338 Federal Ammo

338 Federal Ammo for Sale

The .338 Federal was introduced in 2006 through a collaboration between Federal Premium and Sako. Developed from the .308 Winchester case and necked up to accept .338-caliber bullets, the cartridge was created to provide larger-bore hunting performance in a compact short-action rifle.

Its appeal comes from the balance between bullet diameter, velocity, energy, and rifle size. Rather than being a magnum cartridge, the .338 Federal was developed for hunters who wanted a capable larger-caliber option without the longer action and additional recoil associated with traditional magnum cartridges.

Today, it remains a practical choice for hunting deer, black bear, elk, and other medium to large North American game.

338 Federal 165gr Solid Copper Hollow Point

High-Quality 338 Federal Ammunition

The .338 Federal uses the basic case dimensions of the .308 Winchester but expands the neck to accommodate a larger .338-caliber bullet. This allows the cartridge to use heavier projectiles while remaining suitable for short-action rifle platforms.

Factory loads are commonly available in bullet weights from approximately 165 to 210 grains. Lighter bullets generally provide higher velocity, while heavier bullets can offer greater sectional density and penetration.

The cartridge is particularly useful for hunters who want a larger-diameter hunting bullet without moving to a full-size magnum rifle. Its compact configuration can also be advantageous when hunting in timber, brush, or other terrain where a shorter, maneuverable rifle is useful.

Choosing Modern 338 Federal Ammo for Your Rifle

The right load depends on the intended application, game species, and bullet characteristics. Bullet weight is only one part of the equation; construction also plays an important role in how ammunition performs.

Steinel currently offers two loads in this chambering:

– 165gr Solid Copper Hollow Point – The 165-grain solid copper bullet provides a lighter option with high weight retention. Its construction makes it suitable for applications where a combination of velocity, controlled expansion, and retained bullet weight is desired.

– 200gr Controlled Expansion Soft Point – The 200-grain controlled-expansion soft point provides a heavier projectile intended for controlled expansion and deeper penetration. It is particularly suited to applications involving larger game where penetration is an important consideration.

The choice between these loads should be based on the intended game, expected shooting distance, rifle characteristics, and the bullet performance required for the application.

338 Federal vs. 308 Winchester

Both cartridges are based on the same basic case design, but the .338 Federal uses a larger-diameter bullet.

The .308 Winchester offers a broad selection of bullet weights and ammunition, while the .338 Federal was developed for hunters who wanted to use a larger bullet while retaining the advantages of a short-action rifle.

For hunters, the choice depends on the game being pursued, bullet construction, rifle configuration, and the performance characteristics desired.

338 Federal vs. 338 Winchester Magnum

The .338 Federal and .338 Winchester Magnum both use .338-caliber bullets, but they are built around different cases and serve different purposes.

The .338 Winchester Magnum uses a larger magnum case and is capable of higher velocities and greater overall ballistic performance. The .338 Federal uses a shorter case derived from the .308 Winchester and is intended for short-action rifles.

The result is a cartridge that emphasizes a compact rifle configuration and a balance of performance and recoil rather than magnum-level velocity.

Why Purchase 338 Federal Ammo From Steinel?

Steinel Ammunition manufactures ammunition for a broad range of rifle and handgun cartridges, including less-common chamberings that can be difficult to source.

For the .338 Federal, the focus is on producing consistent ammunition using selected components and controlled manufacturing processes. The available bullet designs also allow shooters to choose ammunition according to the intended application rather than relying on a single load for every type of hunting.

As with all rifle ammunition, shooters should confirm the cartridge designation, test their selected load in the intended firearm, and follow applicable firearm and hunting regulations.

Manufactured for Hunting Applications

The .338 Federal was developed around a practical hunting concept: provide a larger .338-caliber bullet in a rifle that retains the compact dimensions of a short-action platform.

That makes bullet selection particularly important. The 165-grain Solid Copper Hollow Point and 200-grain Controlled Expansion Soft Point offer different characteristics for different hunting situations.

