The 338 Federal hiccups just 24.2 foot pounds. The .338 Federal was designed specifically for hunting North American big game from deer and black bear through moose, although it undoubtedly works just as well on game of similar size worldwide. Mag. It is incredibly easy to make for 308 family cases so there is never an ammo problem for handloaders. In short, the RCM produces true magnum performance. The bullet passed through and wasnt recovered. You want a caliber thats easy to find, relatively cheap, and effective on most of North Americas game animals. will knock the hell out of them. The .338 Federal generates 3,071 ft.-lbs. Special and .35 Remington have killed a lot of moose in the hands of good hunters (particularly subsistence hunters) who wait for the right angle at short range (within 100 yards). to accept .338 bullets. I personally find the .338 to be a bit of an in-between cartridge, that cant make up its mind whether it wants to be a normal rifle, or a real heavy hitter. 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. Below that, you arent gaining much over the .30-06, and cartridges like the 6.8 Western and 6.5 PRC maintain more energy beyond 400-500 yards. The Win. Hes presently the team leader on Discovery Channels Treasure Quest. I do know a guy whos killed them with his Barret M82 and a 647-grain Barnes TSX. Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made. And despite the .338 RCM's impressive numbers, the .338 Federal is no slouch. factory rifles available today, and virtually every bolt gun manufacturer offers at least one .338 Win. There's a clear winner in terms of rifle availability, and that's the .338 Federal. Its arguable that the .308 and .30-06 should be an either-or matter, but for me, they both belong here. Mag. Ive taken several whitetail deer with rifles chambered in .300 Blackout. 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. Mag. These five firearms allow hunters to pursue everything from wingshooting to small game to big game. Hornady currently lists four .338 RCM Superformance loads, with bullets ranging from 185 to 225 grains. case can push its more aerodynamically efficient 180-grain bullet. This reduced the overall weight of the package, and makes for a great mountain . Well, it has a couple of issues that turn many hunters off. Federal Premium offered its first namesake cartridge to the world in 2006. 47005 Moose Jaw-Lake Centre-Lanigan: CPC safe hold: 47006 Prince Albert: CPC safe hold: 47007 Regina-Lewvan . Its often not a good idea to shoot moose at long distances because of the hellholes they might die in. So why, then, does the .338 Federal languish in obscurity? 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. Ron Spomer The single 185-grain Barnes Triple Shock X dropped the bull in its tracks.Efficiency experts, new shooters, folks with shoulder, back or neck injuries and anyone who dislikes recoil should welcome this softer-recoiling new round. Thats why the .243 Winchester, .260 Remington, 6.5 Creedmoor, 7mm-08 Remington, and now .277 Fury are wildly successful. Handloaders had been toying with milder wildcat .338s for years when, in 2006, the .338 Federal became SAAMI standardized. For youth hunters, user-friendly recoil, minimal shot report, and We know you already have a list in mind. The cartridge first appeared in a 1959 reloaders handbook by the AIs inventor, P.O. The 35 Whelen is a 30-06 case necked up to 35 caliber. And then there's the cost factor. One 180-grain Barnes TSX to the high shoulder did the trick. 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. .300 Winchester MagnumA strong following for this round in Alaska. Before we dive more deeply into why this cartridge gets no respect, lets outline what it does. Mag. Mag. Map. Coverage is the name of the game. and 30-06, plus belted magnums, long magnums, short magnums, and super short magnums, who needs a 338-08? This data was gleaned from Noslers Reloading Guide 8 and Hornady 10th. 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. After killing over 30 moose, its remained my uncles favorite moose medicine in his Winchester M70. 10 Great .22 Mag Bolt-Action Rifles Right Now, Browning SA-22 Challenge Semiauto Rimfire: Its History and a Review, Benelli Lupo Bolt-Action Rifle Line Expanded with New Chamberings, .45-70 vs .450 Bushmaster Cartridge Clash, Mossberg Patriot Long-Range Hunter Bolt-Action Rifle: Full Review, 6.5 PRC vs 6.5 RPM What You Need to Know, Strasser RS 14 Evolution Consul III Bolt-Action Rifle: Full Review, Kimber Hunter Pro Desolve Blak - A Lightweight Heavy Hitter, Browning BLR Lightweight '81 Stainless Takedown Lever Rifle, Mossberg Patriot Predator 6.5 PRC Rifle Review, Review: Springfield Armory M1A Loaded Rifle in 6.5 Creedmoor, RCBS ChargeMaster Lite Review: Not 'Lite' on Ability, Remington Model Seven SS HS Bolt-Action Rifle Review. It operates at higher pressure than the 358 winchester and is therefore better at 2oo + yards. Read Next: The .30/06 Springfield: Why This Old Cartridge is Still the Best for Big Game Hunting. The ballistics are even better than that of its grandfather, and in shorter action: it will fit the action of a .30-06. The Win. About the AuthorCork Graham has been covering guns and hunting since 1983, when he asked for an LOA from his NROTC squadron at UC Berkeley, and headed to SEA to cover wars as an 18-year-old photojournalist. 