338 Federal at the range

[Greg Nolan]

Well, it's good news and bad news.
Good News: With the 200 gr. AccuBond and 49 gr. of Tac powder I got 2646, 2649 and 2644 fps. Great velocity and fantastic consistancy.
Bad New: It shoots a 4" group at 100 yds.
I used 2.83 OAL because my magazine only goes to 2.835
I have loaded some 185 Tsx bullets to 2.82 Saami max and I had to reset the die because the cartridge ended up 2.62. So the longer taper of the AccuBond is keeping me away from the lands. With the AccuBond I touch the lands at 2.98" That's a .15 jump. I suspect the 210 Partition would work better. I'm going to try 2.82 and 2.80 and see if I can find a shorter sweet spot.

 

[OU812]

Greg the good news is I'm sure you'll have it shooting like a champ in no time.

On a side note as for any TSX bullets I have ever loaded I have had excellent luck accuracy wise seating the bullet to this depth, case mouth at line in the picture. I've done this in a 243, 300 win mag, 338 lapua, 8mm mag with super accuracy in every one.

 

[DrMike]

With that sort of consistency in velocity, I'd be inclined to focus on the load you provided and play with seating depth. I suspect that you'll find a dramatic transition to accuracy.

 

[Greg Nolan]

That line is exactly where the case mouth sets at 2.82" where I have it for the TSXs. It should shoot well. I read that the TSX loadings were more accurate than the AccuBond loadings.
Mike, I'm going for depth changes like you suggested. I like the consistancy and the energy lever at 2650 fps. is substantial. It's surpassing 30-06 and crowding 7mm mag. status. This 5.1 lb. rifle is a real deal powerhouse and the kick is very surprisingly tolerable. I just need to get it accurate enough.

 

[Horsethief]

With the TSXs you'll likely have an increase in velocity w/o an increase in powder weight compared to what you've already chronographed. Their long body still allows them to be seated to a decent depth and still not get too close to the lans & groves. The most accuate load I have in my 257 Wby is with 100gn TSXs.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I am running at 2.80 COAL with the 210 Partition in the .338 Federal. Velocity with 47.0 grains of IMR 4064 and CCI BR2 primer is 2575 in 22 inch barrel Sako 85 with Hornady .308 Match brass.

 

[JD338]

Greg,

The 210 gr PT might be worth a try, if you can shoot them where you are.
Another suggestion is the 338 200 gr E-Tip. They performed well for me in the 338 RUM.

JD338

 

[SJB358]

Wow, that is some great speeds Greg. I hope you are able to tune up the AB or the PT for your 338F. Sounds like alot of power in a really nice package. A guy could get to liking a rig that is that kinda light for alot of mountain hunting.

 

[DrMike]

I'm rather intrigued by how things move in cycles. It seems as if the 35 Whelen suddenly popped up and spread throughout many on the forum; it has staying power as well. The 8RM is another cartridge that seemed to spread quickly after popping up. Now, it seems as if the 338 Federal is prominently seen. Good cartridges that languish in the shadows eventually rise to the top as people focus on them again. Assuredly, the 338 Federal is one such cartridge. It has potential, that's for certain.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I am surprised that Federal and Sako went ahead with this .338 Federal project at all? I benefitted from this by being able to buy a .338 Federal, Model 85 Sako for $730 after initial sales of this caliber were dissapointing. It was over two years before I could buy any Federal headstamped brass for the .338 Federal. Although using .308 cases is not a problem.

I actually had a gunsmith on the Weatherby forum make fun of me for owning "a freak rifle caliber, which no one wanted". I just could not understand how a caliber which is as powerful and with a smaller case than the .30-06 with180 grain bullets could be a caliber that no body wanted? When you can shoot 210 Partitions at 2570 fps, the .338 Federal is less than 100 yards behind the .338 magnum and uses 25 grains less powder to do this feat. Also the rifle with 210 Partitions, has about the same recoil as a standard weight .30-06, 180 grains load, in a 6-3/4 pound rifle. What is not to like?

 

[DrMike]

My 338 Federal was built on a whim. I had briefly considered having a 338-08 built, but dismissed the idea some years previously. I had passed on purchasing a Sako chambered in this cartridge several years earlier because there was no brass available, and even loaded cartridges were not common. Federal had just announced the release of brass when a nice looking .243 Winchester Featherweight passed through the shop. I bought it and immediately had it rebarreled to 338 Federal. It is still a little dicey to find brass, but it is available, so I don't have to form it from 308 brass.

 

[SJB358]

I really like them little 338F and 358 Winchester. I think some hunters which will kill at 600 yards and never really intend to shoot over 300. So, the little 338's and 358's get sidestepped for the hotter numbers. I all actuality, I think most of us could hunt with a 338 or 358, properly loaded of course and never miss a beat.

Your right though Mike, when handloaders really see what the regular cartridges do, and how easy they are to load for, they tend to flock to them.

Your 338 Federal is very sharp. That would be a rifle that would be hard to leave behind, although you have about 20 I wouldn't wanna leave behind.. Such as life as a rifle nut!

 

[Oldtrader3]

I was having some issues with case necks not fully sizing with .338 Federal RCBS FL dies. So, I bought a carbide sizer button stem for the .338 Federal from Forster and this helped with neck sizing springback somewhat.

I cheated with a .358 Win body die. I also bought some Hornady .308 Match cases which were pretty soft brass. They pushed the neck down on seating 210 Partition and bulged the case shoulder datum point out so that the cases would not chamber. So, I bought a .358 (!) body die and sized the loaded .338 Federal rounds with this .358 body die. The body die brought the datums back into spec so that the rounds would chamber and give pretty good accuracy with corrected headspace. Sounds goofy but it worked.