.338 Federal

[bulletpusher]

Skinny Shooter, sent me to the Federal sight to look at the NEW?, cartridge that they are making. (Looks like the .338-08 or .338-308 wild cat, that I was in a sort-of contiplating a couple of years ago. I think that the reason it looked like one is because the .338-08 or.338-308 wild cat is now a factory cartridge. )

http://www.federalpremium.com/default.asp?menu=1&s1=4&s2=6&id=80&brand=5&year=2005

Just take a look at the press reless on the Federal site. It says that they are hooked up with SAKO to build rifles. Man o man, if this one takes off I hope someone else makes rifles for it, or it is going to have a short life. SAKO is a very fine rifle, but it is still out of most people's price range.

Bulletpusher "BBRSSC #1"

[model 70]

looks like it would be the hot ticket for black bears, up a tree or way out there.

[M.T. Pockets]

Sounds like an interesting round.

What I don't care for is the lighter weight bullets sacrificing sectional density for speed. I'd rather have a 225 grain Nosler in .338 pushed at the same velocity as the .308 pushes a 180 grain.

Speed seems to sell, a lot will depend on how much marketing is behind it.

I think I'd rather have a .358 Win. myself. I'd stuff it with 250 grain Noslers and tip over anything I'm hunting within 250 yards.

[Varmint Hunter]

It will be interesting to see just how fast (or slow) the little 308 case will push the heavier .338 bullets. My guess is that with the lighter bullets the 308 Federal would make an excellent deer/ black bear gun of a different flavor.

I would still really like to see a commercial 338WSM. The 325WSM is destined to die a lingering death. Big mistake IMO.

[royinidaho]

Originally posted by M.T. Pockets
Sounds like an interesting round.

What I don't care for is the lighter weight bullets sacrificing sectional density for speed. I'd rather have a 225 grain Nosler in .338 pushed at the same velocity as the .308 pushes a 180 grain.

Speed seems to sell, a lot will depend on how much marketing is behind it.

I think I'd rather have a .358 Win. myself. I'd stuff it with 250 grain Noslers and tip over anything I'm hunting within 250 yards.

Pretty much agree with you!

A decent short range deer & small black bear load. Would't consider it for anything "out west".

Even with the 338-06 the little chutes on the 338 bullets open way too soon.:D :D

[billy ahring]

I had a .338-06 built for me about 7 years ago and I acquired a .350 Rem Mag a couple of years ago, so the .338 Federal really does not fill a niche for me anymore, but I still think that Federal has on a round that makes common sense and will stick. In my opine all the new SAUMs WSMs and WSSMs just don't seem to be doing all that well. None of my friends or aquaintances is using them, and I am an officer in the local gun club that has a membership of just over 600. I have yet to bump into anyone at the rifle range using these rounds. Take that back, a fella won a .300 WSM at our Friends of the NRA banquet last year but I don't think that he has fired it yet.

I agree wholeheartedly with Varmint Hunter in that the .325 WSM will fail and I think a .338 WSM would have been a success. I think that this new 338 though from Federal will do well, just a gut feeling. Hell, I might even be able to conjure up an excuse for picking one up

Billy

[M.T. Pockets]

Didn't someone offer the .338-06 in a factory round a few years ago ? I know it's been a popular wildcat for years, but has anyone run into one at the range or in the field yet ?

These are great rounds that I would gladly hunt with, I just don't know how there is room for all of them in the marketplace. It sure makes it hard retailers selling ammunition to stock any selection when they have to fill their shelves with a selection or two from all these different rounds.

[Lone Star]

The .338-06 has been offered by Weatherby and A-Square for some time. It has done no better than the .35 Whelen has, and both are still low-volume specialist's cartridges. I see the .338 Federal/.338-08 as doing no better - the buying public doesn't want a medium caliber non-magnum rifle - none have been commercial successes.

This has been true for well over 60 years. In spite of all the glowing press that the .333 OKH was given by that great promoter of medium bores Elmer Keith, it was never very popular. If it isn't popular as a wildcat, it probably won't make it as a commercial cartridge.

Made it:
.22-250 Rem
.243 WCF
.25-06
7-08 Rem
7mm Rem Mag

Didn't make it:
.244/6mm Rem
6 mm BR
.256 Win Mag
.280 Rem
.307 WCF
8mm Mag
.35 Whelen
.358 WCF
.356 WCF
.375 WCF

I own one .338-06 on a M7600 and love it, but that's just me. I like the idea of the .338-08, but that certainly won't ensure its success....