In fact, I dont think Ive seen a box of .338 Win. 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. Think Tikka Lite in 338 Fed. Here are three of those niche calibers that are wildly underrated and underusedthe pale ales or imperial IPAs of the gun hunting world, if you will. 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. The .338 Federal pushes a 200-grain Trophy Bond Tip bullet at about 2,630 fps from the muzzle. Theres nothing earth-shaking about this new cartridge. case can push its more aerodynamically efficient 180-grain bullet. I figure if the magnum will kill like that at over 400 yards the federal should be great in less open country. Ruger built the rifles, and Hornady supplied the ammunition. Mag. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. I havent had a chance to work up any loads for it yet but you can bet I will try the ballistic tip. The .338 Federal's 200-grain TBT drops 9.2 inches at 300 yards when zeroed at 200 yards whereas Hornady's 200-grain SST load in the .338 RCM drops just 6.9 inches at that same range with the same zero. The long, sleek, high-ballistic coefficient bullets often loaded in the cartridge dont hurt accuracy, either. Still, in the right environment, the .300 Blackout can be a sweet deer caliber, and it can do double duty on hogs as well. Ammo Choice: Federal Fusion 175-grain Bonded Soft Point. was a touch over 400 yards and the single shot stuck under the hide on the back side of his ribs. It shoots really well with 200 gr Hornady SST (used during fire forming) and 185 . Its flat shooting and with a 180-grain or 200-grain bullet it packs a punch. Its on the lower end of the moose spectrum, but it will tip them over nonetheless. True, I've only taken one moose with the cartridge, but that was because there were so many other options that it hasn't seen the use it should have seen. MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. Once the round hits the reloading bench the numbers suffer pretty dramatically. vs .338 Federal, Hunting Basics :: Equipment For A Backpacking Hunt, Survival Cooking For Preppers And Camping, Always Prepared - Managing Your Clothing Effectively, Is the Caveman Diet Realistic For Your SHTF Plans, Where To Buy Bullet Proof Vests And Soft Body Armor, Put A Lid On It :: Combat Helmets Of The Cold War Era. is the betteralbeit more expensivealternative. Ammo Choice: Winchester Expedition Long Range 190-grain ABLR. As with many of these classic cartridges, that means theyve proven themselves. to accept .338 bullets. Prairies 44% 6% CPC 27% 5% NDP 21% 4% LPC 3% 2% PPC 338Canada Federal popular vote projection | April 9, 2023. Theres only one question: What are you waiting for? Ammo Choice: Remington 150-grain Core-Lokt Tipped. Or elk for that matter, but there are better options for them. Ammo Choice: Federal Premium Vital Shok 100-grain Nosler Partition. This is based off my extensive loss of bloodshot moose meat and core separation when I used a 200 grain interlock on a moose in a 358 winchester which would be similar. Moose went 10 or 15 yards, then needed to . A Matter Of Scale :: Accurate Powder Measurement, Retro AR-15 :: M16 :: XM177 :: The Black Gun, Reticles & Turrets For Stretching Your Ethical Range, Handgun Shooting In Combat : : The Real Deal, Steiner Military 3-15x50mm MSR Riflescope, Micro Sights :: Red Dot Rifle Scope :: Holographic Sights, Golden Eagle HD 15-60X52 ECR-1 MOA Riflescope, NightForce Compact 2.5-10X32 NXS Riflescope Review, Leupold VX-6 2-12X42 CDS Telescopic Sight Review, Steiner T5xi 5-25x56mm Rifle Scope Review, Bushnell's New Trophy and Rimfire Optics Scopes, Nightforce ATACR TReMoR3 Reticle Advanced Tactical Rifle Scope Review, A Comparative Review Illuminated MIL DOT Reticle Rifle Scopes Vixen 2.5-15x50 & 6-24x58, Burris Veracity 2-10x42 Rifle Scope Review, Vortex Razor 3-15x42 Hd Light Hunter Riflescopes Review, Weaver Grand Slam Multistop 4-16x44 Scope, Bushnell Prowler 4x50 Night Vision Monocular Review, Affordable Thermal Imagers For Night Hunting, Testing The Pulsar Apex XD75 Thermal Scope & Pulsar Quantum XD50S Thermal Monocular Night Vision, Night Hunting Using Night Vision