338 Federal, Kimber, a 400 yard gun?

[7ultra]

My little brother has reached the age where he has outgrown his 260. He's pretty much a one gun shooter and is looking for a cartridge/gun combo to cover his yearly excursions to the northwoods for whitetails, with the ability to cover his needs on a trip for moose or elk. He's self limited his shooting to 400 yards, but you would be hard pressed to find a whitetail shot ranging over 150 in the northwoods. I suggested he takes a look at the 338 federal. It comes in a variety of affordable factory tubes (he's not looking to go custom). While it would have some extra kick, I don't think it would be near as punishing as some of the current magnums. Two concerns: Ammo and accuracy. Reloading is an option, but he is novice at best (although I think the federal would be a decent beginner round). Can factory ballistics be matched through reloading? Along the accuracy line, what can this round achieve? Based off the 308, I would think its a fairly adequate round. Any experiences/suggestions are appreciated.

P.S. He would be looking at getting a Kimber 84M montana (synthetic stock, stainless steel)

 

[Varmint Hunter]

My buddy won a Kimber in 338 Federal @ the annual Friends Of The NRA dinner this year. He isn't that much of a shooter and doesn't reload.

I ordered him a couple of boxes of Fusion ammo because the price was good. I think they had 200gr bullets. First trip to the range with the rifle right out of the box - 1" groups were no problem (@ 100 yds) and the Kimber was a light-weight model with a skinny barrel.

I think the 338 Fed will be fine for your stated use. Naturally, you can't expect it to kill at the same distances as a 300RUM but not many shooters get those opportunities anyway. Barrel life on a .308 win is said to be about 5,000 rnds. On the 338 Fed it should be limitless.

 

[grit]

Looks like a good choice for the application. Personally, I don't think elk or moose or bear need a big bullet. I'd take a 7-08 over the 338. Flatter trajectory, less recoil, still dead. But, just a matter of what matters to ya.

 

[6.5BR]

24hourcampfire: Is the new 338 federal caliber here to stay

Maybe that thread will help.

 

[RogerPA]

I own a Kimber M84 in .338 Federal. My problem is with the over-all-case-length and vs. the length of the magazine. I solved the problem with Barnes tipped bullets by pulling the tip out, but I'm not sure how this might impact longer range shots? At 100 yards the shoot the same, but not sure what they will do down range? Any experience would be helpful.....

 

[idaho elk hunter]

Looks like a good choice for the application. Personally, I don't think elk or moose or bear need a big bullet. I'd take a 7-08 over the 338. Flatter trajectory, less recoil, still dead. But, just a matter of what matters to ya.

I see this is a way old thread that just got rejuvenated. Believe everything that this poster stated about the 7mm-08 on larger north American game. If a 338 fed was to fall in my lap I would look at loading it with the lighter weight Barnes bullets such as the 160. Definitely stay under the 225 gr pills to get maximum efficiency.