338 Federal vs 308 Winchester vs 358 Winchester Review & Comparison
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.ย. 2024
- To learn more about popular calibers like the 308 Winchester, visit: huntingguns101...
In this video, I conduct a detailed comparison of the 338 Federal vs 308 Winchester vs 358 Winchester cartridges.
Most hunters and shooters in North America are probably familiar with the .308 Winchester cartridge as well as cartridges like the .243 Winchester and 7mm-08 Remington that are descended from it. However, the .338 Federal and .358 Winchester are also well designed short action cartridges descended from the .308, but are not nearly as well known.
Indeed, the .358 Winchester was one of the first cartridges designed using a modified .308 Winchester case while the .338 Federal is a relatively new SAAMI standardized rifle cartridge. Though they each have their limitations, both cartridges offer certain advantages when compared to their parent cartridge.
This episode is a detailed comparison of the 338 Federal vs 308 Winchester vs 358 Winchester where I parse out the differences between those three cartridges so you can make an informed decision regarding which one will work best for you.
To read a more detailed comparison of the 338 Federal vs 308 Winchester vs 358 Winchester, visit:
thebiggamehunt...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow BGHB:
thebiggamehunt...
Facebook: / thebiggamehuntingblog
Instagram: / thebiggamehunter_
Twitter: / thebiggamehunt
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
338 Federal vs 308
308 vs 338 Federal
308 vs 358 Winchester
358 Winchester vs 308
338 Federal vs 358 Winchester
358 Winchester vs 338 Federal
338 Federal seems like a very sensible, all around cartridge that should have been more popular.
Have always thought the 338 Fed would have held up better over time. Especially in Alaska.
I built a 358win AR-10 a few months ago. I've been having a lot of fun with it. I bout a 5 gallon bucket of fired 308 brass and now I'm building firearms in it's child calibers
My first .358 was an AR 10 as well .
I bought two .358 barrels for that gun and I'm in the process of converting one of those barrels to work with my BLR Takedown which is in .308.
So if things work out I'll have a .358/.308 AR 10 and BLR Takedown that share ammo.
Still undecided on whether to use the 19" or 16" barrel for the BLR project.
Just last week I got a new AR 10 upper so I can test them side by side and make a decision.
That's my unique BLR build project.
The .338 Fed has great numbers, but I have enough projects to keep me busy for a while.
It looks like the .338 Federal is too long for my magazine, to get the most out of that cartrdige.
I like the side charging uppers for the AR
@@bertkilborne6464 Sounds like a well thought out project..like to know how it works out..definitely a interesting idea!
@@michaelratliff9449 I've got the blueprint etched into my mind, but I had to move recently, so that project is on the back burner.
I hope that I'm able to get back to it someday.
Thanks for noticing .
Have An Enjoyable Holiday !
358 is a excellent hard hitting medium range cartridge. Enjoy.
I handload for the 338 federal with a max load of h322 160 Barnes ttsx. I get 3050 fps at around 3300 ft/lbs of energy. This is out of a 20” barrel. It’s devastating on any animal it hits.
12:08 ❤😂 12:16 😂😂
Enjoyed the video. I picked the .358 Winchester in Savage 99 as my heavy hitter in 1979. Later came a BLR and a rebarreled M.70. I have taken game from the size of coyotes all the way to elk with one shot per customer. Handloads incorporating the 250 grain Speer at 2353 fps were used on elk, while a Sierra 225 grain at 2518 fps takes care of the smaller game. My brother has also taken elk with my handload and it too was a single shot. I believe the .358 is capable out to 300 yards although I've never had to take a shot beyond 125 yards. I'm sure the .338 Federal is a good round but, since the .358 has done everything I've asked, saw no reason to change. Thanks for your video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video as always!
I think a comparison between 30-06, 338-06 and 35 Whelen would also be great.
Great suggestion!
I have been shooting 338-06 for years. It is a remarkable cartridge.
It's funny you mention those 3, I have a '98 Mauser switch barrel that shoots 30-06, 338-06 & 35 Whelen. (I also have a Tikka 595 Sporter switch barrel in 22-250, 7mm08 & 308 and a Winchester M70 switch barrel in 7mm WSM & 300 WSM)
Great minds think alike! I was thinking the same thing and as a reloader I bet I could get some pretty hot loads in a 338-06!
