Wolffire99
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- Nov 1, 2011
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IMO there's no point in buying a 338fed if you just plan on shooting 180 grain bullets. It doesn't shine until you get to 200-225 grains.
338 federal
- Thread starter dubya450
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tahoe2
Member
I agree with wolffire, in that things start getting interesting @ 200 grns & up. For years I have been shooting and loading the 8x57 mauser (.323 bullet) which is almost a .338 bullet. I am loading 180grns @ 2700 fps and 200 grns @ 2600 fps in a Yugo M24/47 Sporter , now I realize these velocities are lower and the bullet diameter is smaller (barely) than the .338, but I would not feel undergunned against all but the big bears in North America and I feel the .338 Fed is equally capable, if not more.
The .338 Fed is not a "whiz bang magnum" but then it doesn't need to be!!
The .338 Fed is not a "whiz bang magnum" but then it doesn't need to be!!
Kachok
Member
The 338 Fed is a nifty little round, it reminds me alot of the old 358 with one notable exception, it can handle the longer streamlined 225gr bullets which is about the only bad thing I can say about the 358win. Being a handloder I would like to own one, but if I bought factory fodder I would avoid it since it is unlikely to ever really catch on, for no other reason then it won't touch 3000+ fps territory. A 225gr accubond at 2400fps would be potent medicine for anything in north America within 300yd and would not blow up a bunch of meat on deer class game.
Well i finally ordered my "walking" rifle! I found a Kimber Montana in 338 fed on gunsamerica tonight and bought it. Hopefully the seller will contact me tomorrow or Monday so we can complete the transaction. I have a new Leupold vx-3 1.5-5x20 im mounting on it using Talley 1 piece base/rings. It should be one light rig. Pics to come!
Abel
Member
I would use the Federal Fusion 200gr if they hold at 1.5MOA or better. You have to go with at least a 200gr of you may as well have a measly 308 Win.
http://www.ableammo.com/catalog/fed...eral-fusion-ammunition-2660-rdbx-p-99094.html
since most 338 bullets on the market are designed for 338win mag or 340wthby velocity are they going to expand reliably at the lower velocity of the 338fed.will heavy bullets punch rite through deer size game and not open up and make a good woond channel?i have been interested in this round but wondered about bullet selection?
GooseGestapo
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- 6,153
I posted sometime previously on this thread. Now the topic has changed and I can add to the "fray".
In comparing the similar .30/06 and .338/06 (mirrowed by the .308/.338Fed), I can safely say that the .338Fed WILL give under identical circumstances (admittedly seldom encountered) give an additional 100-200fps over the .308 with same bullet weight. This is a result in the difference in the expansion ratio of the larger bore. Not a secret or "mystery".
With the .338/06, I get 2,950-3,000fps with a 180gr bullet (discontinued 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip) This is .300winmag speed AND energy. The 50% increase in frontal diameter means that the .338 penetrates slightly less, but only slightly less due to heavier construction of the .338" bullet, but leaves a broader permanent wound channel which I can attest to. On deer size game this is moot, but on larger game such as elk it DOES matter. With a 200gr bullet, I regularily see 2,800fps, 2,650 with a 225 and 2,550 with a 250gr bullet. Just hold a 250gr .338 in your hand vs. a 200gr .308 and it's EASY to see the difference.
But, again, how much this means in the lower 48....If walking up on an elk carcass you left the day before to find a ~600lb grizzly with his head up to his shoulders in it from 50yds away, it makes a HUGE difference in your confidence as you creep backwards to go back to camp and cry in your beer over the lost elk meat.... while you explain to the local game officer why you left the elk carcass to it's new owner...... HE will understand....! And when I built the rifle, it was equally comforting to know that I would have 5 in the magazine and 1 down the pipe vs. the 1+3 of a .300mag....
I wouldn't even consider using one of the "uber" premium bullets such as the Barnes Monolithic in the .338Fed. The extreme length of these bullets limits the powder capacity reducing the velocity potential. Use of a lighter bullet is not a remedy to a ~$2.00+ bullet when they aren't needed. The construction of the .338" bullets is part of the attraction of this bore diameter.
