Are you leery of painful magnum recoil? So it goes with moose, where the sheer size of these ungulates causes many potential moose hunters to immediately wipe a swath of effective and perfectly suitable cartridges from consideration. The Hornady 200 gr Interlock SP has an excellent reputation on game in the 338/06, so at 100-200 fps less it should really penetrate well, and costs less than half what their GMX bullet does. I once tested two rifles in .375 H&H: one was the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express, which was a true pleasure to shoot. The ballistics and accuracy are impressive. The .338 Fed is shooting almost right alongside the 338-06, which has a well developed reputation on big game. The truth is, most hunters will capitalize on every advantage they can buy. Not surprising when you stop to consider this proprietary powerhouse has a case length of 2.905 inches and a 125-grain (water) capacity when compared with the .338 Win. My 338 Federal is a delight to shoot. I have hunted elk and deer with the 338 WM for quite awhile here in Idaho with excelent results. Double Tap ammo reportedly loads this all copper hollow point to the .338 Federals top speed of 2,900 fps. There is some validity to that, but theres also the matter of responsible shot selection and meat salvage. You also will not need to spend the money on premium bullets. Nosler ballistic tip over imr 4350 powder in my pre 64 mod 70 it shoots sub moa and kills without much loss of meat. That's a 75 percent increase and a lot more powder to buy. The bullet passed through and wasnt recovered. Weatherby chambers many of their rifles in the .280 AI, and Federal offers a MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. Across a variety of calibers, Ive had excellent results with Hornadys SST over the years. Tips, techniques, and equipment are applied to these classroom discussions on how to become more proficient and successful at making long-range shots while hunting with AR-platform rifles. Mag. In short, the RCM produces true magnum performance. Mag. So why is it so uncommon? Ive got one and find it a pleasure to shoot in Remington 700 Stainless Steel Synthetic that I switched the factory stock out for a recoil-dampening, H-S Precision Sporter, effectively taking it from shooting 1-MOA to half-MOA with the new stock, and a switch out of the trigger for a Timney Trigger at 2.75 pounds pull. You must log in or register to reply here. Send a 200- to 250-grain A-Frame, AccuBond or Nosler Partition from this round and youve got powerful moose medicine. Mag. The number of people who purchased all those boxes could be counted on one hand. | About the same as a 30-06. After killing over 30 moose, its remained my uncles favorite moose medicine in his Winchester M70. Wildcatters had been doing the same thing for yearsmost notably outdoor writer Roy Smithbut it was Federal that legitimized the round and filled the last branch on the .308 family tree. You pick up a bit more energy over the 180-grain bullets without substantially more recoil. Savage Arms 110 Bear Hunter Rifle | 57070 338 Federal, 23" Stainless BBL, Bolt Action, AccuFit MOBUC Camo Stock, Matte Stainless Finish, Adj Muzzle Brake, 2+1 Rds. I cant argue that it hasnt found use in abundance as an all-around Alaskan rifle, but I feel its overkill for some game, but doesnt quite carry the authority that big magnums (.375 and up) do. Between a few family members, we have killed about a dozen bulls with the 285-grain ELDM bullet from 175 yards to over 600 yards. There are lots of great bullet choices for the .270 as well, both in 130- and 150-grain. It was the most consistently accurate factory hunting ammo I tested, and the mechanically fastened core and jacket seem to hold together well. You'll get good performance from a 20" or 22" barrel, just like the shorter .308 rifles. Performance Differences (Are they enough to Matter? One 180-grain Barnes TSX to the high shoulder did the trick. A couple of my most dramatic ass-over-teakettle-flipping moose have been a result of using 150-grain Hornady interlock bullets, but the bonded 150-grain Swift Scirocco is typically more accurate and has excellent weight retention. If you want a deer-caliber cartridge that will work on elk and moose at moderate ranges the .338 Federal will do the trick. Not earth shattering figures, but nearly identical to 30/06 numbers and it makes a .338 diameter hole; what's not to like? buy from BV Outdoor Essentials. This is also why the .338 Federal is capable of .30-06 velocities even though it's the .308 necked up. I havent had a chance to work up any loads for it yet but you can bet I will try the ballistic tip. But you should have. Shake hands with the 338 Federal. I have one that is wonderfully light and it shoot Tikka good too. .280 Ackley Improved It keeps pace with popular and effective cartridges. The .300 Blackout (also known as .300 BLK and .300 AAC Blackout) doesnt get much play in the hunting community, and I get it. As you might expect, the RCM has a sizable advantage in terms of energy, too. When given the option, Ill admit, realistic decoys are worth every penny. The .338 Federal is capable of firing bullets weighing between 180 and 225 grains at muzzle velocities ranging from 2,700 to 2,900 feet per second. Ive taken several whitetail deer with rifles chambered in .300 Blackout. 