuff, you can find cheap hunting ammo online. Just buy Sellier & Bellot or some other reasonable foreign make. Most American ammo makers load it too soft, unless you want .30-30 power levels. And if you handload, I'm pretty sure the brass should be available a lot cheaper than .338 Federal brass. If you can't find 8x57 brass easily, you can cut down .30-06 brass, or .270, or .35 Whelen, etc.
It seems like a good round, on paper, but what's it going to do that an 8mm Mauser won't do? (or .358, .35 Whelen, etc., as previously noted)
8mm Mauser (8x57) will be cheaper by far to shoot, whether you handload or not. If you've no objection to shooting corrosive surplus ammo, you can save tons of money practicing. Even if you don't like corrosive surplus stuff, you can find cheap hunting ammo online. Just buy Sellier & Bellot or some other reasonable foreign make. Most American ammo makers load it too soft, unless you want .30-30 power levels. And if you handload, I'm pretty sure the brass should be available a lot cheaper than .338 Federal brass. If you can't find 8x57 brass easily, you can cut down .30-06 brass, or .270, or .35 Whelen, etc.
hm2 clark
Member
I've got me 3 all around guns. In 338-06, 30-06 and 6.5x55. Each has its uses, but I shoot the 6.5x55 a LOT more. I can tell you that the old Swede rifle works on Canadian Moose and American deer and hogs. Still, I cant think of a more useful short action caliber than the 338 Federal.
smokemaker
Member
The .338 Federal is a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. .358 WCF anyone? Does .020" of bullet diameter make that much of a difference at normal hunting ranges? Does anyone take either of these rounds seriously much past 300 yards? If your shooting across huge grain fields in the midwest, neither is a great choice. The .30-06 will do better beyond 300 yards, and better sectional density per same bullet weight as the .338 lipstick-pig (I like that name!)
I've already got a .35 Whelen... It'll out perform the little piggy at all bullet weights, when properly handloaded at the ranges I'm shooting game at. (250 yards is a long ways for most hunters) I don't feel handicapped with a standard length action, and don't think this new cartridge is going anywhere fast.
My lousy $.02
Jeff
I've already got a .35 Whelen... It'll out perform the little piggy at all bullet weights, when properly handloaded at the ranges I'm shooting game at. (250 yards is a long ways for most hunters) I don't feel handicapped with a standard length action, and don't think this new cartridge is going anywhere fast.
My lousy $.02
Jeff
I didn't vote because I figure that within 300 yards no critter will know the difference if the bullet is matched to the game. If you're going to be shooting longer distances, then I would narrow it down to the long action calibers on that list. If you still want to be different, then that leaves you with the .280. At the time of this post, it only has one vote.
was passing by and thought I would give an opinion. The big thing for a single round is the distance you are hunting and how big the thing is you are shooting. I have been hunting for over 30 years and have almost exclusively used a 30-06. Hogs in the under brush and a 12 or 20 gauge with slugs is good. Aguilar makes a half sized 12 slug that I can put 10 into a Winchester 120 Ranger pump and drop a 300 lb pig at 50 yards with 9 more in back up.
As for the 338 Federal. I just got Savage 99 in 308 from a pawn shop and I am going to rebarrel it to a 338. I was going to rebarrel one of my 06 to a 338-06 AI but I have been surprised at the number of sporting good stores that are carrying the 338 Federal. This in a 210 Noslar is going to be a nice Elk load in a short barrel lever gun for high timber. Or at least I am hoping it will be.
Blessings to all
As for the 338 Federal. I just got Savage 99 in 308 from a pawn shop and I am going to rebarrel it to a 338. I was going to rebarrel one of my 06 to a 338-06 AI but I have been surprised at the number of sporting good stores that are carrying the 338 Federal. This in a 210 Noslar is going to be a nice Elk load in a short barrel lever gun for high timber. Or at least I am hoping it will be.