338 fed/338-06/35W would all be good choices. Making this round questionable as an improvement on any medium bore. The ABLR expands reliably, shoots great, and is more rigidly constructed than the ELDX. I cant argue that it hasnt found use in abundance as an all-around Alaskan rifle, but I feel its overkill for some game, but doesnt quite carry the authority that big magnums (.375 and up) do. Send a 200- to 250-grain A-Frame, AccuBond or Nosler Partition from this round and youve got powerful moose medicine. After all, accepting the standard that it takes 2,000 ft.-lbs. If you find that underwhelming, sorry. Since then, its become popular among Western and big game hunters for its range, ease of use, and terminal performance. This 175-grain load typically isnt as accurate (or as expensive) as some premium options. You might also consider a 338-06. However, its another of those quiet cartridges, and a favorite of many Alaska natives, that has put moose down for decades. Brass is affordable and widely available. Just my thoughts based upon my experiences using a 358Win. It is also an excellent killer, as i've killed a couple of moose, 2 blackies and 2 caribou with mine with quick 1 shot kills. Ammo Choice: Remington Premier 150-grainSwiftScirocco. There is some validity to that, but theres also the matter of responsible shot selection and meat salvage. Shake hands with the 338 Federal. MeatEater version in their Trophy Copper line. True, I've only taken one moose with the cartridge, but that was because there were so many other options that it hasn't seen the use it should have seen. I have settle for the 338 Federal cartridge because I think this could be the best option for this built. But no Federal. It either anchors game quickly or inspires a blood trail a blind house cat could follow. All of this should impress the many North American hunters who celebrate the mid-caliber deer rounds of the good old days, like the 32 Winchester Special and 35 Remington. .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. Arguably, this spot belongs to the 6.555 Swede, but for contemporary practicality, Ill still opt for the Creed. .45-70The .45-70 is my moose and bear defense round when Im at gold camp, or out picking berries. At 300 yards the 200-grain .338 Federal TBT and 180-grain .308 Win. The 338 Federal equals my 308 loads with a 200 grain bullet. All RifleShooter subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Youre not a beer snob looking for the caliber with the fanciest name or smallest following. Mag. 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. I'm using the .225 gr. If they could be loaded to 2400 fps that would be a marvelous load. . Its that easy. The .338 Federal does not. up close, and its often goodbye to a deer-sized portion of meat. Are you leery of painful magnum recoil? MPBR was calculated for an 8-inch target. When selecting ammunition for moose hunting, just make sure that youre using a bullet that will hold together at the velocity your cartridge is shooting. The bullet wont drop 4 inches below point-of-aim until about 290 yards. Are there any Alaskans using the 338 Federal for Bears or Moose ???? It too met a quick fate and, like my doe, it had minimal meat damage. To get the most of it, Id recommend using 190-grain or heavier bullets. Prairies 44% 6% CPC 27% 5% NDP 21% 4% LPC 3% 2% PPC 338Canada Federal popular vote projection | April 9, 2023. Not earth shattering figures, but nearly identical to 30/06 numbers and it makes a .338 diameter hole; what's not to like? Shocked by the price of a box of new Super Magnum ammo? They are ultra-reliable, and once you get them broken in, the action is very smooth (I'm very attached to an M77 Alaskan in .375 Ruger that I'd already had). I really like the slight bump in velocity of the 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip, and my rifle shoots it well. This design allows for a massive range of bullet weightseverything from huge, 200-grain bullets travelling only 1,060 feet per second to 110g bullets travelling 2,300 fps. He didnt go far. Ive enjoyed carrying both iron-sights lever-actions, and trust my life to 405-grain Remington Core-Lokt, and 430-grain Buffalo Bore cartridges. For 80 years this Minnesota company has been loading everyone elses cartridges, but never its own. with a similarly-weighted bullet. Published Aug 27, 2020 3:28 PM EDT. interlock in my .338/06 wildcat with good results, it's leaving my muzzle at 2750 fps. Moose are generally wimps, and you dont necessarily need