Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The .338 federal finds its true strengths when used on game weighing over 90kg (200lb) which offer a good deal of target resistance. It is also best used out to moderate ranges to ensure high impact velocities for maximum trauma.
The .338 Federal has three bullet weights listed in current SAAMI guidelines: 180 grains at 2,830 fps; 185 grains at 2,750 fps; and 210 grains at 2,630 fps. With 200- to 210-grain bullets, only the old .348 Winchester (2,505 fps) and the relatively recent .338 Marlin Express (2,565 fps) come close.
.338 Federal is a relatively new centerfire rifle cartridge, being introduced to the shooting public in 2006. It offered the promise of being a lighter in recoil while still offering up excellent downrange ballistics.
Here are the published ballistics for the Federal Premium factory loads (taken in a 24" test barrel): 180 grain Nosler AccuBond - 2588/2676 at 100 yards, 2359/2224 at 200 yards, 2143/1835 at 300 yards.
The .338 Federal is a rifle cartridge based on the .308 Winchester case necked up to .33 caliber. It was created by Federal Cartridge and Sako in 2006 and intended as a big-game cartridge with reasonable recoil for lightweight rifles.
Based on a necked-up 308 Win. cartridge, the 338 Federal was the first centerfire rifle cartridge ever to carry the company’s name. It was released with Sako producing rifles and Federal offering ammunition, and its ballistics were (and are) quite impressive. Loaded with 200-grain Fusion bullets, the 338 Federal actually drops a half-inch ...
The .338 Federal launches 180-grain bullets more than 100 fps faster than standard loads in the .30-06 and packs an additional 300 ft-lbs of energy at the muzzle. Downrange, the '06 bullet reels in the .338 Federal, thanks to a higher ballistic coefficient.
Using a .308 Winchester case necked up to use .338″ bullets, the .338 Federal is advertised as having more muzzle energy than the 7mm Remington magnum, and shooting flatter, retaining more energy, and having less recoil than the 30-06. Oh, and the .338 Federal does all that while at the same time fitting in a short length rifle action as well.
The Federal Ballistics Calculator lets you quickly determine the trajectory for any rifle or handgun load, and save data for an unlimited number of loads.
Recoil in 8# rifle: 20.9 ft/lbs. 1,500 ft/lbs energy range: 380 yards. A 180- to 185-grain .338 bullet is light for this caliber, but fast. 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.