338 Federal and 185 grain TSX

[DrMike]

I was shooting a 7STW for load development today. In between groups with that rifle, I had a couple of sets of loads for my 338 Federal that I had not been able to shoot this past week. I managed to torch them off. The rifle continues to come along nicely. Here are a couple of groups from the work-up today.

Not bad. It has potential. I do want to get the velocity up a little. Still, not bad. Velocity on the first group was 2485 fps and 2549 on the second. The first group is 0.84 inches and the second is 0.65 inches. I should be getting quite a bit more velocity, but that gives me something to work with. These groups were built with A2495. When I built with A2520, I got quite a bit more velocity, and much larger groups.

 

[Greg Nolan]

Mike'
I got pretty good results with the 185 gr. TSX using 48 grs of TAC with the 338 FED. I was getting 1 hole groups at 100 yds. The velocity was 2800 fps avg. I quit the project and moved to the 200 gr. Hot Core loading I mentioned a few days ago. The TSX starts out with great muzzle energy but it bleeds off fast. But man they are accurate. Good luck on your projecr

 

[DrMike]

That is good intel, Greg. I'll hold onto it for the next round of testing.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Really nice groups, DrMike. That .338 Federal cartridge, being based on the .308 case, appears to have a lot of accuracy potential. My Sako 85 is the same scenario, hovering around 3/4 inch, 3-shot groups at 100 yards.

I have loaded up and shot a box of 210 grain TSX Barnes for mine at about 2580 fps. The accuracy is certainly there and that potential pops right up with the .338 Federal on the bench. Not surprising , I guess, since the round is based on the .308 Nato case.

The one thing that I have noticed is that I have not been able to get my Sako to shoot 180, 200, 210 or 225 gr bullets into the same group at 100 yards. The different weights do wander in this caliber.

 

[Rem Jim]

Looking GOOD Mike ! I can hardly wait to get my barrel and get my 338 FED done ! :wink:
Keep up the load development for me please ! :grin:
Cheers RJ

 

[SJB358]

Great shooting Mike. Looks like that rifle is shooting just about everything really well.

I am thinking you will enjoy the heck out of that rifle in the future. Alot of thump in a great sized package.

 

[DrMike]

I do believe it'll do, Scotty. I will focus in the future on 200-210 grain bullets, though. I likely will focus on the 210 PT. At the velocities I'm generating, I believe it will give me the best performance.

 

[Oldtrader3]

After being told on the Weatherby Forum by a local expert that the .338 Federal was a "waste of money and not worth owning"! I stayed with the Sako rifle purchase and really appreciate the rifle, the performance and accuracy of the .338 Federal. Anything that can throw a 210 grain Partition at 2565 fps and shoot inside 3/4 MOA has my vote forever!

The point of this is: that reading about DrMike's total range and hunting experience with the .338 Federal and 200 gr load's performance on moose made me very happy to read these reports and reflect on my rifle purchase.

I have not hunted with this rifle unfortunately, due to life threatening illnesses during the past few years, but I plan for that to change soon and look forward to being able to hunt again ASAP for Roosevelt elk and do so with my .338 Federal Sako rifle here in Washington.

 

[DrMike]

Charlie, I do believe the round will work very well at reasonable ranges for elk. I don't believe you'll be disappointed. I'm pulling for you to have this opportunity.

 

[SJB358]

I do believe it'll do, Scotty. I will focus in the future on 200-210 grain bullets, though. I likely will focus on the 210 PT. At the velocities I'm generating, I believe it will give me the best performance.

I really wanted to shoot the 210 PT this year, but the rifle wasn't doing what I wanted with RL19 or IMR4350. Reading some of the older Nosler manual's they did pretty well with RL15 in the 338WM with the 210 PT. Crazier things have been tried I think?

Your right Charlie, the 338 Fed and 358 Win have more capability than alot of shooters can utilize. I wouldn't feel undergunned a bit in the Rocky's chasing elk with my 358 Win and 225 PT's at 2450. Out to 300-350 yards, it would get it done, and I think it would be excellent.

 

[DrMike]

I've seen a fair number of elk taken with a .358 Winchester (and a .356 Winchester), and I have no doubt that the .338 Federal will work equally well.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Thanks Guys and DrMike, I would no bet against me getting out there after Roosevelt elk again despite "this d*maned spot" that I can not get out!

It is really weird how the gun pundits choose and decide what American (and by reference, Canadian) hunters will use for the favorite Old Betsy! Another case in point, aside from the .308 derivatives, are the older cartridges like the .257 Roberts which are relegated to the closet by being old (and having some weak rifles out in gun land somewhere?) with that being their only sin. Believe me, I have own a Roberts rifles and it is one of (along with daddy, the 7mm Mauser) the rompingest, stompenest cartridges that I have ever owned for small to medium huntable game and deer, plus it is a cracking varmit caliber with 85 gr bullets. Many a passed coyote will attest to that.

Marketing mavin's at big gun company's and the "Nana State" politician's should not be dictating these decisions to us anyway!

 

[Teknys]

No question about it that the 338 Federal is an appropriate Elk cartridge. I've taken thee deer and one elk with mine (Sako 85 Greywolf). The elk was 140 yds broadside,behind shoulder going in and quarter size hole going out of busted shoulder. Elk went 60yds and "no lungs". With the .33 cal front end on it ... it just "pancakes" deer. Use the appropriate bullet (like the 210 PT) for the velocity and you will be very happy with this cartridge.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Thanks for the update. Not too many of the .338 Federal's yet out there. Sako giving up on their rifle chambering on this cartridge hurt sales early and release to market momentum. I appreciate hearing real experiences with this cartridge to give it some actual credability.

It sounds more and more like this is a winner. I have seen several deer crushed with the 200 grain factory loads on hunting programs. It really helps to get some legs on this cartridge to hear from you guys.

You can't go wrong with .33 caliber, 185-210 grain bullets @ 2550 to 2700 fps. This is elk and moose killing performance.