.338 Fed.

akfanatik

Ive been looking at for a north american "big game" rifle and was thinking something in .338 Federal, it would be used for bears and elk, and whatever else i feel like shooting. Are these good rifles, and and is there a company that makes a left-handed model??

any help greatly appreciated

bpost

Why buy a round without proven track records and possibly a short commercial life?

Go buy a Remington 700 LH in .338 Wichester magnum. Put a 1.5X6 Burris Signature Scope on it in Burris Signature rings. Load it with Federal Premimum ammo and go shoot stuff.

Mk 19

Here is a search for the past occasions we have discussed the .338 Federal:

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=179644&SearchTerms=338,federal

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=187261&SearchTerms=338,federal

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=226825&SearchTerms=338,federal

http://forums.gunbroker.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=233286&SearchTerms=338,federal

I must say that I really love the idea of the .338 Federal as it is a truly wonderful cartridge with excellent performance on big game without magnum recoil. However after saying that it is a new cartridge that does not yet have the following of the shooting public or the manufactures. If you're looking for a great cartridge to shoot now than go ahead and get one. If your looking for a great cartridge to give to you grandson, well there is no one alive that can guarantee how long Federal will load it.

blackmesarifleco

This cartridge is pretty good for younger hunters or people with recoil problems yet might be a little light for bear hunting (debate of possible and probable) or long range shots. As far as rifles - a quick search for availability only came up with three ruger rifles all RH surely more are available with more research. As for the cartridge it isn't new as it has been a wildcat cartridge of .338-08 for several years so if nothing else you can always buy the dies and upsize .308 brass if it came to it.