Modern 338 Federal?

[gbflyer]

I ended up with a sweet deal on a case of .338 Federal ammo that sat in the store for 5 years. Built the rifle around it on a Tikka. Also reload. I like the cartridge. I would not seek it out if I were not set on ammo. A .308 would be great for your intended use. Would not hesitate.

 

[35WhelenAI]

Main thing I looked back at is the OP is looking at 300 yards or less. Always subject to change my mind, but that doesn't qualify to me as open country.

My 35 Whelen AI makes a noticeable impact on animals with a controlled expansion bullet, that smaller caliber shooting the same style bullets don't match based on field experience of 30 years. But I would never turn down a 308, '06 or 300 magnum shooting a 180 grain bullet at any distance the OP is considering. No matter the style, it will get the job done as well.

 

[BLJ]

@robtattoo. Is that a 20” barrel?

 

[robtattoo]

@robtattoo. Is that a 20” barrel?

Yessir.

 

[wildwilderness]

338 RCM is the modern version

 

[BLJ]

Yessir.

Couldn’t remember. Thanks. Those are some good velocity numbers.

Every time one of these threads come up I can’t help but think of the RAP 18” 308 with the AICS bottom that I haven’t shot in a while. I just need to JES that thing and get it over with.

 

[BLJ]

338 RCM is the modern version

Always thought that was an under appreciated cartridge.

 

[robtattoo]

Couldn’t remember. Thanks. Those are some good velocity numbers.

I spoke at length with John Barsnes about loads for it, knowing it's one of his favorite cartridges & he got me my starting data. I load Tac & magnum primers. The primers made pretty big (50fps) improvement.

 

[BLJ]

I’ve snuck in on a couple threads on 24HC where he spoke highly of it. Sadly no mag primers and no Tac. Thanks.

 

[balkodd]

Yeah, but it's the 'lights-off-missionary-position' of cartridges though.

Lights off missionary still gets the job done, just like the .308


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Shraggs]

Love my 358 too

 

[gspguy22]

For 338 fed it seems like hand loading is the only option now days

 

[JAC8504]

shame. I really thought the 338F would be a great compact, mid-range, do - all, hunting cartridge.

 

[gspguy22]

shame. I really thought the 338F would be a great compact, mid-range, do - all, hunting cartridge.

It is defiantly a good round. Can always neck up 308 brass.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

338 RPM is your best bet. I thought both the 338 Fed and 338 RCM were awesome and I wish they were more popular. I am guessing they don’t add much more value than a 308 shooting heavy bullets.

 

[JAC8504]

338 RPM is your best bet. I thought both the 338 Fed and 338 RCM were awesome and I wish they were more popular. I am guessing they don’t add much more value than a 308 shooting heavy bullets.

I wish the GPM was available in something other than the weatherby

 

[BCsteve]

338 RPM is your best bet. I thought both the 338 Fed and 338 RCM were awesome and I wish they were more popular. I am guessing they don’t add much more value than a 308 shooting heavy bullets.

If you're going to go .338 rpm kind of power, might as well go .338 Win Mag and open up your options.

 

[Snowwolfe]

I am a huge fan of both the 300 and 338 RCM's. Much of my love for both of these rounds is for the rifles Ruger built for them. 20 inch barrels, short action, factory iron sights, left handed as well, and a slightly shorter LOP. These results in a exceptional rifle for hunting in the woods.
If a person was tasked to develop the perfect rifle/caliber for Alaska hunting it would be the 338 RCM.
338 RPM shows promise but the cost of ammo could keep many hunters looking elsewhere.

 

[Wildhorse]

338 win mag certainly seems easy enough to find in my neck of the woods and drops plenty of elk and bear out west here every year.

 

[z987k]

I'm thinking necking up Lapua SRP 308 brass to 338 and pushing it at 65kpsi would be a way to modernize it.
From an 18in barrel with a 200gr bullet, should be able to get 2660fps, good to 4-500 yards on about anything.