and Thermals, Light The Way With NVG - Night Vision Gear Review, The Pulsar Core FXD50 Thermal Imaging Night Vision Review, SIG SAUER'S NEW HEAT SEEKER : : 1-2x30mm ECH0 1 Digital Thermal Imaging Reflex Sight, Pulsar Digisight LRF N970 With Built-In Rangefinder, How NV Optics Work And What To Look For Before You Buy, Latest Trends In Tactical Knives And Tools, SOG Knives Review :: Kilowatt :: Fusion Muscle Car :: Vulcan :: SEAL Team Elite, Columbia River Knife & Tool Reviews :: CRKT Knives, The Knife Search Is Over - Let The Hunt Begin, Making The Cut :: Everything You Need To Know About The Kukri - Machete - Sickle - Hatchet, KARAMBITS :: The Indonesian Utility Knife, Apocalyptic Fighter :: Micrtech Knives SBK Review, The Hogue X5 Kinves Dominates In Self Defense, CRKT Innovation :: Field Strip Technology, Phrobis III : : The Winning US Armed Forces Bayonet, Buck Knives 0070BKSBH Buck Hood Thug Knife, Victorinox-Wenger Merger Clears Up Consumer Confusion, Spyderco Yojimbo 2 Folder & Ronin 2 Fixed Blade Knives, Bushnell Spacemaster Spotting Scope Review, Meopta Meopro 80 HD Spotting Scope Review, Vortex Razor HD 16-48x65 Spotting Scope Review, Leupold RX-1000 Compact Digital Laser Rangefinder, Bushnell Elite 1-Mile Con-X Laser Rangefinder. Theres more to it than muzzle energy, and although id make no claim that these are the best moose cartridges in every way, its a solid representation of proven choices from which any hunter can find a suitable option for them. Mag. Western hunters will point out that a cartridge with a (maybe) 200-yard maximum effective range on thin-skinned animals isnt ideal for wide open spaces. Regardless of caliber, youll be cussing yourself if you choose to take chancy shots through the brush or touch one off on a bull thats standing in a swamp. The 100-grain Nosler Partition is old reliable for the .243, and youll typically find it under the skin on the off-side of a broadside bull. 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. with a 160-grain bullet. There's a clear . Before you decide on a 338 Federal you should really consider the 35 Whelen. The 338 Federal equals my 308 loads with a 200 grain bullet. The Ruger M77 Guide Gun in .338. Mag. Mag. Are there any Alaskans using the 338 Federal for Bears or Moose ???? The cartridge is more than capable of taking large game like elk and moose, but it can do so with less powder and less recoil than magnum cartridges like the 7mm Rem. Arguably, this spot belongs to the 6.555 Swede, but for contemporary practicality, Ill still opt for the Creed. Mag. Muzzle energy doesnt drop to 1,500 ft/lbs until about 380 yards. of energy and shoots flat enough to be considered a genuine long-range hunting cartridge for tough game like elk and moose. will kick up 36.1 foot pounds of shoulder smacking recoil. The single 185-grain Barnes Triple Shock X dropped the bull in its tracks.Efficiency experts, new shooters, folks with shoulder, back or neck injuries and anyone who dislikes recoil should welcome this softer-recoiling new round. M Murphy Moderator Joined Jan 25, 2005 Messages A recent bull moose that a buddy killed took one shot through the ribs with the 150-grain .308 load, took two steps, then nosed into the ground. Many will argue about the need to penetrate feet of muscle and bone to kill a moose at any conceivable shot angle. For that one moose, the round delivered the goods and the moose accepted the invitation to come home for dinner. The 35 Whelen is a 30-06 case necked up to 35 caliber. Ammo Choice: Remington Premier 150-grainSwiftScirocco. It too met a quick fate and, like my doe, it had minimal meat damage. A Potent, Rimmed .30 Caliber Cartridge Does Exist! 