It’s nice to have you bringing current information and a 21st century perspective to these cartridges. The .358 Winchester is an effective cartridge; and I hunt with one when the mood strikes if I know my shots will be within 250 yards. The cartridge is effective and mine cloverleafs 250 grain round nose hand loads at 100 yards from the bench. I hunt with 180 grain and 225 grain Barnes Bullets. It seems Barnes has discontinued the 225 grain bullet. Every deer shot at with my .358 has been recovered. Recoil is relative; and my .358 is more enjoyable to shoot from a bench than my .308 or my .30-06. The advantage of the .358Winchester seems to be bore diameter; and to maintain higher sectional density requires heavier bullets. The .358 Winchester has too small a case capacity to drive heavy bullets at velocities that enhance their expansion; and the trajectories at lower velocities create yardage limitations. My recommendation is to purchase a .35 Whelen rifle and shoot heavy bullets.
My .35 Whelen load using IMR 4064 powder, a 225 grain boat tail bullet averages 2816 fps at 15 feet from muzzle. 3962 foot pounds of energy.
i hunt with 358 win and 35 whelen they both work fine.
Three wonderful efficient cartridges! The whole family is my favorite cartridges!
I've found that the 358 Winchester is not a shoulder bruiser. It's comparable to the 30-06 Springfield as far as felt recoil.
I actually use the 358 as my dedicated black bear round. The 7mm-08 is my favorite whitetail cartridge.. I have a Tikka T3x Hunter and love it!
Both these rifles shoot sub moa with their respective loads.
Buffalo bore is what my 358 likes. I've only tried Hornady and Buffalo Bore. The Hornady is about 1 1/2 moa. Which is fine for my intended hunting. Anything inside 200 yards!
I’ve harvested several deer with the .358 Winchester. Several times I’ve carried a 7mm-08 (with a left hand twist); no deer has ever shown up to test it. I use it only with open sights. It’s my downpour and snowing a whiteout hunting rifle. Ironically: I harvested one deer while sitting by a large root ball in a heavy downpour; and that was with the .358 Winchester.
I have a Savage 99 in .358, I bought it to sell but I really Like this great brush rifle where I live for Deer. I also have a 7mm08 Mauser as my favorite hunting piece..I have several other rifles of different calibers..love them all but IMO...A 7mm is beyond any doubt, the best all around caliber ever created, in my opinion for any game, anywhere on earth...period
This is one I really enjoyed. I haven’t seen much of a use for the 338 Fed since the vast majority of .338” bullets are designed for 338 Win Mag. That being from a handloader’s perspective. Mind you these are assumptions that I would get desirable expansion at 225-250yds. I have no experience with the cartridge. Mainly due to these assumptions. The 358 on the other hand is a love of mine. Big game-wise all I’ve ever hunted are deer and hogs. And inside of 220 yards the 358 is a hammer! I’ve used the 200gr interlock some but mostly the now-discontinued(🙄) 200gr TSX. I cannot share what the bullets looked like after impact because they always pass through leaving a devastating wound channel. You can definitely see a difference(animal reaction) when the 358 hits vs 30-30, 243, 270, 7mag and, yes, even 30-06. My barrel length is only 16.5”(Ruger Frontier Scout) and I still get great velocity. If I know I might have a 300+ yard shot I go to the 270. All that said I’d love to have a 308. But as good as that 358 has been I can’t say I’m missing much
Have you thought of swaging your own then?
The “thump” of the.35 Whelan , is extremely underrated ! 🇨🇦
Great video version of the original article. Ive got a re-barreled Ruger M77 Mark II Sporter in 358. Took a nice buck this rifle season in Ontario. It went about three yards before dropping. Truth be told though, any "high powered" rifle making the same shot would have resulted in a dead deer. Possibly a longer run may have occurred with a smaller faster calibre. And, some cartridges might not have produced a good blood trail. BTW Wilson Combat does make two of their rifles in 358. Although they both are "black guns" and are heavily military inspired, Wilson does say for defense or hunting.
