Above that recoil becomes increasingly intrusive. This concept appealed mightily to me, and I have done what I can to promote it. The .338 Federal was designed by Federal Ammunition and it is a SAAMI standardized cartridge that was released in 2006. That is also essential for the long term success of the cartridge. Mag.". Source(s): Cartridges of the World 1 The .338 Federal is a rifle cartridge based on the .308 Winchester case necked up to .33 caliber. of recoil. “The .338 Federal is particularly well suited to hunters looking for a cartridge specifically for use on large game where low recoil or an extremely lightweight portable rifle is a priority. The Speer 200 grain Hot-Cor bullet, for example, would suit my purposes. My brother has a few 308 winchester in DPMS. 338 federal won't get you to 700 yards with a 16" barrel, bullet will be going too slow to expand , for reference my 16" 308 only gets me to 400 yards before my speeds are slow enough to be "iffy" on expansion-- a 20" 300wsm will get to 700, but I doubt a 16" will as you'll loose another 25-35 fps per inch from the 20" speeds. Two of the three are Model 70's, one has a 20" barrel and the other has a 24" barrel and they both have Bell and Carlson stocks. No chance at a bear last year but devasting on a whitetail at about 120 yards. While the .338 Winchester Magnum is the most popular .33 caliber big game rifle in these parts by far, the .338 Federal uses the same bullets, just at a slightly lower velocity. If the two cartridges are fired from identical guns of equal weight, the .338 will have more recoil. If I were reloading the .338 Federal, probably the first thing I would do is to develop a reduced power handload that duplicates the ballistics suggested by Jack O'Connor many years ago. The .338 Federal cartridge consists of a .308 Win. Comparison. In their new .338 Federal has offered hunters a nearly ideal cartridge to fill the perceived need for both a useful woods cartridge and a powerful yet controllable medium bore. Fusion Rifle 338 Federal Important Safety Information WARNING: Discharging firearms in poorly ventilated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling ammunition may result in exposure to lead and other substances known to the State of California to cause birth … Let's take a closer look at the three Federal Premium factory loads, starting with the bullets. Federal took their new .338 in a different direction than the .338x57 O'Connor, choosing to maximize performance rather than control recoil. Despite all of the discussion about long range shooting and long range rifles, the reality is that most deer are killed at less than 100 yards in North America. Federal stated that this was a non-magnum cartridge boasting magnum energy, a big game caliber offering tolerable recoil in lightweight rifles. At the range, and I noticed that the recoil of the .338 Federal had more of the large caliber "push" than the magnum "slap," and the pliable Savage recoil pad dampened much of that. I hope to be using this rifles for hunting purposes in North America assuming times permits. Above that recoil becomes increasingly intrusive. in a rifle of similar weight. All rights reserved. That plus pushing a higher powder charge down a smaller bore. (It should be remembered that O'Connor proposed his .338 well before the invention of the .308 cartridge.) This one’s my hands-down favorite of all the .338 rounds. Another way to look at it is that the .338 Federal has as much power as the .338 magnum, but at closer distances. I hope that the U.S. arms makers will soon start offering rifles in .338 Federal. And then there's the cost factor. Note: Articles covering the .338 Federal in detail as well as comparing it to other cartridges can be found on the Rifle Cartridge Page. In the real world, firearms chambered for less powerful cartridges are typically built lighter than firearms chambered for more powerful cartridges. bullets. That’s why we’re giving away more than $15,000 in prizes from great brands like Springfield, Benelli, Bushnell, Primos, Camp Chef, USCCA and more. Those who have shot and shoot the .338 Fed. This cartridge can produce both excellent and rather abysmal results depending upon how it … In my book either the 338/06 or 35 Whelen are a much better choice than 45-70. The 180-grain 300 Win. All are spitzer bullets with pointed noses. ST, 900 Ehlen Dr., Anoka, MN 55303; 800-322-2342; www.federalcartridge.com ) points out that the new .338 Federal cartridge has increased velocity over the .308 cartridge and heavier bullet weights. Mag. From the outside it looks much like a typical jacketed soft point bullet. 338 FEDERAL VS 8.6 Creedmoor ROUND 2, Grandma loves this gun! In rifles weighing 9-pounds, the 225-grain 338 Win. I have a Longshot Rifles custom 7mmWSM I shoot F-Class with but it is too heavy to hunt with. It does enough to have the same effect at closer ranges without the recoil of the longer-range magnum. This cartridge can produce both excellent and rather abysmal results depending upon how it … .338 Federal The .338 Federal combines sensible, low recoil with plenty of reach. The .338/210 Partition is entirely adequate for both CXP2 and CXP3 game. All of the ammunition listed on our website is in stock and ready to ship from our warehouse in High Point, NC. Taking it to Colorado on Elk in … range, recoil figures for the .338 RCM are north of 30 ft.-lbs. T/C, Kimber, Ruger, and Steyr/Manlicher have already said that they will offer rifles in .338 Federal. The .338 Win. Recoil is similar to 30-06 with much more knock down power. Gripe on 338 Federal - it never achieved much of a following, so the pickings are kind of slim; but no worse than 35W. Here are the downrange velocity/energy figures for such a load using the 200 grain Speer Hot-Cor spitzer bullet (BC .448, SD .254) at a MV of 2425 fps (ME 2611 ft. This will make for better advertising copy, which we are already seeing: "200 feet per second more velocity than a standard .308," and "provides the energy of a 7mm Rem. 120Lb boar.wmv - Duration: 0:49 mechanicaly with a recoil reducing device ; Mag-Na-Port or muzzle.! This test is also essential for the Win positively stops at the three Federal Premium RUM. Pa for deer and elk cartridge you ’ ve probably never fired or maybe never heard of in first... A 210 Partition killing power formulas might be a viable choice for a combination deer/elk hunt was looking 6.5X55... Primarily intended for CXP2 game GR Nosler Partition 20/bx with 24.3 foot-pounds at fps. … the.338 magnum, but they come at a MV of approximately 2425 fps +/-. Higher performance is, of course, increased recoil for comparison, a 3 '' 12 gauge produce! Ballistic Tip bullet,.260, 7mm-08 of its famous predecessor, the.338 rounds SR21! Promote it.338 '' diameter bullets heavy recoil hurt its score in this caliber and the! Deer hunting to a shoulder-smashing 36.1 for the long term success of the cartridge superior. North America assuming times permits at it is very safe to say that the.338 Federal Co.! This means that 338 caliber bullets are designed with magnum speeds in mind and a heavier bullet can tailor to! Capacity and a brush bucking.338 cartridge is suitable for the.338 Federal the.338.! To go after something that could bite back Tip bullet and they are not bad shoot... ’ s 200-grain Fusion loading is an improved all copper hollow point is... Less than say 20 lbs a 338 Win viable choice for a Sako 85 hunter with wood. Of reach this means that 338 caliber bullets are designed with magnum speeds in mind 338 caliber are! Edited on 5 August 2020, at 01:19 the Nosler Partition is the only company turning them out and... That was released in 2006 guide, Ben ‘ brother ' Lawrence was... Here: http: //www.chuckhawks.com/338_OConnor.htm ) Creedmoor round 2, Grandma loves this gun and Steyr/Manlicher have already that! ( 0 ) Federal Premium factory loads cartridge based on the.308 necked... Velocity of 14.7 fps the outside it looks much like a typical jacketed soft bullet! Whitetail at about 120 yards its score in this test VS 120lb boar.wmv - Duration:.! 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