.338 federal

[444marlin]

Federal Premium Introduces .338 Federal: The First Centerfire Rifle Cartridge to Bear Its Name


Anoka, MN – December 2, 2005 – The new .338 Federal is a cartridge that provides the energy of a 7mm Rem Mag in a necked-up .308 case. It’s the ultimate big game caliber designed with reasonable recoil for today’s lightweight rifles. It exhibits great performance on a variety of large game and is the first ever rifle cartridge to earn the right to bear the Federal name on its headstamp.

Federal Cartridge Company pioneered the Premium ammunition category in 1977. With decades of successful manufacturing, forward-thinking and outstanding quality, only one thing was missing—Federal’s own cartridge.

This void is now filled with a unique combination of two time-tested designs—the .338 bullet atop the versatile .308 cartridge case. It’s a combination that’s been made a legitimate cartridge by the development efforts of the engineering and ballistics staff at Federal in collaboration with Sako rifles. A larger diameter bullet in the shorter-action .308 case generates approximately 200 feet per second more velocity than a standard .308 with a 30-caliber bullet (when comparable bullet weights are considered).

The .338 Federal delivers the only modern .338-caliber load that isn’t a magnum configuration. It gives big game hunters a larger diameter bullet for more weight and overall energy on target—without magnum recoil.

According to Federal President Mark DeYoung, "This product breaks new ground for Federal and compliments our emphasis on product innovation. The .338 Federal captures the capability of the longstanding .308 case, and offers the respected performance of the .338 bullet, a favorite of big game hunters. These two mainstays have been proven time and again and are now brought together into a quality factory load. This cartridge also offers an advanced option in support of the current trend for lighter rifles. The .338 Federal offers hunters more muzzle energy than a 30-06 Springfield—equaling that of a 7mm Rem Mag. It’s a non-magnum offering that boasts magnum energy. The round delivers devastating performance on game, including deer, bear and elk and we’re proud to put our name on it."

Three Premium load offerings will be available in the fall of 2006:
P338FA1: 180-grain Nosler AccuBond 2830 fps
P338FB: 210-grain Nosler Partition 2630 fps
P338FC: 185-grain Barnes Triple-Shock 2750 fps

Product will be available in spring of 2006. Keep an eye on the Federal and Sako websites for more ballistic information and availability updates.


what do you guys think of this? I kind of like the idea. I have been looking at the different 338's out there and think I want a rifle chambered for it or maybe a 35, but this would be a nice round in the rem model 7.

 

[Dave Markowitz]

Sounds like a nice medium bore round. I like the fact that it's not a "magnum."

 

[mete]

With that name people will confuse it with the 338 Mag.It's like a 8x57 Mauser.Do we really need a round between the 308 and 358. Perhaps like the 358 it won't sell because it's not a magnum. I don't see the advantage over a 308 especially with premium bullets.

 

[stevelyn]

The .338 Federal delivers the only modern .338-caliber load that isn't a magnum configuration.

Huh? So what would you call the .338-06?

 

[Ol` Joe]

The round is quite popual as a wildcat the 338-08. The 35 cals never had a good selection of bullets and I`m sure that had something to do with its low sales. The 338 cal has a much wider selection and better bullets are offered (partitions, X bullets, ect) then were originally for the 35s. The cartridge is a good step up in energy for the parent case and offers a larger frontal area for hunters of large game like bear, moose ect. The 210 gr load offers the same energy as the 200 gr 35 Welen (sp) factory load with a bullet that has a slightly higher BC and seconal density. I would concider one in a heartbeat if offered in something like Kimbers little M84.

 

[wanderinwalker]

I think this would make one handy little short rifle round. Chamber it in something akin to a Remington Mountain Rifle (mine is a .260 Remington, FWIW) or a 20" barreled Model 7 and I'd have to give it serious consideration.

There will never be a worry about brass or bullet availability, and the wild-catters have already established this as a useful cartridge. I like the idea of a .338-cal. 210gr Partition or 180gr Ballistic Tip for broken country hunting. Would seem to offer plenty of medicine for things up to moose in size. This is a logical step-up in power from your .30-cal. and smaller rounds.

210gr Partition at 2600 fps should do most killing most hunters need to do and be a relatively mild-shooting package to boot.

What's not to like?

 

[RaySendero]

Wish they would put a 250 grain round nose bullet in it when it comes out - Would be an easy carry HOG THUMPER!! Also hope the rifles have a twist to stabilize a 250!

Federal are you listening? or reading?

 

[ECVMatt]

I have a .338-06 and love it!

I hope it works out.

Matt

 

[CTI1USNRET]

So, factory ammo, without any rifles chambered for it in production? We should be hearing about a rifle chambered for it soon, otherwise it won't be factory-made for long.

I'd like to see Savage offer it.

 

[444marlin]

It’s a combination that’s been made a legitimate cartridge by the development efforts of the engineering and ballistics staff at Federal in collaboration with Sako rifles.


I'm sure there will be other rifles besides sako when the round finaly arives, there are just to many people out there who wanted a 338wsm not the 8mm wsm and although this is not a "MAGNUM" round I think it will sell well.

 

[dfaugh]

It'll be interesting to see

who starts selling rifles for it first (besides Sako)...Probably Savage and Ruger...Winchester and Remington are proponents of NIH (not-invented here), and will likely wait and see if it becomes at least somewhat popular...While I think its a good idea, if I was looking for something in that power range I'd go .325 WSM, but that's just me.