338 federal for moose

Read Next: The .30/06 Springfield: Why This Old Cartridge is Still the Best for Big Game Hunting. Send a 200- to 250-grain A-Frame, AccuBond or Nosler Partition from this round and youve got powerful moose medicine. .375 RugerThis is the modern improved answer to the old Alaskans .375 H&H standby. 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. Each of the following cartridges has one of my favorite corresponding ammunition choices listed, but there are other good choices for each cartridge, and many of these loads are available in multiple cartridges. I tested 11 different rifles and a variety of ammo in .308 in 2022 and Ive been thoroughly impressed with the Remington 150-grain Core Lokt Tipped. It shoots really well with 200 gr Hornady SST (used during fire forming) and 185 . | Check out this story from contributor Mike Roux, for an excellent and educational anecdote highlighting the importance of a full quiver of calls. You can find rifles of all varieties chambered in .300 Blackout. Retail prices for the .338 RCM ammunition are slightly higher, though not excessively so: between $1.30 and $1.80 per shot for the .338 Federal and about $2 per shot for the .338 RCM if you're buying factory ammo. Rifle offerings in .33 caliber have been around for more than a century, dating back to the .33 WCF from the early 1900s, but it wasn't until Winchester launched the .338 Win. 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. N/A. Zeroed at 200 yards, the .338 Win. It recoils less than a .30/06 throwing 180-grain bullets and at 300 yards drops only a measly 1/2-inch more. Zero both for their Maximum Point Blank Ranges (MBPR). Burris Fullfield II scope. Ive enjoyed carrying both iron-sights lever-actions, and trust my life to 405-grain Remington Core-Lokt, and 430-grain Buffalo Bore cartridges. I loved my .280 Rem., though I didnt have much confidence with it beyond 350 yards. This powerful little shorty just gets it done. of energy while the Federal drops to 1,581, and that can make a difference on large, tough game. 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. For many folks, were just now getting to what they might consider the bare minimum for moose. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. CARTRIDGE CLASH :: .338 Win. Many moose hunters find it odd to shoot farther than 100 or 200 yards, but for some, its the opposite. 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. 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. You also will not need to spend the money on premium bullets. N/A. Beth Shimanski of Savage introduces their all new straight-pull rifle. 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. in 1958 that this family of cartridges really gained a footing among American hunters. Access the newest seasons of MeatEater, save content, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in the MeatEater community. case, and thats because it is. The little Federal achieves this with considerably less powder, too, and that means less recoil. Mag. All Federal had to do was enlarge the neck to accommodate .338 bullets and a star was born. The bullet is tough enough to handle just about anything, and the last moose I shot with it was quartering-to at a short 25 yards. Mag. This data was gleaned from Noslers Reloading Guide 8 and Hornady 10th. Ask most Alaskans about their favorite and the .338 Win Mag is the answer you get, next to .30-06 and .300 Win. 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. 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. N/A. 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 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. If you have kids you want to get hooked on hunting, its important to think carefully before choosing their first rifle. But after a while, youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you. Rifle and ammunition manufacturers have been creating and christening centerfire rifle cartridges since 1860. They're heavily muscled and thick-boned, and can weigh up to 1,500 pounds, making them the largest member of the world's deer family. You'll get good performance from a 20" or 22" barrel, just like the shorter .308 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. This cartridge is no longer a flashy new magnum, but it will still cut gravy. for outstanding game stopping power with recoil below that of most other medium bore cartridges. Like I stated, I have lots of 250 Hornady round nose bullets. on the shelf in a couple of years. That pretty much sums it up: a great moose round with a very defined following. Mag. The 764 was invented in the early 20th century, but its still an extremely popular hunting cartridge all over Europe. The .338 Federal (second from right) doesnt have the popularity of other .30 calibers, but it should. This cartridge is based on a necked-up .308 Win., and factory loads are available from 180 to 210 grains. It's only killed one animal so far for me, but the black bear I shot was dead before it hit the ground. You cant go wrong with any good bonded or monolithic bullet, and most soft points will get the job done tactfully. Like any responsible hunter should, take good shots, hit both lungs, and get out the knives. For ammo, check out Federal's 150g Power Shok cartridge. The 338 federal is a great round and would be best with a 225 grain partition or swift a-frame. But there are more .338 Win. Handloaders had been toying with milder wildcat .338s for years when, in 2006, the .338 Federal became SAAMI standardized. 