For deer, it doesn't get any better than the 200gr Speer "HotCor". At around $18.00/50, they are accurate, hold together well but expand sufficiently at 2,600-2,700fps m/v of the .338Fed and would be my first choice. The 200gr Hornady is right behind it and as an "Interlok" performs like the much more expensive 210gr Nosler Partition in this bore diameter. For a one bullet-do-it-all, this is probably "it". For a "long-range" bullet, the 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip (discontinued) was excellent. The 180gr Accubond is un-neccessarily expensive. Instead of this, I use the more recently introduced 200gr Hornady "SST". I got several boxes of 225gr "SST's" when they were much less expensive today. This is probably the best "compromise" bullet in my .338/06. I run it to just over 2,700fps with a compressed load of RL19. It shoots near moa which is something of a "miracle" from my $60 Adams&Bennet barrel. Most other loads are 1.5-3.0moa for 3-shots. Don't overlook the 200gr BallisticSilverTip. This is the discontinued 200gr BallisticTip with the funky black coating and gray plastic tip. It's just right for the .338Fed. About $25/50 last time I priced them from MidwayUSA.com.
But, going back to the elk carcass/bear deal, the next time I'll be carrying my 8.8lb Ruger M77mkII Hawkeye "African" in .375Ruger, so the 10.3lb ".338" "question" won't be on my mind.....But, I can really say the 235gr Speer and 250gr Sierra BtSpt don't mess up a deer as bad as my .300RUM and like Elmer Keith and Jack O'Conner agreed, perform on deer about like a .30/06 with a 180gr bullet.
But 'BOY'!, YOU OUGHT TO SEE THE DIVOT (TRENCH) they leave in the ground AFTER they exit the deer!
And I "love" the look I get when they ask me "what kind of rifle are you hunting with "this" time!
And no, the recoil isn't THAT bad.... About like a .300mag or a 12ga shotgun w/1oz slug...Actually less than the .300RUM which has drawn blood on "both" ends with every deer I've shot with it...
I still think that you'll adore the little Kimber... but I think "I" would have gotten a 7mm08... just a personal thing... I shot a 7mm08 Kimber one time that was a marvelous little rifle...
In comparing the similar .30/06 and .338/06 (mirrowed by the .308/.338Fed), I can safely say that the .338Fed WILL give under identical circumstances (admittedly seldom encountered) give an additional 100-200fps over the .308 with same bullet weight. This is a result in the difference in the expansion ratio of the larger bore. Not a secret or "mystery".
With the .338/06, I get 2,950-3,000fps with a 180gr bullet (discontinued 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip) This is .300winmag speed AND energy. The 50% increase in frontal diameter means that the .338 penetrates slightly less, but only slightly less due to heavier construction of the .338" bullet, but leaves a broader permanent wound channel which I can attest to. On deer size game this is moot, but on larger game such as elk it DOES matter. With a 200gr bullet, I regularily see 2,800fps, 2,650 with a 225 and 2,550 with a 250gr bullet. Just hold a 250gr .338 in your hand vs. a 200gr .308 and it's EASY to see the difference.
But, again, how much this means in the lower 48....If walking up on an elk carcass you left the day before to find a ~600lb grizzly with his head up to his shoulders in it from 50yds away, it makes a HUGE difference in your confidence as you creep backwards to go back to camp and cry in your beer over the lost elk meat.... while you explain to the local game officer why you left the elk carcass to it's new owner...... HE will understand....! And when I built the rifle, it was equally comforting to know that I would have 5 in the magazine and 1 down the pipe vs. the 1+3 of a .300mag....
I wouldn't even consider using one of the "uber" premium bullets such as the Barnes Monolithic in the .338Fed. The extreme length of these bullets limits the powder capacity reducing the velocity potential. Use of a lighter bullet is not a remedy to a ~$2.00+ bullet when they aren't needed. The construction of the .338" bullets is part of the attraction of this bore diameter.
