one of the lesser known and less understood and appreciated rifles & rifle caliber options

Grumpy

The Grumpy Grease Monkey mechanical engineer.
Staff member
I don't even own a 338 federal caliber rifle, but the savage long range hunter chambered in 338 federal has in my opinion several rather nice features, its sure to have moderate recoil, and deep penetration, as all 338 bullets are designed to operate and impact at higher velocity's because the 338 win mag is the most popular cartridge in that bore size,
most guys won't admit it .but easily 80% or more of game is shot at ranges under 250 yards.
the 338 federal is certainly not going to shoot as flat as a 6.5 mm Creedmoor chambered rifle but it sure to have a noticeable improved impact damage to internal organs on game.
(id certainly consider it a good option for hunting deer/elk in rolling aspen and oak brush, where your chances of having any shot over 300 yards is almost non-existent like it will be in most areas that elk and deer hang out once hunting season opens from what I see year after year,
and if its very similar to the 358 win , (as it uses the same 308 win case) like I think it will be as its simply the 358 win,
necked down to a marginally smaller bore .338 in the 338 federal vs the 358 wins .358 bore,
is sure to provide almost identical performance with a tiny bit flatter trajectory.
Id still prefer the browning BLR for its shorter length and faster second shot potential, but if given the option of a 30/06 or 308 win, vs the 338 fed in that savage long range hunter rifle it would get the nod and my cash every time!
the key here is the 338 federal is available in a longer barrel (26") vs the typical (20") inch barrel that most 358 rifles are made with.
most 358 carbines are looked at as moderate range high power and moderate recoil rifle that will stomp a deer or elk given proper loads,
in the 200-250 grain weight range,
Ive watched several deer and elk very effectively killed with a single well placed shot from a 358 BLR, so I have zero doubt the 338 federal, will provide similar results.
both cartridges use potentially the same basic 308 win case , the marginally smaller bore and longer barrel in the 338 win rifles adds potentially at least marginally longer range, and a 200-210-225 grain 338 bullet allows about a 100-170 extra fps out at longer ranges, due to is lower drag projectiles, that the same weight 358 load in a 358 win,
while thats almost inconsequential, it still allows a knowledgeable hand loader several options and potentially allows ,
you to almost duplicate some of the better 30/06 ballistics in a lower recoil rifle.
as always what you shoot is less important than how consistent and how well you shoot your rifle of choice,
and how well you understand your games anatomy and your rifles potential limitations








 
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