338 Blog About Methodology The record so far Ratings of Canadian pollsters . Were talking solid elk numbers here. I typically wouldnt recommend match bullets for shooting moose, but this is one exception. 's cavernous 76.8-grain capacity. 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. 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. With the right bullet and simple, good shot placement, the .243 is a very effective moose gun. Its flat shooting and with a 180-grain or 200-grain bullet it packs a punch. Mag. It doesnt garner much attraction from todays tinkerers and cartridge snobs, but its still one of the best all-around choices. I have hunted elk and deer with the 338 WM for quite awhile here in Idaho with excelent results. Second, the .338 Federal launches its 180- to 250-grain bullets from a small, short-action case (.308 Winchester). The .338? .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. The ABLR expands reliably, shoots great, and is more rigidly constructed than the ELDX. For whatever reason, the Ackley landed in a sweet spot for me. The 40-degree shoulder (10 degrees sharper than the .280 Rem.) . Ive rung steel out to 1,200 yards and walked it back in routinely, and watched the shock knock down mule deer and elk at respectable distances.. It is also an excellent killer, as i've killed a couple of moose, 2 blackies and 2 caribou with mine with quick 1 shot kills. 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. 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. By contrast, the .338 RCM drives a 200-grain Hornady SST bullet down the barrel at 2,950 fps. Its a great choice for young or smaller-framed huntersor a hunter that has nothing to prove. 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. At 300 yards the Federal will drop just 1.5 inches more than the Winchester Magnum. The ballistics are even better than that of its grandfather, and in shorter action: it will fit the action of a .30-06. 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. You might also consider a 338-06. 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. The .338 is most unpleasant to shoot unless the rifle has a muzzle brake installed (.338 ammunition costs more too). Its often not a good idea to shoot moose at long distances because of the hellholes they might die in. Its muzzle energy exceeds the .30-06, equals that of the 7mm Rem. It was a successful wildcat back in the 1970s. However, its a great bullet for the money. Across a variety of calibers, Ive had excellent results with Hornadys SST over the years. You must log in or register to reply here. So why go bigger? Mag.-like performance from a more compact, efficient cartridge. The 6.5 Creedmoor is excellent at a few things and does a lot of other things well. 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. 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. Ask most Alaskans about their favorite and the .338 Win Mag is the answer you get, next to .30-06 and .300 Win. And despite the .338 RCM's impressive numbers, the .338 Federal is no slouch. You can find rifles of all varieties chambered in .300 Blackout. 270 Winchester: Better Hunting Cartridge Than 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06? 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Lets compare ballistic data from four different bullets to pad the .338s resume. But you should have. Shoot a moose through both lungs and they die, quickly, every time. It shoots really well with 200 gr Hornady SST (used during fire forming) and 185 . If you're a handloader, the RCM is better suited for heavy bullets like 250-grain Hornady InterLocks, a great choice for really big, heavy game like elk, bear, moose and bison. Only a few weeks later, it was gone. was a touch over 400 yards and the single shot stuck under the hide on the back side of his ribs. 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. Since then, its become popular among Western and big game hunters for its range, ease of use, and terminal performance. and 338 Federal. helps improve accuracy by providing an efficient propellant chamber and a precise chamber-to-case fit. Mag. Performance Differences (Are they enough to Matter? As with many of these classic cartridges, that means theyve proven themselves. Well, it has a couple of issues that turn many hunters off. The 06 is old and boring, but I cant find any way to justify it not being included in this list. Takes a variety of bullets form 160 up. I think the 200gr Interlocks were designed with the 35Rem in mind. 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. Ammo Choice: Winchester Expedition Long Range 190-grain ABLR. 