338 Federal 161gr Outer Edge Projectile
- Thread starter Stevil
- Start date
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,868
- 5,177
Really like the 338 Federal.
Have two!
In the rebarreled Winchester Model 88 I am sticking to the Federal Premium 210 gr Nosler Partition ammo. Shoots MOA. Built it for hunting in the thick timber.
In my rebarreled LH Sako 85 Finnlight II, I am currently using Federal Premium 200 gr Copper ammo and 200 gr blue box ammo, (both sub-MOA) and hope to finally settle on a handload with the 200 gr AccuBonds.
I have taken caribou, moose, and stones sheep with them so far.
Have two!
In the rebarreled Winchester Model 88 I am sticking to the Federal Premium 210 gr Nosler Partition ammo. Shoots MOA. Built it for hunting in the thick timber.
In my rebarreled LH Sako 85 Finnlight II, I am currently using Federal Premium 200 gr Copper ammo and 200 gr blue box ammo, (both sub-MOA) and hope to finally settle on a handload with the 200 gr AccuBonds.
I have taken caribou, moose, and stones sheep with them so far.
- Thread starter
- #3
Bikram it sounds like you've been enjoying the 338 Fed way too much !, Ive had a few 9.3x62's and 4 x 358 Win and I really wanted to find something a little flatter and with a little less recoil.
Ive only taken two small hogs but I plan on use this on Fallow, Reds and possibly Sambar. Im also working on a 140gr HP load for light weight Varmint work.
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RL338
Handloader
- Mar 23, 2017
- 4,962
- 8,712
Looks like an awesome combo.
What can you tell us about that Howa build? I’m a huge fan of the Howa/Vanguard actions.
- Thread starter
- #6
Well it was originally a 6.5CM but it less than satisfactory performance on 220lb plus hog ( rearend running shot) convinced me at look for something different
I'd already been shooting a 338 ARC on the Howa Mini platform so it was easy to go to the Federal as I had all the projectiles on hand
Currently punching 140gr HP out at 3050fps and 161gr at 2930fps.
What's not too like
Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,868
- 5,177
Yep!
I too like the flatter trajectory of the 338 Federal over my two 358 Win rifles (pre-81 BLR and custom LH Rem 700).
But as I have more experience with the BLR 358 I am not likely to give these up...been a lot of fun carrying, hunting and shooting with that BLR. Have taken mule deer, moose, elk, and backed up DrMike on his grizzly bear with it. Have also used it for a back up rifle when guiding, along with using it as my saddle/atv gun, camp gun, and back up for archery hunting.
Still working up a handload with the 225 gr SGK for the Remington, as the HSM ammo with the same bullet performs so well...but I should be able to get more velocity out of a handload (approx 120 fps), so we wwill see.
I am also liking my LH Sako 85 Hunter in 9.3x62! Have take a moose with it so far.
I now have to consider the Sako in 338 Federal as the candidate for sika, rusa, and sambar in New Zealand!
Double Dropper
Beginner
- Jan 13, 2018
- 43
- 30
Wild question, I have a very nice 308 Savage 99, magazine model 18.5 inch barrel and was considering a re-bore to 338 Federal. Local guy in Alberta does fantastic work and I think this would be the ultimate short range woods rifle. The rebore tech told me no problem, he has done several but one gent contacted me and he indicated the factory ammo was too hot for the 338 fed. ?? I do not plan to hotrod this rifle just box ammo and same pressure as the 308. Is this an issue with bore tightness? Chambering? Thoughts?
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Blkram
Handloader
- Nov 25, 2013
- 3,868
- 5,177
With the 308 Win spec'd to 62K psi and the 338 Federal also sepc'd to 62K (although QL lists the standard pressure @ 60,191 psi) by SAAMI, I don't think there will be any problems. If your rife's action is nice and tight still, it should be fine.
I had Corlanes (Rocky Mountain Rifles) rebarrel a Winchester Model 88 for me to 338 Federal with a 20" Krieger barrel that they had on hand. It took a bit of work for it the cycle properly, but works fine now. I have only used Federal's now discontinued 210 gr Partition ammo in it and it shoots 1" groups consistently. I built this rifle for bear and moose hunting in the thick timber here in NE BC. Thankfully, I have a good supply of this ammo on hand. When I do run short, I can handload for it.
