New North America Rifle for ME!!!!

[Daman]

Well guys, my wife done went and done it. I was planning a new turkey gun and going to do a lay a way plan for spring, but she went off and told me to get a new rifle now and if I still wanted a new turkey gun in the spring to go get it.

So I got to thinking (dangerous)! I love the 308 as a parent case, but swear by the 30-06. I don't really want anything <.308 bullet. I have 223, 243, 270, 30-06. This left me with a choice to make about platform and round. Here is what I derived:

Tikka T3 Lite 338 Federal
Weaver K6 Classic
Talley rings
Federal Fusion 200 grainers
Federal Vital Shock 210 grain NP

I think this platform and load will allow me deer, hog, elk, moose, and black bear. I already have sufficient rounds for each, but never turn a new one down when the wife offers.

The best part is I will have about $600 in the gun, rings, and scope.

Daman

[Harry Snippe]

Welcome to the 338F in a T3 .
First off :
Invest in a limbsaver reciol pad #10011. they fit great , just screw it on.The cartridge does generate some recoil in that light rifle , and the use of the pad will brings things back to an enjoyable level
You will probably find your rifle grouped in about 1 1/2 " @ 100 yards . Well do not be discouraged , as the groups will improve as the rifle barrel settle's in usually @ about a 100 rounds .

Note !! the rifle's should not be cleaned with a brush according to the manual, just a wet patch with solvent , then dry patch until the bore is clean . I use a foam bore cleaner then just a few dry patch's , the last one with a bit of oil.

To reload - 308 W case's is all you need .This brings the price down on Ammo greatly to about 308 reloads , just bullets cost a tad more .
 I get best service from Winchester / Remington case's , just lub the inside of the necks with a Q tip with your resizing lub ,and you will have no problems bumping up to 338.

The federal brass does not seem to load well having issue's with loose primer pockets with first and second loadings , while I am still going with the winchester case's after five reloads .

The 200 /210Gr bullets seem the workwell in this cartridge . The 200 polymer tips work as the soft tips can deform coming from the mag somewhat .One lad use's federal Mag primers to get his Sako to really group
I settled on Nolser accubond 200 gr over 46 Gr of Varget in Winchester 308 brass with Federal primers .
The powder and charge seem to get the nod from loaders using the tikka and sako rifles.

This is my second year with my gun. Shot two deer last season with two rounds . both were flop dead, one went 25 yards with no heart. Now I did not like the rifle and load much -until I started to reload and added the reciol pad . After the two deer and a few rounds down the tube , I like the rifle a lot!! Hope this all helps and you will enjoy your rifle as much as I do.That bolt sure is as slick as a bit of snow on polished ice.
Happy Huntin'

[Daman]

Thanks for the advice. All my buddies shoot 308 so brass won't be a problem cause they don't reload. I will try you varget load. Should have the rifle in about 2 weeks. Will report back. I am ordering 4 boxes of Federal Power Shocks (?) to break it in and have some brass. I am going to order a Kick-EEZ pad when I order my scope.

Compared to the 30-06 with 180 grains what is the recoil like?

Daman

[Harry Snippe]

To compare the odd six to the 338 f in a tikka , I would say the 06 is more of a push where the federal seems to snape. Then I am comparing a heavy winchester to a light tikka.
I have since gone to the A bolt browning with a good pad ,and comparing the two rifles now -with the Tikka and the limbsaver pad , the tikka might put out a bit more.I would say probably it is more to do with the weight of the gun and stock design,but the 200 Gr + sure puts out a bit more than a 308 W with a 180 gr.
I liked the limbsaver pad first because they sure do a good job ,then second the pad fits good to the stock , and anyone would think it was factory.
I see you have other posts on the tikka on this forum . Was a bit confused .

I have yet to try the fusion ammo. Since I have settled on a load with Nolser  and Serria game kings , I do not need to buy ammo . But the fusion are a good price and highly rated for deer .
Here in Canada the fusion cost under thirty dollars a box, while everthing else is just under to the mid forty dollar mark,a box- depending on Ammo. This is one reason the 338 Federal is not doing that well here .

Millet Medium  rings will go onto the rifle . I used Weaver only because I already had rings . Talley is a good choice , while factory rings do not seem to get the nod arround these parts .When I got my tikka three years ago rings were not included .
I wonder why you choose a 6 power scope , since for woods deer hunting , a lower power might get you no target quicker . I have a 3x9 mounted , which gets turned down to 3 in the bush, and I can allways turn it up if needed . May yet change it over to a 2x7x40 Bushnel for a greater view @100 yards .