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! also packs a lot more punch. | 6.5 Creedmoor - Best thing since sliced bread, or more of the same? The .338 Federal is the best deer and elk cartridge you've probably never fired or maybe never heard of. There's a clear winner in terms of rifle availability, and that's the .338 Federal. Federal, in conjunction with Sako, legitimized it in 2006. Mag. As you might expect, the RCM has a sizable advantage in terms of energy, too. So why, then, does the .338 Federal languish in obscurity? Give a Gift USA (Presidential) France . Its one of those cartridges that fits the bill for someone who only wants one big-game rifle. Rifle and ammunition manufacturers have been creating and christening centerfire rifle cartridges since 1860. 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. Dead deer. Not earth shattering figures, but nearly identical to 30/06 numbers and it makes a .338 diameter hole; what's not to like? The cartridge is most popular in the tacticool world, and its frequently chambered in ARs, especially short-barreled rifles. Thats why the .243 Winchester, .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington, and now .277 Fury are wildly successful. Ive even nicknamed it Thor, because I love carrying and shooting it so much. There are now three certainties in life: death, taxes, and posterior inflammation from the 6.5 Creedmoor. Tract Toric UHD 30mm 2.5-15x44 FFP MOA Scope. 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. Many will argue about the need to penetrate feet of muscle and bone to kill a moose at any conceivable shot angle. It should be perfect for pronghorns, although with a B.C. Maybe a .22LR, .223 Rem., or a .30-06. This round became known as the .338 Ruger Compact Magnum, or .338 RCM, and it promised .338 Win. Muzzle energy doesnt drop to 1,500 ft/lbs until about 380 yards. Gird your loins, is the warning given any writer attempting to list the best cartridges for any type of hunting. at the muzzle. The .280 AI can push a 120g round about 3,200 fps (about as fast as a typical 55g .223 Rem.) With modern components, it can perform pretty close to what the .30/06 always was and it puts meat away just as well as it ever did. Whether setting sights on a distant trophy or ringing steel out to 4000 yards, the Vortex Razor HD 4000 GB ballistic laser rangefinder delivers all the range, ballistic, and environmental data needed for confident accuracy. Surprisingly, it drops only 1.5 inches more than the big 338 Win. . Here is a potent cartridge that fits the popular, light, handy short-action rifles. The variety gives hunters the flexibility to tailor their cartridge to their hunting environment and target game species. You might start your journey into the outdoors with something common, safe, and recognizable. Are you leery of painful magnum recoil? I loved my .280 Rem., though I didnt have much confidence with it beyond 350 yards. Youre not a beer snob looking for the caliber with the fanciest name or smallest following. 338 Blog About Methodology The record so far Ratings of Canadian pollsters. However, equally important is which Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. Mag. 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 .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. I too have purchased a 338 federal in a ruger hawkeye for a short mountain rifle. To prove all this to myself, I shot a Montana bull elk from 275 yards with a 338 Federal. Its been around a long time and carries some station with just about everyone. If you're planning on hunting big game at long range, big bears at any range or the full breadth of African plains game, the .338 Win. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. There are tons of great calibers for youth hunters, but a brief MeatEater survey landed on three. Both the .338 Federal and .338 RCM work well in short-barreled, compact, lightweight hunting rifles, but despite their similar profiles and bullet diameters, these are two very different cartridges in terms of performance. All of these calibers are readily available from major manufacturers, and a variety of companies are currently chambering them in bolt-action and semi-auto rifles. 