.338 Federal Ammo

Professionally Reviewed by:

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos

Nathaniel Boos is a lifelong firearms enthusiast and shooter, renowned for his experience as a long-range shooter, ammunition importer/exporter, and firearms manufacturer. With years of hands-on experience, he is a trusted authority in the ammunition and firearms industry.

Credentials:

  • • 2x Team Safari Competitor
  • • KRG Training Level 1, 2, and Force on Force CQB certified
  • • Licensed Texas Conceal Carry Holder
  • • Kranz Firearms Training Group Advanced Carbine Certified

.338 Federal: At a Glance

Key Characteristics
Firearm Type Rifle
Primer Type Large Rifle
Used For Hunting, Long-range Shooting
Case Design Rimless, Bottleneck
Year Introduced 2006

.338 Federal: Pros and Cons

Pros

  • ✔ Excellent balance of power and recoil
  • ✔ Effective for medium to large game hunting
  • ✔ Good long-range performance
  • ✔ Less recoil than larger .338 calibers
  • ✔ Compatible with short-action rifles

Cons

  • ✘ Less common than some other calibers
  • ✘ Ammunition can be more expensive
  • ✘ Limited factory load options compared to more popular calibers
  • ✘ Not as flat-shooting as some smaller calibers
  • ✘ Overkill for smaller game animals

.338 Federal: A Comprehensive Overview

The .338 Federal is a rifle cartridge developed by Federal Premium Ammunition in collaboration with Sako. It was introduced in 2006 as a magnum-class cartridge based on the .308 Winchester case necked up to .338 caliber. The .338 Federal offers improved ballistics over the .308 Winchester while maintaining moderate recoil, making it an excellent choice for medium to large game hunting at medium ranges.

Development and Characteristics

The .338 Federal was designed to bridge the gap between the .308 Winchester and larger magnum cartridges. It uses a .308 Winchester case necked up to accept .338 caliber bullets, typically weighing between 180 and 210 grains. This combination results in a cartridge that delivers magnum-level performance from a standard-length action, offering hunters increased power without the need for a larger, heavier rifle.

One of the key advantages of the .338 Federal is its efficiency. The cartridge achieves high velocities with moderate powder charges, resulting in less recoil than larger magnum cartridges while still delivering excellent terminal performance on medium to large game. This makes it particularly suitable for hunters who want magnum-class performance in a more manageable package.

Applications and Performance

The .338 Federal excels in hunting scenarios involving medium to large game at moderate ranges. It is particularly effective on animals such as elk, moose, and bear. The cartridge's combination of bullet weight and velocity results in high kinetic energy transfer and deep penetration, ensuring clean, ethical kills on large animals.

In terms of ballistics, the .338 Federal typically propels a 200-grain bullet at velocities around 2,700 fps, generating over 3,200 ft-lbs of muzzle energy. This performance surpasses the .308 Winchester while remaining more manageable than larger magnum cartridges like the .338 Winchester Magnum. The cartridge maintains supersonic velocities beyond 500 yards, making it effective for long-range shooting as well.

.338 Federal Development Timeline:

Year Event
2021 Continued popularity among hunters, with new rifle models introduced in this chambering
2010 Widespread adoption by hunters for medium to large game
2006 Official introduction of the .338 Federal cartridge by Federal Premium Ammunition
2005 Final testing and refinement of the .338 Federal cartridge
2004 Collaboration between Federal Premium Ammunition and Sako begins for the development of the .338 Federal

.338 Federal Performance Characteristics

Key performance metrics of the .338 Federal cartridge:

Characteristic Performance
Bullet Weight 180-210 grains
Most common loadings use 200-grain bullets
Muzzle Velocity 2,630-2,800 fps
Varies based on bullet weight and load
Muzzle Energy 3,200-3,400 ft-lbs
Sufficient for large game at moderate ranges
Effective Range 500+ yards
Maintains supersonic velocity beyond this distance
Recoil Moderate
Less than larger magnum cartridges, more than .308 Winchester

Bullet Weight vs. Muzzle Velocity

This chart shows how bullet weight affects muzzle velocity for common .338 Federal loads.

Note: Actual velocities may vary based on specific loads, barrel length, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

.338 Federal: Effective Range for Different Applications

This table provides estimated effective ranges for .338 Federal ammunition in various applications. Ranges are based on typical bullet weights and velocities.