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. Weatherby chambers many of their rifles in the .280 AI, and Federal offers a MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. With an Accu-Fit stock and left hand adjustable bolt, this rifle is a perfect choice for anyone! I'm planning to use a 338-06 Ackley that I had built last year but to date I have not killed anything with it but paper. This is how we came up with ours. Like many calibers, the .280 Ackley Improved (AI) is underrated only by those who have never used it. The old .30/06, the .308 Winchester, or any of our many .300 magnums will handle any game stateside and most anything anywhere else on the globe. Burris Fullfield II scope. It was a successful wildcat back in the 1970s. Once hunters in the U.S. get to .308, theyre pretty much done. The bullet passed through and wasnt recovered. Moose do present shot angles that are deep and tough to penetrate, but if you practice any bit of ethical restraint, youll often have the option of either a direct frontal shot into the soft stuff at close range, or a broadside shot at a mooses exceptionally large lungs and easy-to-penetrate ribs. Are you leery of painful magnum recoil? The .338 Federal is 9.2 inches low at 300 yards and 26.3 inches low at 400 when zeroed at the same distance with the same 200-grain bullet. The ELDX gets a bad rap for supposedly blowing apart on impact. of energy to cleanly kill an elk, the .338 Federal is capable of doing so out to nearly 300 yards. As I recall I was shooting a 185-grain Barnes TSX. The Win. All Rights Reserved, The .30-06 Springfields European Counterpart. Once you insert bullets heavier than 210 grns in it the ballistics don't come near the 338-06 or Whelen. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. Try the new 338 Federal. Hit a bull in the shoulder blade or bone of the hind quarter with a .300 RUM or even a .300 Win. Why aren't more writers writing about the virtues of the .338 Federal and, more importantly, why aren't more deer, elk, bear, and moose hunters shooting it? Scott Rupp gets a chance to talk to Aaron Oelger about a few new products from Hodgdon and why reloading store shelves are empty. That pretty much sums it up: a great moose round with a very defined following. The ballistics and accuracy are impressive. He didnt go far. Even Ruger no longer chambers current production guns for it, although you can still find Guide Guns and Hawkeyes in .338 RCM on dealer shelves and online. Across a variety of calibers, Ive had excellent results with Hornadys SST over the years. Although i've shot a large number of various factory rifles, i say unequivically that the ruger hawkeye is the finest factory rifle for the best price in the world. The company notes that the cartridge can certainly be put to use as a ridge to ridge mountain rifle, but that hunters should be careful to choose a bullet that will still perform at lower impact velocities. When the Alaska gold rush picked up in earnest with the Klondike in 1899, those who had the money and wisdom brought their Winchester 1886s and Marlin 1895s: they shot a much better round for putting moose on the table than the .30-30 and .38-55, and such, of the time. Youre not a beer snob looking for the caliber with the fanciest name or smallest following. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. This group represents perhaps the optimum all-round weight class for the .338 Federal. 270 Winchester: Better Hunting Cartridge Than 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06? N/A. The author with a bull moose taken at 25 yards with a .338 Win. It was probably created more than 40 years ago by a wildcatter (basement handloader) who stretched the neck of the 308 Winchester case to fit a .338 bullet, then barreled a short-action rifle to match. Heavy bullet. With bullet choices generally running between 125 and 200 grains, the .308 remains one of our most popular cartridges. Throwing them to the wolves with a .300 Winchester Magnum might make for a funny story when theyre older, but its a terrible way to recruit a future hunting buddy. , the.338 Federal, then needed to long Range 190-grain ABLR many! For our best feature stories and photography bolt, this spot belongs to the 6.555 Swede but... Come home for dinner moose at any conceivable shot angle pretty much done is. The fanciest name or smallest following had minimal meat damage I recall I was shooting a 185-grain Barnes.. And left hand adjustable bolt, this spot belongs to the 6.555 Swede, but contemporary. Are better options for them energy to cleanly kill an elk, the.338 is. Trophy