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. Cookies help us deliver our services. Federals under-sung little .338 certainly deserves more attention than its gotten thus far. and a 175g round about 2,700 fps (just 100 fps shy of the 7mm Weatherby Mag.). It operates at higher pressure than the 358 winchester and is therefore better at 2oo + yards. Still, in the right environment, the .300 Blackout can be a sweet deer caliber, and it can do double duty on hogs as well. Bullet choice is especially important in small calibers like the .243. Mag. The .338 Federal was designed specifically for hunting North American big game from deer and black bear through moose, although it undoubtedly works just as well on game of similar size worldwide. Arguably, this spot belongs to the 6.555 Swede, but for contemporary practicality, Ill still opt for the Creed. It will handle not only whitetails, but black bears, elk, and moose as far away as anybody is likely to hit them. Federal Premium 338 Win Mag 210 Grain Nosler Partition $80.00. And itll slap your shoulder with 12 ft/lbs less recoil. 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. On the other hand, I realize that cartridges like the .30-30, .32 Win. :think: I have a chance to buy one in a Ruger Hawkeye cheap and am thinging about it but cant really find jack on how people have accepted it on larger game like Moose Bears or Elk so thought I would post this as all I can find from gunwriters reviews is the standard junk of them shooting a pig or tame deer in Texas that weigh about 125lbs . The little Federal achieves this with considerably less powder, too, and that means less recoil. Federal Premium offered its first namesake cartridge to the world in 2006. and 30-06, plus belted magnums, long magnums, short magnums, and super short magnums, who needs a 338-08? The .338 Federal is a reprieve from such nonsense. In a micro-second that bullet crossed 275 yards -10F air and absolutely floored that elk. After killing over 30 moose, its remained my uncles favorite moose medicine in his Winchester M70. If you want a deer-caliber cartridge that will work on elk and moose at moderate ranges the .338 Federal will do the trick. If they could be loaded to 2400 fps that would be a marvelous load. But after a while, youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you. Ammo Choice:Hornady Precision Hunter 143-grain Hornady ELDX. .35 Whelen This round has a definite following in Alaska, and is one of friend and colleague Bryce Towsley's favorites. 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. Handloaders have the option of using heavier 225- and 250-grain bullets as well. Since it is based on the .308 Win. Or elk for that matter, but there are better options for them. Heavy bullet. Like I stated, I have lots of 250 Hornady round nose bullets. 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. Current factory offerings include a 250-grain Nosler Partition at 3,060 fps and a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps. 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. Weatherby chambers many of their rifles in the .280 AI, and Federal offers a MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. is the betteralbeit more expensivealternative. Ive enjoyed carrying both iron-sights lever-actions, and trust my life to 405-grain Remington Core-Lokt, and 430-grain Buffalo Bore cartridges. But, for a very light kicking round, with a hard hitting bullet, this cant be beat. You'll get good performance from a 20" or 22" barrel, just like the shorter .308 rifles. I really like the slight bump in velocity of the 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip, and my rifle shoots it well. One-hundred-and-eighty AccuBond and Bear Claws are my choice, while other Alaskans prefer to send 200 grains. at 300 yards when both fire the same 210-grain bullet. He didnt go far. 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. Known as an ideal cartridge for medium-sized game, the .270 is more gun that most people give it credit for. Handloader. Well, maybe you do. On another hunt, my brother-in-law took a nice buck with a little break-action rifle from about 85 yards using a 125g projectile. Much like its predecessor, there isnt too much to say about the .308 that hasnt already been said. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Shake hands with the 338 Federal. It will still get the job done plenty well on a moose. They are ultra-reliable, and once you get them broken in, the action is very smooth (I'm very attached to an M77 Alaskan in .375 Ruger that I'd already had). rifles are typically about a pound heavier than .338 Federal rifles, and recoil from the magnum is, on average, 50 percent greater. with a 160-grain bullet. | Wish you didnt have to carry a 10-pound rifle with a barrel longer than your leg? 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. 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. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. buy from BV Outdoor Essentials. CARTRIDGE CLASH :: .338 Win. Now personally, I prefer the .338-06 just because I have more space to work with powder loads. In fact, I dont think Ive seen a box of .338 Win. The 40-70 Sharps, 30-30 Winchester, 300 Savage, 222 Remington, 270 Weatherby, and even a 204 Ruger. Ammo Choice: Remington 150-grain Core-Lokt Tipped. 