Application Effective Range (yards) Notes
Hunting (Medium Game) 0-400 Excellent for deer, black bear, and similar-sized game
Hunting (Large Game) 0-300 Effective for elk, moose, and larger game at closer ranges
Target Shooting 0-800 Capable of long-range accuracy with proper loads
Self-Defense 0-100 Powerful but significant recoil in close-quarters situations

Note: Effective ranges can vary based on factors such as bullet selection, shooter skill, wind conditions, and specific firearm characteristics. The .338 Federal offers a balance of power and manageable recoil, making it versatile for various applications. Always prioritize safety and adhere to local laws and regulations.

Applications for .338 Federal

The .338 Federal's performance profile makes it suitable for several applications:

Hunting
  • Excellent for medium to large game hunting
  • Provides deep penetration and high energy transfer
  • Effective at ranges up to 400 yards for skilled shooters
Target Shooting and Competition
  • Used in long-range shooting competitions
  • Offers good accuracy potential with proper handloads
  • Moderate recoil allows for extended practice sessions
Self-Defense
  • Powerful option for wilderness defense against large predators
  • High stopping power in short-barreled rifles
  • Overpenetration is a significant concern in urban environments
Tactical Applications
  • Used by some specialized law enforcement units
  • Offers good penetration against light barriers
  • Effective in semi-automatic platforms for quick follow-up shots

Caliber Comparisons

To understand the .338 Federal's place in the rifle world, it's helpful to compare it to similar cartridges. Click on each comparison to see more details:

.338 Federal vs. .308 Winchester ▼

.338 Federal vs. .30-06 Springfield ▼

.338 Federal vs. .338 Winchester Magnum ▼

Recoil Energy Comparison

Compare the estimated recoil energy of .338 Federal with other popular rifle cartridges. (Based on a 7.5 lb rifle)

Note: Recoil energy can vary based on specific loads, firearm weight, and other factors. These values are estimates for comparison purposes.

Ballistic Trajectory Comparison

This chart compares the ballistic trajectory (bullet drop) of .338 Federal with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Trajectories are calculated for a 200-yard zero. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Wind Drift Comparison

This chart compares the wind drift of .338 Federal with other popular rifle cartridges in a 10 mph crosswind.

Note: Wind drift is calculated for a 10 mph full-value crosswind. Actual results may vary based on specific loads, atmospheric conditions, and firearm characteristics.

Energy Retention Comparison

This chart compares the energy retention of .338 Federal with other popular rifle cartridges over distance.

Note: Energy values are calculated based on typical bullet weights and velocities for each cartridge. Actual results may vary based on specific loads and environmental conditions.

Sectional Density Comparison for .338 Federal

The .338 Federal is a rifle cartridge introduced in 2006 by Federal Cartridge. It is based on the .308 Winchester case necked up to .338 caliber.

Cartridge Bullet Weight (gr) Sectional Density
.338 Federal 185 0.232
.338 Federal 200 0.251
.338 Federal 210 0.263
.338 Federal 225 0.282
.338 Federal 230 0.288

Note: The .338 Federal offers improved ballistics over the .308 Winchester while maintaining similar recoil levels. It provides excellent performance for medium to large game hunting at moderate ranges.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is the .338 Federal cartridge?

A: The .338 Federal is a rifle cartridge introduced in 2006 by Federal Premium Ammunition. It is based on the .308 Winchester case necked up to .338 caliber. It offers improved ballistics over the .308 Winchester while maintaining moderate recoil.

Q: What are the typical bullet weights for .338 Federal?

A: Common bullet weights for .338 Federal range from 180 to 210 grains. Federal offers factory loads with 180, 185, 200, and 210-grain bullets.

Q: What is the effective range of the .338 Federal?

A: The .338 Federal is effective for hunting medium to large game out to about 500 yards. It maintains good energy and accuracy at this distance, making it suitable for most North American big game hunting scenarios.

Q: How does the .338 Federal compare to the .308 Winchester in terms of recoil?

A: The .338 Federal generates about 25% more recoil than the .308 Winchester when comparing similar weight rifles. However, it's still considered manageable for most shooters and offers a good balance of power and shootability.

Q: Is the .338 Federal suitable for hunting large game like elk or moose?

A: Yes, the .338 Federal is well-suited for hunting large game such as elk and moose. Its combination of bullet diameter, weight, and velocity provides excellent penetration and energy transfer for ethical harvests of these animals at typical hunting distances.

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