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. One-hundred-and-eighty AccuBond and Bear Claws are my choice, while other Alaskans prefer to send 200 grains. 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. 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. Federal polls. The 6.5 Creedmoor is excellent at a few things and does a lot of other things well. 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. They make 250-grain and even 300-grain .338 bullets, but both are just too long to get useful velocity out of this short case. 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. Mag. Moose are generally wimps, and you dont necessarily need a heavy magnum rifle to get the job done quickly and efficiently. Two years later it was Ruger's turn. That would be boring, and the truth is that many potential moose hunters out there might already have what would be best for them. For more on his articles and books, visit his official site here. These five firearms allow hunters to pursue everything from wingshooting to small game to big game. RifleShooter Magazine editor Scott Rupp breaks down all the features of the Mossberg Patriot Predator rifle chambered in 6.5 PRC. Were not talking anything too crazy. As I recall I was shooting a 185-grain Barnes TSX. You can find rifles of all varieties chambered in .300 Blackout. In the north country, where moose live, you want a versatile rifle, so you might as well pair it with the ultimate all-around cartridge. 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. I would think that a 180-grain Partition should stretch the distance some, and work on moose well. Handloader. Wide bullet. Think Tikka Lite in 338 Fed. is the Hornady 212-grain ELDX, but its not offered in a factory loading that Ive been able to find. Unless you're shooting at least a .338-inch bullet or a low-velocity round (under 2,700 fps MV), shy away from traditional cup-and-core projectiles with soft lead cores. The 40-70 Sharps, 30-30 Winchester, 300 Savage, 222 Remington, 270 Weatherby, and even a 204 Ruger. . J. Scott Rupp takes a first look at the Springfield M1A Loaded rifle chambered in the popular 6.5 Creedmoor. Upper Canyon Outfitters, Snowy Range, Montana. 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. Federal, in conjunction with Sako, legitimized it in 2006. The .338 Federal is the best deer and elk cartridge you've probably never fired or maybe never heard of. Its the truth. Its only drawback is like that of my other favorite new offering moose-capable round, the .338 Federal: it's hard to get in Anchorage, much less the bushbring your ammo with you. Doesnt that suggest this .338 Federal is deadlier than that? case can push its more aerodynamically efficient 180-grain bullet. To prove all this to myself, I shot a Montana bull elk from 275 yards with a 338 Federal. buy from BV Outdoor Essentials. Federal offers seven .338 Federal loads ranging from 185 grains to 210 grains. The author with a bull moose taken at 25 yards with a .338 Win. Additionally, I have more than a few relatives and friends that can account for another centurys worth of punched tags and moose-killing wisdom. The number of people who purchased all those boxes could be counted on one hand. 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. Zero to keep all shots inside of an 8-inch target and trajectory will peak 4 inches high at 150 yards. .375 RugerThis is the modern improved answer to the old Alaskans .375 H&H standby. In fact, I dont think Ive seen a box of .338 Win. No factory loads are offered with heavier than 225-grain bullets and no handloading manuals Ive seen list data for anything heavier. Ruger built the rifles, and Hornady supplied the ammunition. This strikes me as a good option for whitetails, mule deer, sheep, and pronghorns. Many moose hunters find it odd to shoot farther than 100 or 200 yards, but for some, its the opposite. So why is it so uncommon? Federal Simulator. In terms of ballistics, the larger .338 Win. .300 Blackout Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. The 308 Winchester on left was the parent of the newer 338 Federal on right. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. Anyone wanting more thump on the target without too much more to the shoulder should give this delightfully balanced, hard-hitting cartridge a ride. Mag. 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. 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.. and 338 Federal. Mag. Until now. with a 160-grain bullet. M Murphy Moderator Joined Jan 25, 2005 Messages For deer past 100 yards, the lighter, flatter shooting projectile might be a better option. Just $1 per month , This load penetrates deep and offers light recoil for a .33-caliber bullet, By As ranges increase from there, so does the trajectory gap. was necked down and up to become the 243 Win., 260 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem., and 358 Win. Which Standard Length .375 Caliber Cartridge Is Right for You? Mag. It may not display this or other websites correctly. 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. 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. .280 Ackley Improved Hinterland #: 78050. | Shooting moose at long distances can be an ill-advised venture, but some hunt in areas that are well-suited for it. For the .338 Federal, you'll max out with 225-grain bullets and a muzzle velocity of about 2,400 fps. with a 160-grain bullet. Ive enjoyed carrying both iron-sights lever-actions, and trust my life to 405-grain Remington Core-Lokt, and 430-grain Buffalo Bore cartridges. Theres nothing earth-shaking about this new cartridge. typically arent brush-busting, swamp-wading rifles, but if your style of hunting suits it, it will put moose down with authority, and is the go-to choice for several moose hunters I know here in Alaska. Before we dive more deeply into why this cartridge gets no respect, lets outline what it does. Looking to enhance your effectiveness in the turkey woods this season? Out of stock. You'll get good performance from a 20" or 22" barrel, just like the shorter .308 rifles. The .338? Mag. In a market saturated with highly successful standard cartridges like the 270 Win. Like many calibers, the .280 Ackley Improved (AI) is underrated only by those who have never used it. 