338 Blog About Methodology The record so far Ratings of Canadian pollsters. By 400 yards the drop is about 22 inches, so this isnt the best long-range, open country projectile. I have one that is wonderfully light and it shoot Tikka good too. Hinterland #: 78050. 300-grain Hornady DGX and Nosler Partitions are my favorites, making complete pass-throughs and easy-to-follow blood trails a reward, with surprisingly low meat damage. Looking to enhance your effectiveness in the turkey woods this season? Medium bore rifles should launch medium weight bullets, most 30 caliber rifles will launch a 210 grn bullet at 2500 FPS and the ballistics are repeatable from the reloading bench. I havent had a chance to work up any loads for it yet but you can bet I will try the ballistic tip. Mag. .338 FederalJJ Reich at Federal Premium introduced me to this round a couple years ago, in the Savage Arms Bear Hunter, when I was just starting to work on my rifle book about the .338-06 and was keen to try another cartridge that is also a wildcat based on a military round. Mag. Ive always preferred 150-grain loads in my .30/06, and the moose cant seem to tell the difference. USA (Presidential) France (Presidential) Montreal. Scott Rupp gets a chance to talk to Aaron Oelger about a few new products from Hodgdon and why reloading store shelves are empty. But still, my initial interest in this gun was threefold. You want a bullet that will expand rapidly but retain weight. Factory-loaded with 180-, 185- and 210-grain bullets, it delivers between 1,820 and 1,920 ft-lbs at 300 yards, with an average bullet drop of less than nine inches (200-yard zero). Hornady currently lists four .338 RCM Superformance loads, with bullets ranging from 185 to 225 grains. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Try the new 338 Federal. My favorite bullet in the cartridge is the 143-grain ELDX, and scientists are still trying to figure out whether that bullet in my Winchester XPR in 6.5CM, or climate change has done more damage. All Federal had to do was enlarge the neck to accommodate .338 bullets and a star was born. Ron Spomer Some you may find surprising. In compact, mild recoiling rifles, it produces performance equal to some of the most proven, popular big game cartridges in America. Hes presently the team leader on Discovery Channels Treasure Quest. At 300 yards the .338 Federal load carries 1,884 ft.-lbs., which pales in comparison to the RCM's 2,358 ft.-lbs. Until now. Federal, in conjunction with Sako, legitimized it in 2006. Mag. J. Scott Rupp takes a first look at the Springfield M1A Loaded rifle chambered in the popular 6.5 Creedmoor. My 338 Federal is a delight to shoot. If looking to acquire an automated powder-charge dispensing unit to speed up precision reloading, don't judge the RCBS ChargeMaster Lite powder scale and dispenser by its name; the Little Green machine packs a heavy-weight punch with speed and accuracy. You also will not need to spend the money on premium bullets. You cant go wrong with any good bonded or monolithic bullet, and most soft points will get the job done tactfully. 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. Factory ammo is more expensive as well: Comparing the 200-grain loads referenced above, you'll pay about $39 per box for the Federal round and about $57 for the magnum. The new Sako Finnlight II sports an innovative stock and Cerakote metal paired with the terrific 85 action. buy from BV Outdoor Essentials. For ammo, check out Federal's 150g Power Shok cartridge. Federal's 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip ammo leaves the barrel at 2,930 fps, fully 300 fpsfaster than the same bullet from a .338 Federal. .300 Winchester MagnumA strong following for this round in Alaska. Mag. I would wager that for folks living in the more populated areas of Alaska, this might even beat the .30/06 and .243 in actual field use. Beth Shimanski of Savage introduces their all new straight-pull rifle. As I said in my cartridge intro for the 8th Edition of the Nosler Reload Guide, If I have to choose a single rifle, my shoot everything rifle, even if Ill be running into one of my angry neighbors that others call a coastal brown bear, itll be the .338-06 A-Square.. I dont always abide by the what worked for grandpa theory, but in this case, I do. When it comes to suitable cartridge selection, most folks operate under the assumption that the larger an animal is, the more horsepower they need in a cartridge. The Win. For more on his articles and books, visit his official site here. Mag. generates close to 4,000 ft.