Author Topic: .338 Federal ?  (Read 1296 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Old Griz

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2030
  • Gender: Male
.338 Federal ?
« on: March 20, 2007, 06:24:31 PM »
I think the .338 Federal has potential. Who is making rifles in this caliber so far?
Griz
<*}}}><

I Cor. 2.2 "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

Offline Tikkabuck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 89
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2007, 06:31:36 PM »
 Hey Griz
  Sako,Tikka,Ruger and Kimber.
  I just got my Tikka T-3 Hunter in .338 Fed. hope to get to the range tomarrow and give her a run. I posted pictures of it over on the Tikka page.  I'm really hoping this will make a awesome thicket gun.

Offline Zachary

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3713
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #2 on: March 21, 2007, 05:15:10 AM »
I especially like its appeal as a hog cartridge myself (although I'm certain that it also has great appeal as a whitetail cartridge at closer ranges).

Zachary

Offline HuntingGuy

  • Trade Count: (3)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 641
  • Gender: Male
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #3 on: March 21, 2007, 11:15:49 AM »
I had the Tikka T3 Lite.  Just a tad bit too much force going through that gun in such a light package  ;D *Rubs eye*
HuntingGuy
Hunting in Minnesota Moderator

"You can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy"

Offline SDS-GEN

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 461
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #4 on: March 22, 2007, 04:41:33 AM »
Zachary, this round has similar MV and drop to the 308win, just a larger diameter bullet.  Should make it a 300 yd gun for elk, deer or whatever.  Calling it a close range round is, IMO, selling it short.  I just shot my new Ruger Hawkeye, it shoots MOA with Barnes Triple Shocks, recoil was about like a mid-weight 30-06.

Offline PartsMan

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (7)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1351
  • Gender: Male
  • Proud Handi Owner
    • myspace
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #5 on: March 22, 2007, 04:50:31 AM »
Its looks good to me.
I wish they would make some regular soft point ammo.
That way I could use it for deer and get the premium stuff for bigger or dangerous game.

Offline Zachary

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3713
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #6 on: March 22, 2007, 07:28:01 AM »
Zachary, this round has similar MV and drop to the 308win, just a larger diameter bullet.  Should make it a 300 yd gun for elk, deer or whatever.  Calling it a close range round is, IMO, selling it short. 

Look at my post carefully; I didn't say "close" range.  Rather, I said closER range.  ;)  Still, even if I chose the word "close," it is a relative term.  As such, and to state it more precisely, I would say that, based on the published numbers, and under reasonable shooting circumstances, the .338 Federal could be used to take elk effectively at 300 yard.  That said, however, I, personally, would rather take such shots at closER ranges.  ;)

Zachary

Offline Tikkabuck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 89
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #7 on: March 22, 2007, 09:28:49 AM »
 Shot mine today,what a blast.I'm shooting the Federal Fusion store bought stuff now for break in, groups went around 1 1/2" but my dies came in yesterday and pretty sold on the 215 grain Sierra's,so thats what I'll try my best to load for,I'm sure I'll get that down to 1" or less. As far as recoil goes I have a perfect way to decribe it, it's really close to my Marlin 336 in .35 Remington.

Offline Zachary

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3713
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #8 on: March 23, 2007, 02:40:44 PM »
Generally speaking, the Sierra GameKing bullets are more accurate than the Fusions, so I  wouldn't be surpirsed if you did in fact get your groups under 1".

I wonder, though, if Tikka's are supposed to shoot 1" before they leave the factory, what ammo do they use?  I guess my understanding is that the accuracy guaranty comes from barreled actions, and thus not fully stocked, but I'm still curious as to what ammo they use.

Zachary

Offline Mckie Hollow

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 265
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #9 on: March 23, 2007, 03:51:51 PM »
What a great cartidge. Too bad Mauser & Winchester didn't see this when They developed The 8x57 & 358 Win.

Offline banen

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Avid Poster
  • **
  • Posts: 125
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #10 on: March 24, 2007, 04:43:42 AM »
I have been facinated by this cartridge.  I wish they would make a Rem Model 7 cdl in it, or what I am really waiting for is the Ruger Hawkeye Ultra light in the 338 fed.  It is nice to see a new non shortmag cartridge (by new I mean commercially available).  The short mags just rub me the wrong way.   

Offline Old Griz

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2030
  • Gender: Male
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #11 on: March 24, 2007, 05:29:06 AM »
Which ever comes out first, a Ruger #1, or a Browning BLR in .338 . . . well, I'd just have to buy it.
Griz
<*}}}><

I Cor. 2.2 "For I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

Offline Tikkabuck

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 89
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #12 on: March 24, 2007, 10:12:59 AM »
Generally speaking, the Sierra GameKing bullets are more accurate than the Fusions, so I  wouldn't be surpirsed if you did in fact get your groups under 1".

I wonder, though, if Tikka's are supposed to shoot 1" before they leave the factory, what ammo do they use?  I guess my understanding is that the accuracy guaranty comes from barreled actions, and thus not fully stocked, but I'm still curious as to what ammo they use.

Zachary


 Since this was a Federal/Sako project I'll bet it was with the higher end Federal stuff.

Offline WyoStillhunter

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Contributor
  • ***
  • Posts: 299
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #13 on: March 24, 2007, 10:38:41 AM »
I find the cartridge intriguing.  If I didn't have two '06 rifles and a 35 Whelen I could get real interested in buying one.  There just isn't anything the 338 Fed. can provide that I don't already have covered.  I am confident that it can easily suffice as a one gun option for all of North American big game with the exception (possibly) of alaskan bears.
Quote
Hunt close, then get closer.

Offline ratgunner

  • Trade Count: (2)
  • A Real Regular
  • ****
  • Posts: 663
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #14 on: March 24, 2007, 10:40:42 AM »
I just looked at a Ruger Hawkeye stainless/synthetic the other day,very nice rifle.
"Non Gratum Anus Rodentum"

Offline Gregory

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1482
  • Gender: Male
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #15 on: March 24, 2007, 03:49:13 PM »
The 338 Federal was named ammunition of the year by the NRA publication, The American Rifleman.

Greg

NRA Endowment Life Member
the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Second Amendment, U.S. Constitution (1791)

Offline Tackleberry

  • GBO Supporter
  • Trade Count: (3)
  • Avid Poster
  • *****
  • Posts: 193
  • Gender: Male
  • That's not a gun---This is a gun....
    • mil
Re: .338 Federal ?
« Reply #16 on: April 04, 2007, 09:40:32 AM »
OK Adams and Bennett, let's get going on short chambered Barrels for .338 FED and .338-06  for Mauser 98's and Savage 110 series
David Berry
LCDR USN (ret)
NRA Life member
Texan by birth and the grace of GOD
OLE MISS graduate