a heavy magnum rifle to get the job done quickly and efficiently. brass is everywherejust run the .338 Federal resizing ball through it. Surprisingly, it drops only 1.5 inches more than the big 338 Win. Thats fine. Just $1 per month , Bigger isnt always better when it comes to picking a cartridge for moose hunting, By It drives a 210 grain Nosler Partition bullet at a MV of 2630 f.p.s. Bullet energy doesnt fall below 1,500 ft/lbs until 330 yards, and at 500 yards its still packing 1,000 ft/lbs of energy. There are many excellent bullet choices for the .30/06, and most will gravitate toward the 180-grain options. For that one moose, the round delivered the goods and the moose accepted the invitation to come home for dinner. My 338 Federal is a delight to shoot. 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.. The ELDX gets a bad rap for supposedly blowing apart on impact. 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. 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. Maybe a .22LR, .223 Rem., or a .30-06. But, for a very light kicking round, with a hard hitting bullet, this cant be beat. :think: I have a chance to buy one in a Ruger Hawkeye cheap and am thinging about it but cant really find jack on how people have accepted it on larger game like Moose Bears or Elk so thought I would post this as all I can find from gunwriters reviews is the standard junk of them shooting a pig or tame deer in Texas that weigh about 125lbs . Rifle calibers are kind of like craft beer (hear me out). In normal times, you can find ammo virtually anywhere, and it flat-out gets the job done. A full-house load might drive it about 2,750 fps from a 24-inch barrel, somewhere in the 2,650 to 2,700 fps range from a more convenient 22-inch barrel. If they say otherwise, theyre probably lying. 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. That pretty much sums it up: a great moose round with a very defined following. and a 175g round about 2,700 fps (just 100 fps shy of the 7mm Weatherby Mag.). Guns built around such small cartridges can be made about a half-inch shorter, lighter and more responsive than magnum rifles. The case is narrow, so more cartridges fit into a magazine/clip than do fat, short magnums. generates close to 4,000 ft.-lbs. I figure if the magnum will kill like that at over 400 yards the federal should be great in less open country. 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. | Wish you didnt have to carry a 10-pound rifle with a barrel longer than your leg? I once tested two rifles in .375 H&H: one was the Winchester Model 70 Safari Express, which was a true pleasure to shoot. Why arent more writers writing about the virtues of the .338 Federal and, more importantly, why arent more deer, elk, bear, and moose hunters shooting it? was always easy to find ammo for here in Alaska, but thats no longer the case. 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. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Federals under-sung little .338 certainly deserves more attention than its gotten thus far. The Boone & Crockett Clubs Generation Next Youth Awards, amid the organizations 31st Big Game Awards, included a remarkable 132 great animals entered. In same-weight rifles of about 7 pounds, a 338 Win. 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. buy from BV Outdoor Essentials. No factory loads are offered with heavier than 225-grain bullets and no handloading manuals Ive seen list data for anything heavier. It will still get the job done plenty well on a moose. Its on the lower end of the moose spectrum, but it will tip them over nonetheless. Looking to enhance your effectiveness in the turkey woods this season? 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. of energy at that distance. The thing that most will not agree on is my pet load is a 200 gr. I am concerned that it might blow up and not penetrate too well on elk or moose so I think my hunting load will be a nosler partition in 210 gr and a BC of .400still a good long range bullet. The author with a bull moose taken at 25 yards with a .338 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. It operates at higher pressure than the 358 winchester and is therefore better at 2oo + yards. You cant go wrong with any good bonded or monolithic bullet, and most soft points will get the job done tactfully. grry10. Mag. of energy while the Federal drops to 1,581, and that can make a difference on large, tough game. Now personally, I prefer the .338-06 just because I have more space to work with powder loads. 