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. The Boone & Crockett Clubs Generation Next Youth Awards, amid the organizations 31st Big Game Awards, included a remarkable 132 great animals entered. With the right bullet and simple, good shot placement, the .243 is a very effective moose gun. If anything, theyre a reminder that any good bullet, in a solid caliber, sent on its way with enough speed into the animals vitals can do an excellent job. Those, the old timers insist, put deer down nowhard. I think the 200gr Interlocks were designed with the 35Rem in mind. And it does it with a compact, super-efficient package. Some you may find surprising. Mag. The only thing a writer can do is respond with the most consistent rounds. Mag. Not surprising when you stop to consider this proprietary powerhouse has a case length of 2.905 inches and a 125-grain (water) capacity when compared with the .338 Win. The ballistics are even better than that of its grandfather, and in shorter action: it will fit the action of a .30-06. This is also why the .338 Federal is capable of .30-06 velocities even though it's the .308 necked up. Cartridge information gathered from www.federalpremium.com Comments for Cartridge Sizes .30-06 verses .338 It is incredibly easy to make for 308 family cases so there is never an ammo problem for handloaders. and a 175g round about 2,700 fps (just 100 fps shy of the 7mm Weatherby Mag.). At 300 yards the 200-grain .338 Federal TBT and 180-grain .308 Win. of energy at that distance. Theres only one question: What are you waiting for? 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? | It is a powerful cartridge that is suitable for hunting a wide range of game animals, including deer, elk, and moose. Mag. Bullet choice is especially important in small calibers like the .243. Most shooters have no problem with short-action cartridges if they throw bullets faster than the .308. rifles are typically about a pound heavier than .338 Federal rifles, and recoil from the magnum is, on average, 50 percent greater. This 175-grain load typically isnt as accurate (or as expensive) as some premium options. Mag. The American .30 calibers, from the .30-30 and .308 through the .30-06 and various .300 magnums with all the great bullet choices available, seem to be less affected by those problems than most other calibers. I dont always abide by the what worked for grandpa theory, but in this case, I do. 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. Ive even nicknamed it Thor, because I love carrying and shooting it so much. Once the round hits the reloading bench the numbers suffer pretty dramatically. Heavy bullet. Subscribe to OL+ for our best feature stories and photography. In normal times, you can find ammo virtually anywhere, and it flat-out gets the job done. But you should have. This is especially true for the bowhunter who needs toms to be hypnotized if they want half a chance at drawing their bows. Then there are the ballistics. But, for a very light kicking round, with a hard hitting bullet, this cant be beat. Tips, techniques, and equipment are applied to these classroom discussions on how to become more proficient and successful at making long-range shots while hunting with AR-platform rifles. .300 Winchester MagnumA strong following for this round in Alaska. Here is a potent cartridge that fits the popular, light, handy short-action rifles. Ammo Choice: Remington Premier 150-grainSwiftScirocco. . Takes a variety of bullets form 160 up. If you have kids you want to get hooked on hunting, its important to think carefully before choosing their first rifle. And itll slap your shoulder with 12 ft/lbs less recoil. New horizons and beers are on tap. 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. There is nothing flashy about it, but flash doesnt kill big bulls. Hes presently the team leader on Discovery Channels Treasure Quest. I don't think it fares as well with heavier bullets, but that's up to you. I was drawn for a fall moose permit for Maine. But even if you handload to just 2,800 fps, this is the ultimate flat-shooter for the .338. In my 22 years of living in Alaska, Ive tipped over around 15 moose myself and watched probably another 30 go hooves-up. This efficient short-action cartridge flattens game like the hammer of Thor without kicking you in the shoulder like a stubborn mule. 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. After all, accepting the standard that it takes 2,000 ft.-lbs. Its hiding in the basement. In short, the RCM produces true magnum performance. The little known Federal 338 cartridge is surprising for many surprising reasons, not the least of which are efficiency and efficacy. ). the .338 Federal fitsin short-action rifles. Ask most Alaskans about their favorite and the .338 Win Mag is the answer you get, next to .30-06 and .300 Win. I typically wouldnt recommend match bullets for shooting moose, but this is one exception. I despise the 7mm Mag., having no confidence in its ability to deliver kill through shock. Nikko Stirling Laser Range Finder 603 Review, Nikon Monarch 7i VR Laser Rangefinder Review, Survival Flashlights :: No Battery Flashlights, Surefire R1 Lawman Rechargeable Variable Output LED Flashlight, AO Sight Systems :: Open Sights :: Gun Sights :: Ghost Ring Aperture, Aimpoint Red Dot Scope Review :: Evaluating Red Dot Sights, Remove, Install and Adjust Your Sights with the MGW Sight-Pro Universal Sight Tool, Double Diamonds: Australian Commandos in the Pacific War 1941-45, One Hundred Victories: Special Ops and the Future of American Warfare. Are there any Alaskans using the 338 Federal for Bears or Moose ???? To be effective, a moose cartridge needs to have reasonable penetration and fire a bullet that will generally hold together at the velocity it leaves the muzzle. 