One thing you didn't touch on is that the bigger bores are more efficient in shorter barrels, or to put it differently they pick up more of their velocity earlier on in the barrel and have a bit less to gain from longer barrels than the .308.
For every inch you cut off that barrel, the percentage of drop in performance of the .308 would increase more and more compared to the bigger bores.
For folks who want something like a 16 inch AR-10, any meaningful advantage the .308 has over the .338 starts to dwindle compared to say a 22 inch barrel,
I wouldn't be surprised at all if the average .338 round is all around ballistically superior to the average .308 round even out to or past 300 yards from a 16 inch gun.
I've been using 308 brass in my 338 fed, just ran up through the die. I use a lee cast 225gr bullet powder coated over a small charge of red dot for a dead quiet subsonic. That bullet at a modest 1050 fps is actually quite capable of taking medium game, but doesn't have the hammer of Thor kind of knockdown as the 185gr soft points at full speed
Great video. I use the .338 federal for game in my area exclusively. I live in an area where the the deer and moose seasons overlap. I did some research and come up with the .338 fed. being my best choice for what I’m hunting. In northern Ontario you don’t get long range shots often. 200 yards is probably the most range you get. That’s shooting over a swamp or large open area. I looked at the .308 but wasn’t happy with the bullet selection of the 180gr rounds. With the .338 I got heavier bullets with extra energy in case of one of those longer shots. The bullets don’t slow down as much as the .358 so I know I always have a proper impact velocity on game. I used 200 gr. Federal fusion bullets the first season of hunting and now handload all my rounds. Now I use Nosler Accubonds in 200gr. with muzzle velocities just over 2600 fps. My Ruger M70 shoots about 3/4 inch at 100 yards.
I like the 358w especially in a blr.
Its really good at putting down deer and big hogs before they can get back to the swamps .
It keeps them out of the water.
And that can be a big deal depending on where your hunting.
Sometimes you have to ask a gator if you can get your game.
That was a great presentation, and I Learned quite a bit about the 338 federal and 358 Winchester. I had not thought about those 2 calibers before But if I come across a rifle in either of those chamberings And the price is right I just might pull the trigger, Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
And thanks for making this video. I’d like to see more on medium bores like these
You got it!
I own a use my Savage 16FCSS Weather Warrior in 338 Federal. I quickly bought this rifle are a huge reduced price, plus $100 rebate. Excellent rifle, with the Accustock and Accutrigger.
I reload, so using 308 Winchester/7.62x51 Nato brass is a smart way to make 338 Federal ammunition. I use several 180, 200, 210 and 225 grain bullets. The 338 Federal is a fully capable Elk cartridge within ethical distances.
To me the .35 cals just have a certain intangible “cool factor” if for no other reason than that they’re uncommonly used (in rifles anyway) these days. Just acquired an old BRNO rifle in .358 Norma Magnum, can’t wait to get dies and get handloading for that beast.
That should be a great hunter!
Thanks for the info! I've been curious about the .338 Federal.
You bet!
.338 Federal is so nice cardrige.
With the surge in American states having seasons starting with .358 calibers, id love to see your thoughts.
Up here in Canada with big moose , too many bears and other mixed game sizes.
The 35 Whelen has always had a strong following.
Especially with todays REAL updated list load data, like Sierra published data. Its in and about 300 ft per second faster then old books.
35 Whelen shooting a 225 at 2900 fps is insane !
I’d love to see a updated video just on the 35 Whelens history, use in North America and Africa, to todays sold out rifles.
And most importantly, how efficient it is with todays powders and actual data!
I run 250 grain to 158 pistol bullets in mine with easy MOA and low recoil.
Even a cool comparison would be the
3006 parent case going to the 35 Whelen and the 9.3 x62.
I load for all 3 and choose the Whelen as my do it all.
All using the same 3006 parent case.
The Whelens 225 bullet launches faster and flatter than the other 2 and has over 4000 ftlbs at muzzle.
I’ve done charts with all 3 using 220,225 and 250 and it was fascinating.
Thanks for your great channel !
