338 Federal ?

[lastmanout]

Anybody here know about a new cartridge called the 338 Federal. Sounds like the 308 Winchester case necked up to fit 338 slugs. I like the 35 caliber myself, but a new medium bore friendly to cast boolits is interesting.

[felix]

It won't be friendly unless they make a decent twist gun for it, which they won't. ... felix

[Blacktail 8541]

The 338 federal is not new to wildcaters, yes it is just the .308 case necked up, case volume is a little short powder wise. Should make a good close quarters round where velocity loss won't be noticed as much. I could get my 338/284 up to 2750 with a 225grn woodleigh. But that was the very top end without getting ejector burnishing.

[StarMetal]

Felix,

The only rifle made for it so far, is Sako. The twist on it is 1 in 10, so you were right.

Joe

[felix]

Yeah, too much twist for a good lead idea. 2400 fps being the objective for a great lead caliber suggests the 308 case size instead of the 3006 case size as being ideal for the 338 bore. A 14 twist will shoot a 240 grainer which looks like the RCBS 32-170 with a 1.50 stability factor, which is a normal factor for a boolit meant for 600 yards. Lets make the gun shoot 220's with a 15 twist max, 16 twist normal. ... felix

[9.3X62AL]

An otherwise good idea that missed fire due to twist rate. Very 9mm-ish, I'd say.