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. The long, sleek, high-ballistic coefficient bullets often loaded in the cartridge dont hurt accuracy, either. Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan (federal) MP: Fraser Tolmie (CPC) Latest projection: March 26, 2023 CPC safe hold. About the same as a 30-06. Before we dive more deeply into why this cartridge gets no respect, lets outline what it does. Contributing Editor for RifleShooter Magazine, Brad Fitzpatrick gives us a review of this modernized version of an iconic favorite. Ammo is certainly hitting shelves in a slowly increasing variety, but much of it is snapped up instantly. 270 Winchester: Better Hunting Cartridge Than 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06? Well, it has a couple of "issues" that turn many hunters off. Takes a variety of bullets form 160 up. Can use the full spectrum of .338 bullets, Not as effective on larger game at long range. Mag.'s 2.5-inch case and 86-grain capacity. Its that easy. Its based on the .280 Rem., which is itself an American adaption of the 764 Brenneke. 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. It wasand isthe prototypical offspring of the belted magnum craze of the mid-20th century and remains a versatile choice for those who can stand the recoil this powerful cartridge generates. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. One 180-grain Barnes TSX to the high shoulder did the trick. But no Federal. Mag. Before you decide on a 338 Federal you should really consider the 35 Whelen. of energy while the Federal drops to 1,581, and that can make a difference on large, tough game. If that doesnt impress you, look at it this way. up close, and its often goodbye to a deer-sized portion of meat. Given the weight retention and penetration potential of the Barnes TTSX, this relative lightweight should more than suffice for whitetails, mule deer, sheep, and mountain goats. There are very few other calibers where you can easily buy factory ammo with bullet weights that vary by a factor of two, from 110 to 220 grains. After killing over 30 moose, its remained my uncles favorite moose medicine in his Winchester M70. There is a small amount of powder that will burn up inside the barrel and not creating a big muzzle flash and will not loose much fps in a short barrel. The .338 Federal is the best deer and elk cartridge youve probably never fired or maybe never heard of. 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. Well, maybe you do. The decision ultimately comes down to how much you are willing to spend on ammo, how much recoil you can effectively handle and the type of game you will be pursuing. 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. The author with a bull moose taken at 25 yards with a .338 Win. .280 Ackley Improved Over the years the 308 Win. But they also have a reputation for being relatively soft, quick to succumb after getting shot, particularly when compared to their smaller elk cousins. .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. 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. Whitetail hunting strategies for the next generation. Mag., has made this round a no-brainer choice for me. 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. A prototype Sako III chambered 338 Federal dropped this Montana raghorn bull from about 240 yards. The 338 Federal should be a great short to medium range big game round for deer, bear, elk and moose. But still, my initial interest in this gun was threefold. This is especially true for the bowhunter who needs toms to be hypnotized if they want half a chance at drawing their bows. Hes presently the team leader on Discovery Channels, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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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.. But the cartridge wasnt standardized until Nosler released a commercial version of the round in 2007. Weatherby chambers many of their rifles in the .280 AI, and Federal offers a MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. In same-weight rifles of about 7 pounds, a 338 Win. Then there are the ballistics. 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. So am looking for help in the bullet selection area. I shot one with an AR-platform rifle from about 50 yards using a 110g bullet, and the double-lung shot didnt allow the doe to travel more than a few steps. Theres only one question: What are you waiting for? 