338 federal

[tdoyka]

i was thinking(yes, again), what would be a good deer load in the encore under 250 yards, use 200 grain bullets, and not knock my block off(had a stroke). i am getting a 444 marlin with bellms muzzle brake( as soon as mgm buys the barrel), and i have a 6.5 creedmoor, which does an marvelous job. i think(here we go again thinking) i have come up with a good caliber, the 338 federal. its based on the 308 and can shoot 180-225gr bullets. i'm guessing the recoil isn't that bad, i shot a 338rum, and i don't want to do it again!
does anybody have thoughts on the 338 fed.?

thanks!

20 vartarg
22 long range /long/short
222 remington
223 remington
22-250 remington ackley improved
243 winchester
25-06 remington
6.5 creedmoor
270 winchester
7mm-08 reminton
7mm mauser
30-30 winchester
32 winchester special
308
30-06
45-70 govenrment
38 special
44 remington mag

 

[yzguy87]

My one thought is that 22 lr stands for long rifle!

Unless there's a new wildcat I'm unfamiliar with

 

[NWcityguy2]

I think the 7mm-08 would kill any deer on the planet inside 200 yards and have less recoil that the 338 Federal or the 308 parent cartridge.

 

[1948CJ2A]

I think the 7mm-08 would kill any deer on the planet inside 200 yards and have less recoil that the 338 Federal or the 308 parent cartridge.

Yup - something about the 7mm and North American deer... it just works, period. I prefer the 7x57 over the 7-08 but the 7-08 is certainly easier to find and buy ammo for

 

[tdoyka]

i tried the 7-08 and the 7mauser, took alot of deer with them. since i had a stroke, i'm looking for something new. from the 243 to 45-70 i took a few deer, i am hoping somebody has info.

 

[orchemo]

338 Fed

I have one in a Tikka T3. It shoots the Barnes TSX 185 gr very well. I use it for black bears. Could use something smaller, but I prefer them to stop when shot in the terrain I hunt them.

Regards

 

[1948CJ2A]

i tried the 7-08 and the 7mauser, took alot of deer with them. since i had a stroke, i'm looking for something new. from the 243 to 45-70 i took a few deer, i am hoping somebody has info.

If you're a fan of the 308 case and the stuff over 30 cal like your OP suggests, have you considered the 358 Win?

 

[jmr40]

The 338 kills stuff just fine. If you want something a little different it is an option. If you are looking for recoil reduction, keep looking. The 338 Fed gives slightly less performance on game than a 30-06, with roughly the same recoil. It is about equal to a 308, with a lot more recoil.

Could say exactly the same about the 358.

The 338 shoots bullets of the same weight at about the same speed as 30-06, and slightly faster than a 308. That means about the same recoil as 30-06 and more recoil than 308.

On paper the 338 has a slight energy advantage over 308 at the muzzle. But the better BC of 308 bullets mean deeper penetration at all ranges and much better performance at most any range farther than 100 yards. The .03" larger bullet diameter is irrelevant. After bullet impact and expansion you will never be able to measure the recovered bullets and tell which are .308 and which were .338.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

i tried the 7-08 and the 7mauser, took alot of deer with them. since i had a stroke, i'm looking for something new.

I'm a little confused.
Since you had a stroke, you're looking for something new? Do you want something better? Something with less recoil? Or just something different because it interests you?

As jmr40 said, your recoil is going to be roughly the same as a .30-06 and performance isn't going to be as good at longer ranges.

If you just find the .338 to be an interesting caliber and want one, well I certainly understand that. I'm a .280 fanboy for no particular reason but that I just like the round. I'm fully aware that it is no better than the .270 or .30-06 but I like it better for some reason.

You said you've taken a lot of deer with 7mm-08 and 7x57 Mauser. I'm just curious as to why having a stroke would make you want a gun with quiet a bit more recoil and no real world advantage.

 

[yamahawarrior89]

Take a look at this link:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

They list plenty of different rounds to look at. Looking good at this table, the 338 federal recoils 10% more than a 30-06. Now all this is relative sin embargo the rifles weight depends as well as if you download your rounds.

It sounds like you just want to get 338 because you want one.

 

[tdoyka]

yeah, i guess i do.

Arkansas Paul, even tho the right side of my body is crippled up, i do like the thump of guns. basically i shoot deer under 100 yards, most of the time under 30 yards. i remember a doe that was 365 yards(give or take) that i shot with a old timer(i was 14, no such thing as a laser thingy), and my best was an 8pt that measured 12 feet.(wish it was the rack). i'm getting a 444 marlin from mgm and it is going to be sent to bellms for a muzzle brake. the 338 fed seems i won't have to go with the brake, but its hard to say. the 338 probably won't happen until next year, i'm just getting data from people who know. will it take the 308 or the 30-06, probably not. will it sound cool, nope. but it will be mine.

 

[itsa pain]

I think the 7mm-08 would kill any deer on the planet inside 200 yards and have less recoil that the 338 Federal or the 308 parent cartridge.

Just 200yds? You can do that with a 30/30 with the pointed bullets and some black powder rifles. I have hit rocks at 1100 yds with the 7-08 and it hits them hard. I do not advocate shooting at deer more then 300 yds but the 7-08 could do it at 6-700 yds

 

[scottishkat]

I own a Sako 85 in 338 Federal. It has become one of my favorite deer rifles recoil is a little more than 30-06. Mine likes the 185 TSX as well. It will kill any animal in the lower 48 within the ranges you specify.

Good luck and shoot straight

Bob

 

[Float Pilot]

I have been looking for an excuse to own a 338 Federal. Particularly in a lightweight rifle.
I already own a 358 Win, a 350 Rem Mag and a 358 Norma... So I am stocked up on 35 caliber shootin irons.

But I have shot and hand-loaded a couple 338 Fed rifles for buddies and I like the cartridge. Although within 300 yards there is no difference in bullet drop between the 338 fed and 358 Win, when both are loaded with the same weight bullets of similar designs.

The 338-06 (338 A-Square) is also a very nice all-around cartridge.

 

[jakk280rem]

If you want something that is:
1. Encore friendly
2. 250yd or less deer killer
3. Is different
4.Shoots 200 or so grain projectiles, and
5. Won't cause a second stroke

I'd go over to SSK industries and check out their line of cartridges called the JDJ.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

will it take the 308 or the 30-06, probably not. will it sound cool, nope. but it will be mine.

Certainly nothing wrong with that man.
I have a .243 and a .30-06, but I want a Marlin half magazine .30-30 Win. Won't do a thing that the other 2 won't do better, but I freaking want one.

 

[T.R.]

I've never owned or fired a 338 Federal. But I hunted with a custom 9.3mm rifle for an elk hunt in Wyoming. The muzzle was magna-ported in Michigan to eliminate muzzle jump and a Limb Saver pad reduced much of the recoil. I thought it shot about the same as a 30-06 but with a much heavier bullet and larger bore. I'm certain that recoil of the 338 can be tamed equally well.

Whether the 338 Federal kills game any faster than .308 is subject to much debate. But I think the middle bores deserve their place in the deer woods.

TR

 

[tdoyka]

Certainly nothing wrong with that man.
I have a .243 and a .30-06, but I want a Marlin half magazine .30-30 Win. Won't do a thing that the other 2 won't do better, but I freaking want one.

i have a m94 in 30-30, retired her for lack of killing way to many deer!!!