338 Blog About Methodology The record so far Ratings of Canadian pollsters . .35 Whelen This round has a definite following in Alaska, and is one of friend and colleague Bryce Towsley's favorites. The Win. Its arguable that the .308 and .30-06 should be an either-or matter, but for me, they both belong here. Like I stated, I have lots of 250 Hornady round nose bullets. L-R are 30-06 Sprnfld., 308 Win., 243 Win., 260 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem. Known as an ideal cartridge for medium-sized game, the .270 is more gun that most people give it credit for. Gird your loins, is the warning given any writer attempting to list the best cartridges for any type of hunting. However, its a great bullet for the money. Ask most Alaskans about their favorite and the .338 Win Mag is the answer you get, next to .30-06 and .300 Win. The Win. Now personally, I prefer the .338-06 just because I have more space to work with powder loads. Mag. Assembling a list of the best cartridges for moose a subjective task, and bigger doesnt mean best in every context. Considered by some ballistic experts to be the ideal cartridge for North American big game, the .338 Federal is also known for superb accuracy and stopping power in a controllable package. But why? Now, a MV of just 2,428 might strike you as SLOW, but keep in mind this is about 200 fps faster than the famous deer-slaying .30/30 Winchester can push a 170-grain bullet. Mag. But heres the thing: When loaded with 180-grain bullets, the little .338 kicks out more muzzle energy than a 7mm Remington Magnum pushing 160-grain bullets. Any more bullet weight than that, you loose velocity big time, and you'd be better served to gravitate towards a 358 winchester if you intend to shoot 250 grain bullets or larger. Mag.'s 2.5-inch case and 86-grain capacity. I would think that a 180-grain Partition should stretch the distance some, and work on moose well. Some you may find surprising. The .338? Close main menu About 338 Blog Franais. Tyler Freel In a micro-second that bullet crossed 275 yards -10F air and absolutely floored that elk. Prairies, 28 districts 21 . The Ruger M77 Guide Gun in .338. case, and thats because it is. I wouldnt be afraid to use it on caribou either. The other rifle, even though much heavier, clocked me so much I couldnt get it shipped back to the manufacturer quickly enough. The .338 Federal from Wilson Combat is ideal for any medium-large game hunting in North America including trophy wild hogs, elk, moose and bear. I'm not sure there's much a 250gr .338cal bullet will do that a 210-225gr won't. The .300 WM has firmly established itself as a fine cartridge for moose (and anything else on the North American continent). And then there's the cost factor. 's impressive ballistics come at a price. Add the ability to be used with a SA and that's enough to consider it a viable chambering IMO. At 400 yards the load is carrying 2,027 ft.-lbs. Something about getting below 2400-2500fps leaves me a little cold. generates close to 4,000 ft.-lbs. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. It is incredibly easy to make for 308 family cases so there is never an ammo problem for handloaders. So why is it so uncommon? That was about the time the 6.5 Creedmoor hatched. Maybe a .22LR, .223 Rem., or a .30-06. Check out this story from contributor Mike Roux, for an excellent and educational anecdote highlighting the importance of a full quiver of calls. I too have purchased a 338 federal in a ruger hawkeye for a short mountain rifle. A Potent, Rimmed .30 Caliber Cartridge Does Exist! . This cartridge is no longer a flashy new magnum, but it will still cut gravy. The .338 Federal (second from right) doesnt have the popularity of other .30 calibers, but it should. Its one of those cartridges that fits the bill for someone who only wants one big-game rifle. While the .338 Federal generates recoil levels in the 20 to 25 ft.-lbs. My favorite bullet for the .300 Win. Dubbed the .338 Federal, this new compact cartridge was generated by simply necking-up the much-loved .308 Win. typically arent brush-busting, swamp-wading rifles, but if your style of hunting suits it, it will put moose down with authority, and is the go-to choice for several moose hunters I know here in Alaska. Making this round questionable as an improvement on any medium bore. 338 fed/338-06/35W would all be good choices. This efficient short-action cartridge flattens game like the hammer of Thor without kicking you in the shoulder like a stubborn mule. If it were all about penetration and power, why stop at anything short of the .50 BMG? In the real world, the .338 Federal shines when pursuing larger animals at moderate distances, according to the New Zealand ballistics company Terminal Ballistics