Incidentally, I also had them rebarrel a LH Sako 85 to 338 Federal for me using a Wilson 22" carbon fibre barrel to match the factory barrel profile so that the Finnlight II stock did not have to be modified. It shoots very well, with all but two factory ammo offerings that I have gathered and tried since 2017, producing sub-MOA groups. Velocities have typically been within 50 fps of the factory specs from my 22" barrel, and 125 fps less from the 20" barrel on the lever action. The two the 22" barrel didn't care for as much are the 180 gr AccuBond ammo (2"+ groups), and the 200 gr Trophy Bonded Tip ammo (1.683"). The latter would be acceptable accuracy if one were never going to shoot past 300 yards on moose or elk with larger vital zones. I prefer MOA or better as the cartridge is capable of taking most big game species out to 400 yards with the 200 gr bullets retaining sufficient velocity and ft. lbs of energy for reliable expansion and penetration. I would limit the shots on bison to 200 yards to ensure that I still meet the minimum energy requirements of BC's hunting regulations. I also picked up a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight from DrMike, that was rebarreled to 338 Federal by Corlanes with a 24" Douglas barrel, for my daughter as she wants to hunt bison, which she had shot in the past and did well with, and where her 270 Win wouldn't be legal here for them. It also shoots very well (sub-MOA).
To date, between my two rifles, I have taken caribou with the lever action, and moose, caribou, and a stones sheep with the bolt action. I am really enjoying this cartridge!
If you're referring to Ron Smith in Alberta, he and his son do nice work. I had the pleasure of meeting them back about 2010. Nice fellows.
I have a beautiful custom LH Sako in 257 Roberts that I recently acquired, and has the Shilen barrel stamped RKS II, which I believe means that the son did the work on. It shoots the Nosler factory 110 gr AccuBond ammo into .582" 3 shot groups at 100 yards. I would say they did a great job! And I would rely on their advice as to the suitability of your donor rifle for the project.
With the only ammo available at the moment being Federal's 200 gr Fusion ammo, I would acquire what you can if you want to use factory. (I have some, but have not yet tried it in either rifle to see how it performs.) If you handload, the you'll be fine to get components and develop a good load in your rifle for the hunting you do. I plan on developing a 200 gr AccuBond load for the Sako.
Best of luck on your quest, and I hope that it turns out well for you! Should be a nice handling rifle.
Looking forward to your reports when completed.
I had Corlanes (Rocky Mountain Rifles) rebarrel a Winchester Model 88 for me to 338 Federal with a 20" Krieger barrel that they had on hand. It took a bit of work for it the cycle properly, but works fine now. I have only used Federal's now discontinued 210 gr Partition ammo in it and it shoots 1" groups consistently. I built this rifle for bear and moose hunting in the thick timber here in NE BC. Thankfully, I have a good supply of this ammo on hand. When I do run short, I can handload for it.
Incidentally, I also had them rebarrel a LH Sako 85 to 338 Federal for me using a Wilson 22" carbon fibre barrel to match the factory barrel profile so that the Finnlight II stock did not have to be modified. It shoots very well, with all but two factory ammo offerings that I have gathered and tried since 2017, producing sub-MOA groups. Velocities have typically been within 50 fps of the factory specs from my 22" barrel, and 125 fps less from the 20" barrel on the lever action. The two the 22" barrel didn't care for as much are the 180 gr AccuBond ammo (2"+ groups), and the 200 gr Trophy Bonded Tip ammo (1.683"). The latter would be acceptable accuracy if one were never going to shoot past 300 yards on moose or elk with larger vital zones. I prefer MOA or better as the cartridge is capable of taking most big game species out to 400 yards with the 200 gr bullets retaining sufficient velocity and ft. lbs of energy for reliable expansion and penetration. I would limit the shots on bison to 200 yards to ensure that I still meet the minimum energy requirements of BC's hunting regulations. I also picked up a Winchester Model 70 Featherweight from DrMike, that was rebarreled to 338 Federal by Corlanes with a 24" Douglas barrel, for my daughter as she wants to hunt bison, which she had shot in the past and did well with, and where her 270 Win wouldn't be legal here for them. It also shoots very well (sub-MOA).
To date, between my two rifles, I have taken caribou with the lever action, and moose, caribou, and a stones sheep with the bolt action. I am really enjoying this cartridge!
If you're referring to Ron Smith in Alberta, he and his son do nice work. I had the pleasure of meeting them back about 2010. Nice fellows.
I have a beautiful custom LH Sako in 257 Roberts that I recently acquired, and has the Shilen barrel stamped RKS II, which I believe means that the son did the work on. It shoots the Nosler factory 110 gr AccuBond ammo into .582" 3 shot groups at 100 yards. I would say they did a great job! And I would rely on their advice as to the suitability of your donor rifle for the project.
With the only ammo available at the moment being Federal's 200 gr Fusion ammo, I would acquire what you can if you want to use factory. (I have some, but have not yet tried it in either rifle to see how it performs.) If you handload, the you'll be fine to get components and develop a good load in your rifle for the hunting you do. I plan on developing a 200 gr AccuBond load for the Sako.
Best of luck on your quest, and I hope that it turns out well for you! Should be a nice handling rifle.
Looking forward to your reports when completed.