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 cartridge uses the same case as the venerable old .308 Win., but necks it up to accept a .338-caliber projectile. At 300 yards the .338 Federal load carries 1,884 ft.-lbs., which pales in comparison to the RCM's 2,358 ft.-lbs. The calibers we chose are relatively common and inexpensive, but also panic-proof. The difference is due to the larger surface area of the bullet on which internal gas pressures can push. Based on a shortened .375 H&H case and capable of fitting into standard-length actions, the .338 Win. For youth hunters, user-friendly recoil, minimal shot report, and We know you already have a list in mind. Brass is affordable and widely available. If you want a deer-caliber cartridge that will work on elk and moose at moderate ranges the .338 Federal will do the trick. The ABLR expands reliably, shoots great, and is more rigidly constructed than the ELDX. That pretty much sums it up: a great moose round with a very defined following. For ammo, check out Federal's 150g Power Shok cartridge. 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 recoils less than a .30/06 throwing 180-grain bullets and at 300 yards drops only a measly 1/2-inch more. The 6.555 Swede has certainly done the legwork of establishing 6.5mm cartridges as viable moose killers but does it in a more efficient package. Copyright Ron Spomer Outdoors document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) 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. 200 grain interlock would be the last bullet i'd choose for hunting in Alaska. Current factory offerings include a 250-grain Nosler Partition at 3,060 fps and a 225-grain Barnes TTSX at 3,180 fps. It should be perfect for pronghorns, although with a B.C. 47005 Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan: CPC safe hold: 47006 Prince Albert: CPC safe hold: 47007 Regina-Lewvan: . Changing neck size is standard procedure for iconoclasts who refuse to settle for what the big manufacturers offer. Lets compare ballistic data from four different bullets to pad the .338s resume. I think the only thing I have loaded for it yet is a 200 gr SST with a BC of .455 it should be a great long range bullet. Your mileage may vary. You're not likely to run into too many other hunters carrying rifles chambered for either of these rounds, but factory ammo is available for both. Cookies help us deliver our services. I really like the slight bump in velocity of the 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip, and my rifle shoots it well. It was a successful wildcat back in the 1970s. was a touch over 400 yards and the single shot stuck under the hide on the back side of his ribs. Handloaders have the option of using heavier 225- and 250-grain bullets as well. 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. to accept .338 bullets. 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. Mag. Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. You want a caliber thats easy to find, relatively cheap, and effective on most of North Americas game animals. You pick up a bit more energy over the 180-grain bullets without substantially more recoil. is the betteralbeit more expensivealternative. of wallop at that distance. Coverage is the name of the game. It either anchors game quickly or inspires a blood trail a blind house cat could follow. USA (Presidential) France . The variety gives hunters the flexibility to tailor their cartridge to their hunting environment and target game species. .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. I figure if the magnum will kill like that at over 400 yards the federal should be great in less open country. It was a successful wildcat back in the 1970s. The bullet passed through and wasnt recovered. 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. .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. That's a 75 percent increase and a lot more powder to buy. In compact, mild recoiling rifles, it produces performance equal to some of the most proven, popular big game cartridges in America. Yes, you are reading this correctly. Its been around a long time and carries some station with just about everyone. .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. 6.5 Creedmoor - Best thing since sliced bread, or more of the same? There are now three certainties in life: death, taxes, and posterior inflammation from the 6.5 Creedmoor. up close, and its often goodbye to a deer-sized portion of meat. Mag. 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. generates close to 4,000 ft.-lbs. My favorite bullet for the .300 Win. .338 Winchester MagnumI dont know about you, but for some reason, next to a .50 BMG, I seem to get my noggin rattled by just about every rifle Ive shot this in, except for the Winchester Model 70 Extreme Weather SS Ive learned to love because of a well-designed Bell & Carlson stock that makes it a pleasure to shoot. The Win. This cartridge is based on a necked-up .308 Win., and factory loads are available from 180 to 210 grains. I really like the slight bump in velocity of the 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip, and my rifle shoots it well. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. 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. It has also earned a spot as one of the top cartridges for hunting the great bears, and aside from dangerous African game, it is capable of taking any animal anywhere on the planet. 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. Zeroed at 200 yards, the .338 Win. Updated Dec 8, 2022 9:46 AM EST. By contrast, the .338 RCM drives a 200-grain Hornady SST bullet down the barrel at 2,950 fps.
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