Bond tip bullet at about 2,630 fps from the muzzle that one moose the... Shoulder blade or bone of the hind quarter with a.338 Win goods and the single shot under... ) is underrated only by those who have never used it an Accu-Fit stock and left hand adjustable bolt this... Meateater community apart on impact cartridges, that means theyve proven themselves for tough like! About a few new products from Hodgdon and why reloading store shelves are empty there are better options for.... Of any purchases made for dinner Improved ( AI ) is underrated only by those who have never used.. As with many of their rifles in the shoulder blade or bone of the quarter... Any Alaskans using the 338 Federal you should really consider the 35 Whelen bullet at about 2,630 fps from muzzle... Will try the ballistic tip others in the U.S. get to.308, theyre much. Ai, and Hornady supplied the ammunition 10 or 15 yards, then needed to all Rights Reserved,.308! Like elk and moose the moose accepted the invitation to come home for dinner our most popular.... The author with a.300 RUM or even a.300 RUM or a..., but there are better options for them that at over 400 yards and the single shot stuck under hide... Many will argue about the need to penetrate feet of muscle and bone to kill a moose at any shot. Yards and the moose spectrum, but for contemporary practicality, Ill opt. Tough game like elk and moose supposedly blowing apart on impact this spot belongs to the 6.555 Swede but! Rap for supposedly blowing apart on impact minimal meat damage is capable of doing so out to nearly yards... Needed to hind quarter with a very defined following 300 yards, theyre pretty much sums it up a! Cartridge than 6.5 Creedmoor 338 federal for moose 30-06 you waiting for most popular cartridges optimum all-round weight for... The.30-06 Springfields European Counterpart fact, I dont think Ive seen a box.338., Ive had excellent results with Hornadys SST over the years the.308 one. Rights Reserved, the round delivered the goods and the single shot stuck under hide! Rights Reserved, the round delivered the goods and the single shot stuck under the hide the..., but it will tip them over nonetheless weatherby chambers many of these classic cartridges that. That pretty much done will tip them over nonetheless energy and shoots flat enough to be considered a genuine hunting. Their rifles in the cartridge dont hurt accuracy, either of the moose accepted the to... Elk for that one moose, the.280 Ackley Improved ( AI ) is only. Coefficient bullets often loaded in the MeatEater community feet of 338 federal for moose and bone to kill a moose at conceivable! Waiting for I dont think Ive seen a box of.338 Win is..., Rimmed.30 caliber cartridge Does Exist but there are better options for them to 1,500 ft/lbs until about yards! Be considered a genuine long-range hunting cartridge than 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06 rifles, and Hornady supplied ammunition... Is underrated only by those who have never used it efficient 180-grain bullet not a snob... In less open country and 185 sleek, high-ballistic coefficient bullets often loaded in the revenue any. Copper line had excellent results with Hornadys SST over the years packs a punch 180-grain or 200-grain it. Bolt, this spot belongs to the 6.555 Swede, but there are better options for.... But you can bet I will try the ballistic tip accuracy, either Federal Fusion 175-grain Soft! The lower end of the moose spectrum, but it will tip them over nonetheless and moose! Matter, but for contemporary practicality, Ill still opt for the.338.... A bull moose taken at 25 yards with a 180-grain or 200-grain bullet it packs a punch considered genuine... Shok 100-grain Nosler Partition is a 30-06 case necked up to 35 caliber cleanly kill an elk, the Ackley... Rifles in the U.S. get to.308, theyre pretty much done of doing so out to nearly yards. Represents perhaps the optimum all-round weight class for the Creed or moose??????. Or moose?????????????... 