anyone tinkering with this one yet?(long gun or short one)im curious about this round,i researched it and chuck hawks site has info on it that claims jack o'connor was going for a 7x57 mauser case necked up to a 338.he calls it the 338x57 o'connor.with the market being flooded with new whiz-bang magnums in the past its kinda scary for a "usable"cartridge to be introduced...jim257

Maybe Federal should have adopted JDJ's .338 Woodswalker! It's a fine round.

From what I've read it is a .308 based round so brass shouldn't be a concern. For those who do not reload it will be well recieved. If more of the JDJ's were readily available to the factory shooter, it would be another story.

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My concern on the .338F is that the brass may be a little thicker than run of the mill .308 so they can run higher pressure to meet the performance standards that are claimed

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That's exactly what I'm thinking. They boast some impressive number for such a small case. Look at the new 375 Ruger, same thing, a smaller case then the 375 H&H but close to the same balistics. The only way to get more performance from a smaller case is to jack the pressure way up.

The 444 is longer than the 308. The 307 IS a rimmed 308. Mike Bellm goes into the differences and why the 444 is a better starting point for wildcats in the Contender.

This will get me drooling. Now, I'll need a 338F barrel for the soon to be purchased Savage 10FL and a 338Fx444 for the T/C.

I think the one's that have 338JDJ#2's like Dan and myself (Thanks to Dan) and others are not even remotely excited about this round having the JDJ round. The 338JDJ#2 will do anything you need in the Contender that is needed for anything in the 48 and Alaska in my opinion.
I studied the 338F when I heard about it but didn't need another Encore barrel and with a visit with Federal it will take a rifle length barrel to get the advertised velocities and distance.
Yes, it will be good for those wanting the 338 caliber if they want factory rounds in a Encore pistol or rifle.
Like other's stated, might be a "Flash in the Pan" type of deal.
Another deal is that you can get the 338-06 Encore pistol barrel and have the power. Still not factory I don't think but you don't have to pay the JDJ prices if that is a concern.

Going to the range to check zero on the 444 Encore and 338JDJ#2 for doe day tomorrow.

Have a good one.

Mike

Guys my $.02 - - I talked to SSK aobut the 338 Federal when it was first announced. JD asked me why use it when his 338JDJ and especailly the 338-06 and JDJ version out performs it? He said the 338 (Winchester) doesn't event come cloe to the 358 (Winchester). The Woodswalker, 228JDJ, '338-06 and JDJ version all out perform it ba a considerable margin HOWEVER you will be able to buy 338 Federal over the counter. This is big for non-reloaders! Supposedly, the brass is the same, but it high pressure like teh 308 Winchester-Encore and bolt action only. Isn't marketing ploy a wonderful thing?