Thread: 338 Federal versus 358 Winchester

I have been doing a bit of thinking lately about a super bush in a bigger hole than 300, have a couple of long range rifles arrived (257W and 7mm Saum ) so have been thinking 338 Federal or 358 Winchester either on a FN Mauser or a Mod 7 Remington. I'm thinking 175/200 grain bullet between 2500 and 2800 fps out of an 18 to 20 inch barrel (suppressed) with a 1.5-5 or 2-7 scope. The guys in the states use both up to 300 yards on Moose and Black bear. I have scopes and rifles I can refit. What would be the better rifle/calibre conversion and why (barrels, projectiles, dies brass etc)
Cheers Jeff

How bout a .375WSM, point and shoot to 250m and makes bigger holes than either of the 2 you mentioned
250gn bullet at 2690fps from 16 inch barrel suppressed

338 Federal might be easier to get components for.

338 ruger compact magnum, mate has one built on a Kimber 19 inch barrel it's absolutely devastating up close

12 gauge... big hole. Devastating up close!

358 over 338, cheap projectiles!

And I have a cast .358 mould in the pipe line dirt cheap bush hunting bullets

I remember Nick Harvey in an old Sporting Shooter (must've been in the early 80's) doing a test of calibres/bullets that were the least deflected etc in the bush. The 358 came out tops :-)

I've got a 350remmag on a parker hale supreme, built it early 90's. One shot, one kill. ballistics very similar to 30-06 165grn.and not unpleasent to shoot. Big push but not a 'smack'.

can i throw a couple of curveballs in there for shits and giggles?..........8x33 kurz or 9x39........not the trendiest of calibres but can take advantage of a mini action ........ ducking for cover now

9.5 /57ackley. 250 grn pill. Its the shizz

358 winchester,its easy to get/load for and shoot. they came out in the BLR as standard ,mate in Sweden has on in rem mod 7 and he does great work on thier large boar with it,dirt cheap to load for using cast loads.

Some great ideas here, for those touting a magnum they have merit but I would like to keep the bolt face standard and I'd prefer to do it on one of my mod 7's, one is already in magnum mode with 7mm and 30 cal Saum barrels and if I keep the other one standard I can always put the 7.08 barrel back on. I have to admit some of those other calibres based maybe on the FN sound pretty cool as well. I'll need to do a bit of research but dies and reamers could be hard to source.

I have a ruger model limited run 77 in .358 win, my birthday present last year, now shot three deer with it, and will try for a black bear in May.
225 gr gr at 2450 seams to work just fine,
One thing to keep an eye on on the 338 is that many bullets designed, are for much larger cal, and don't expand all that well at lower speeds, think 338 Lapua v .338 federal,
.358 also has a large choice, of cheap pistol bullets to play with.
I've got a 9.3x62 as well, another fine choice, but the .358 win is much nicer to shoot, and as will all med bores, very accurate.
Check out prophet river firearms Canada, if a new limited run ruger 77 is of interest, he will export to NZ, one of our members on here is bringing in a Cooper at moment.
Thinking about bring my .358 win back to NZ, at the moment and buying another to keep in Canada, would prefer stainless for NZ, so undecided.
I would take a .358 win over .338 but doubt, your notice any real would difference on game.
Can tell you, I felt much happier with a grizzle bear huffing, growling and chopping, its chops at me, less than 10m away, with the 358 win in my hands, than the time prior, when I only had a fly rod,
But even a .358 win isn't enough, to fell secure about your longevity.

this .375 would seem to me to be worth looking at . . . the .338 & .358 are to small . . to me

with a custom mold cast bullets in the 300grn. range with a BIG meplate you would have some very serious horsepower

Workmate had a 358 built on a kimber Montana with a silly short barrel and can. Saw it first hand on a large bodied red stag, very effective. Front on it ended up behind the right side hip joint.