338 federal
- Thread starter Will
- Start date
Chris
Well-Known Member
These caliber comparisons often evoke opinions and argument but I have a few thoughts based on experience with the .358. There is some consensus on the .358 on game, you might consider it.
I was fortunate to buy a Ruger in .358 back when nobody chambered for it, saved me the cost of a barrel or rebore. I absolutely thought then, as I do now, that this is a superior woods cartridge out to 200+ yards and maybe further.
I have shot a lot of deer with this cartridge as I have hunted several states for many years, and I will say something others may argue with: I think there is something special (killing-wise) about a mid bore running 2200-2600 fps. The one-shot knock down kills I have accumulated are amazing. I grew up witjh a .35 Rem, a round with substantial thump inside 100 yards, I shot a lot of bucks with it. You guys that hunt with them know that it works. The .358 Win. is that on steroids without being a magnum and all the stuff that magnum means.
I can't speak to the .338 Federal, I understand the sectional density of the bullet is superior, but as a practical reference I have only recovered one bullet from a buck shot lengthwise out of dozens with the .358. Not sure if the SD differential is relevant at normal range.?
Me, today, I would go with the .358. Readily available cases, powders are common, really easy round to load for and not a fussy cartridge. Mine shoots a variety of cast and jacketed, just a democratic kind of cartridge... pretty much likes every load but will let you know when you hit the sweet spot.
I was fortunate to buy a Ruger in .358 back when nobody chambered for it, saved me the cost of a barrel or rebore. I absolutely thought then, as I do now, that this is a superior woods cartridge out to 200+ yards and maybe further.
I have shot a lot of deer with this cartridge as I have hunted several states for many years, and I will say something others may argue with: I think there is something special (killing-wise) about a mid bore running 2200-2600 fps. The one-shot knock down kills I have accumulated are amazing. I grew up witjh a .35 Rem, a round with substantial thump inside 100 yards, I shot a lot of bucks with it. You guys that hunt with them know that it works. The .358 Win. is that on steroids without being a magnum and all the stuff that magnum means.
I can't speak to the .338 Federal, I understand the sectional density of the bullet is superior, but as a practical reference I have only recovered one bullet from a buck shot lengthwise out of dozens with the .358. Not sure if the SD differential is relevant at normal range.?
Me, today, I would go with the .358. Readily available cases, powders are common, really easy round to load for and not a fussy cartridge. Mine shoots a variety of cast and jacketed, just a democratic kind of cartridge... pretty much likes every load but will let you know when you hit the sweet spot.
Ian
Notorious member
I'm sure that only considering ballistics and all else being equal, the .338 is just fine. From a practical standpoint (moulds, bullets, loading data, killing power, etc.), I'd stick with the .35. If you want really amazing ballistics, I hear that cartridge is also offered in .30 caliber.
fiver
Well-Known Member
I think the 338 needs more case capacity.
there is something to say to shooting a round at 24-2600 fps with a bullet weight of 170-200grs.
the 303 brit., 30-40 Krag, and 7.7 Arisaka prove that point to no end.
now a 338X58 okay now you got sumthin going on, I think your in business with both Jacketed and cast when you start getting that much case capacity behind the bullet weights the 338 works with.
there is something to say to shooting a round at 24-2600 fps with a bullet weight of 170-200grs.
the 303 brit., 30-40 Krag, and 7.7 Arisaka prove that point to no end.
now a 338X58 okay now you got sumthin going on, I think your in business with both Jacketed and cast when you start getting that much case capacity behind the bullet weights the 338 works with.
I have a .338-.308, the wildcat that Federal standardized as the .338 Federal. Mine is a MG Arms Ultra Light. I have only shot jacketed in mine and settled on loads with the 200 grain Ballistic Tip and the 210 grain Partition. My BT load will do 1/2", 3 shot groups at 100 yards and the Partition will do 5/8". I pole axed a Kudu (elk size) at 270 yards with one of the Partitions. The Kudu went about 10 yards and collapsed. I have also shot Impala and Warthog with it. I like mine a lot. The .358 Winchester is likely a more versatile cartridge and a better choice for cast bullets. Articles could be written on the merits of each. I decided to have mine built after reading Ken Water's article in Hand Loader "A Wildcat of Merit". I do not see a big difference between the two so pick one and be happy with your choice.