For deer, it doesn't get any better than the 200gr Speer "HotCor". At around $18.00/50, they are accurate, hold together well but expand sufficiently at 2,600-2,700fps m/v of the .338Fed and would be my first choice. The 200gr Hornady is right behind it and as an "Interlok" performs like the much more expensive 210gr Nosler Partition in this bore diameter. For a one bullet-do-it-all, this is probably "it". For a "long-range" bullet, the 180gr Nosler Ballistic Tip (discontinued) was excellent. The 180gr Accubond is un-neccessarily expensive. Instead of this, I use the more recently introduced 200gr Hornady "SST". I got several boxes of 225gr "SST's" when they were much less expensive today. This is probably the best "compromise" bullet in my .338/06. I run it to just over 2,700fps with a compressed load of RL19. It shoots near moa which is something of a "miracle" from my $60 Adams&Bennet barrel. Most other loads are 1.5-3.0moa for 3-shots. Don't overlook the 200gr BallisticSilverTip. This is the discontinued 200gr BallisticTip with the funky black coating and gray plastic tip. It's just right for the .338Fed. About $25/50 last time I priced them from MidwayUSA.com.
But, going back to the elk carcass/bear deal, the next time I'll be carrying my 8.8lb Ruger M77mkII Hawkeye "African" in .375Ruger, so the 10.3lb ".338" "question" won't be on my mind.....But, I can really say the 235gr Speer and 250gr Sierra BtSpt don't mess up a deer as bad as my .300RUM and like Elmer Keith and Jack O'Conner agreed, perform on deer about like a .30/06 with a 180gr bullet.
But 'BOY'!, YOU OUGHT TO SEE THE DIVOT (TRENCH) they leave in the ground AFTER they exit the deer!
And I "love" the look I get when they ask me "what kind of rifle are you hunting with "this" time!
And no, the recoil isn't THAT bad.... About like a .300mag or a 12ga shotgun w/1oz slug...Actually less than the .300RUM which has drawn blood on "both" ends with every deer I've shot with it...
I still think that you'll adore the little Kimber... but I think "I" would have gotten a 7mm08... just a personal thing... I shot a 7mm08 Kimber one time that was a marvelous little rifle...
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Certainly, you just have to stick to closer range. Depending on the bullet line, Nosler advertises a functional impact velocity from 1600-1800fps. If you start off down a couple hundred feet per second, you reach that minimum operating velocity sooner as the bullet travels downrange. You might be able to use a bullet out to 800yds with the likes of one of the magnums before it gets below 1800fps but with the .338Fed it might drop below that at 400yds. Numbers are just "for example" and don't represent any actual bullet or load.
Comparing cartridges with the same parent case, and using the same pressures, sectional density becomes the secondary "control" on the comparison. With like weight bullets the larger bore will turn in a higher velocity because of the larger base area being acted on by the pressure in the case. However, it will have a lower SD and also a lower BC so while it starts out faster, it also slows down faster and penetrates less except, possibly, at close range where that extra velocity can make up the difference. Where the real comparison comes in is with bullets of like construction and like SD. The velocities will be very close to the same with the larger bore having more energy thanks to the heavier bullet. Also because of the like SD and bullet design, the BC will be very close and like BC and like velocity mean like trajectory, both in drop and drift. The larger bore will have more energy at every range since the bullet is heavier. Penetration will be about the same but the larger bore makes a bigger hole. The only downside is going to be a slight increase in recoil.
The only limitation I see to the .338Fed is that to really take advantage of the larger bore, you need to get into the heavier bullets. Heavier bullets are longer. That leaves you with a decision to make. Either load them to fit in the magazine and give up powder capacity or load them long and have a single shot. I like a Savage action in this situation because the mag well is very generous allowing you to load out to 2.95" without trouble.
Well i picked up two different factory offerings. The plain jane federal fusion 200 gr and some 160 gr Barnes ttsx bullet's loaded by Doubletap ammo. Ill probably get the feel for the rifle with the box of fusions and fine tune it with the doubletap and use them for deer hunting. Im very intrested to see how the 160 grain TTSX @2900 fps performs on big MN whitetail this year. I know the 150 grain TTSX in 30-06 works awesome so im hoping for good results.
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