338 Federal: What do you Think?

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14 years 7 months ago #3835 by Brian
338 Federal: What do you Think? was created by Brian
I have been looking at the AR-10 in .338 Federal. It appears that it really shines in the .210grn weight bullet. However, not sure if I would be gaining that much over a .308. Still only Federal makes the stuff...of course no problem if you reload.

What do you guys think about this round? That .338 T upper would look nice in my collection (once it goes back on sale).

Brian

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14 years 7 months ago #3838 by The Duck of Death
Replied by The Duck of Death on topic Re:338 Federal: What do you Think?
I think it's a heavey hitter. It's a good bigger than white tail round. Poison for Moose.

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14 years 7 months ago #3841 by Laughing Elk
Replied by Laughing Elk on topic Re:338 Federal: What do you Think?
I have one. I just got a 308 to replace it. The 338 Fed is going to sit on the shelf. IMHO:
1. Commercial Brass isn't available yet other than sizing up from the 308. Probably won't be for quite some time. Demand isn't exactly strong.
2. I like the 180 grain bullet, once you go heavier, you start losing significant case capacity.
3. Overall, 338 bullets are expensive and fewer choices when compared to the 308.
4. You can load Barnes MPG's that frag for Varmints in 308 that aren't available in 338
5. If I were hunting elk or bear, I'd rather have the 338 as insurance; but then again, wouldn't I rather take my 340 Weatherby instead (which I do) that has 500 to 600 more fps?
6. Match ammo is not available for the 338

For what it's worth, I still like having that brass fly past my head as fast as I can pull the trigger no matter what the caliber. :)

Enjoy!

Elk

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14 years 7 months ago #3844 by a Guest
Replied by a Guest on topic Re:338 Federal: What do you Think?
It wont last long the marketing has not been behind it.MSH

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14 years 7 months ago #3853 by Thor
Replied by Thor on topic Re:338 Federal: What do you Think?
So how long are you going to let it collect dust? Any thought of getting rid of it?

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14 years 7 months ago #3854 by Laughing Elk
Replied by Laughing Elk on topic Re:338 Federal: What do you Think?
it's going to become a project upper....probably something MMSSHH and I will have some discussions about over the course of the next year.

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14 years 7 months ago #3899 by cntmassx2
Replied by cntmassx2 on topic Re:338 Federal: What do you Think?
I too am a big fan of the .338 Federal. Thinking of putting one together with that new IRA-10D Billet upper I just received. Ammo is a little scarce but can be had. Also a little expensive like all ammo right now. Parts can also be had. Keep me up to date on what you decide.

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12 years 10 months ago #10508 by Thor
Replied by Thor on topic Re:338 Federal: What do you Think?
Well, as luck (unluck) would have it my knee needed arthroscopic surgery during hunting season. Recuperating from that I noticed my 4X4 truck was shading my sidewalk as snow was melting XMas eve so in an attempt to move it I landed on my back and broke my wrist.

Amazing how many MD's don't know how a rifle is held.....I've hunted with left arm casted before....

Maybe I should just reload over winter. But I really wanted to try out that .338. Any ideas on brakes, slings. suppressors, buttstock replacements?

If the upper is aluminum but the bolt assembly steel what lube to use? Alumalube is ideal on alumalube and I haven't found any thing that doesn't turn black (Slick50 beats other steel lubes). Thor

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12 years 10 months ago #10516 by AR260rem
Replied by AR260rem on topic Re:338 Federal: What do you Think?
I think a carbine version would help. I think you would have a semi auto, heavy hitting, brush gun in that caliber. If you reload, this load from Hodgdon's website with LEVERevolution powder looks interesting. Not sure how well it functions in an AR though.

215 GR. SIE SP Hodgdon LVR 52.0C 2668 FPS

I agree with the lack of marketing being fatal, a shame because it does add a heavy, larger caliber bullet, to the AR platform. IMO same problem with the 260 Remington. The 260 is hanging on due to the competition circuit and the great selection of bullets.

If they put half the marketing the did into the 6.5 Creedmoor, both cartridges would be more popular.

Anyone ever try or think the 358 Winchester might be good in the AR-10?

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12 years 10 months ago - 12 years 1 month ago #10545 by AR260rem
Replied by AR260rem on topic Re: 338 Federal: What do you Think?
I asked Armalite if they will offer a carbine version of the 338 Federal and the short answer is probably not. On a positive note, if anyone wants a Armalite 338 Federal upper, they are still on sale as part of their January clean up sale. Check out their website, $800 for a 338 AR-10T upper!:

The .338 Federal has more of a bullet drop because of the heavier round. More dwell time in a 22” SST barrel is far better than in a 16” barrel so I doubt very much that we would offer the .338 Federal in a carbine 16” barreled configuration.

Tim R.
Lead Tech / CSR
ArmaLite Inc.
745 South Hanford Street
P.O. Box 299
Geneseo, Il 61254
Last edit: 12 years 1 month ago by mlotziii. Reason: Deleted last name and phone number w/ extension

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