.338 Federal
Reloading data for .338 Federal cartridges and specifications for cases and loads in this caliber.
Product number: CID_450
Load data for caliber ".338 Federal"
The .338 Federal is a rifle cartridge that was jointly developed by Federal Premium Ammunition and Sako in 2006. It was designed as a big game hunting cartridge that would offer the performance of larger cartridges like the .338 Winchester Magnum in a shorter, lighter rifle.The cartridge is based on the .308 Winchester case, which was necked up to accept .338 caliber bullets. The resulting cartridge has a bullet diameter of .338 inches and a case length of 2 inches.
The .338 Federal is capable of firing bullets weighing between 180 and 225 grains at muzzle velocities ranging from 2,700 to 2,900 feet per second. It is a powerful cartridge that is suitable for hunting a wide range of game animals, including deer, elk, and moose.
One of the main advantages of the .338 Federal is its compact size, which makes it ideal for use in lightweight, short-action rifles. It also has a relatively low recoil compared to larger cartridges like the .338 Winchester Magnum, which makes it more comfortable to shoot for some hunters and shooters.
The .338 Federal has gained a following among hunters and shooters who appreciate its combination of power, accuracy, and compact size. It is typically chambered in bolt-action rifles, but is also available in semi-automatic rifles, such as the AR-10 platform.
While the .338 Federal is not as widely available as some of the more established cartridges on the market, it has a dedicated following and is available from a number of firearms manufacturers. It is also relatively affordable compared to some of the larger, more specialized cartridges.
You find .338 Federal with all common powders and bullets by clicking the 'Loads in this caliber' button above.
Technical Specifications (based on the respective safety standard - see more details in tab 'Datasheet' if available)
| Caliber: | .338 Federal |
|---|---|
| Cartridge Type: | Rimless |
| Bullet Diameter: | 0.338 '' | 8.59 mm |
| Primer Size: | Large Rifle (LR) |
| Max. Case Length (l3): | 2.01'' | 51.16 mm |
| Max .Cartridge Length / OAL: | 2.82'' | 71.63 mm |
| Maximum Standardized Pressure: | 60191.6 psi | 4150 bar |
C.I.P.
The Commission internationale permanente pour l'épreuve des armes à feu portatives ("Permanent International Commission for the Proof of Small Arms" – commonly abbreviated as C.I.P.) is an international organisation which sets standards for safety testing of firearms. (The word portatives ("portable") in the name refers to the fact the C.I.P. tests small arms almost exclusively; it is ordinarily omitted from the English translation of the name.) As of 2015, its members are the national governments of 14 countries, of which 11 are European Union member states. The C.I.P. safeguards that all firearms and ammunition sold to civilian purchasers in member states are safe for the users.
To achieve this, all such firearms are first proof tested at C.I.P. accredited Proof Houses. The same applies for cartridges; at regular intervals, cartridges are tested against the C.I.P. pressure specifications at the ammunition manufacturing plants and at C.I.P. accredited Proof Houses.