The lighter load is better suited to deer-sized game and applications where velocity and weight retention are priorities. The heavier load is intended for larger game where controlled expansion and penetration are more important.

338 Federal Ballistics

Ballistic performance varies with bullet design, barrel length, rifle configuration, ammunition lot, and environmental conditions. The following figures represent the listed performance data for the two current Steinel loads using a 24-inch barrel:

The lighter 165-grain projectile provides a higher-velocity option, while the 200-grain bullet emphasizes greater bullet weight and penetration characteristics.

Actual results can vary between rifles, so these figures should be considered reference data rather than guaranteed performance.

Applications of 338 Federal Ammo

Deer Hunting-
The .338 Federal is well suited to whitetail and mule deer hunting. The 165-grain Solid Copper Hollow Point is a suitable option when a lighter, higher-velocity hunting load with high weight retention is desired.

The larger bullet diameter provides a substantial projectile for deer-sized game, while the short-action rifle configuration remains practical for hunting in a variety of terrain.

Elk Hunting-
Elk requires greater emphasis on penetration and appropriate bullet construction than deer. The 200-grain Controlled Expansion Soft Point is the more suitable of Steinel’s two current loads for this application because of its heavier projectile and controlled-expansion design.

Hunters should consider the expected shooting distance, rifle performance, and applicable hunting regulations when selecting ammunition for elk.

Black Bear Hunting-
Black bear hunting can place considerable demands on bullet penetration. The 200-grain Controlled Expansion Soft Point provides the heavier option for this type of application, with a bullet construction intended to balance expansion with penetration.

Antelope and Other Deer-Sized Game

The 165-grain Solid Copper Hollow Point can also be considered for antelope and other deer-sized game where a lighter, higher-velocity projectile is appropriate.

Its solid copper construction provides high weight retention while maintaining the velocity characteristics of a lighter bullet.

Timber and Dense-Cover Hunting-
The cartridge itself is well suited to rifles intended for timber and dense-cover hunting because it can be chambered in a short-action platform. The 200-grain load can be appropriate where larger game is expected, while the 165-grain load provides a lighter option for deer-sized game.

Open-Country Hunting-
For open-country hunting, the 165-grain Solid Copper Hollow Point offers the lighter and higher-velocity option of the two current loads. Hunters should establish the actual trajectory and point of impact of their rifle before relying on any load at extended distances.

Range Shooting and Rifle Zeroing-
Both loads can be used for rifle practice and zeroing, allowing shooters to determine how their individual rifle performs with the selected ammunition.

For hunting applications, it is important to confirm accuracy, feeding, point of impact, and trajectory with the exact load intended for field use.

Compatible Firearms

The .338 Federal has been offered in a range of short-action hunting rifles, including:

– Sako 85
– Tikka T3 / T3x
– Kimber 84M
– Ruger M77 Mark II Frontier
– Savage Model 11 Hog Hunter
– Savage Model 11 Long Range Hunter
– Savage Model 16 Bear Hunter

A hunter with a Sako 85
source-Wikipedia

Always verify the chambering marked on the individual firearm before using ammunition. The .338 Federal is a distinct cartridge and should not be confused with .338 Winchester Magnum or another .338-caliber cartridge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is .338 Federal rifle ammo best used for?
A: .338 Federal rifle ammo is best used for hunting medium to large North American game including whitetail deer, mule deer, black bear, elk, and moose at ranges from 50 to 400+ yards.

Q2. How does .338 Federal compare to .30-06 or .308?
A: The .338 Federal delivers 15-20% more energy than .308 Winchester and similar energy to .30-06 Springfield but with larger diameter bullets providing better penetration on heavy game.

Q3. Is .338 Federal good for elk or deer hunting?
A: Yes, the .338 Federal is excellent for both elk and deer hunting. It delivers sufficient energy for elk at reasonable distances while ensuring devastating performance on deer without excessive meat damage.

Q4. What is the effective range of .338 Federal rifle ammo?
A: The effective range for .338 Federal rifle ammunition extends to 400-450 yards for elk-sized game and 500+ yards for deer, assuming proper bullet selection and shooter proficiency.