Research. Yes, you are reading this correctly. in 1958 that this family of cartridges really gained a footing among American hunters. At 300 yards a 10 mph right angle wind will bump it 9 inches. Wish you didnt have to carry a 10-pound rifle with a barrel longer than your leg? Ron Spomer Rifle calibers are kind of like craft beer (hear me out). I use a 200 gr plain jane bullet with tac powder ( a load i got from handloader magazine) it is a superb round and perfect for any game in alaska as long as good bullet placement is practiced. But even if you handload to just 2,800 fps, this is the ultimate flat-shooter for the .338. For ammo, check out Federals 150g Power Shok cartridge. Give a Gift Try the new 338 Federal. A 180- to 185-grain .338 bullet is light for this caliber, but fast. Hornady 338 Win Mnag 200 Grain SST $65.00. And despite the .338 RCM's impressive numbers, the .338 Federal is no slouch. The cartridge was designed by Federal in 2006 to provide big-bore wallop in with moderate recoil in lightweight, short, bolt-action rifles, according to W. Todd Woodards excellent book, Cartridges of the World. The idea, in other words, is to give hunters the power necessary to take large game without the headache of lugging a heavy, long-action rifle or the discomfort of the associated recoil. Current factory offerings include a 250-grain Nosler Partition at 3,060 fps and a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps. This data was gleaned from Noslers Reloading Guide 8 and Hornady 10th. The 338 Federal should be a great short to medium range big game round for deer, bear, elk and moose. I figure if the magnum will kill like that at over 400 yards the federal should be great in less open country. In the north country, where moose live, you want a versatile rifle, so you might as well pair it with the ultimate all-around cartridge. In fact, it is still the go-to rifle for many rural Alaska hunters. There's a clear . Federal Premium offered its first namesake cartridge to the world in 2006. But after a while, youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you. I was drawn for a fall moose permit for Maine. Federal Simulator. Federal's sister company, Savage, offers 14 bolt rifles chambered in this round as well as an AR-10, and there are still some Sakos and Kimbers available on used gun racks. Since its inception a decade ago, Savage, Kimber, Sako, Montana Rifle Company and other manufacturers have been producing .338 Federal bolt guns, and it can be had in the AR platform as well. Mag. Shoot a moose through both lungs and they die, quickly, every time. Recovery was uneventful. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The .308 has a wide range of bullet weights and excellent options available. Mag.-like performance from a more compact, efficient cartridge. In fact it can be loaded with a 250-grain bullet to just about the original .318 WR velocity of 2400 fps, though you've got to use a round-nose 250, since the magazine of .338 Federal rifles is too short for a spritzer. Federal Premium 338 Win Mag 225 Grain Trophy copper $96.00. One relatively underrated hunting load (in many calibers) is Federals Fusion. As ranges increase from there, so does the trajectory gap. The .338 Federal is a reprieve from such nonsense. Two years later it was Ruger's turn. Ackley. Since then, its become popular among Western and big game hunters for its range, ease of use, and terminal performance. It will handle not only whitetails, but black bears, elk, and moose as far away as anybody is likely to hit them. When you can find it, its reasonably priced, and the bonded soft point Fusion bullet wont disappoint. There are arguably more efficient long-range cartridges that are excellent for moose, but I can tell you for a fact that the .338 Lapua Mag. .338 Federal While the 300 Blackout has enjoyed broad appeal across a wide range of hunters and shooters, the .338 Federal is designed for one specific application: mountain hunting. I loved my .280 Rem., though I didnt have much confidence with it beyond 350 yards. Believe it or not, a 180-grain bullet from the smaller 338 Federal cartridge will drop a half-inch less than a 180-grain from the 30-06 at 400 yards. This 175-grain load typically isnt as accurate (or as expensive) as some premium options. Dead deer. Mag. Its on the lower end of the moose spectrum, but it will tip them over nonetheless. Just a month before moose season a whole table in sporting goods section of a large Alaska discount retailer in Kenai was stacked with case after case of Core-Lokt .35 Whelen. buy from BV Outdoor Essentials. But the .338 Win. also packs a lot more punch. Why it took so long to legitimize the .338 version remains a mystery, but Federal has finally done it. But no Federal. The .338 Win. Like many calibers, the .280 Ackley Improved (AI) is underrated only by those who have never used it. Hes presently the team leader on Discovery Channels Treasure Quest. The only thing a writer can do is respond with the most consistent rounds. Think Tikka Lite in 338 Fed. Most shooters have no problem with short-action cartridges if they throw bullets faster than the .308. Wide bullet. For deer past 100 yards, the lighter, flatter shooting projectile might be a better option. If you do your job, theyll do theirs. 