What are the advantages of the .338 Federal?

[toolman]

I posted a reply in a previous about this but decided it was worth further discussion. According to the published data, the .338 Fed. pushes a 180 gr. Nosler Accu-Bond bullet to a max. of 2830 fps. which measured an avg. of 100 fps less than advertised when fired from a 24 in. pressure barrel. This would give a real-world max of around 2730 fps.
Hodgdon's latest manual shows the 8x57 Mauser pushing a 180 gr. Nosler Ballistic Tip to a max of 2691 fps.
This give us a 39 fps. difference between the newest whiz-bang cartridge and a lowly military chambering introduced almost 100 yrs. ago.
My question is, is there a real need for this cartridge given that it is only .015 larger and a few fps. faster than the 8x57?
I personally think we should learn from past mistakes and stop building cartridges we already have, what do you guys think?

[Mooseman684]

All I will say is...I'm Not gonna Buy one !
Rich

[Midas]

I personally see no use for it, as we already have several .338's, that are far better suited to hunting the largest of game. The only advantage I can see, would be the fact that it is a medium bore, and will have greater killing power over a small bore.

[Lng Rng]

I never really liked the idea of necking a cartrige up, most of the time the end result is not enough powder capcity to push the larger slug.

[BattleRifleG3]

It's always a tradeoff. But some are more optimized than others.

If this measurement is definitive, then it shoots down the claim that the 338 Federal outperforms a 30-06 at close range with the same weight of bullet.

When bullet weight goes up, velocity goes down in a given cartridge size. The question is how steeply does it go down. If the velocity goes down a little when the bullet weight goes up a lot, then it's a good deal. If it's the other way around, then it's a bad deal.

I wouldn't get a 338 Federal to shoot 180gr bullets. I'd like to see how it does with 250-300gr bullets.

[Magnumsrule]

Even if the new 338 only gives a marginal boost to performance over the 8X57, ammo for the 338 federal is much more common than the 8X57. I think the 338 federal is giving new life to that kind of cartridge demension.

[lefty o]

somebody somewhere is going to buy it. heck i like the WSM's, and alot of people sure badmouth them. to each his own. sad thing is, the 338/08 is nowhere near a new concept. federal just decided to slap there name on an old wildcat.

[JoeLee]

Millions of dollars are spent on old proven technology,with a new face and number,to sell guns to new shooters.That's advertising/Capitalism for ya.

[toolman]

Originally Posted by Magnumsrule

Even if the new 338 only gives a marginal boost to performance over the 8X57, ammo for the 338 federal is much more common than the 8X57.

I'd have to argue with you on that one. The last time I checked, every single ammo manufacturer in North America as well as manufacturers in the U.K. and Finland was producing 8x57 Mauser (aka 7.92x57) ammo whereas only Federal is making the .338 Federal right now.

[Magnumsrule]

Well up here in Canada where I live i havent seen one box of ammo. This is from looking in many stores across alberta. However the brand new 338 federal has shown up in many stores already.

[BattleRifleG3]

I have yet to see a rifle chambered for it.

[JoeLee]

New rifles are being chambered for the 338 Federal.I also don't agree with necking-up an existing cartridge,with the exception of the 35 Whelen.

http://glarp.atk.com/Featured_Articl...rnalSpread.pdf

[toolman]

Originally Posted by Magnumsrule

Well up here in Canada where I live i havent seen one box of ammo. This is from looking in many stores across alberta. However the brand new 338 federal has shown up in many stores already.

That's understandable, down here in the states a lot of the gun stores don't stock the older military calibers either. I find this rather laughable as most of them have old Mausers, Mosin Nagants, and Enfields in stock, but no ammo for them.

[Mooseman684]

Originally Posted by toolman

That's understandable, down here in the states a lot of the gun stores don't stock the older military calibers either. I find this rather laughable as most of them have old Mausers, Mosin Nagants, and Enfields in stock, but no ammo for them.

And we all know that a gun without ammo is a CLUB !
Rich

[Magnumsrule]

Originally Posted by BattleRifleG3

I have yet to see a rifle chambered for it.

Which are you refering to the 338 federal or the 8X57?

[billy]

i agree this flavor /caliber of the month crap is stupid .but if folks want to make guns that are obsolete as soon as they are finished .have at it!

[DWARREN123]

If someone is looking for a .308 type cartridge/gun I think it would be a good hunting round. Not anything special just a good general hunting round.
Would not get one if I already had a .308.

[ezearln]

Historically my friends for the most part cartridge adaptations(wildcats) have had little to do with creating a new super whiz bang firearm, but rather with the desire of myriad tinkerer's who wanna create something all their own... and slap their name on it. OF course there are exceptions...

[JoeLee]

You know it's funny,when I was a young boy I remember old timers saying,what a fine Deer cartridge the 22LR is.They would sit on a tree stand,and put the bullet at the base of the,skull not to ruin any meat,that was before super-markets.

[Magnumsrule]

Ya back in the good ol days i guess, but then again natives can still hunt moose with 22LR.