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338 cal

ezekial
possibly looking for 338 what is the difference between the 338 win mag and 338 federal or 338 lapua[?] other than price.
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9 comments

Date Votes
  • FEENIX
    Welcome! The .338 Federal is like .338 Win Mag short mag version and the .338 Lapua is like .338 Win Mag on very serious steroids. [}:)]
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  • carbine100
    338 Win mag is the easiest to find factory ammo for(least expensive brass too); followed by 338 RUM, 338 Fed, 338 Lapua.

    I have shot 338 Win and currently own 338 RUM. My Rummy is extremely accurate long range and is my 400+ yard deer gun, though I bought it as an option if Alaska brown bear hunt ever happens. Also because it has proven to be such an accrate long range gun, it will go with me for most elk, moose, etc hunt I may get to go on.
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  • Hawkshaw
    Take a look at a fairly new reloading manual. You will be able to see the differenc in size, and you can compare the relative velocities of each cartridge, for any given bullet weight. Make sure that the Bbl length is the same for each cartridge so you will be comparing apples, and apples. Good Luck HAWKSHAW
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  • dfletcher
    I have an AR 30 in 338 LM and the difference (aside from price) I see is a few hundred fps bewteen the slowest (338 Fed) and the fastest (338 LM) of the three. I think of greater importance is the range of guns offered in each caliber and what is the intended purpose of the gun? I'd hate like heck to go elk hunting with my 5' long AR 30 and I wouldn't want to do long range (600 yds or so) target shooting with the 338 Federal in a light sporter rifle.
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  • quickmajik
    the .338fed is the easiest on the shoulder. It would be my pick out of the lot.


    Unless I wanted something specialized for long range(1000m+) that the .300win mag cant reach. For that the .338LM or RUM would be high on the list as a cartridge to choose.


    PA Shootist
    Junior Member



    USA
    Genius!!
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  • ern98
    I thought that the 338fed was the old wildcat 338-08. Where the 308win case was opened up to take 338cal bullets....
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  • PA Shootist
    Indeed the .338 Federal is of the .308 Winchester family, from littlest brother .243,through .260 Rem., 7mm-08, .308 Win, .338 Federal, up to the 358 Win. And I'm sure some wildcatter has made a .22, .23, a .25, a .270, an 8mm, etc. variation. The case is an efficient and accurate one that seems to work well in a compact package rifle in practically any reasonable bullet diameter. There is still a .020" bullet diameter spread between the .338 Federal and the .358 Winchester that could be split to .348! Why hasn't someone thought of that one?? [:)]
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  • dfletcher
    quote:Originally posted by PA Shootist
    Indeed the .338 Federal is of the .308 Winchester family, from littlest brother .243,through .260 Rem., 7mm-08, .308 Win, .338 Federal, up to the 358 Win. And I'm sure some wildcatter has made a .22, .23, a .25, a .270, an 8mm, etc. variation. The case is an efficient and accurate one that seems to work well in a compact package rifle in practically any reasonable bullet diameter. There is still a .020" bullet diameter spread between the .338 Federal and the .358 Winchester that could be split to .348! Why hasn't someone thought of that one?? [:)]


    They have - and it's in a beautiful rifle, the Winchester 71.
    http://www.reloadersnest.com/frontpage.asp?CaliberID=188
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  • nononsense
    ezekial,

    Welcome to the Gunbroker Forums!

    Big differences!

    You haven't told us what use you're looking into using these cartridges for so this is just a basic description and minor comparison.

    These are not the exact cartridges but they are the related cases:

    338lapuamagnumcartridge.jpg

    The .338 Federal is really the .308 Win. necked up to take the .338" bullet diameter. It has a case capacity of 56.0 gr.

    The .338 Win. Mag. is a belted magnum and is made by necking down the .458 Win. Mag. which has a case capacity of 86.0 gr. It is extremely popular right now.

    The .338 Lapua Magnum is the current darling of the ultra-long range target shooters and some members of the sniper community. The parent case is the .416 Rigby. It is not for the faint of heart or those who are recoil shy. This cartridge approaches the maximum size that can fit into a manageable man-portable system. It's in the same category as other large capacity cartridge cases since it holds about 114.0 gr.

    Best.
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