.338 Federal

[jeepguy95616]

hey guys. i've been reading a lot of the posts on here about what calibers are acceptable/ideal for African non-dangerous game. it occured to me that the new .338 Federal (which largely gets advertised as non-magnum elk cartridge) would really fit the bill. It has the larger bore diameter for better blood trailing, but is still a non-magnum for easier carry and less recoil. it is also flat shooting for about as far as i imagine anyone would want to take African game. in my mind it kind of fills that void between 30-06 and 375 H&H in payload, bullet diameter and recoil. obviously you aren't going to be able to pick up ammo just anywhere, and at this point there aren't a lot of rifle manufacturers making rifles in it (only Kimber, Sako and Ruger, as far as I know), but it seems a lot of gun writers have been championing this new caliber, and hoping it really catches on. (i remember reading a good Chuck Hawks article about it not that long ago).

thoughts? anybody had a chance to take any game (African or otherwise) with it?

 

[tmoniz]

As much as I like the 338 Federal and would like to build one. I don't think I would carry it in Africa.
Over here it should be a good round.
But then again JC Oconnor's wife took Leopards with a 30/06.
If I were going to hunt Africa I would want something a little more substantial.
338 Win Mag, 375 H and H would probably be my first choice, and the 416 Taylor.
Shot the Taylor a few times. It's not that bad as far as the recoil is concerned.
If you are recoil shy there's always a muzzle break to consider.

I would probably take several rifles over there. The 338/06, the 35 Whelen, a 375 and 416 Taylor.

I wouldn't want to run into something where I didn't have enough gun.

 

[jjhack]

My opinion for what you're paying for it.

This is another classic example of a cartridge that solves a problem nobody had. If you want a real killer use the 338 win mag, if that's too much there are plenty of lesser cartridges with easy to find ammo.

What exactly does the 338 Federal bring to the table that is not already done with an existing cartridge? If you reload the 338 is a magic killer cartridge that does just about anything a big game hunters will need. I would ( and do) use a 30/06. Even a 300 win mag, 300HH mag, 300 Weatherby mag.

I guess the short action might mean something to somebody, I don't see anything of value in that. The 338/06 is a great cartridge, but not one I would think about taking outside the country. For international hunting it's best to stick with the standard cartridges. From foreign permits issued by folks that don't understand much about guns, to finding ammo in a pinch. International hunting requires additional thought on what you want to depend on.

 

[bigtusker]

Think about losing your luggage on the way to Africa, it happens more than you think. Where are you going to get more ammo for your gun???

 

[tmoniz]

After reading other topics from jj I would say go with the 06 and the 338 mag.
Bigtusker made a great point.
I can remember many times having to turn around because a friend forgot his ammo.
Traveling to Africa is a different story.
I have a friend who traveled to Africa alot but never took his own weapons. He always used the ones the PH provided.

 

[AZ Jim]

Jeep guy,

Sounds like an awesome caliber, I am sure it performs very well and has some great possibilities just like the .375 Ruger. I want to get one also, but that is a defect of mine, - can't have too many guns / calibers.

That being said maybe you would want to wait to take it to Africa until it has gained in acceptance and popularity.

Until then there are many popular, readily available, and easily recognized cartridges for International travel that perform just as well.

Or maybe if the option is available, you could bring the new cartidge and gun and a more common one just in case something happens ???


jjhack,

Not sure how the whole transporting your guns overseas thing works, can a hunter send his firearm and ammo ahead to the P.H. or does the hunter have to accompany the gun? If so could different guns and ammo be sent seperately to minimize possibilities of ariving and your gun is not there waiting for you?


AZ Jim

 

[jjhack]

You must arrive and depart with your guns into Most Southern African countries. I wish I had a buck for everytime I was asked that!

It's a struggle to manage at times, but no place I'm aware of will let you ship ahead. I own a business there and residency, I still could not leave guns behind and could not, ( would not anyway) ship them ahead. You must be a Citizen, and even then I still don't think you can ship them in or out without a massive struggle.