338 Federal

[Bamban]

Been mulling around re-barreling one of my M14 type rifles from ubiquitous .308 to a 338 Federal for busting feral hogs. Do any of you guys/gals have any experience with this cartridge, not even necessarily with the 14 type?

Another question, if you have a 338 Federal reamer you want to get rid of, I am a player. Send me an email if you have one. 81stfacp@gmail.com

 

[Shawnba67]

I read an article about 1 once. Darned if i can remember if it was as easy as expected or had hidden hiccups.

 

[Bamban]

I read an article about 1 once. Darned if i can remember if it was as easy as expected or had hidden hiccups.

If you run across the article again, please link it. I can turn a barrel from blank. PITA, but doable.

 

[Riesel]

OK, I will do what I can. I bought an Adams and Bennet barrel in .338 Federal from Midway a loooooong time ago and put it on a Savage Short action with a Boyds Stock.
I have loaded 200 to 220 grain bullets in this rifle and get anywhere between 2650 to 2780 fps. I don't recall which bullet I ended up with, I remember it being the heavier bullet.
It will absolutely devastate a hog and I have shot many a gristle bound large boar and break both shoulders. Bullet would end up breaking the gristle on the off side but not exiting.
The .338 has great sectional density and is a real hammer. Then the 6.5 Creedmoor came along and ruined everything.
Sorry, no reamer. It's different but a very likable round. Also suitable for elk. Try to keep distance under 200-250 yards.

There, that's my two cents.

 

[Bamban]

OK, I will do what I can. I bought an Adams and Bennet barrel in .338 Federal from Midway a loooooong time ago and put it on a Savage Short action with a Boyds Stock.
I have loaded 200 to 220 grain bullets in this rifle and get anywhere between 2650 to 2780 fps. I don't recall which bullet I ended up with, I remember it being the heavier bullet.
It will absolutely devastate a hog and I have shot many a gristle bound large boar and break both shoulders. Bullet would end up breaking the gristle on the off side but not exiting.
The .338 has great sectional density and is a real hammer. Then the 6.5 Creedmoor came along and ruined everything.
Sorry, no reamer. It's different but a very likable round. Also suitable for elk. Try to keep distance under 200-250 yards.

There, that's my two cents.

Thank you for your input.

This 338 Federal has been in discussion between me and my buddy from Slidell to primarily shoot hogs. He is buying the reamer, and I do the dirty job of cranking out the barrels. It should be a fun project. Both rifles will be based on M14/M1A platform.

I saw this ammo from Federal, and was quite impressed.

Federal Premium Ammo 338 Federal 200 Grain Trophy Copper Tipped Boat
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1001671653

Have not jumped into the 6.5 Creed yet, I have a M21 clone with 6XC. Plenty good, but the 338 Federal sort of intrigues me. 200 grains at 2700 FPS at the muzzle, that is some energy.

 

[Dud]

I bought a half price 16" LR308 barrel from Wilson Combat.

I haven't tried it out but that's a hell of a lot easier than putting together an M1A.

I've seen FAL barrels in 338 also but timing a FAL barrel and changing the bolt locking lug is a bit involved.

I think the LR308 platform is probably the best for making that work, just add an adjustable gas block.

 

[Bamban]

True, the AR10 are easier to put together, but my buddy and I are sitting on good count of 14 types. We just want to push the platform to see how we come out. I just cranked out a 14 barrel from a blank, what a royal pain...

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I hunted with one for years. Still got the brass, bullets and dies here on my bench. In my opinion it sucks. Its like shooting a 110gr bullet from a 308 for comparison. It cant push a real 338 bullet only the 175gr range. You can read some good stuff on the net about it as it was introduced though. I cant find my reamer or id send it to you. It has one barrel on it

 

[Bamban]

I hunted with one for years. Still got the brass, bullets and dies here on my bench. In my opinion it sucks. Its like shooting a 110gr bullet from a 308 for comparison. It cant push a real 338 bullet only the 175gr range. You can read some good stuff on the net about it as it was introduced though. I cant find my reamer or id send it to you. It has one barrel on it

Dusty,

Thank you for the honest input, appreciate that.

I was thinking maybe get a Green Mountain special and start cutting on it before I spend any money on more expensive barrels.

How long of a barrel did you use on your 338 Federal? On the projects, plan is to make the 14 barrels maybe 24 or 26 inches long and put a brake/suppressor on them. They would be long, but should be manageable.

Wish you find your reamer. Send me an email if you do. 81stfacp@gmail.com

Thanks again.

Nez

 

[Dusty Stevens]

It was a 24 or 26. Main issue was couldnt get the speed needed to make the bullets effective unless you used the featherweights and then you had too light of a bullet to do anything good. Ill find my reamer and let you know. Grizzly had them on sale cheap. Ill send you brass and dies if you get one

 

[Bamban]

Thanks, Dusty.

I'll try the Grizzly website again, did not see the 338 Fed reamer last time I was there.

Nez

 

[Dusty Stevens]

If you can find a 338 neck reamer you can convert a 308 chamber right over.

 

[Bamban]

Thanks, never thought of that.