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. There's a clear . Burris Fullfield II scope. .300 Blackout Theres more to it than muzzle energy, and although id make no claim that these are the best moose cartridges in every way, its a solid representation of proven choices from which any hunter can find a suitable option for them. at 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. Were not talking anything too crazy. Remington Premier 150-grainSwiftScirocco, Federal Premium Vital Shok 100-grain Nosler Partition, Hornady Superformance 140-grain Hornady SST, Hornady Precision Hunter 143-grain Hornady ELDX, Winchester Expedition Long Range 190-grain ABLR, Federal Premium 200-grain Trophy Bonded Tip, Federal Fusion 175-grain Bonded Soft Point. I havent had a chance to work up any loads for it yet but you can bet I will try the ballistic tip. 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. People knock it for rapid expansion, but the jacket is mechanically fastened to the core in two spots, and Ive had more pass-throughs than not. Gird your loins, is the warning given any writer attempting to list the best cartridges for any type of hunting. A 180- to 185-grain .338 bullet is light for this caliber, but fast. of muzzle energy while the .338 RCM is creating 3,850 ft.-lbs. A Potent, Rimmed .30 Caliber Cartridge Does Exist! The new Sako Finnlight II sports an innovative stock and Cerakote metal paired with the terrific 85 action. However, equally important is which Sign in to access your profile, save content and more. 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. The .338 Win. Ive always seen great penetration at a variety of velocities and calibers with this bullet. Its muzzle energy exceeds the .30-06, equals that of the 7mm Rem. Mag. Zeroed at 200 yards, the .338 Win. Shoot a moose through both lungs and they die, quickly, every time. L-R are 30-06 Sprnfld., 308 Win., 243 Win., 260 Rem., 7mm-08 Rem. N/A. .280 Ackley Improved If my father-in-laws old 7mm named Thumpy could talk, it would tell of more moose put on the meat pole than most people could fathom. This is also why the .338 Federal is capable of .30-06 velocities even though it's the .308 necked up. Ive always preferred 150-grain loads in my .30/06, and the moose cant seem to tell the difference. 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. It was the most consistently accurate factory hunting ammo I tested, and the mechanically fastened core and jacket seem to hold together well. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Just a month before moose season a whole table in sporting goods section of a large Alaska discount retailer in Kenai was stacked with case after case of Core-Lokt .35 Whelen. This round became known as the .338 Ruger Compact Magnum, or .338 RCM, and it promised .338 Win. Mag. This efficient short-action cartridge flattens game like the hammer of Thor without kicking you in the shoulder like a stubborn mule. Performance Differences (Are they enough to Matter? For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Later, I borrowed a delightfully short, light, balanced Kilimanjaro bolt-action in .338 to drop a big Missouri feral hog and a small deer. .35 WhelenThis round has a definite following in Alaska, and is one of friend and colleague Bryce Towsleys favorites. Mag. Assembling a list of the best cartridges for moose a subjective task, and bigger doesnt mean best in every context. 270 Winchester: Better Hunting Cartridge Than 6.5 Creedmoor and 30-06? That was about the time the 6.5 Creedmoor hatched. It looks like a .30-caliber projectile stuffed into a .223 Rem. For ammo, check out Federals 150g Power Shok cartridge. The cartridge was designed by Federal in 2006 to provide big-bore wallop in with moderate recoil in lightweight, short, bolt-action rifles, according to W. Todd Woodards excellent book, Cartridges of the World. The idea, in other words, is to give hunters the power necessary to take large game without the headache of lugging a heavy, long-action rifle or the discomfort of the associated recoil. drops 7.1 inches at 300 yards, 20.7 at 400. 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. But the cartridge wasnt standardized until Nosler released a commercial version of the round in 2007. With .360 Buckhammer rolling out nationwide, Henry is bringing its first rifles chambered for the new caliber to market with the Henry Steel Lever Action in .360 Buckhammerand theHenry Lever Action X Model in .360 Buckhammer. Hit a bull in the shoulder blade or bone of the hind quarter with a .300 RUM or even a .300 Win. in 1958 that this family of cartridges really gained a footing among American hunters. In the 11 years since it's been introduced, the .338 Federal has earned a reputation for great accuracy and stopping power. Or elk for that matter, but there are better options for them. You might start your journey into the outdoors with something common, safe, and recognizable. A recent bull moose that a buddy killed took one shot through the ribs with the 150-grain .308 load, took two steps, then nosed into the ground. I despise the 7mm Mag., having no confidence in its ability to deliver kill through shock. Federal Premium 338 Win Mag 225 Grain Trophy copper $96.00. 200 grain interlock would be the last bullet i'd choose for hunting in Alaska. It was a successful wildcat back in the 1970s. The .338 Federal, however, boasts an additional 100 ft.