I have a 338 Lapua mag thought about getting the Wilson combat 338 Federal I went ahead and decided to get the Nemo arms 300 win mag The Omen
I've shot a lot of deer with my .358 BLR and never lost one. One time I shot too far back in the liver and felt badly the deer would suffer. I immediately walked over and not 20 yds away was my buck dead not even breathing. I was using 225 gr TSX at 2300 fps. I was so impressed with the bullet performance on that less than perfect shot. I think there is a lot to be said for bullet diameter on internal ballistics.
Also on terminal ballistics. There is a "Killing Power Equation", I believe was created by Chuck Hawks which uses energy (in ft. lbs.) times sectional density of the bullet times cross section area of the bullet (in sq. in.) equals the killing score. A score of 12.5 is the level needed for deer size game. This equation requires the bullet diameter which needs to be input.
375 Raptor would be interesting. It also uses the 308 as parent case.
Wish someone would make a factory rifle with a 1:7 twist 338 federal for those long high bc copper bullets
I remember hearing that when loaded to the same pressure, the 358 is much closer in trajectory to the 338, but effectively kills much better in reality. Idk if it was because the 338 bullets used were tougher due to mostly being made for higher velocitie cartriges....or if 358 is a sweet spot in caliber size. I remember reading something about 358 being the smallest diamiter to which cast bollets at lower velocities perform really well also.....so maybe there was some overlaping truth there....which I guess there is somethingbto it as lower velocity pistol calibers seem to be effective in the 355-358 diamiter.
Top notch information. Heck of a channel
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
Anybody thinking of changing a new Ruger SFAR into a .358 Win? I think that would be fantastic!
I have a custom built 358 Winchester on a R700 action.
An interesting cartridge comparison video, now one year old as I write this in May 2023. I don't worry very much about ballistic coefficients at any range that I might have ever shot anythng at, which was never over 300 yards BUT I think it would have been a little fairer if the bullets were closer in their relative BC's. I know that's hard to do with the .358 diameter bullets, but the 225 grain Nosler Partition Is not too bad at 0.430.
At this time, except for hand loaders who have a supply of brass on hand, whether original 338 Federal brass or something they can reform, the 338 Federal is pretty much dead and burried. Same for the 338 Marlin Expess. The situation for .338 diameter bullets is a little better because of the popularity of 338 Win Mag. In factory ammo I could only find one on line source with any 338 Federal available, the Federal Premium 200 grain copper bullet and the Federal Premium Trophy Bonded 200 grain at $63 and $93 per box respectively. I've never used any copper bullets but if I had to I guess i would opt for the copper at $63 based solely on what I've read about the performance of copper bullets.
I checked on line can find only six (6) 338 Federal rifles for sale. Ruger 77 Hawkeye stainless with a Hogue stock, current bid $411 with 6 days to go. Ruger #1 starting bid $2,000 with no bids. 4 in AR platform with prices from $1,500-$3,000. The situation was a little better for 358 Winchester with 14 available with a couple of custom 98 Mausers from $600-$900, two or three Browning BLR's from $900-$1200 and a couple of Savage model 99's at around $1,500 which is typical for those. The others were as high as $3000 for rare and super custom jobs.
If you want to shoot a non-magnum 338, you'd be better off to find a 338-06. Any good real gunsmith can put one together for a reasonable amount. I'm not talking about a fancy custom gun. There are plenty of already nicely sporterized '98 Mausers in 30-06 that can easily be re-barrelled to 338-06. Same deal with a Remington 700 or one of the good Savage bolt guns. Dies are available and new or once fired 30-06 brass to resize isn't too hard to find. The 338-06 will easily get within 10% of 338 Win Mag velocities with the same weight bullets while using less powder and producing less recoil. The 338-06 will out perform the 338 Federal and is more versatile. You can load it down to the 338 Federal levels or push it up close to 338 Win Mag. If you don't hand load or you're not uber rich you better stick with 308 Winchester or even the 358 if you can find factory ammo which is still hard to tind and pretty pricey but not nearly as expensive as 338-06.