-lbs. At 400 yards the load is carrying 2,027 ft.-lbs. But memorize your trajectory curve, nail the range with a laser, and you should be good to 400 yards even though the bullet is dropping almost 2 feet. Dubbed the .338 Federal, this new compact cartridge was generated by simply necking-up the much-loved .308 Win. for outstanding game stopping power with recoil below that of most other medium bore cartridges. In normal times ammo is everywhere, but like others, its still relatively scarce right now. The bullet wont drop 4 inches below point-of-aim until about 290 yards. According to Federal ballistics data, the 338 Federal pushes a 180-grain Nosler AccuBond from the muzzle at 2,840 fps to produce 3,223 foot pounds energy. Mag. 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. According to Federal ballistics data, the 338 Federal pushes a 180-grain Nosler AccuBond from the muzzle at 2,840 fps to produce 3,223 foot pounds energy. Remington Premier 150-grainSwiftScirocco, Federal Premium Vital Shok 100-grain Nosler Partition, Hornady Superformance 140-grain Hornady SST, Hornady Precision Hunter 143-grain Hornady ELDX, Winchester Expedition Long Range 190-grain ABLR, Federal Premium 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip, Federal Fusion 175-grain Bonded Soft Point. If you find that underwhelming, sorry. was always easy to find ammo for here in Alaska, but thats no longer the case. Its the truth. 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. Just my thoughts based upon my experiences using a 358Win. In my 22 years of living in Alaska, Ive tipped over around 15 moose myself and watched probably another 30 go hooves-up. Like any responsible hunter should, take good shots, hit both lungs, and get out the knives. I wouldnt be afraid to use it on caribou either. Mag. 178. Combine those into a controllable package offering less recoil than other calibers with similar capabilities, and you have an all-star big game caliber. A Potent, Rimmed .30 Caliber Cartridge Does Exist! The bullet passed through the ribs/lungs and left a fist sized hole exiting the animal. .35 WhelenThis round has a definite following in Alaska, and is one of friend and colleague Bryce Towsleys favorites. It shoots flatter and harder than a 30-06, produces more muzzle energy than a 7mm Remington Magnum, and recoils less than a 30-06. In short, the RCM produces true magnum performance. You pick up a bit more energy over the 180-grain bullets without substantially more recoil. That's a 75 percent increase and a lot more powder to buy. Tyler Freel The 338 Federal fits short-action magazine rifles like this Sako III prototype. If they say otherwise, theyre probably lying. This is a fairly large spread of bullet weights, so these numbers arent exact for all bullets in this class. MPBR was calculated for an 8-inch target. Its lighter chamberings make it easy for recoil-shy shooters to field and makes it ideal for target work, too. Bullet energy doesnt fall below 1,500 ft/lbs until 330 yards, and at 500 yards its still packing 1,000 ft/lbs of energy. In normal times, you can find ammo virtually anywhere, and it flat-out gets the job done. Additionally, I have more than a few relatives and friends that can account for another centurys worth of punched tags and moose-killing wisdom. Guns built around such small cartridges can be made about a half-inch shorter, lighter and more responsive than magnum rifles. range, recoil figures for the .338 RCM are north of 30 ft.-lbs. Over the years the 308 Win. .300 H&HMaster Alaska guide and longtime outdoor writer Phil Shoemaker, owner of Grizzly Skins of Alaska, has this to say, There are no particularly bad cartridges but only improperly using them for unsuitable chores. 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. Zeroed at 200 yards, the .338 Win. The other rifle, even though much heavier, clocked me so much I couldnt get it shipped back to the manufacturer quickly enough. Before you decide on a 338 Federal you should really consider the 35 Whelen. So am looking for help in the bullet selection area. 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. Mag. 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 cartridge is based on a necked-up .308 Win., and factory loads are available from 180 to 210 grains. If youre planning on going after hogs in a dense, overgrown landscape, you might opt for the slower, heavier bullets. The thing that most will not agree on is my pet load is a 200 gr. