[Girth]

So I stumbled upon a DPMS pattern stripped upper for a good price, and am trying to decide the direction I'd like to go with the rest of it. Looking at barreling it for the .338 Federal possibly. Wondering who here has experience using that cartridge, and why you might choose it over .308?

From what I've been able to figure out, its basically a bit more punch in the same package. Do those performance gains continue past 500yrs? Past 1000? From some I've read, its nice at "intermediate" ranges, but starts to loose its luster much like the .308 once you really stretch it out. Makes sense, given the parent case, but curious about personal experiences.

Hand loads for it? Not sure what the action can handle on these rifles.... is there a generally agreed upon max bullet weight like that toted for the M14?

Advice on a barrel source? I've seen a few. Some are just the barrel, some are barrel/bolt combos, for a sure bet headspace I assume. I haven't picked up a BCG for it yet. Actually, all thats on the way is the Upper (charging handle/dust cover/ and FA too) and some Pmags so far.

 

[Cody M1A]

I highly recommend Black Hole Weaponry for a 338 Federal barrel. I have two in 308 and have everything to complete a fifth except for a barrel and I was leaning toward one in 338 Federal.

 

[KyAggie]

Yeah, it might not be a "long range round", but it should hit like a mother less than 400 yards. How far are you wanting to shoot?

 

[Girth]

Yeah, it might not be a "long range round", but it should hit like a mother less than 400 yards. How far are you wanting to shoot?

As far as it can. GI1 My local range goes out to 550, but I guess my reasoning is a .308 will do the job out to that and beyond. Im just wondering if the hoopla is worth the premium price tag I guess. Well.... that and barreling it in .308 feels boring.

 

[MrShmitty]

Didn't they do an M1A in the 338 federal? Stripped it down and everything and painted it an ugly ace color? Now the 338 Federal in a socom variant would be my ideal patrol/HD rifle.

 

[FWP]

I have a Kimber bolt gun .338 Federal. I think it is an excellent round for the hunting I do.

If you do some research there is a lot of info out there. The ballistics for 180 grain bullets in the .338 ease past the 30/06.

If semi autos were legal for hunting in PA I would probably build a .338 AR.

 

[POLACK]

try here
http://www.ar-10-rifles.com/index.php
http://www.gunblast.com/ArmaLite-AR10T.htm
http://www.shop.blackholeweaponry.com/338-Federal_c542.htm bbls
https://search.yahoo.com/yhs/search...&hsimp=yhs-att_001&type=att_pc_homerun_portal
http://www.ar15barrels.com/calibers.shtml barrels

 

[tflorman]

If you're looking for a round that will go a long way and works in the DPMS pattern upper... I would consider 6.5 creedmoor. Shooting 123 grain bullets will easily get you to 1000 and beyond without beating the crap out of it. For lower recoil with long range punch, 6.5 creedmoor is hard to beat.

Have you considered what barrel length you like to go with?

 

[MatthewDS]

If it's power you want, go 358 Winchester. I built a loose SR-25 clone in 358 Winchester and I love it.

 

[Rikor]

.338 Federal is a great elk cartridge in a short action. Not made for long range but rather realistic ethical ranges 400 yds or so max. I have a Kimber chamber in it and used to harvest a nice bull in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. I like the round. A 210 grain Nosler Partition moving humbly at 2600 ft/sec hits game like a hammer and wont beat you the hunter up too much when chambered in a light weight mountain rifle.

 

[bfoosh006]

Some load data for a DPMS .338 Fed. AR10...

http://www.ammoland.com/2013/05/hunting-the-dpms-panther-arms-lr-338l-rifle/#axzz4MiinMcIN