Blessings to all
I've looked into the .338 Federal and it sounds like a good cartridge and a good idea, but we gun owners, shooters and hunters are a fickle bunch. Who knows if it would stay for good. I've looked at the Ruger Frontier Scout type rifle that came out recently in .338 Fed and thought about getting it, but I'd like to wait and see how the cartridge does first. I'd hate to spend money only to see the cartridge do a nose dive in the next couple of years and not be able to get it. If I was a handloader, it might not make a difference, but I'm not, so I'll just wait and see.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Well, Browning, all ya gotta do is get into the handloading game.
Art
Art
SoCalShooter
Member
300 weatherby is my choice for my all around hunting rifle, not to big for deer, not to small for bear.
AE, that would be nice, but I don't have alot of time right now. Plus, I hate to admit it, but I'm a little intimidated by the whole idea, I wouldn't know where to start. A buddy of mine owns a gun shop and so I get pretty good deals on factory ammo (at cost), so I'm not hurting for ammo right now and I don't own anything that's chambered in an uncommon cartridge. So other than the cost factor and maybe increasing performance a little bit for long range shooting which would be my primary reason for learning, there's really no need to handload right now.
It's something that I've thought about getting into before, but like I said, I wouldn't know where to start. As far as touching something off inches from my face that I've put together myself at three thousand feet per second, it doesn't sound like a good idea if I don't have someone to hand hold me through it in person the first couple go arounds until I'm comfortable with the whole process. Eventually I'll have someone I know help me out in this area, but I want to do it right, not just try to muddle through it on my own. That sounds like a recipe for disaster.
It's something that I've thought about getting into before, but like I said, I wouldn't know where to start. As far as touching something off inches from my face that I've put together myself at three thousand feet per second, it doesn't sound like a good idea if I don't have someone to hand hold me through it in person the first couple go arounds until I'm comfortable with the whole process. Eventually I'll have someone I know help me out in this area, but I want to do it right, not just try to muddle through it on my own. That sounds like a recipe for disaster.
Oohrah
Member
I picked the 30-06 for mostly an all around. For different, I have
one rehambered to 30 Gibbs that takes out the taper, leaves a sharp
shoulder with a 308 neck length. Allows further powder cap. that
really makes a difference in heavy bullet weights. Somewhere around
300 H@H without the recoil of the mags.
For really different that will most likely be picked up by any major
company is a 25-308 built on a 95 Mauser. Beauty is in the eyes of
the beholder.
one rehambered to 30 Gibbs that takes out the taper, leaves a sharp
shoulder with a 308 neck length. Allows further powder cap. that
really makes a difference in heavy bullet weights. Somewhere around
300 H@H without the recoil of the mags.
For really different that will most likely be picked up by any major
company is a 25-308 built on a 95 Mauser. Beauty is in the eyes of
the beholder.
Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Browning, my uncle started using me as child labor back in 1950, loading ammo for him. Then he gave me an old Enfield 1917 in '06 and I've pretty much been good for nothing, ever since.
It's no big deal. Where ya save money is, it keeps ya outta the beer joints at night. I've done a lot of loading during Monday Night Football; there are only 22 minutes of action in that three hours.
Art
It's no big deal. Where ya save money is, it keeps ya outta the beer joints at night. I've done a lot of loading during Monday Night Football; there are only 22 minutes of action in that three hours.
Art
trueblue1776
Member
I would vote for .30-06 but 26" barrels are less and less common on rifles, so to get the most for my buck I chose the venerable .308
You forgot one
...if you're looking for something different in the same "class":
.325 WSM
I'm an 8mm fan---currently building an 8mm-06 AI (Vz-24 action)...which properly handloaded is stepping on the heels of .338 Win Mag, with equal weight bullets.
...if you're looking for something different in the same "class":
.325 WSM
I'm an 8mm fan---currently building an 8mm-06 AI (Vz-24 action)...which properly handloaded is stepping on the heels of .338 Win Mag, with equal weight bullets.
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