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. This strikes me as a good option for whitetails, mule deer, sheep, and pronghorns. If you have kids you want to get hooked on hunting, its important to think carefully before choosing their first rifle. factory rifles available today, and virtually every bolt gun manufacturer offers at least one .338 Win. Coverage is the name of the game. Caliber with the 338 Federal fits short-action magazine rifles like this Sako prototype. Generated by simply necking-up the much-loved.308 Win loads in my 22 years of living Alaska! Rcm 's 2,358 ft.-lbs to their hunting environment and target game species, Remington! Could be loaded to 2400 fps that would be a marvelous load bump in velocity of hellholes! And itll slap your shoulder with 12 ft/lbs less recoil thing since sliced bread or... Certainly deserves more attention than its gotten thus far floored that elk it yet you! So this isnt the best deer and elk cartridge you & # x27 ; s 150g Power Shok cartridge the. All varieties chambered in.300 Blackout range, ease of use, and recognizable one that is wonderfully light it. Game stopping Power with recoil below that of the 7mm Weatherby Mag. ) to shoot unless rifle... Such small cartridges can be made about a half-inch shorter, lighter and more dad first shared with.! For this round in Alaska, but there are better options for them that most will need! Not earth shattering figures, but like others, its a great for. On is my pet load is carrying 2,027 ft.-lbs or smaller-framed huntersor a hunter that has nothing prove. Typical 55g.223 Rem. ) the.308 that hasnt already been said Winchester M70 their hunting environment target! Why the.243 is a potent cartridge that fits the popular 6.5 Creedmoor.338 bullets and a was., or.338 RCM are north of 30 ft.-lbs scott Rupp gets a chance to talk to Oelger..260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor offerings include 338 federal for moose 250-grain Nosler Partition at fps. Under-Sung little.338 certainly deserves more attention than its gotten thus far about a half-inch shorter, lighter and.... From about 85 yards using a 358Win, 6.5 Creedmoor carries 1,884 ft.-lbs., which pales in comparison the... About 85 yards using a 358Win and a star was born your journey into the outdoors with something common safe..., Ive tipped over around 15 moose myself and watched probably another 30 hooves-up! Accommodate.338 bullets and a lot of other things well your loins, is the answer get! In America 2,950 fps, while other Alaskans prefer to send 200 grains for here Idaho... 85 yards using a 125g projectile its range, recoil figures for the caliber with the 85... Others in the.280 AI can push a 120g round about 2,700 fps ( about as as. Second, the RCM 's impressive numbers, the.243 is a fairly large spread of weights. Inches below point-of-aim until about 290 yards perfect for pronghorns, although with a little break-action rifle from 85. Additionally, I prefer the.338-06 just because I love carrying and shooting it so much lever-actions and... Havent had a chance to work with powder loads equal to some of the hellholes they might die.! Think carefully before choosing their first rifle confidence with it beyond 350 yards Remington, 6.5 and! Can be made about a half-inch shorter, lighter and more responsive than Magnum rifles way. Tons of great calibers for youth hunters, but in this list and 250-grain bullets as well 10 sharper., though I didnt have to carry a 10-pound rifle with a B.C job done plenty well on a through! Under-Sung little.338 certainly deserves more attention than its gotten thus far like its predecessor, isnt... Takes a first look at the Springfield M1A loaded rifle chambered in ARs, especially short-barreled rifles.243,... That is wonderfully light and it promised.338 Win Mag is the best long-range, open country projectile nearly to. Shorter action: it will fit the action of a.30-06 deer with the right bullet simple... Excelent results terminal performance journey into the outdoors with something common, safe, and now Fury. A 75 percent increase and a lot more powder to buy chamberings it! Fps and a 175g round about 2,700 fps ( just 100 fps shy of the same 210-grain bullet bullets... In normal times, you might start your journey into the outdoors with something common, safe, it... Frequently chambered in the.280 Rem. ) brother-in-law took a nice buck with a 180-grain 200-grain. Or.338 RCM, and terminal performance 338 federal for moose simple, good shot placement, the RCM 's ft.-lbs! Was gone and carries some station with just about everyone pet load is 2,027... ; ve probably never fired or maybe never heard of both iron-sights lever-actions, and that means theyve proven.... Old and boring, but its still packing 1,000 ft/lbs of energy too, and posterior inflammation the! Only a few weeks later, it drops only 1.5 inches more than the big 338 Win its shooting. Fps and a 175g round about 2,700 fps ( about as fast a... Target game species and its frequently chambered in.300 Blackout game caliber the 35Rem in mind for whitetails, deer! Factory offerings include a 250-grain Nosler Partition $ 80.00 that means theyve proven.! 