[nomosendero]

Looks like a good choice for the animals mentioned. And it can be pressed into a 350-400 shot if needed & you really know the gun. Like previously mentioned, I would use a different scope, the 6X is more suited to your 270 in my view. Either way, it should serve you well.

[Daman]

Thanks guys.

I am going to look at 2-7X33mm Redfield and Leupold. I like the K6 cause generally I shoot from 40 to 200 yards and find I leave my variable scopes on 5 or 6 power. I figure after a few hundred rounds I will be able to shoot comfortably at 300 yards with this rifle. I have the 270 if I need to stretch 400. If I need more than that I will just go make some coffee and hunt tomorrow cause my poor eyes and lack of confidence would be an injustice to the animal I was shooting.

nomosendero
The 270 wears a 6-24X56mm and will drive nails at 300 yards. I just don't trust performance on game. I know bunches of folks love it, but when I don't trust it, I ain't shooting it much.

[Harry Snippe]

Yes I would think most people would be hunting with the scope set @ about three or for there about . But the option is there to go up and down .In thick bush you turn it down , then in the open you want the higher power . You can not get the field of view with a six power , and loose your running deer in the bush.

Then I would not think of the 338 F as being a long distance round . If your shots are going into the 300/ 400 range , you might be better with a 7REM Mag or 300WM. to lessen that rainbow affect .

[yooper77]

Daman,

One day I will pick up a 338 Federal.  Currently I own a Weatherby Mark V Ultra Lightweight in 338-06 A-Square with a Leupold VX-III 3.5-10x40mm scope using Leupold standard 2 piece base and Leupold low rings.  This rifle is just over 7 lbs and handles 180 to 250 grain bullets nicely.

Both 338 caliber cartridges bases off the 30-06 Springfield and 308 Winchester are fully capable of very long distance. The huge selections of high ballistic coefficient 338 caliber bullets offer long range accuracy. I haven’t in my over 30 years of hunting taken shots over 300 yards I simply stalk in closer even in the open sage brush out west.

I am happy to see my 338-06 A-Square closely nips the heels of a 300 Winchester Magnum when both are using 180 grain bullets, but I use the cheaper priced 30-06 Springfield brass and a lot less powder.

I wouldn’t hesitate to take 300 yard shots with your 338 Federal it’s an easy task, but anything further can be overcome by stalking the game for a closer shot or ethically pass the shot for another day as I do on occasion.

yooper77

[FW Conch]

Damn, your plan for the 338 sounds great to me.

?  But I don't understand why you don't trust the performance of a good shooting 270 on game ?     Jim

[Daman]

Damn, your plan for the 338 sounds great to me.

?  But I don't understand why you don't trust the performance of a good shooting 270 on game ?     Jim

Let's just leave it at, cheap bullets and bad shot placement taught me a lot! I was losing a lot of deer with the 270. Went to a 30-06 and never looked back. Now I will say, a old fellow told me to start shoulder shooting them. 30 caliber through the shoulders pretty well ends the game.

I may try a 270 again one day with some Nosler Partitions or Sierra Gamekings. Just not with cheap wally world ammo.

Daman

[Dixie Dude]

Looks like you have the 30-06 on down covered.  Have you thought about something bigger like a 338 WM?  or a 338-06, 35 Whelen (from 3006 brass)?  to cover your possible larger game? 

[Happy]

He has just bought something else . A ruger #1 in 243 .

Does not like to be questioned as he tends to buy and sell quite a few as time does by.
Well I thought we were here to support each other, and to try to help when ever we could.

One question or problem could then be quickly be resolved by some one with some experiance with that rifle .


Daman We really do not give a darn what you do ,  it is stictly up to you
 We all were "Just There to help" you along the way .

[Happy]

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[Happy]

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[Old Moss]

  Daman,  I really think you would be much happier with one of the below rounds for the animals and distance you listed.  The recoil of any of these rounds is easily managed or compensated (recoil pads) for.  I have had a couple of friend who have liked the 338 federal but found that this round just did not have the Oommph they were looking for.  Just my two cents

325 WSM / 338 Ruger compact magnum  (I really like the 325 WSM, wonderful short action rifle with a 22" tube works great on anything in the 50 states and Africa)

Keep'er safe and your powder dry, Old Moss