Author Topic: New Federal round (Read 776 times)

handirifle · « **on:** January 31, 2006, 12:46:54 PM »

Has anyone else seen this? Federal has made the 338-08 legit, calling it the Federal 338.
Here is their web site info.

VitalShok® .338 Federal®

Federal Premium® is proud to introduce the first centerfire rifle cartridge to bear its name. Hunters around the country bucking the magnum trend are sure to welcome the arrival of .338 Federal. This unique new cartridge was designed in conjunction with Sako and gives big game hunters a wider diameter bullet for more weight and overall energy on target-without the recoil of a magnum. Built on the .308 cartridge case and necked-up to hold a .338 diameter bullet, this cartridge offers hunters a faster muzzle velocity than the .308 Win., and heavier bullet weights. It provides more muzzle energy than a 30-06 Spring. and equals that of a 7mm Rem Mag. This non-magnum cartridge boasts a short action configuration for short bolt throw and provides magnum energy for devastating performance on game. Federals groundbreaking new cartridge will be available in three Premium offerings: Nosler® AccuBond, Partition® and the Barnes® Triple-Shock X-Bullet.

Click on Product Description for Ballistics
FEATURES & BENEFITS

Magnum energy without the magnum kick
More muzzle energy than a 30-06 Spring.
.338 bullet generates 150-200 fps more velocity than a standard 308 Win.
Short action configuration for quick bolt throw and faster reload
Designed for ultimate performance on medium and large game
PART NO. DESCRIPTION
P338FA1 338 Federal 180-Grain Nosler AccuBond
P338FB 338 Federal 210-Grain Nosler Partition
P338FC 338 Federal 185-Grain Barnes Triple-Shock

http://www.federalcartridge.com/default.asp?pg=31
The links at the site show some pretty impressive ballistics.

Slamfire · « **Reply #1 on:** January 31, 2006, 04:04:46 PM »

I'm not terribly excited by this cartridge. Huntin' elk in black timber would seem to be its best application, and with a 215 grain bullet it doesn't give you much more penetration than the 180 .308 bullets. The lighter bullets don't seem to me to be suitable for game heavy enough to require a .338 diameter bullet. Useful, of course, but a niche round nonetheless. :wink:

nasem · « **Reply #2 on:** January 31, 2006, 05:11:21 PM »

I dunno guys, I'd stick with the classic 338 win mag

Zachary · « **Reply #3 on:** January 31, 2006, 05:46:02 PM »

The .338 Federal is one of the dumbest things I have seen in a long time. The .338-06 is a much better choice than a short action .338.

I'm sure that the gun writers are going to talk all about it and hype it up, but I think that the American public will just not go for this one.

Sorry Federal.

Zachary

jvs · « **Reply #4 on:** January 31, 2006, 10:08:24 PM »

How do you get Magnum performance out of a .308 cartridge just by necking it up to a .338? Looks like more SAM smoke and mirrors to me.

The positive side of this is that for a limited time you should have no trouble stockpiling ammo for the rifle.

Lone Star · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2006, 03:27:21 AM »

Quote

How do you get Magnum performance out of a .308 cartridge just by necking it up to a .338? Looks like more SAM smoke and mirrors to me..

They get magnum performance if you consider 3200 fpe as being "magnum". Their .30-06 ammo gets 2800-2900 fpe.

When you neck up a case you increase the area of the bullet which the gas pressure can act against. This is why you can get more fpe from a .308 than you can with a .243 - even though the case capacities are the same. Simply necking up the case means more bullet energy at the same chamber pressure. If you add in the tricks that Hornady used for their "Light-Mag" loadings then getting an extra 200+ fpe is relatively simple - no smoke or mirrors required.

Federal Vital Shok Ammo:
.243/100 = 1945 fpe
.260/120 = 2319
7-08/140 = 2437
.308/150 = 2686

poncaguy · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2006, 03:41:03 AM »

Well, I like it. I'm not a big fan of recoil at my age (64).If I ever get a chance to hunt elk, I think it would be just right for me.Each to his own............

jvs · « **Reply #7 on:** February 04, 2006, 02:01:48 AM »

Quote from: Lone Star

Quote
How do you get Magnum performance out of a .308 cartridge just by necking it up to a .338? Looks like more SAM smoke and mirrors to me..

They get magnum performance if you consider 3200 fpe as being "magnum". Their .30-06 ammo gets 2800-2900 fpe.

When you neck up a case you increase the area of the bullet which the gas pressure can act against. This is why you can get more fpe from a .308 than you can with a .243 - even though the case capacities are the same. Simply necking up the case means more bullet energy at the same chamber pressure. If you add in the tricks that Hornady used for their "Light-Mag" loadings then getting an extra 200+ fpe is relatively simple - no smoke or mirrors required.

Federal Vital Shok Ammo:
.243/100 = 1945 fpe
.260/120 = 2319
7-08/140 = 2437
.308/150 = 2686

Using that Theory, the .35 Rem would be considered a SAM with better performance than the new fangled .338. The diameter is bigger than the .308 and .338, the casing is about the same size, and there is more bullet area for the pressure to act against. Yet the .35 Rem is noted for being a Brush Gun.

Maybe I'm too old fashioned.

Brithunter · « **Reply #8 on:** February 04, 2006, 03:54:06 AM »

Aaaaaah but the .35 rem is not loaded to the same pressures as the new 338-08 is it. If it was then it could possibly out perform it. And no I will not be rushing out to get one :wink: I am quite happy with the 7.92 Mauser and te 9.3x57 Mauser cartridges.

jro45 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 04, 2006, 03:57:45 AM »

Sounds like something I have no use for. I shoot the 338 Ultra Mag and the 30/06 at [150gr] 2920 FPS.

handirifle · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2006, 10:57:01 AM »

Sorry but the 35 rem is not nearly the same size as the 308. Does the 35 Rem,even hot loaded, come close the the 358 Win performance?

I have only hunted elk once (so far) but everywhere we were, this round would have excelled. Is it better than some of the others mentioned like the 338 mag, no but in the 250yd range it will be more than enough gun for any elk out there.

In addition, I think this would get by with less felt recoil than other mentioned rounds, except the 35 Rem. I have owned a 35 Rem and t cannot compare to the 308 class.

As for short vs long action debate, that is a whole nuther topic. An argument I don't want to get into.

This is not a wonder round, but I feel that like the WSM's it will have its following.

targshooter · « **Reply #11 on:** February 04, 2006, 11:18:14 AM »

This 338 Federal would make a nice little round for close in woods hunting, as did the .358 Winchester. I would buy either in the Ruger 77 RSI if they offered the chamberings. Federal had a press release in the papers here in MN, and some of the advertising hype forgets the tenets of particle physics.