338 Federal

[DrMike]

Well, I knew I'd get a bit of guff over even the possibility that factory ammunition would sully a rifle I own. However, I'm running out of time if I keep up with my day job and fulfil the responsibilities for which I've contracted to develop loads for others. I know that is sort of a wussy response, but it will have to do for the moment. On the other hand, I may slip in a few loads with the 210 grain PT, and if I get them worked up, everything could still be copacetic. I have no doubt that the Fusions will work quite well. Velocity was good with this load and the accuracy was obviously there.

 

[SJB358]

Yeah, without a doubt, with todays ammo, sometimes it is hard to best it, even with really good handloads. Plus, I dig that Fusion/Deep Curl bullet. Alot of premium features for not alot of money!

 

[Oldtrader3]

DrMike, I have days when the brain does not output anything but mush and I do not have a day job anymore! Old age is not for the faint of heart.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice! Your experience with the Fusions mirrors my own with my SS Hawkeye in .338F. I have also harvested one Ky buck with the fusions and they worked as good as one would expect, full penetration and 1.5" exit hole. limited testing with the 180gr Accubonds did not show me quite as good accuracy. I've not tried the 210s as yet and will be interested in hearing (seeing) how they do.

Ed, that is a great looking Ruger right there buddy! The 338 Federal is a cool cartridge as well.

Maybe when my son says "Dad, I need a medium bore", I might cave for one, for him!

 

[DrMike]

Old age is not for the faint of heart.

Ain't that the truth!

I could have wished that my Hawkeye (.358 Win.) was a chrome and wood; I do believe that particular iteration is handsome.

 

[Tnhunter]

Scotty, I'd bet your son would love a .338F! I have found it to be my favorite (lately) B/A deer rifle. I bought a SS Hawkeye in .358 after the .338 and am glad I did since Ruger has quit making both now. I did take the Tupperware stock off the .358 as well, but still wish I had the $$ for an nice AI walnut stock for it. The laminate will work for now. Now, the search for the SS Whelen continues... :mrgreen:

 

[SJB358]

I bet he would too Ed! He has his 243 and 7x57, so it'll be a little bit before he is ready for the medium bores. I am hoping he says he wants my 35 Whelen. That would give me the perfect excuse to build a proper Model 70 35 Whelen!

 

[DrMike]

That would give me the perfect excuse to build a proper Model 70 35 Whelen!

Ooooo! Sneaky, sneaky. :grin: However, it'll be the BLR that he wants, and then you'll be without a .358.

 

[SJB358]

That would give me the perfect excuse to build a proper Model 70 35 Whelen!

Ooooo! Sneaky, sneaky. :grin: However, it'll be the BLR that he wants, and then you'll be without a .358.

That would be okay too Mike. I would be okay with a 358 Win Featherweight!

 

[Tnhunter]

I bet he would too Ed! He has his 243 and 7x57, so it'll be a little bit before he is ready for the medium bores. I am hoping he says he wants my 35 Whelen. That would give me the perfect excuse to build a proper Model 70 35 Whelen!

Scotty, I am still undecided as to what I'm going to do, for one last Whelen. I have a M70 in '06 that has never been a really good shooter, that has tempted me something awful. However, it's a newer FW version and I just don't know if the stock would work well. I also have a nice sporterized M98 with a very nicely grained stock that was left in the original 8x57. The work was done very nicely and I'm pretty sure it would make a very fine Whelen. I've already checked the feeding and it is smooth as glass.....lol. Decisions, decisions, decisions...... :?

 

[DrMike]

I would be okay with a 358 Win Featherweight!

Oh, yeah. It is on my "want" (er, "need") list. I just checked, finding that I have multiple boxes of .338 200 grain ABs and not a single box of 210 grain PTs on hand. I guess I'll be adding to my bullet inventory.

 

[SJB358]

I would be okay with a 358 Win Featherweight!

Oh, yeah. It is on my "want" (er, "need") list. I just checked, finding that I have multiple boxes of .338 200 grain ABs and not a single box of 210 grain PTs on hand. I guess I'll be adding to my bullet inventory.

Those 200 AB's might be worth a shot as well Mike. They shoot really well out of my 338WM..

