.338 Federal

Anoka, MN – December 2, 2005 – The new .338 Federal is a cartridge that provides the energy of a 7mm Rem Mag in a necked-up .308 case. It’s the ultimate big game caliber designed with reasonable recoil for today’s lightweight rifles. It exhibits great performance on a variety of large game and is the first ever rifle cartridge to earn the right to bear the Federal name on its headstamp.

Federal Cartridge Company pioneered the Premium ammunition category in 1977. With decades of successful manufacturing, forward-thinking and outstanding quality, only one thing was missing—Federal’s own cartridge.

This void is now filled with a unique combination of two time-tested designs—the .338 bullet atop the versatile .308 cartridge case. It’s a combination that’s been made a legitimate cartridge by the development efforts of the engineering and ballistics staff at Federal in collaboration with Sako rifles. A larger diameter bullet in the shorter-action .308 case generates approximately 200 feet per second more velocity than a standard .308 with a 30-caliber bullet (when comparable bullet weights are considered).

The .338 Federal delivers the only modern .338-caliber load that isn’t a magnum configuration. It gives big game hunters a larger diameter bullet for more weight and overall energy on target—without magnum recoil.

According to Federal President Mark DeYoung, "This product breaks new ground for Federal and compliments our emphasis on product innovation. The .338 Federal captures the capability of the longstanding .308 case, and offers the respected performance of the .338 bullet, a favorite of big game hunters. These two mainstays have been proven time and again and are now brought together into a quality factory load. This cartridge also offers an advanced option in support of the current trend for lighter rifles. The .338 Federal offers hunters more muzzle energy than a 30-06 Springfield—equaling that of a 7mm Rem Mag. It’s a non-magnum offering that boasts magnum energy. The round delivers devastating performance on game, including deer, bear and elk and we’re proud to put our name on it."

Three Premium load offerings will be available in the fall of 2006:
P338FA1: 180-grain Nosler AccuBond 2830 fps
P338FB: 210-grain Nosler Partition 2630 fps
P338FC: 185-grain Barnes Triple-Shock 2750 fps

Product will be available in spring of 2006. Keep an eye on the Federal and Sako websites for more ballistic information and availability updates.

About Federal Cartridge Company
Headquartered in Anoka, Minnesota, Federal Cartridge Company has been providing hunters and shooters with high-quality rimfire, centerfire and shotshell ammunition since 1922 and is part of ATK’s Ammunition Group. For more information on Federal, visit www.federalpremium.com.

Seems like a very interesting cartridge.


BTW: I figured out how to paste in Mozilla Firefox. Just press ctrl and v at the same time.

 Sounds like a high dollar deal to me,in a Sako and all.

...almost a 338-06 which is almost a 338 win mag... nah, still doesn't interest me - though an ambitious handloader should be able to do wonderful things w/ the time-tested and proven 308 case and the high bc's of the 338 bullets.

I'll just stick with my favorite cartridge.....
The 280 is based on a 1930's wildcat called the .285 O.K.H. by Elmer Keith.  Remigton first introduced the 280 in the model 740 autoloader in the 50's.  The 280 is consideraly better than the 30-06 for deer and pronghorn.  However this caliber is doomed.  It's major blow was the introduction of the 7mm Remington magnum.  This gun can deliver about 200-300 fps faster accross the board.  The 280 was Remington big shot to take the market away from the 270 Winchester or 30-06.  Although the 280 is better then both of them it just never caught on.  

Hudge

Wish they would put a 250 grain round nose bullet in it when it come out - Would be an easy carry HOG THUMPER!! Also hope the rifles have a twist to stabilize a 250!

Federal are you listening?  or looking?  see:

 

Well, I'd rather see a 358 re-introduced.  But the 338-08 has been around for a number of years and appears to be a pretty good cartridge.

It is a close duplicate of the 8x57 but fits the short action that "everyone thinks is so important.  I'd never sell any of my present gun cabinet occupants for the 338-08.  But a Kimber 84M could easily slide into a small open spot in the rack.

"And the .260 was almost dead when it hit the shelves."  True, the gun shops killed them because they could easily talk the new gun buyer into a 7-08; and then not have to stock two different rifles.  Shame, as the 260 (aka 6.5-08) is an outstanding cartridge.  The same gun shop babble will have to defeat the 338-08 by comparing it to the 325 WSM.  They should be able to convince most newbies that the 338-08 is not worth stocking.

BEAR

You are probably correct in your prediction on this one Rob.  I've been trying to think of any Federal invented cartridge that ever sold well????????????

BEAR

Did federal work on the 357 Maximum????????????

Another popular number in my neck of the woods.

BEAR

Next thing you know they'll make another wild cat on the .35.  They'll probably call it the .358 Winchester too.

this one could work boys, considering the short action craze. you're looking at whole family: .22 cheetah, .243 win, .25 souper, .260 rem, 7mm-08, .308 win, .338-08, .358 win.

betcha federal is tied to a bolt gun manufacturer (looks like sako right now. how 'bout savage?). look for a short, light, do just about everything series. maybe with switch barrels? (again, savage?)