has anyone had any experience with an encore in 338 federal?

Welcome to the sight!!!

Yes, love the round. My barrels likes 180 Accubonds over 43gr of H332 and a Win primer at 2400 fps. The recoil is like shooting my 308 with with 150gr SST's at 2700 fps.

My picture at the bottom is of my 338 Fed. The only thing I don't like about is the cost of the bullets. However, brass and RCBS dies are reasable priced. You could also use 308 brass if you were in a pinch. I am currently casting for it with a Accerate Mold. The 220gr cast bulled is doing well and easily obtains MOA at 100.

Hope this at least helps some.

Duane.

I shoot this caliber in a rifle so you may be looking at different bullets for the lower velocities, but keep an eye on the shootersproshop. They sell the Nosler seconds and overruns. I have been able to pick up a bunch at really good prices.

I use the 338 Federal in a FA single shot handgun. I love the round. I shoot 210 Nosler partitions.

Wtroper, I was hoping you would chime in!!! You were part of the reason I acquired my 338 Federal. If I remember right you took a nice Fallow Buck with yours...

Zac, I'll by the Noslers and shoot them when needed. For plinking and varmiting, I will stick with 220gr cast bullets I am toying with. I am getting 1.5 in groups at 100 with cast bullets out of this barrel at 1750 fps. They are also about 2in high of the Nosler group which is 0.0 at 100. It is a good compromise...

Duane

What mold are you using? I bought the Ranchdog 338 mold to see if I could get some cheaper "offhand" practice with my rifle but haven't got to play with it yet.


Sorry for the hijack...

Duane,

I have taken 2 nice fallow bucks with it. They did not go far -- 18" & about 10'. It is a nice round.

The question was “has anyone had any experience with an encore in 338 federal?”

I think talking about cast bullets in the 338 Fed is right in line with the topic!!

That was my only complaint with the round was the cost of the Nosler 180 Accubonds. Like Kyode said one time, “this is a hunting bullet, you are not going to shoot a box in a weekend.” Just shooting modestly, a box of 50 should still last me 5 years…

http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=34-220A-D.png

I bought one of Tom’s molds for the 338. A 220gr bore ridding mold. With 4759 am getting 1750+ out of the 15 barrel in the 338 Fed. Shooting the cast bullets drops “my” price down from 95 cents a shot to around 17 cents a shot. I have just started piddling with the cast loads and I am already getting MOA at 100. But lets be honest, a 220gr at 1750 is still respectable. It also makes raccoons and armadillos go bang flop that are under your feeder… LOL

I wish I had tried a few more powder in the 338 RD mold I had, but hind sight is 20-20.

When I bought this barrel I was looking for a 35 Win. It didn’t take me too long to notice I had the NIB 15in SS Prohunter Encore barrel that was listed for 200 in my check out cart. I don’t regret it. 35 cal molds are a little more accessible, however, 338 molds are still there.

Duane