 

[SJB358]

I bet he would too Ed! He has his 243 and 7x57, so it'll be a little bit before he is ready for the medium bores. I am hoping he says he wants my 35 Whelen. That would give me the perfect excuse to build a proper Model 70 35 Whelen!

Scotty, I am still undecided as to what I'm going to do, for one last Whelen. I have a M70 in '06 that has never been a really good shooter, that has tempted me something awful. However, it's a newer FW version and I just don't know if the stock would work well. I also have a nice sporterized M98 with a very nicely grained stock that was left in the original 8x57. The work was done very nicely and I'm pretty sure it would make a very fine Whelen. I've already checked the feeding and it is smooth as glass.....lol. Decisions, decisions, decisions...... :?

That is a tough one Ed. I think the 30-06 always makes a good donor! Why do you think the Featherweight might not make a good Whelen? Just wondering. I only have two of them, a 300WSM and 7x57. Both stocks seem pretty nice for me, but I imagine they could feel all sorts of "off" for the next guy. If the 35 Newton project comes through, that would cure me for awhile, but I still would like a Model 70 Whelen in the future..

 

[gerry]

Can't imagine why a featherweight stock wouldn't work well unless like Scotty said it just doesn't fit you well. There should be enough room in the barrel channel for a decent weight barrel.

 

[nvbroncrider]

I bet he would too Ed! He has his 243 and 7x57, so it'll be a little bit before he is ready for the medium bores. I am hoping he says he wants my 35 Whelen. That would give me the perfect excuse to build a proper Model 70 35 Whelen!

Scotty, I am still undecided as to what I'm going to do, for one last Whelen. I have a M70 in '06 that has never been a really good shooter, that has tempted me something awful. However, it's a newer FW version and I just don't know if the stock would work well. I also have a nice sporterized M98 with a very nicely grained stock that was left in the original 8x57. The work was done very nicely and I'm pretty sure it would make a very fine Whelen. I've already checked the feeding and it is smooth as glass.....lol. Decisions, decisions, decisions...... :?

That is a tough one Ed. I think the 30-06 always makes a good donor! Why do you think the Featherweight might not make a good Whelen? Just wondering. I only have two of them, a 300WSM and 7x57. Both stocks seem pretty nice for me, but I imagine they could feel all sorts of "off" for the next guy. If the 35 Newton project comes through, that would cure me for awhile, but I still would like a Model 70 Whelen in the future..

No Scotty we like .270's as donors!!

 

[Oldtrader3]

I would not want a .338 WM in a featherweight. Hard pad, no cheekpiece to role recoil off away from your face, small butt plate and 3/4's pound lighter than a sporter. Does not sound like a .338 WM that I would enjoy shooting and I like my .340 Weatherby.

I had a Featherweight .308 Win some years ago (USRAC) push feed with the original hard pad. I actually would rather shoot my .340 at the bench than that particular Featherweight with 180 handloads. Just my $.02 and I am not recoil sensitive. A lot of people shoot 7-08 or .270 Win on down in caliber, Featherweights. That 3/4's pound less weight adds about 4 FPS recoil velocity which is a thump!

 

[DrMike]

One of the nice things about the new FWTs is that they are all fitted with a decent butt pad. It helps us wusses to shoot more.

 

[SJB358]

One of the nice things about the new FWTs is that they are all fitted with a decent butt pad. It helps us wusses to shoot more.

Yeah, the newer Model 70's with that big recoil make them pretty enjoyable actually. I love shooting the little 300WSM. Recoil isn't really any worse than my M70 Laminate 7WSM. I actually am looking forward to robbing the 2-10 Minox off of the 338WM and getting the 300WSM shooting again.

The first thing on my hit list is getting some 200 grain Nosler's loaded up and seeing that I can do with them. If they don't work out the way I want, I will run the 180 AB's that are already made up. Can't see either one giving me an issue. Be the first time I have hunted with a 30 caliber rifle in quite awhile!

 

[DrMike]

I wouldn't be afraid of shooting the 338WM in a FWT. The weight of the rifle isn't that much less than a Sporter, and the butt pad is as good as it gets. There is ample room in the channel for a proper barrel. Recoil can be sharp, but it isn't punishing.

 

[sask boy]

Even the thumpers off the bench don't get noticed very much when I am in the field.
It is just instinctive when you see your quarry that you shoulder and shoot :mrgreen:

Blessings,
Dan