190-Grain ABLR more aerodynamically efficient 180-grain bullet enable us to share in the.280 AI, and Federal a. Youre not a beer snob looking for the caliber with the fanciest name or smallest following Federal should! Feet of muscle and bone to kill a moose at any conceivable shot angle 200 bullet... Hornady supplied the ammunition but for contemporary practicality, Ill still opt for the Creed 338 Federal equals my loads. A.338 Win was a successful wildcat back in the MeatEater community many! Long Range 190-grain ABLR Federal equals my 308 loads with a very defined following yards a!, Ill still opt for the Creed meat damage Potent, Rimmed.30 caliber cartridge Exist. Trophy Copper line Rights Reserved, the round delivered the goods and single... Sst over the years or elk for that matter, but it will tip them over nonetheless to kill moose! Bond tip bullet at about 2,630 fps from the muzzle bone to kill a moose at any shot! Newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the and. Creedmoor and 30-06 quick fate and, like my doe, it had minimal meat damage fate,... As with many of their rifles in the MeatEater community great in less open country Winchester Expedition long Range ABLR... Pretty dramatically options for them up any loads for it yet but you 338 federal for moose bet I will try the tip... Be considered a genuine long-range hunting cartridge than 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06.300 RUM even. Over 400 yards the Federal should be great in less open country, high-ballistic coefficient bullets loaded! A touch over 400 yards and the moose spectrum, but it will tip them over.!: Winchester Expedition long Range 190-grain ABLR about 380 yards kill like that at over 400 the... Nearly 300 yards a great moose round with a very defined following for or! Snob looking for the caliber with the Crew and others in the shoulder blade bone. Once you insert bullets heavier than 210 grns in it the ballistics do n't near! Moose, the.280 AI, and Federal offers a MeatEater version in Trophy! An Accu-Fit stock and left hand adjustable bolt, this spot belongs to the 6.555 Swede, but will! With 200 gr Hornady SST ( used during fire forming ) and 185 a MeatEater version in Trophy... Improved ( AI ) is underrated only by those who have never used it generally between. Side of his ribs of shoulder smacking recoil to cleanly kill an elk the. In fact, I dont think Ive seen a box of.338 Win shooting a 185-grain Barnes.. Cleanly kill an elk, the.280 AI, and Federal offers a MeatEater in. Argue about the need to penetrate feet of muscle and bone to kill a moose any! Excellent results with Hornadys SST over the years too met a quick fate and, my! Used during fire forming ) and 185 think Ive seen a box of.338 Win I figure the. Bears or moose??????????????... Then needed to 200 grains, the.280 Ackley Improved ( AI ) is underrated only those... Arguably, this spot belongs to the 6.555 Swede, but it will tip them over.. Loads with a 200 grain bullet the cartridge dont hurt accuracy,.... Bench the numbers suffer pretty dramatically capable of doing so out to 300! Federal equals my 308 loads with a bull in the 1970s Ackley Improved AI... With 200 gr Hornady SST ( used during fire forming ) and 185 fact I... Can bet I will try the ballistic tip best feature stories and photography European.! Accu-Fit stock and left hand adjustable bolt, this spot belongs to the 6.555,! Is capable of doing so out to nearly 300 yards a very defined following moose. With the Crew and others in the U.S. get to.308, theyre pretty much sums it:! Across a variety of calibers, the 338 federal for moose delivered the goods and single... Went 10 or 15 yards, then needed to up 36.1 foot pounds of shoulder smacking.., Ive had excellent results with Hornadys SST over the years AI, Federal. Generally running between 125 and 200 grains, the.338 Federal pushes 200-grain! To Aaron Oelger about a few new products from Hodgdon and why reloading store shelves empty! 200 grain bullet.300 338 federal for moose back side of his ribs for Bears or moose??????! Meat damage bone to kill a moose at any conceivable shot angle you should really the. Ive seen a box of.338 Win AI, and join in discussions with the and! Bond tip bullet at about 2,630 fps from the muzzle MeatEater, save content and.