Chris
Well-Known Member
That's like what JFK said, " I need this parade like a need a hole in the head"
You will enjoy whichever rifle you buy, look forward to your reports...
fiver
Well-Known Member
nope.
the X57 case has my full and long time support, but the 338 bullet needs more oomph or at least the ability to give it more.
that extra shoulder length and neck length of the x58 case is more well it just has more gas volume ability to work with.
I was working on a mildcat for cast shooting using the x58 case size and a 33 cal bullet quite some time back.
with a 12 twist barrel and 225gr bullets it would be just about all you could ask from a rifle.
if Larry wouldn't have mucked things up I'd be shooting a 338x58 by now, and more people would have heard of MBT.
the X57 case has my full and long time support, but the 338 bullet needs more oomph or at least the ability to give it more.
that extra shoulder length and neck length of the x58 case is more well it just has more gas volume ability to work with.
I was working on a mildcat for cast shooting using the x58 case size and a 33 cal bullet quite some time back.
with a 12 twist barrel and 225gr bullets it would be just about all you could ask from a rifle.
if Larry wouldn't have mucked things up I'd be shooting a 338x58 by now, and more people would have heard of MBT.
RBHarter
West Central AR
I had a crush on the 338 FC for a while .
It was for all the reasons listed and the information presented .
Then I read passively about a 9×57 . I eventually came into a 358 Win , I would have rather had the 9×57 but the 358 is doing everything I need to have done .
As mentioned moulds are plentiful for.the 35 from 95 - 300+ gr in 5-10 gr steps . I wasn't casting when I was enamored with the 338 so I don't really know what's there but I'd bet you have a couple of moulds for the 358 .
It was for all the reasons listed and the information presented .
Then I read passively about a 9×57 . I eventually came into a 358 Win , I would have rather had the 9×57 but the 358 is doing everything I need to have done .
As mentioned moulds are plentiful for.the 35 from 95 - 300+ gr in 5-10 gr steps . I wasn't casting when I was enamored with the 338 so I don't really know what's there but I'd bet you have a couple of moulds for the 358 .
Will
Well-Known Member
The 338 federal would probably just be a jacketed shooter for me.
I know this is a casting forum but I value the opinion of members here.
I am looking for an intermediate thumper. Something that shoots a heavy bullet pretty flat to 300 yds yet does not feel like it’s going to knock my teeth loose like the 300 wsm and 338 win mag I had before.
I know this is a casting forum but I value the opinion of members here.
I am looking for an intermediate thumper. Something that shoots a heavy bullet pretty flat to 300 yds yet does not feel like it’s going to knock my teeth loose like the 300 wsm and 338 win mag I had before.
Chris
Well-Known Member
I really think either round will achieve your objectives. Go with your gut on this one, either one will make you happy.
Yes, getting 338'ed gets old after a while. If I needed power I'd rather a .375 H&H with a slower heavy bullet, easier on the body.
Will, if you want a .338 Federal get one. I'm delighted with mine. Here in western Arkansas it will be my primary deer cartridge because black bear are common here (sometimes in my yard common) and there have been elk sightings in my area as well. If I ever decide to shoot cast in mine I'll send a pound swage of the throat to Tom at Accurate Moulds and I'll wager in advance that it will shoot acceptably.
Pistolero
Well-Known Member
160 Nosler at 2750 in my 7x57 punched all the way thru my one elk cow. But not an
end to end shot.
I guess for rear shots some real sectional density would be required. Of my current
armory, my GG .45-70 with a 405 RCBS cast at 1750 should do that, but wouldn't do
the trajectory of the faster .338s, for sure. If you needed to reach out..... more fps.
Bill
end to end shot.
I guess for rear shots some real sectional density would be required. Of my current
armory, my GG .45-70 with a 405 RCBS cast at 1750 should do that, but wouldn't do
the trajectory of the faster .338s, for sure. If you needed to reach out..... more fps.
Bill