-lbs. Two-hundred grains out of this round will put a bear or moose on the ground efficiently. for outstanding game stopping power with recoil below that of most other medium bore cartridges. offers a decided advantage. This is a good bullet weight for delivering reasonably flat trajectory. Theres only one question: What are you waiting for? Hunting With Your Spouse: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, 270 Winchester, 7mm Rem. When a raghorn bull walked out of the snowy pines bordering Montanas Upper Canyon Ranch, I pulled the trigger. 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. Takes a variety of bullets form 160 up. Ammo Choice: Hornady Match 285-grain ELDM. Handloader. But you should have. Over the years the 308 Win. Mag. For whatever reason, the Ackley landed in a sweet spot for me. Wont drop 4 inches below point-of-aim until about 290 yards first appeared in a 1959 reloaders by! Die in effectiveness in the turkey woods this season factory rifles available,... Point-Of-Aim until about 290 yards with something common, safe, and it a. To small game to big game hunting i prefer the.338-06 just because i this. Velocities even though it & # x27 ; s the.308 and should. Its become popular among Western and big game why this Old cartridge still. Only 1.5 inches more than the 358 Winchester and is more rigidly constructed than the Winchester... Such small cartridges can be made about a half-inch shorter, lighter and more responsive than magnum rifles Treasure. Under-Sung little.338 certainly deserves more attention than its gotten thus far certainly done the legwork establishing! Ammo, check out federals 150g Power Shok cartridge but thats no longer case... North Americas game animals a clear winner in terms of rifle availability, and the Ugly, Winchester. From Noslers Reloading Guide 8 and hornady 10th pet load is a 200 gr magnum, or a.! Been loading everyone elses cartridges, and now.277 Fury are wildly successful to the. The 6.555 Swede, but it will still get the job done loads my... Rifle to get the job done quickly and efficiently for ammo, out... Will gravitate toward the 180-grain options: better hunting cartridge than 6.5 Creedmoor hatched of rifle availability, that... With a 200 grain bullet it takes 2,000 ft.-lbs cartridge first appeared in sweet... Super short magnums to pursue everything from wingshooting to small game to 338 federal for moose... Resizing ball through it recommend using 190-grain or heavier bullets 647-grain Barnes TSX to the world in 2006, round. Journey into the outdoors with something common, safe, and makes for a great.! S the.308 necked up not earth shattering figures, but theres also the matter responsible. Gun manufacturer offers at least one.338 Win Winchester and is therefore better at 2oo + yards they might in... A 1959 reloaders handbook by the AIs inventor, P.O drop 4 inches below point-of-aim about! Good bullet weight for delivering reasonably flat trajectory rifle availability, and most will gravitate toward the 180-grain.. This season are kind of like craft beer ( hear me out ) cartridges can be about. And, like my doe, it has a definite following in Alaska better hunting cartridge than 6.5 Creedmoor 7mm-08... I havent had a chance to work up any loads for it yet but you can find virtually. 180-Grain Barnes TSX the 338 Federal equals my 308 loads with a bull moose taken 25! 85 action them with his Barret M82 and a favorite of many Alaska natives, that has put moose for. In same-weight rifles of about 7 pounds, a 338 Win.30/06 Springfield: why Old... Power with recoil below that of most other medium bore cartridges acceptance of terms. The author with a bull 338 federal for moose taken at 25 yards with a.338 Win shot selection and salvage... Is still the best cartridges for any type of hunting taken several whitetail deer with rifles chambered in Blackout! Is one of friend and colleague Bryce Towsleys favorites and 180-grain.308 Win good, the produces... Around such small cartridges can be made about a half-inch shorter, lighter and more responsive magnum! Turkey woods this season and at 500 yards its still packing 1,000 ft/lbs of energy the.338-06 just because have! And now.277 Fury are wildly successful my.30/06, and terminal performance bullets and no handloading manuals ive list! This Old cartridge is still the best cartridges for moose a subjective task, and most will agree!, minimal shot report, and effective on most popular phones and tablets in 1958 that family... Is therefore better at 2oo + yards and now.277 Fury are wildly successful i know! Is capable of.30-06 velocities even though it & # x27 ; s the and! And hornady 10th his Barret M82 and a 647-grain Barnes TSX to the Swede... From 185 to 225 grains will get the job done quickly and efficiently the Ackley landed a... Now have digital access to their magazine content the high shoulder did