.338 Federal anyone?

[swehrman]

I approve of the 84M in 338 Fed. edit: It even has the 2.5-8 VX3i. I’ve had a variety of scopes on it including a Nightforce 3-10 SHV, but the light scopes just feel better. A VX2 it wore for about 1000 shots eventually died. They can be a little snappy in recoil. It’s eaten two Meoptas and one Vortex in the interim. As it sits today, with a 23” PAC Nor barrel, it’s 5lb 15oz.

That's a nice looking rifle. If you have a chance, can you tell me what the diameter of the barrel at the muzzle is? I'm curious to see how it compares to a 338 Pac-Nor barrel that I have.

-- Scott

 

[prm]

That's a nice looking rifle. If you have a chance, can you tell me what the diameter of the barrel at the muzzle is? I'm curious to see how it compares to a 338 Pac-Nor barrel that I have.

-- Scott

Scott,
That barrel in the picture is a 23” Pac-Nor with a .585 muzzle diameter. The factory barrel is .555 at the muzzle. The Pac-Nor adds a bit of forward weight and a bit of velocity in theory. Not a major difference though. I can’t say it’s really been more accurate. Perhaps some different loads shoot well, but overall no major improvement. Not a complaint as it shoots many things very well, just always searching for improvements in accuracy. I’ve considered going back to the factory barrel, or trimming an inch or two off this one to see if accuracy is impacted. The rifle also has a Ti bolt and aluminum trigger guard. I just re-checked the weight, and with the sling included the rifle is 6lbs exactly. Very nice mountain hunting package.

 

[Jon Boy]

Man I've wanted a short timber rifle in 338 fed for a very long time time.
Anyone running them with woth a cutting edge bullet?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[prm]

Man I've wanted a short timber rifle in 338 fed for a very long time time.
Anyone running them with woth a cutting edge bullet?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I tried the 175 MTH, never could get them to shoot well at all. Tried AA2230 and Benchmark along with a couple different primers and different OALs. They shot 2850 to just under 2900fps which would have made for pretty nice ballistics had they been accurate.

I would like to try the 175 Raptor.

 

[Dirt Wagon]

I tried the 175 MTH, never could get them to shoot well at all. Tried AA2230 and Benchmark along with a couple different primers and different OALs. They shot 2850 to just under 2900fps which would have made for pretty nice ballistics had they been accurate.

I would like to try the 175 Raptor.

Hate to pull up an old thread, but since it's just a year old it's not too bad.

Did you ever get a chance to try the 175 Raptor's out? I just ordered 100 of those 175 ESP Raptor bullets to test out since they were on sale. I own a Sako in 338 Fed but I might be converting my Savage 75 Anniversary 1895 by JES into a 338 Fed as well. It's basically a rebadged 99 but with a 24" octagon barrel, crescent butt stock & Schnabel forend.

 

[prm]

I have not tried the Raptors. You’ll have to let me know how they shoot.

 

[Dirt Wagon]

Thanks for responding back.

Hopefully they'll work, I'm looking forward to trying them out.

 

[SkunkCabbage]

I have hit a velocity wall with my Federal according to quickload which is frustrating
Bought some 185gr ttsx and the powders are super temp sensitive what they recommend.
I'm slightly over pressure with my 210 load and in reality i probably won't chuck a 185gr much faster.
Might be time to build a 338-06.

 

[Dirt Wagon]

I have hit a velocity wall with my Federal according to quickload which is frustrating
Bought some 185gr ttsx and the powders are super temp sensitive what they recommend.
I'm slightly over pressure with my 210 load and in reality i probably won't chuck a 185gr much faster.
Might be time to build a 338-06.

I've read both 8208 XBR & Leverevolution offer good velocity in the 338 Fed, but I don't know their temperature sensitivity.

Have you tried using the 185 TSX? Looking at the Barnes website, the 185 TTSX bullet length is a bit longer. I added the 160 TTSX below to show the length as well. Maybe a little extra case capacity could offer more performance? I'm a novice when it comes to reloading so I'm not sure if it'll offer much to help you get the fps you're looking for.

338 - 185 TSX Length is 1.228
338 - 185 TTSX Length is 1.349
338 - 160 TTSX Length is 1.219

 

[prm]

I have hit a velocity wall with my Federal according to quickload which is frustrating
Bought some 185gr ttsx and the powders are super temp sensitive what they recommend.
I'm slightly over pressure with my 210 load and in reality i probably won't chuck a 185gr much faster.
Might be time to build a 338-06.

What velocity, and what powder? Should see a bit over 2700 with a temp stable powder such as 8208 or H4895 and the 185. Closer to 2800 with AA2230. I need to try Benchmark and H322, both are Hodgdon extremes and should be about right speedwise.

I've read both 8208 XBR & Leverevolution offer good velocity in the 338 Fed, but I don't know their temperature sensitivity.

Have you tried using the 185 TSX? Looking at the Barnes website, the 185 TTSX bullet length is a bit longer. I added the 160 TTSX below to show the length as well. Maybe a little extra case capacity could offer more performance? I'm a novice when it comes to reloading so I'm not sure if it'll offer much to help you get the fps you're looking for.

338 - 185 TSX Length is 1.228
338 - 185 TTSX Length is 1.349
338 - 160 TTSX Length is 1.219

8208 loses no velocity in the cold. LVR loses 50-60ish FPS. The 160 TTSX performs really well, don’t overlook it. Like any mono, going faster makes for bigger holes.

 

[gbflyer]

I get single digit SD’s with H322 with every bullet I’ve tried it with but the accuracy is lacking. Weird. H335 and Hammer Bullets Shock Hammer in 186gr is my Huckleberry so far.

 

[SkunkCabbage]

What velocity, and what powder? Should see a bit over 2700 with a temp stable powder such as 8208 or H4895 and the 185. Closer to 2800 with AA2230. I need to try Benchmark and H322, both are Hodgdon extremes and should be about right speedwise.


8208 loses no velocity in the cold. LVR loses 50-60ish FPS. The 160 TTSX performs really well, don’t overlook it. Like any mono, going faster makes for bigger holes.

2465fps out of a 20” tube with 210npt h4195 puts me a hair over pressure based off sammi spec tuning it with the LabRadar Basing stuff off quickload data.
The faster powder options are very unstable in a variety of temps, I’ll probably give this an honest go with 185ttsx but I think I’ve hit a wall with it. Will work good as my 100yrd in the thick ultralight elk gun.

 

[prm]

I’ve not tried H4198. Though I’d think it would be better suited to only the lightest bullets. H4895 might have you into the 2500s. LVR and 2000MR have been the best by far for the 210 Partition for me. They do lose some speed in the cold. Ive found there are many more powders suited to the 180 and 200 grain bullets. Especially temp stable powders. A 180 or 200 grain Woodleigh, 200 Northfork, or even 200 Hot Cor would be very good medicine on elk. Each are relatively short bullets and offer a bit more flexibility with powder loads. I have not tried them yet, but those 186 Hammer bullets are very interesting.

 

[VernAK]

I'm considering a red dot of some sort for my Montana 338Fed that's used at bear bait stands.

 

[prm]

I'm considering a red dot of some sort for my Montana 338Fed that's used at bear bait stands.

I have an SWFA SS HD 1-6x24 that is fantastic for quick aiming on shorter shots. At 1x or even 2x it is sooo easy to get on target quickly!

 

[Shraggs]

Love my 308, but not as much as my 358. I expect the 338 is almost as good

honestly years ago the 358 was a leap, but it’s devastating. If not 338 federal was my next stop, and may still.

I’d was a touch longer tube then 20” if a 358 tho.