Lindcott Armory Compare / .308 Winchester vs .338 Federal
Cartridge comparison
.308 Winchester vs .338 Federal
.308 Winchester is faster (2,850 vs 2,840 fps); .338 Federal carries more energy (3,225 vs 2,700 ft·lb); .308 Winchester recoils less.
.308 Winchester →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–800 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.338 Federal →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–800 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .308 Winchester | .338 Federal | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle | Rifle |
| Introduced | 1952 | 2006 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.308″ | 0.338″ |
| Case length | 2.015″ | 2.015″ |
| Velocity | 2,600–2,850 fps | 2,650–2,840 fps |
| Energy | 2,400–2,700 ft·lb | 2,830–3,225 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 62,000 psi | 62,000 psi |
| Recoil | 15–20 ft·lb | 25–35 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 800 yd | 400 yd |
FAQs
- Is .308 Winchester faster than .338 Federal?
- .308 Winchester is faster — up to 2,850 fps versus 2,840 fps.
- Does .308 Winchester hit harder than .338 Federal?
- .338 Federal carries more muzzle energy (3,225 vs 2,700 ft·lb).