338 Federal

[Rem Jim]

Hi Guys - just lookin for opinons on my build ! I am using a Rem M600 action with a HS Fibreglass stock that has a alum bedding block molded into it ! Going to be a 338 Federal Cartridge !
Now - what brand barrel should i use - Pac Nor or WHAT ? SS steel or just pain old steel ? Its going to be coated for protection . What twist ? with 200-225 gr boolits ! All and any suggestions of the build will be reviewed - thanks for your help ! :grin:

Regards RJ

 

[257 Ackley]

Jim -
This is the one caliber I am missing from the good old .308 case. I will let others comment on the barrels, since most barrel manufacturers make good if not great barrels for hunting rifles. I would suggest trying the 210 grain Partition in your load work. I can't imagine that bullet not working well in your caliber. You will not give up as much case capacity for powder as you will with some other bullets in this weight class.

Shooters Pro Shop had some as seconds last week (I grabbed a few bags :grin. I think they are just overruns for Federal that have a crimping ring.

 

[gerry]

Jim, the Pac Nor would be great but so are other makes too. Living in B.C. a stainless steel barrel would make the most sense to me. If it were mine I would look at bullets like the 200 gr AccuBond or 210 Partition as well along with a cheaper bullet for practice like a 200 gr Speer or Hornady. Sounds like a great build make sure you post some pictures when it's done

 

[Anonymous]

The two bullets that interest me the most in that case are the 180 AB and the 210 Partition.

I'd get a stainless barrel, even coated because you will certainly get some nicks and dings in the coating- particularly along the barrel- if you hunt the rifle even a little.

.338 Fed is a gem of a cartridge and I need one really soon.

 

[DrMike]

I should have my 338 Federal by spring. It will wear a PacNor barrel. My 35 Whelen wears a Hart. Either will do you well. I agree that stainless has appeal, though I'm not afraid of a chromoly barrel. My chromoly barrels are all Teflon coated. I really like the Teflon finish and it gives me good service here in the Peace. Powder coating is tougher still.

 

[BK]

I'd definitely go with SS. I think jmad has me about talked into a Benchmark tube when I rebarrel a .270.

 

[Guest]

I can't speak to the 338Fed, directly, but I do own a nice Rem700 in 8x57. I shoot 180gr BT's through it, and they're plenty tough on white-tails. I suspect the folks at Nosler are right when they tell me these 180gr BT's are suitable for elk. I may play with the 200gr AB one day, but for now the 180s are running along at 2720fps and are hitting around an inch. The little buck that met one last December was not pleased with their performance. I was. I think you can really get the best performance out of these two near twins (8x57 and 338Fed) with the 180-200gr bullets, but I lean toward the 180's as I have some concerns about opening at lower velocities when the bullet leaves the barrel at 2500fps or so. At least with >2700fps at the muzzle, I can shoot out to 300yds with this gun and not worry about impact velocity at all.

 

[JD338]

Jim,

Congratulations on your build. The 338 Federal is a big stick in a small bundel and the 210 gr PT will make for a great bone smashing load.
A 1:10 twist will be plenty for what you are going to do. As for barrel manufactures, there are several to choose from.
I have a Hart barrel on my 280 AI and it is a snap tp clean after a day of shooting on the range.

Keep us posted on your build and post pictures when you get it home.

JD338

 

[Rem Jim]

I should have my 338 Federal by spring. It will wear a PacNor barrel. My 35 Whelen wears a Hart. Either will do you well. I agree that stainless has appeal, though I'm not afraid of a chromoly barrel. My chromoly barrels are all Teflon coated. I really like the Teflon finish and it gives me good service here in the Peace. Powder coating is tougher still.

Dr Mike - what action are you using ? which PacNor barrel are you using ? contour and twist ? What stock will you be using on your build ? I have a rem m700 teflon coated from the corlane fellows - neat stuff - but you like powder coating better ? over all finishes ? Thks and Cheers RJ :grin:

 

[DrMike]

Jim,

I went with a PacNor 10 twist. The rifle is built on a Model 70 action and nestled in a Featherweight stock. I personally prefer the Teflon coating on my rifles, though the powder coating is much tougher--it will endure a lot of abuse.

 

[nvbroncrider]

Talk about a good group of individuals there at Pac Nor. Dropped my actions off on Friday. Took a neat tour through the plant learned quite a few things while I was there too.

 

[CatskillCrawler]

Talk about a good group of individuals there at Pac Nor. Dropped my actions off on Friday. Took a neat tour through the plant learned quite a few things while I was there too.

Looking forward to seeing your finished products. Especially the 338-06AI!

 

[Oldtrader3]

I have owned a Sako Model 85, .338 Federal for about three years now. I shoot mostly the 200 grain Hornady Interbonds or the 210 gr Nosler Partitions in this rifle. I get 2600 fps with the 200 Hornady (or AB) and about 2550 from the 210 Nosler Partition bullets. Accuracy is sub MOA to 200 yards.

 

[Rem Jim]

I have owned a Sako Model 85, .338 Federal for about three years now. I shoot mostly the 200 grain Hornady Interbonds or the 210 gr Nosler Partitions in this rifle. I get 2600 fps with the 200 Hornady (or AB) and about 2550 from the 210 Nosler Partition bullets. Accuracy is sub MOA to 200 yards.

Hi Guy ! Has that Sako got a 22" or 24" in tube on it ? What powder and primer -grains are ya loading ! Thks and Cheers RJ

 

[Rem Jim]

Jim,

I went with a PacNor 10 twist. The rifle is built on a Model 70 action and nestled in a Featherweight stock. I personally prefer the Teflon coating on my rifles, though the powder coating is much tougher--it will endure a lot of abuse.

Thks DR . I feel very confident in using a pac-nor barrel - will be my first ! i have used in the past shillen & hart with good luck ! Now to have it mounted and chambered - Corlanes ? Whats your experience with them - my teflon has held up good ! Cheers ! RJ

 

[DrMike]

I pull the trigger for them on almost a weekly basis. They are undoubtedly one of the premier rifle makers in Canada. The workmanship is superb. Greg does a great job on Teflon and on powder coating. I've had three Model 94s, a Remington 673 and one Hawkeye Teflon coated. I'm complete satisfied with the work. As I said, the coating will scratch if you try, but it is still sharp looking and keeps out moisture.

 

[2ndtimer]

Hi Guy ! Has that Sako got a 22" or 24" in tube on it ? What powder and primer -grains are ya loading ! Thks and Cheers RJ

I also would appreciate any insight as to which powders and primers have worked in the .338 Federal. I have some Nosler 180 Accubonds and 200 Hornady Spire Points to start with, along with Accurate 2015, Ramshot TAC, Varget and IMR-4064. Recommendations? Rifle is a new Ruger 77 Hawkeye All Weather stainless that shoots MOA with the Federal Fusion factory 200 gr loads.

 

[Rem Jim]

I pull the trigger for them on almost a weekly basis. They are undoubtedly one of the premier rifle makers in Canada. The workmanship is superb. Greg does a great job on Teflon and on powder coating. I've had three Model 94s, a Remington 673 and one Hawkeye Teflon coated. I'm complete satisfied with the work. As I said, the coating will scratch if you try, but it is still sharp looking and keeps out moisture.

Thats great to here ! :grin: RJ

 

[Oldtrader3]

The Sako Model 85 has a barrel that is just over 22 inches. Mine shoots the Federal factory loaded 200 grain bullets into 5-shot groups of about MOA diameter. The loads that I use are based on .308 Hornady Match cases or .338 Federal cases with Fed 210 primers.

180 gr Ballistic Tip-45.0 gr of IMR 3031 @2660 fps.
200 gr Hornady Interlock-47.5 gr of IMR 4064 at 2600 fps.
210 Partitions-47.0 gr of IMR 4064 at 2560 fps.

Loads are chrono'ed and rounded off for 15 feet instrumental velocity, so add about 25 fps. All loads shoot into groups under MOA at up to 200 yards in Sako with Kahles 3-9x42 scope set at 9X.

 

[Rem Jim]

The Sako Model 85 has a barrel that is just over 22 inches. Mine shoots the Federal factory loaded 200 grain bullets into 5-shot groups of about MOA diameter. The loads that I use are based on .308 Hornady Match cases or .338 Federal cases with Fed 210 primers.

180 gr Ballistic Tip-45.0 gr of IMR 3031 @2660 fps.
200 gr Hornady Interlock-47.5 gr of IMR 4064 at 2600 fps.
210 Partitions-47.0 gr of IMR 4064 at 2560 fps.

Loads are chrono'ed and rounded off for 15 feet instrumental velocity, so add about 25 fps. All loads shoot into groups under MOA at up to 200 yards in Sako with Kahles 3-9x42 scope set at 9X.

Thks for your input ! Cheers RJ