The .338 Federal (8.61×51.18mm) is a full power rifle cartridge. It uses the .308 Winchester as a parent cartridge; the .308 case is necked up to accept .33 caliber bullets. It was created by the American company Federal Cartridge, in conjunction with the company Sako.
History[]
The .338 Federal began production in 2006.
Design details[]
The .338 Federal, like almost all cartridges derived from the .308 Winchester, is a rimless cartridge, and uses a large rifle primer. The case is necked up to accept a .33 caliber (8.6mm) bullet. The overall length of the cartridge is 2.75 inches.
It fires optimally with a 1:10 rifling twist,[1] and fires with a muzzle velocity between 2300 and 2940 feet per second, dependent upon bullet weight, barrel length, and powder load.[2]
Variants[]
The .338 Federal has bullets that range in weight from around 160 grains to 225 grains. Most bullets are JSP and TSX rounds, intended for hunting.