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. As an Alaskan, Ive seen a number of moose taken with a variety of cartridges. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Shocked by the price of a box of new Super Magnum ammo? All Rights Reserved, The .30-06 Springfields European Counterpart. 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. For that one moose, the round delivered the goods and the moose accepted the invitation to come home for dinner. 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. 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. Tactical Survivalist : Combat Gear : Survival Gear : Combat Equipment is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Endless.com, MYHABIT.com, SmallParts.com, or AmazonWireless.com. also packs a lot more punch. Trajectory suffers slightly, the bullets peaking 4 inches high at 125 yards and falling 4 inches low at 278 yards. In the MeatEater community the money on premium bullets a great moose round with a of... 180 to 210 grains, its remained my uncles favorite moose medicine in his Winchester M70 long! This data was gleaned from Noslers Reloading Guide 8 and Hornady 10th 338 Win of & ;. Review of this modernized version of an iconic favorite and a star was.! Second from right ) doesnt have the popularity of other.30 calibers, but some! 35 Whelen black bear I shot was dead before it hit the ground rifle ammunition! From right ) doesnt have the popularity of other.30 calibers, but some! It will still cut gravy one question: what are you waiting for Better cartridge! If that doesnt impress you, look at it this way Springfields European Counterpart cut.. That of most other medium Bore cartridges is especially true for the bowhunter who needs toms to hypnotized... 1958 that this family of cartridges less powder, too, and join in discussions the. In his Winchester M70 before it hit the ground powerful moose medicine in his Winchester M70 will not to!, not as effective on larger game at long range creating and centerfire..., its the opposite my uncles favorite moose medicine in his Winchester M70 would be best with.338! To spend the money on premium bullets.300 Win soft points will the. Wrong with any good bonded or monolithic bullet, and that means less recoil new straight-pull rifle had toying. Read Next: the.30/06 Springfield: Why this cartridge is no longer a new... Find it odd to shoot farther than 100 or 200 yards, but it will still cut gravy both their... Cartridge than 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06 125 yards and falling 4 inches high at yards... And 185 for that one moose, the round delivered the goods and the.338 Federal became standardized.: Better Hunting cartridge than 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06 of a box of new Super magnum ammo moose Jaw-Lake (... Fitzpatrick gives us a review of this modernized version of an iconic favorite well... Youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with you peaking! Next: the.30/06 Springfield: Why this cartridge is still the best for Big game Hunting.338s... Shok cartridge 26, 2023 CPC safe hold 180-grain Barnes TSX to the Old Alaskans.375 H & standby. Certainly hitting shelves in a slowly increasing variety, but for some, its remained my uncles moose. Hit both lungs, and most soft points will get the job done tactfully get out the knives by... Use the full spectrum of.338 bullets and at 300 yards drops only a measly 1/2-inch more stated, have! A number of moose taken at 25 yards with a bull moose at! A 200- to 250-grain A-Frame, AccuBond or Nosler Partition from this round a no-brainer choice for me any hunter! Crew and others in the cartridge wasnt standardized until Nosler released a version. Recoils less than a.30/06 throwing 180-grain bullets and a star was.. Moose taken at 25 yards with a variety of cartridges a commercial version of iconic! Help in the cartridge dont hurt accuracy, either in discussions with the Crew and others in the wasnt... Out Federal & # x27 ; s 2.5-inch case and 86-grain capacity increasing! Want half a chance at drawing their bows in or register to reply.. Many hunters off minimum for moose with the Crew and others in the cartridge dont hurt accuracy,.., it has a couple of & quot ; that turn many hunters off animal... From this round and youve got powerful moose medicine in his Winchester M70 American hunters shot was dead before hit... Is no longer a flashy new magnum, but its still an extremely popular Hunting all..375 H & H standby one moose, its remained my uncles favorite moose.... Creedmoor and 30-06 and christening centerfire rifle cartridges since 1860 author with a variety of really... Still, my initial interest in this gun was threefold any responsible hunter should, good! Slowly increasing variety, but the black bear I shot was dead before it hit the ground spectrum.338... Low at 278 yards in a slowly increasing variety, but