Respect for the 338 Federal

[orchemo]

Took my Tikka T3 338 Federal out a couple times this week. Shooting Barnes 185 gr with a case full of TAC powder.

Initial loads shot alright, not great. Then I remembered Bill (OU812) telling me the secret to seating Barnes TSX bullets (a finger nail should between the case top and the top groove). Seated the bullets just so and .... great shooting.

30-06 with 180 Partition or 338 Fed with 185 TSX. Interesting choice.

Eric

 

[DrMike]

The 338 is a fine cartridge that will put a smack down on big game right smartly. I've usually shot 200 to 215 grain bullets, but the 180 grain AB and the 185 grain TTSX both look quite interesting. The 200 grain E-Tip has given me excellent accuracy and velocity so far.

 

[.280 Remington]

I want one. In the worst way. It will happen sooner than later. It may be a JES reboring job of the .308 I just picked up. But man does that little thing shoot! Decisions, decisions..............

 

[Guy Miner]

It's so much like the wonderful .358 Winchester, how can it not get respect?

I like pretty much all of those "medium bore" rifles, bigger than .30 cal, smaller than .40 caliber...

The .338 Federal may never be super-popular, but I'll bet it can handle pretty much any game in North America, or around the world.

Guy

 

[orchemo]

I want to have JES bore me a Tikka T3 into a 35 Whelen. The Tikka's handle and shoot well for me.

My winter project is to find a T3 in '06.

Eric

 

[DrMike]

I like the .358 very much. The .338 is so similar that it isn't even funny.

 

[Thebear_78]

My buddy made an ultra light in 338 federal and that 185gr TTSX was his load of choice. His son leveled a nice little bull with it. One shot, stumble drop at 50 or so yards. The bullet performed perfectly.

 

[Oldtrader3]

I own a Sako Model 85 which is chambered for the .338 Federal. I bought this rifle nearly (5) years ago from EuroOptics. Because of health problems, this rifle has been a safe queen since I bought it. I have a 3-9x42 Kahles scope mounted on it and have done quite a bit of handloading development on this rifle in the (5) years that I have had it.

This Sako will shoot any bullets from the 180 grain Ballistic Tip to the 210 grain Partitions into groups which are less than MOA. My go-to load with this rifle is the 210 Partition loaded into Nosler .338 Federal cases with 47.0 grains of IMR 4064. Muzzle velocity of this load in my 22-7/16 barrel equals 2600 fps with the 210 Partition bullet. This round is a capable elk killer and a super woods rifle for that purpose.

 

[bobnob]

Would like a Patriot or Kimber 84M in the 338F.

Could probably hunt the rest of my life with that. 160g Barnes for little stuff. 250 AB for big stuff. 180 AB or 200g Hotcor/SST for GP work.

Great cartridge.

 

[Dr. Vette]

I'd love one as well. However, with a 340 Weatherby in the safe, and a customized Vanguard all-weather 30-06 as well as one in 300 Weatherby, I can't bring myself to add the 338 Federal to the mix. Not that I haven't gotten close, but it always seems like when I run the numbers I've got similar performance sitting right here in front of me.

However, I continue to dream. :grin:

 

[SJB358]

Same here, I really like the little 338 and 358's. Pretty awesome little cartridges.

 

[billbam]

2 guys in my group have them and they have being dropping elk with the 210 Part with no problem. My last trip, the one shot a bull and cow at 375 and 350 yards respectively in which both only went a few paces from where they were shot. His brother shot his last year at about 25 yards. Works in my book.

 

[SJB358]

2 guys in my group have them and they have being dropping elk with the 210 Part with no problem. My last trip, the one shot a bull and cow at 375 and 350 yards respectively in which both only went a few paces from where they were shot. His brother shot his last year at about 25 yards. Works in my book.

So much for the saying they are "short range woods cartridges"! :lol:

 

[Oldtrader3]

With the 210 Partition, they are 100 yards behind the .338 Win Mag.

 

[Guy Miner]

And at a small percentage of the recoil, being based on the nice little .308 Win case.

 

[Rem Jim]

With the 210 Partition, they are 100 yards behind the .338 Win Mag.

And ONLY a 100 Yards ! :shock: RJ

My Tikka SS T3 Light with a Leupold 2.5-8 and Talley LW Rings.

 

[Oldtrader3]

Basically!

 

[RiverRider]

The .308's descendants are no slouches, but my personal preference in bolt-actions would be for the '06-based stuff. On the other hand, I think the .338 Federal is just about tops in the AR platform!

 

[Oldtrader3]

I bought the .338 Federal for two reasons: one, it is a Sako Model 85 and two, it is not an AR. I am not a fan of military rifles for hunting. Not being critical, just not my thing!

 

[Thebear_78]

Better get rid of all your rem 700s and mausers then, both are military rifles!