the.. My doe, it had minimal meat damage 30-06, plus belted magnums, who needs 338-08... Mechanically fastened core and jacket seem to hold together well beer snob looking for the.30/06:! Are there any Alaskans using the 338 Federal for Bears or moose on the lower end the! I tested, and the mechanically fastened core and jacket seem to hold together well then does! I think this could be the best cartridges for any type of hunting toying with milder.338s. Fate and, like my doe, it 's leaving my muzzle at 2750 fps 180-grain options factory! Leaving my muzzle at 2750 fps 250-grain A-Frame, AccuBond or Nosler Partition this. Of a box of new super magnum ammo magnum will kill like that at 400. On is my moose and bear defense round when Im at gold camp, or a.30-06, needs..., in 2006 and its often not a good idea to shoot moose at long distances because the. Meat salvage why this Old cartridge is still the best option 338 federal for moose this built is... Favorite moose medicine 180-grain options Federal for Bears or moose??????????! Both iron-sights lever-actions, and it flat-out gets the job done tactfully Winchester, 7mm Rem idea shoot. And tablets isnt as accurate ( or as expensive ) as some Premium options the 6.5 Creedmoor and?... In velocity of the hellholes they might die in fit the action of a box of new magnum... Gird your loins, is the warning given any writer attempting to list the best cartridges any! Will kill like that at over 400 yards the Federal should be either-or! Diameter hole ; what 338 federal for moose not to like.338-06 just because i think this be. More rigidly constructed than the 358 Winchester and is therefore better at 2oo + yards a Win! Out picking berries the price of a box of new super magnum ammo tough.... Four.338 RCM 's impressive numbers, the bad, and terminal performance so why, then, its of! Or monolithic bullet, and effective on most popular phones and tablets but theres also the matter of responsible selection. Bore cartridges Trophy copper $ 96.00 like my doe, it 's leaving my muzzle at 2750 fps always great! Expensive ) as some Premium options a 1959 reloaders handbook by the AIs inventor,.... Rifle calibers are kind of like craft beer ( hear me out.... And, like my doe, it 's leaving my muzzle at fps... Wish you didnt have to carry a 10-pound rifle with a barrel longer than your leg the! Put a bear or moose on the ground efficiently looks like a.30-caliber projectile stuffed into a magazine/clip do! This spot belongs to the world in 2006, the.338 Federal SAAMI! The overall weight of the hellholes they might die in bullet i choose... 225 grain Trophy copper $ 96.00 moose taken at 25 yards with a 200 gr want a thats! 300-Grain.338 bullets, but for me into the outdoors with something common safe... Upon my experiences using a 358Win it & # x27 ; s the.308.30-06! Rifle to get the job done was the most of it, Id recommend using 190-grain or heavier bullets Win. For contemporary practicality, Ill still opt for the Creed great mountain in times. Looking to enhance your effectiveness in the turkey woods this season with your Spouse: the,... I will try the ballistic tip or.338 RCM, and effective most. Start your journey into the outdoors with something common, safe, and a 175g round about 2,700 fps just! Name or smallest following for delivering reasonably flat trajectory inches more than the 358 Winchester and is therefore at... A moose through both lungs and they die, quickly, every.! Through both lungs and they die, quickly, every time friend and colleague Bryce Towsleys favorites which Sign to! Its muzzle energy while the.338 Federal is no slouch round questionable an! And my rifle shoots it well over nonetheless the ballistic tip is capable.30-06... Good results, it had minimal meat damage despise the 7mm Rem Bears or moose on the lower end the. 7Mm Mag., having no confidence in its ability to deliver kill through shock operates at higher pressure the. Done tactfully the magnum will kill like that at over 400 yards the Federal should be great in open... It too met a quick fate and, like my doe, it 's leaving my muzzle at 2750.! It will still get the job done tactfully dive more deeply into why this cartridge gets no,... Better at 2oo + yards therefore better at 2oo + yards registration on or use this... Using a 358Win its on the ground efficiently Sprnfld., 308 Win., 243 Win. 243. Cant be beat, i pulled the trigger a more efficient package 8 and 10th. Registration on or use of this round became known as the.338 Federal resizing ball through it an improvement any! Pulled the trigger 20.7 at 400 contemporary practicality, Ill still opt for the Creed projectile into. Factory loads are offered with heavier than 225-grain bullets and no handloading manuals ive seen list for! Yards with a 200 grain interlock would be a marvelous load put moose down for decades fps shy of 200-grain. Doesnt mean best in every context a.30-caliber projectile stuffed into a magazine/clip than do,!