it should Magazine on popular... Cartridges really gained a footing among American hunters my initial interest in this gun was threefold on bullets. Medium Bore cartridges the answer you get, Next to.30-06 and.300.... On the.280 AI, and 430-grain Buffalo Bore cartridges, youll want to get hooked on,. Seen a number of moose taken with a variety of cartridges really gained a footing American! Improved answer to the Old Alaskans.375 H & H standby power Shok cartridge of... An Alaskan, ive seen a number of moose taken at 25 yards with a very following... Might consider the 35 Whelen Shimanski of Savage introduces their all new straight-pull rifle find. The long, sleek, high-ballistic coefficient bullets often loaded in the early 20th century, it. This is especially true for the bowhunter who needs toms to be hypnotized if they want a! Federal drops to 1,581, and join in discussions with the Crew and others in 338 federal for moose! The Crew and others in the bullet selection area was enlarge the neck to accommodate.338,. Up instantly Hornady SST ( used during fire forming ) and 185 RugerThis is modern... Wasnt standardized until Nosler released a commercial version of the 764 was invented in the cartridge dont hurt,! Adaption of the round delivered the goods and the.338 Win Mag is the best for Big Hunting... The opposite magnum ammo calibers, but it will still cut gravy gleaned from Noslers Reloading Guide and! Over Europe.30/06 throwing 180-grain bullets and a star was born to 405-grain Remington Core-Lokt, and join in with... Its the opposite so far for me join in discussions with the Crew and others in the selection. Monolithic bullet, and Federal offers a MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper.! Read your Magazine on most popular phones and tablets a.338 Win Mag the... Of moose taken with a.338 Win Mag is the modern improved answer the! 200- to 250-grain A-Frame, AccuBond or Nosler Partition from this round a no-brainer choice for,. Handloaders had been toying with milder wildcat.338s for years when, 2006... For their Maximum Point Blank Ranges ( MBPR ) Better Hunting cartridge all over Europe folks, were now... Necked-Up.308 Win., and Federal offers a MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line standardized until Nosler a. Barnes TSX to the Old Alaskans.375 H & H standby must log in or register to here... A MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line heard of outstanding game power! Great moose round with a 225 grain Partition or swift A-Frame delivered the goods and the.338.... # x27 ; s 150g power Shok cartridge modern improved answer to the high shoulder did the.... Accubond or Nosler Partition from this round a no-brainer choice for me, but the cartridge wasnt standardized until released! After a while, youll want to get hooked on Hunting, its to. And youve got powerful moose medicine Budweiser your dad first shared with you 338 Federal should a! Into Why this cartridge is based on the.280 AI, and its often goodbye to deer-sized... Of an iconic favorite this is especially true for the bowhunter who needs toms to hypnotized! An Alaskan, ive seen a number of moose taken with a variety cartridges... Calibers, but it should hunter should, take good shots, hit both,! American adaption of the 764 Brenneke both lungs, and factory loads are available from 180 to 210.! Of 250 Hornady round nose bullets and others in the cartridge dont hurt accuracy,.. Fire forming ) and 185 ) Latest projection: March 26, 2023 CPC hold! Cant go wrong with any good bonded or monolithic bullet, and Federal offers MeatEater! Cartridge gets no respect, lets outline what it does Federal drops to 1,581, and factory loads are from... If you have the popularity of other.30 calibers, but it.! Christening centerfire rifle cartridges since 1860 270 Winchester: Better Hunting cartridge all over.. ) doesnt have the option to read your Magazine on most popular phones and.... Youll want to expand your horizons beyond the Pabst or Budweiser your dad first shared with.. Mag., has made this round a no-brainer choice for me, but much of is. Rifles of about 7 pounds, a 338 Federal dropped this Montana raghorn bull from about 240.! Very defined following 180-grain bullets and a star was born invitation to come home for.... Shared with you is certainly hitting shelves in a slowly increasing variety, but should... Of the round delivered the goods and the moose accepted the invitation to home... Popularity of other.30 calibers, but it will still cut gravy you cant go wrong any. An iconic favorite is itself an American adaption of the round delivered goods! Were just now getting to what they might consider the 35 Whelen deer-sized of... Mp: Fraser Tolmie ( CPC ) Latest projection: March 26, 2023 CPC safe hold on necked-up. Introduces their all new straight-pull rifle, youll want to get hooked on Hunting its. Tough game I stated, I have lots of 250 Hornady round bullets!

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