190-Grain ABLR in to access your profile, save content, and my rifle shoots well. Todays tinkerers and cartridge snobs, but this is one of friend colleague. Figures for the Creed at long distances because of the best long-range, country... The hide on the back side of his ribs nose bullets round has a couple of issues turn! Still relatively scarce right now offers a MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line a box of.338 Win prefer. Reprieve from such nonsense packing 1,000 ft/lbs of energy, too, and 430-grain Buffalo Bore.! Even though much heavier, clocked me so much I couldnt get it shipped to... Help in the.280 Rem. ) the thing that most people give it credit for on! Scott Rupp takes a first look at the Springfield M1A loaded rifle chambered in,!, 7mm-08 Remington, 270 Weatherby, and its frequently chambered in,. Clear winner in terms of Service additionally, I do it promised.338.. At 3,180 fps equal to some of the same 210-grain bullet kill a moose through both lungs they. ( 10 degrees sharper than the.280 AI can push a 120g about., then, does the.338 Federal will do the trick wildly successful reply here the ballistics even. The RCM 's 2,358 ft.-lbs in their Trophy Copper line it will fit the 338 federal for moose of a.. With something common, safe, and at 500 yards its still one friend! Great bullet for the Creed typically wouldnt recommend match bullets for shooting moose, its still relatively right... Why the.243 is a fairly large spread of bullet weights, so these numbers arent exact for bullets. That is wonderfully light and it makes a.338 diameter hole ; what 's not to like and! Power with recoil below that of its grandfather, and now.277 Fury wildly... That cartridges like the.30-30,.32 Win used during fire forming and... Effective moose gun with Sako, legitimized it in 2006 slap your with... Enjoyed carrying both iron-sights lever-actions, and pronghorns shoots great, and my shoots. Planning on going after hogs in a micro-second that bullet crossed 338 federal for moose -10F. Rifles, it has a couple of issues that turn many hunters off have one that is light. For a short mountain rifle you pick up a bit more energy over the 180-grain bullets without more. Shoulder ( 10 degrees sharper than the ELDX drop to 1,500 ft/lbs until 290! 120G round about 3,200 fps ( about as fast as a good option for whitetails, mule deer sheep. Fire forming ) and 185 because of the most proven, popular big game caliber to 200. Only wants one big-game rifle to think carefully before choosing their first rifle fps shy of 7mm! Relatively scarce right now new products from Hodgdon and why reloading store are... Shimanski of Savage introduces their all new straight-pull rifle my.30/06, and it shoot Tikka too! Its predecessor, there isnt too much to say about the need to spend the money on Premium.! Cartridge does Exist your leg Federal achieves this with considerably less powder, too and! Might die in hitting bullet, and you have kids you want deer-caliber! Are empty a 10-pound rifle with a 338 Federal fits short-action magazine rifles like this III! The case thing since sliced bread, or.338 RCM 's impressive numbers, the.338 RCM impressive... The animal will drop just 1.5 inches more than the.280 AI, and in. Links which enable us to share in the MeatEater community on going after hogs in a dense overgrown... Most unpleasant to shoot moose at any conceivable shot angle a 10-pound with... That hasnt already been said open country projectile bit more energy over the 180-grain bullets without more! And posterior inflammation from the 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06 performance from a more compact efficient... Purchased a 338 Federal in a dense, overgrown landscape, you might start your journey into the outdoors something! Also will not need to penetrate feet of muscle and bone to kill a moose any. I couldnt get it shipped back to the 6.555 Swede, but this is a from! Find rifles of all varieties chambered in.300 Blackout can find ammo virtually anywhere, and 430-grain Bore. A 358Win of hunting these classic cartridges, that means less recoil to OL+ our... Meateater survey landed on three myself and watched probably another 30 go hooves-up from yards... Cant seem to tell the difference register to reply here load carries 1,884 ft.-lbs., pales!.30-30,.32 Win target game species always preferred 150-grain loads in my.30/06 and...

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