|
Post by juliang on Oct 15, 2008 14:21:14 GMT -6
Anybody had experience with this caliber? I have two rifles in 223 and another in 204. I am thinking I don't really need the 204. The rifle is a Savage 12 VLP. All that is required to make into 338 Fed is to change the barrel and the boltface. This is an easy thing to do with a Savage. Given that this would be a hunting rifle, a standard ( read cheap!) barrel would do the job. Then of course another set of reloading dies. What think y'all?
|
|
|
Post by bigblue on Oct 15, 2008 16:15:43 GMT -6
Julian, I've often looked at it myself. Based on the .308 case expanded to .338 caliber, it was a collaboration between Sako and Federal that created and standardized this as a factory load. It's been advertised as providing 200 FPS more velocity than the standard .308 and providing the energy of a 7mm Rem. Mag. Of course all of that are going to add up to heavier recoil. A few other considerations in that barrel swap is the need for a set of go/no go gauges to check the headspace, a barrel nut wrench and the magazine or magazine follower. I think Cheaper than dirt or Sportmans Guide sold replacement barrel kits for the Savage that included the gauges and a barrel wrench. Midway also sells barrels for Savage rifles and have quite a few choices: www.midwayusa.com/browse/BrowseProducts.aspx?pageNum=1&tabId=9&categoryId=11791&categoryString=10636***10560***9146***11790***I do know that .338 Fed. cases can be hard to find, but if you don't mind the headstamp not matching, you could always make the brass from .308s. I've also considered .358 Win., .35 Whelen or .338-06 A-Square aftermarket barrels. Of course considering the extra price of the barrel kit, you might just be able to trade the Savage rifle in and use the funds to buy a new Tikka T3 in .338 Fed. We already know they shoot. Don
|
|
|
Post by juliang on Oct 16, 2008 8:56:41 GMT -6
Don, I can get an AB barrel for $120 and the other bits won't be much. It will cost over $500 for another Tikka. I fancy giving the conversion a go. 338 brass does indeed seem to be in short supply, although, as you say, it is possible to reform 308 which I have a lot of. There was a good article about the 338 and the 358 in August handloader mag. Everything I have read leads me to believe that the recoil on the 338 is no worse than a 30-06 which is pretty manageable. I just fancy something a little bigger for a change.
|
|
|
Post by ibhuntng on Oct 16, 2008 9:49:20 GMT -6
the reloaders bench in mt. juliet has brass for the .338. i picked up some day before yesterday. im working up a load for my .338 and i can tell you it kicks way more than a 30-06. im using the lead sled and 50 pounds of lead shot to weigh it down and it still kicks pretty good.
|
|
|
Post by DocHolladay on Oct 16, 2008 10:51:09 GMT -6
There is a difference between the .338 brass and the .338 Federal brass. There is also a difference in recoil.
|
|
|
Post by juliang on Oct 16, 2008 14:40:04 GMT -6
There are several 338 rounds. I was at the reloaders bench yesterday, they have the 338 magnum case, not the 338 Federal. The 338 magnum is a lot bigger case than the 338 Federal. The Federal is the same as the 308 casing only necked up to accept the .338 dia bullet. The Federal used to be the wildcat 338-08 round, it was designed to give good performance with minimum recoil.
|
|
|
Post by juliang on Oct 20, 2008 6:41:45 GMT -6
I got the barrel ordered. I don't know if I'll be able to finish the project for this deer season but I'm excited to try it.
|
|
|
Post by juliang on Oct 22, 2008 5:31:45 GMT -6
Update, I am excited, doesn't take much! I now have a 24" AB barrel in my gunsafe. I have the new magazine box, follower and bolt head plus barrel wrench arriving today. The final part of the puzzle is 50 200gr Speer bullets and a set of Redding dies. I ordered the 3 piece die set. The full length resizer is designed to be able to neck up 308 brass to the 338 Federal, saving a ton of money on brass, I have loads of 308. I am hoping to get this rifle together by the middle of next week and get a load together before deer rifle season. The Savage 12 VLP is a heavy rifle, in part due to a 26" bull barrel. The 338 barrel is shorter and thinner so should shave at least a pound off the weight. This is my first attempt at a Savage caliber change, if I survive the experience then I'll be a happy man.
|
|
|
Post by bigblue on Oct 22, 2008 9:41:42 GMT -6
Sounds like a real fun project, just the kind I enjoy doing. The extra weight of that rifle may come in handy taming recoil. Although I can't believe it would be much worse than a 30/06 shooting heavy bullets. Don
|
|
|
Post by juliang on Oct 28, 2008 13:27:06 GMT -6
Very excited, finally got the 204 barrel off. Thanks in part to my one legged neighbour, a heavy vice and 2 blocks of wood. I weighed both barrels, 204 barrel weighed 5lbs 12oz, new one weighs 4lbs 4 ozs. That is gonna make this about an 8.5 pound rifle, much easier to carry. I have resized my first 308 cases to 338....good exercise for the arm muscles but works great. I had 100 308 cases which I bought for $16 so good to go. Redding dies are very different to set up compared to Lee. It remians to be seen whether they make the ammo any better.
|
|
|
Post by bigblue on Oct 28, 2008 14:30:42 GMT -6
It sounds like your project is proceeding nicely. At 8 1/2lbs. that's still a lot of rifle to tote in the woods. Too much for old guys like Jer and Bubba. LOL You'll have to switch hands while carrying it so you don't build up too much muscle on just one side! I've read comments here that the sight of a .30-06 would scare hogs to death, wait 'til they see that .338. LOL I've had or have Redding, RCBS, Hornady and Lee dies and I still like Lee best. They are the easiest to work with and with most sets in their Pacesetter line, you get the factory crimp die which is excellent. I know there are a lot of pricier die sets, sold mostly to the benchrest crowd, but when we can get Sub-MOA groups using inexpensive Lee dies, I'll stay with them. With some cartridges you don't have much choice. Don
|
|
|
Post by juliang on Oct 28, 2008 17:24:16 GMT -6
Don, my wife is from Wisconsin, I have no choice other than Lee dies. I actually really like Lee dies.
|
|
|
Post by bubbawitha4570 on Oct 28, 2008 18:41:25 GMT -6
I've since went over to under 2 pound rifles because of my age, just as Don has indicated.
And I'll back the Lee dies for use in good loads.
|
|
|
Post by bigblue on Oct 29, 2008 17:14:31 GMT -6
I've since went over to under 2 pound rifles because of my age, just as Don has indicated. LOL!!!!! I know it's just a joke, but in all seriousness I find myself buying rifles with a eye towards how light they are to carry these days. Don
|
|
|
Post by juliang on Dec 11, 2008 11:11:27 GMT -6
I finally have the barrel on this and tightened up. A lot of hassle but the magazine is also in place. I really want to fire it but........ I now find I have mislaid one of the action screws. I need some organization in my room and in my life!! Should be operational by the last phase of gun season here in TN. Definitely a caliber I want to try on hogs, hopefully stop them crawling off after a good hit with this baby.
|
|