338 Fed or 338 Fed Imp?

[sewwhat89]

I'm looking to build a short range deer hammer on a RP700SA that I already own trued up with crisp trigger. I have gone back and forth between 308 and 338 Fed. After running ballistics with my own personal limitations and range limitations, the 338 only has a bit more drop but carries energy out to over 400 yards better than the 308. My question I guess would be is it worthwhile real-world performance to "improve" the case like 6SLR shoulder and neck length or to blow out the taper and "ackleyize" the case with a 30-40* shoulder? I'm not too worried about the added die costs or anything related to that, just is there any real gain there with a 22-23" barrel?

 

[Nodak7mm]

As the owner of 3 different ackley'd cartridges, on that case I would not suspect significant improvement in a 22"/23" barrel to warrant the time & costs...

I would get the std .338 Fed and hammer away!! FWIW: This cartridge has caught my attention for the very same reasons. Small, quick handling, deer hammer... But then the fiscally responsible guy in my head says, "Hey" you have shot 75% of your deer with a .243 cal or .257 cal, the other 25% with a .284 varient. The Deer wont die any faster with a new rifle in .338 Fed..

But then again, I still want one.... ;D

Rod Vigstol

 

[Dans40X]

Shot Placement,Shot Placement,Shot Placement-

The 24,25,26,27,28 cals dispatch deer where they stand, with you guessed it-Shot Placement.

Build the 308 pushing light bullets for large pests & mid weight bullets to tip deer where they stand.

 

[wboggs]

An improved version of this round is probably a waste of money with little to gain except expensive dies.