Lindcott Armory Compare / .338 ARC vs .338 Federal
Cartridge comparison
.338 ARC vs .338 Federal
.338 Federal is faster (2,840 vs 2,450 fps); .338 Federal carries more energy (3,225 vs 2,660 ft·lb); .338 ARC recoils less.
.338 ARC →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–800 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
.338 Federal →Representative trajectory · 100 yd zero0–800 yd Open in Ballistic Compare ↗
| .338 ARC | .338 Federal | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Rifle | Rifle |
| Introduced | 2025 | 2006 |
| Bullet ⌀ | 0.338″ | 0.338″ |
| Case length | 1.3″ | 2.015″ |
| Velocity | 1,000–2,450 fps | 2,650–2,840 fps |
| Energy | 444–2,660 ft·lb | 2,830–3,225 ft·lb |
| Max pressure | 52,000 psi | 62,000 psi |
| Recoil | 20–28 ft·lb | 25–35 ft·lb |
| Eff. range | 600 yd | 400 yd |
FAQs
- Is .338 ARC faster than .338 Federal?
- .338 Federal is faster — up to 2,840 fps versus 2,450 fps.
- Does .338 ARC hit harder than .338 Federal?
- .338 Federal carries more muzzle energy (3,225 vs 2,660 ft·lb).