How well a 358 Winchester performs really depends on what kind of bullet you're using and what you're hunting. You don't need a heavy constructed premium bullet for thin skinned Whitetails or Black Bears. Something like the old Remington CORE-LOKT 200 grain or other common bullet will work just fine. The 200 grain bullet at 2500 fps sighted 3-3.5" high at 100 yards or dead on at 225-250 yards will give you a maximum effective point blank range of somewhere around 275 yards give or take. You might have to hold a little high at 300 or even 325 yards if you're a little bit better than the average shooter because you practice a lot in shooting positions that you might have to use in the field. If you're after Elk or Caribou, step up to the Nosler Partition, Acccubond or other well constructed bullet. Those bullets will have plenty of energy and penetration out to 300 yards or farther. I'm not advocating shoot past 300 yards. If you want more power in a 35 caliber rifle and can handle more recoil, step up the 35 Whelen. It's much more versatile than the 358 Winchester.. There's quite a few different factory loads available fot it. If you hand load you can load it down to 358 Winchester levels or push it close to 358 Norma Magnum levels. The Hornady 200 grain SuperFormance load at an alleged 2910 fps equals the 358 Norma with the same weight bullet. There are also hand loads that will match that. Unfortunately it matches at both ends of the rifle.
I have rifles chambered in all the cartridges featured in the video except the 338 Federal which has never interested me, but I'm a 70 year old who has no interest in any cartridge introduced in the last 20 or even 30 years. Probably the only one would be the 7mm-08 which I've actually had on my want list for some time even though i have a custom '98 Mauser 7x57 that I can make out perform the 7mm-08.
My current health situation prevents me from doing much hunting of any sort, but with the above all stated, if i was forced to give up all but one of the two remaining here I'd pick the 308 Winchester. Plenty of bullets of various styles and quality from 125 to 200 grains with velocities from 3200-2500 fps respectively.The 125 grain bullet might be a bit much for varmints unless you're not worried about pelt damage. I think the 200 grainers are a bit much for the 308's powder capacity but it can be made to work with the right powders, especially if you hand load for a standard length action so that you can seat the bullet out far enough to take advantage of the 308's limited powder capacity. Usually the 150, 165, 168 and 180 grain weights are going to be your best bets in the 308 Winchester. Recently I've seen some 170 grain .308 diameter bullets but i don't know anything about those. They might be target bullets which you should run as far away from as possible when it comes to hunting.
Here's a little FYI. The 300 Savage equaled the 150 grain 30-06 military load at 2750 fps when it was introduced in 1924, long before the 308 Winchester and 7.62x51 military version. The 300 Savage was actually what the 7.62x51 was based on. It lost out in the competition for U.S. military use because of its shoulder angle and relatively short neck. It had plenty power as it was loaded with the 150 grain bullet. If you've got a 300 Savage it will do pretty much everything a 308 Winchester will do. It's taken plenty of elk over the years. If you can find Hornady 150 grain SuperFormance loads it becomes a Super 300 Savage!
This all reminds me of a little bit more FYI. In his Complete Book of Rifles and Shotguns, the late, great Jack O'Connor wrote that if he could have only one rifle to hunt the world over, it would be a 375 H&H Magnum. If he could have a second rifle it would be a 270 Winchester. If i was that world wide hunter, I'd keep the 270 in the pair but substitute my 9.3x62 Mauser for the 375 H&H but since I'm never going to be a world wide hunter and at best limited to North America and one gun, it could still be the 308 Winchester. I might avoid the.big bears. Having meat to eat is a better choice than being eaten. Happy hunting boys and girls!😊
I "had" a 358 Win. I still have 2 308's. If I want a bigger bore I now reach for my 35 Whelen.
Could ya do a comparison of the 30-06, 338-06 and 35 whelen?
The older I get the more I appreciate the more efficient cartridges and while I am not really into the "Trick of the Week" new cartridges, its looking like the 338 Federal gives up very precious little to the 308 but has a significant advantage in ft-lb of energy in a compact format. Ive been thinking about getting something with a little more frontal area and the 338 Federal just might be the scratch to satisfy that itch!
You're not wrong about the 338 Federal overall. Take a hard look at the ammo and rifle situation before you dive in there though. Ammo for the 338 has been almost impossible to find lately...
@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Was thinking a 308 action with an appropriate barrel and stock courtesy of my Local Gunsmith. I reload so I am thinking forming brass from the piles of 308 brass I have shouldnt be too challenging. Maybe I am wrong...
Well, that changes things a bit. If you're set for components, then by all means go ahead!
The 338 federal is wicked on the piggies! But capable of bringing down elk at reasonable ranges! Deere don’t stand a chance. Great moose gun. Modern day mountain man Billie Molles client Crushed a Kodiak with one on TH-cam!
Do you have any data to compare the .338 with .358 at 62,000? The ridiculous 52,000 was for old rifles/lever guns - would be interesting to see how things stack up if you let them compete on an even pressure playing field.
My guess is that the larger diameter bullets trim enough velocity off of 308 levels that it makes them both only 200 yard hunting bullets... which contributes to poor sales.
Thanks mate
Cheers
Rob
I have hunted with a 308 for 20 years killed everything from a raccoon to a black bear best all around cartridge ever in my opinion
What ammo have you had the most success with?
@@Thebiggamehuntingblog Re Remington 180gr round nose Cor-Lok deadlest mushroom in the woods lol
100%!
The photo looks like you ran a 9.3x62 through a lee sizing die for the 358 Winchester
That's definitely a 358 Winchester cartridge straight out of a box of 358 Winchester factory ammo...
I use a 358 model 99 Savage love the rifle and cateridge shot a truck load of deer with it lol😊
so all the recoil comparisons would be moot for some one who owns a 340 wby mag and shoots ground hogs with it all summer long right?
45 70 has less energy than a 308 at 100yrds. You might want to rethink the45 70 for big bears. Go with the 358 win. inside 300 yrds.for your bears. Good luck and good hunting.
Since Federal recently announced it's discontinued the 338 Federal cartridge, has any other manufacturer taken up this cartridge to continue the line?
Can you send me details on Federal's announcement?
good job-- have used the .358 out to 300 yards and the ..308 to about 220 -- I am currently tuning my.358 to hunt with cast bullets out to 200 yards. I have, I think learned you can push the 200 FT to 250 + yards but not the interlock, as it expansion limited to about 200 both starting at 2600 ish. I have long thought about a .338 08 and may yet get one. Thanks a gain --good job btw a .358 win with a 250 speer at 2360 ish should be good for anything inside 220 yards or so --I do not know about the big bears -- but will never hunt them likely-- too much$
Are there Lever Action Rifles for the 338 federal?
325 wsm ,338 federal, 8.6 blackout i know the 8.6 blackout isnt sami spec bout about to be
correct me if I’m wrong but 338 federal is a 30 tc taken to 38 caliber same case as a 6.5 creedmore not the 308?
The 338 Federal uses a 308 case necked up to 338". It is not descended from the 30 TC (but you're right: the 6.5 Creedmoor is).
Excellent knowledge is power listen and learn.. ✨👍😉
Indeed it is!
Live up mountains in bear country and I was looking at the 358, but now I’m starting to lean towards 9.3×62.
I really want something for deer and hog blackbear got at the same time I want something to deal with brown bear if the need arises.
So it looks like I’ll have to go with 30-06 and just carry different weight cartridges
I own a 9.3, but ammo can be a challenge unless you are in Europe. You might want to look at the 35 Whelen for the Americas.
A Buffalo Bore 358 Win. Supercharged 225 gr. Barnes TSX at 2700fps makes over 3000ft/lbs at 100yrds, which is plenty for ANY bear on the planet. The velocity of that load makes it relatively flat shooting with a mpbr of 240yrds making it also plenty good enough for short to medium shots on ANY medium, and large game in North America.
Not sure why the 358 is loaded to a lower pressure than 308W and 338Fed..?
It’s the same but the source he used shows it in cups instead of psi, just a different way of measuring is all it is
Believe it’s because people put them in lever action (magazine fed) rifles which tend to handle less pressure
Did federal stop making the 338 federal ?
No, they're still making it. Federal's web site says they recently discontinued the Fusion MSR loading in 338 Federal, but they still make 4 other loads in that chambering.
@@Thebiggamehuntingblog thanks
just use the 8x57
Kak makes 358 win ar10s
👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
First