178. It should work well for moose hunting with bullets up to 210 grains, which is a favorite with lots of elk hunters in the lower-48. Coverage is the name of the game. The .338 Federal is the youngest of the .308 family, and is nothing more, and nothing less, than the .308 Winchester necked up to hold .338-inch-diameter bullets. . http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=264408214, Returning to Alaska: Sitka vs Petersburg vs Wrangell vs Gustavus, Gambell dog walks 166 miles to another town, possibly survives off seals. Hunting With Your Spouse: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, 270 Winchester, 7mm Rem. At 300 yards the .338 Federal load carries 1,884 ft.-lbs., which pales in comparison to the RCM's 2,358 ft.-lbs. N/A. There will always be exceptions, like the Eskimo who thinks nothing of taking a polar bear with an AR-15, or that tiger shot in the head with a .22 long-rifle. with a 160-grain bullet. The 06 is old and boring, but I cant find any way to justify it not being included in this list. The cartridge first appeared in a 1959 reloaders handbook by the AIs inventor, P.O. By 400 yards the drop is about 22 inches, so this isnt the best long-range, open country projectile. Ive even nicknamed it Thor, because I love carrying and shooting it so much. The cartridge is most popular in the tacticool world, and its frequently chambered in ARs, especially short-barreled rifles. Heavy bullet. This round became known as the .338 Ruger Compact Magnum, or .338 RCM, and it promised .338 Win. In compact, mild recoiling rifles, it produces performance equal to some of the most proven, popular big game cartridges in America. With the number of bullets available that dwarf the list of those for the .35 Whelen, and the fact that I can send 200 grain .338 only 200 fps slower than the same bullet in a .338 Win. Moose went 10 or 15 yards, then needed to . in a rifle of similar weight. I use a 200 gr plain jane bullet with tac powder ( a load i got from handloader magazine) it is a superb round and perfect for any game in alaska as long as good bullet placement is practiced. Its often not a good idea to shoot moose at long distances because of the hellholes they might die in. Cookies help us deliver our services. It is a powerful cartridge that is suitable for hunting a wide range of game animals, including deer, elk, and moose. The ballistics are even better than that of its grandfather, and in shorter action: it will fit the action of a .30-06. Mag. If you have concerns, use a bullet like the 270-grain ELDX. Ill confess, I havent worn out any .338s in the field, but had the honor of dropping an elk with a Sako M85 chambered for the then-new 338 Federal. No factory loads are offered with heavier than 225-grain bullets and no handloading manuals Ive seen list data for anything heavier. Ruger built the rifles, and Hornady supplied the ammunition. Conversely, the .338 RCM has no champions. For 80 years this Minnesota company has been loading everyone elses cartridges, but never its own. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Your mileage may vary. Zero to keep all shots inside of an 8-inch target and trajectory will peak 4 inches high at 150 yards. If theres anything Ive learned over the years of shooting and handling moose, its that choosing when and where to shoot them is much more important than the caliber stamped on your rifle barrel. Yes, its pretty much just the .308 necked up to take .338-inch bullets. In fact, I dont think Ive seen a box of .338 Win. I really like the slight bump in velocity of the 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip, and my rifle shoots it well. When a raghorn bull walked out of the snowy pines bordering Montanas Upper Canyon Ranch, I pulled the trigger. Well thanks for all the info a distributor had a fantastic deal on the 338 Federal in a SS Hawkeye and I didnt know jack about the round so thought that throwing it out on here would bring in some interesting details and it DID! Ive always preferred 150-grain loads in my .30/06, and the moose cant seem to tell the difference. and ME of 3225 ft. lbs. Mag. There are many excellent bullet choices for the .30/06, and most will gravitate toward the 180-grain options. will knock the hell out of them. up close, and its often goodbye to a deer-sized portion of meat. Mag. It is incredibly easy to make for 308 family cases so there is never an ammo problem for handloaders. A full-house load might drive it about 2,750 fps from a 24-inch barrel, somewhere in the 2,650 to 2,700 fps range from a more convenient 22-inch barrel. That would be boring, and the truth is that many potential moose hunters out there might already have what would be best for them. ). Either one of these fine cartridges would be very suitable for moose hunting or for hunting of moose sized game.