What twist rate does .338 Federal use?

.338 Federal typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.

What bullet diameter is .338 Federal?

.338 Federal uses a 0.338″ (8.585 mm) diameter bullet.

Is .338 Federal still in production?

.338 Federal is active; typical availability is limited.

What is .338 Federal used for?

.338 Federal is primarily used for hunting.

What is .338 Federal based on?

.338 Federal is derived from the .308 Winchester case.

What are the best powders for .338 Federal?

Reloading powders commonly listed for .338 Federal include IMR 3031.

Rifle · SAAMI

.338 Federal

.338 Fed8.6x51mm

Short-action .338 for big game.

Caliber: 0.338″ · 8.585 mm
Introduced: 2006
Case: Rimless
Parent: .308 Winchester
Primary use: Hunting
Status: Active

Velocity2,650–2,840 fps

Energy2,830–3,225 ft·lb

Typical grains185 · 200 · 210 gr

Identity

Introduced: 2006
Type: Rifle
Origin: United States
Inventor: Federal / Sako
Manufacturer: Federal Premium Ammunition
Standard: SAAMI
Status: Active
Availability: Limited

Build

Case capacity: 56 gr H₂O
Twist (typical): 1:10
Primer: Large Rifle
Case type: Rimless

Pressure & range

Max pressure: 62,000 psi
Eff. range: 350 yd
Recoil: 25–35 ft·lb

Ballistics

Real trajectory computed from a representative load — Berger Hybrid OTM 215 gr, 2,600 fps, BC 0.354 G7 · 100 yd zero.

Compare tooverlay up to 2

Range	Velocity	Energy	Drop (in)	Drop (MOA)
0 yd	2599	3225	-1.5″	—
100 yd	2476	2926	0.0″	0.0
200 yd	2355	2648	-4.2″	-2.0
300 yd	2238	2391	-14.7″	-4.7
400 yd	2124	2153	-32.1″	-7.7
500 yd	2013	1934	-57.2″	-10.9
600 yd	1904	1731	-90.9″	-14.5
700 yd	1799	1544	-134.2″	-18.3
800 yd	1695	1372	-188.4″	-22.5

Point-mass G7/G1 drag model, standard atmosphere — within ~2% of reference solvers to 1000 yd; real barrels and conditions vary. Open in Ballistic Compare →

Performance

Best for HuntingHornady Superformance SST 200gr200 gr · SST · 2,840 fps · BC 0.290 G7Buy now →

Best for TargetBlack Hills OTM 250gr250 gr · OTM · 2,350 fps · BC 0.356 G7Buy now →

Buy links open .338 Federal ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.

Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds

Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.

CIP TDCC · verified

Measure	mm	in	✓
Bullet ⌀	8.59	0.338	✓
Neck ⌀	9.40	0.370	✓
Shoulder ⌀	11.53	0.454	✓
Shoulder angle	20°	—	✓
Base ⌀	11.96	0.471	✓
Rim ⌀	12.01	0.473	✓
Belt ⌀	n/a
Rim thickness	1.37	0.054	~
Neck length	8.63	0.340	≈
Case length	51.18	2.015	✓
Overall length	69.85	2.750	~

Size vs familiar rounds

Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .338 Federal is highlighted below.

Factory loads

In production — 42 active loads across 19 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 42 →.

Brand	Load	Grain	Bullet	FPS	ft·lb	BC
Hornady	Superformance SST 200gr	200	SST	2,840	3,581	0.290 G7
Hornady	SST	185	SST	2,750	3,106	0.272 G7
Fiocchi	Extrema	185	SST	2,750	3,106	0.272 G7
Underwood Ammo	ELD-M	185	ELD-M	2,750	3,106	0.316 G7
Berger	Hybrid OTM	215	OTM	2,600	3,227	0.354 G7
Nosler	Trophy Grade Partition	225	Partition	2,500	3,122	0.550 G1
Black Hills	OTM 250gr	250	OTM	2,350	3,065	0.356 G7
Federal	Power-Shok	185	SP	2,750	3,106	—
Remington	Core-Lokt	185	PSP	2,750	3,106	—
Barnes	VOR-TX	185	TSX BT	2,750	3,106	—
Cor-Bon	DPX	185	DPX	2,750	3,106	—
Barnes	VOR-TX	185	TSX	2,750	3,106	—
Winchester	Super-X	185	PP	2,750	3,106	—
DoubleTap	Bonded Defense	185	SP	2,750	3,106	—
Federal	Fusion	185	Fusion	2,750	3,106	—

Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.

Suitable powders

1 reloading powder listed for .338 Federal, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →

IMR 3031

Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory

Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.

Powder $/lbCharge (gr)Bullet $/eaPrimer $/eaBrass reusesBrass $/ea

Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.

Firearms chambered in .338 Federal

12 models in the database chamber .338 Federal. Browse all →

Savage Arms MSR 10 Hunter .338 Federal 22-inchPatriot Ordnance Factory Tombstone .308 Win 16.5-inchHenry Repeating Arms Long Ranger .338 FederalAero Precision M5E1 .338 Federal 18-inchHenry Repeating Arms H016L Long Ranger .338 Fed 20-inchTikka Tikka T3x Compact Tactical .308 Win 24-inchJP Enterprises LRP-07 .338 Federal 18-inchKimber Mountain Ascent 6.5 CreedmoorPalmetto State Armory PA-10Kimber Mountain Ascent 308 WinSako 85 BlackbearRuger Hawkeye Compact

Lineage

Immediate parent

.308 Winchester

Family TreeOpen .338 Federal in the interactive cartridge family tree↗

Connected reference

Loads42 factory loads for .338 Federal↗Reloading1 suitable powder — cross-reference↗FirearmsFirearms in .338 Federal↗ToolCompare ballistics↗

History

Introduced 2006 by Federal and Sako. Goal was .338-caliber power in short-action rifles. Never gained widespread popularity despite excellent performance. Victim of poor marketing and limited rifle offerings.

FAQs

What twist rate does .338 Federal use?: .338 Federal typically uses a 1:10 twist rate.
What bullet diameter is .338 Federal?: .338 Federal uses a 0.338″ (8.585 mm) diameter bullet.
Is .338 Federal still in production?: .338 Federal is active; typical availability is limited.
What is .338 Federal used for?: .338 Federal is primarily used for hunting.
What is .338 Federal based on?: .338 Federal is derived from the .308 Winchester case.
What are the best powders for .338 Federal?: Reloading powders commonly listed for .338 Federal include IMR 3031.

Sources & provenance

Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 42 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →