The 338 Federal is a cartridge developed in 2006 by Federal Cartridge and Sako, based on the 308 Winchester case necked up to accept .338 bullets. It was designed as a short-action round for hunting medium to large North American game, offering good power and accuracy in a compact package without the recoil of larger magnums. It gained factory status with Federal, producing loads with 180gr, 185gr, 200gr, and 210gr bullets. This article focuses specifically on ballistics, analyzing external and wound ballistics to provide clear understanding for reloaders and hunters. Supersonic loads are examined for practical hunting applications. For detailed history and loading data, visit our 338 Federal complete guide.
Core External Ballistics
The 338 Federal utilizes different bullet weights and velocities, with typical supersonic loads behaving similarly to other medium-bore cartridges. Heavier bullets maintain energy better at distance, while lighter ones offer flatter trajectories. High-level data shows muzzle velocities from 2600 to 2830 fps, with ballistic coefficients ranging from 0.35 to 0.45, making it suitable for hunting out to 400 yards practically. For comparisons with similar calibers, see our long-range hunting calibers guide or big game caliber selection guide.
Bullet Drop to 1000 Yards
| Range (yards) | 180gr Barnes TTSX (in) | 200gr Hornady InterLock (in) | 200gr Federal Trophy Copper (in) | 210gr Nosler Partition (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 3.8 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| 300 | 15.2 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 18.5 |
| 400 | 36.5 | 42.6 | 42.6 | 44.0 |
| 500 | 71.8 | 84.4 | 84.4 | 87.0 |
| 600 | 126.0 | 148.9 | 148.9 | 153.0 |
| 700 | 205.0 | 244.3 | 244.3 | 251.0 |
| 800 | 318.0 | 381.2 | 381.2 | 392.0 |
| 900 | 476.0 | 573.8 | 573.8 | 590.0 |
| 1000 | 693.0 | 840.6 | 840.6 | 865.0 |
The numbers reveal that lighter bullets like the 180gr exhibit less drop at shorter ranges but increase significantly beyond 500 yards due to velocity loss. The heavier 200gr and 210gr loads remain more stable, staying practical for ethical hunting out to 400 yards where drop stays under 45 inches, allowing for holdover adjustments. Beyond 600 yards, the caliber’s ballistic limitations become apparent, with drops exceeding 140 inches, making it unsuitable for long-range shots without significant elevation correction. Realistic ranges for hunting are 300-400 yards for deer and 200-300 for larger game to ensure humane kills. For deeper charts, refer to our 338 Federal ballistics or caliber hunting guide. The calculations assume a 100-yard zero, emphasizing the importance of knowing your load’s performance in the field.
Wind Drift (10 mph Crosswind)
| Range (yards) | 180gr Barnes TTSX (in) | 200gr Hornady InterLock (in) | 200gr Federal Trophy Copper (in) | 210gr Nosler Partition (in) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 4.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 |
| 300 | 10.5 | 8.1 | 8.1 | 8.0 |
| 400 | 19.5 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 14.8 |
| 500 | 32.0 | 24.8 | 24.8 | 24.5 |
| 600 | 48.3 | 37.5 | 37.5 | 37.0 |
| 700 | 69.0 | 53.5 | 53.5 | 52.8 |
| 800 | 94.6 | 72.5 | 72.5 | 71.5 |
| 900 | 125.8 | 94.5 | 94.5 | 93.2 |
| 1000 | 163.4 | 119.5 | 119.5 | 118.0 |
Higher BC bullets like the 200gr Federal Trophy Copper and 210gr Nosler resist drift better, showing under 15 inches at 400 yards, compared to over 19 inches for lower BC loads. Wind affects practical accuracy beyond 300 yards, where drift exceeds 8 inches, making wind reading crucial. At distances over 500 yards, drift becomes unreliable for precise shots, limiting the caliber to moderate ranges in windy conditions. Realistic expectations include holding for 8-12 inches at 300 yards, ideal for wooded or calm environments. For wind-related tips, check our big game hunting guide.
Energy Retention
| Range (yards) | 180gr Barnes TTSX (ft-lb) | 200gr Hornady InterLock (ft-lb) | 200gr Federal Trophy Copper (ft-lb) | 210gr Nosler Partition (ft-lb) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 | 2350 | 2205 | 2205 | 2280 |
| 300 | 1950 | 1850 | 1850 | 1910 |
| 400 | 1600 | 1541 | 1541 | 1590 |
| 500 | 1300 | 1279 | 1279 | 1320 |
| 600 | 1060 | 1060 | 1060 | 1095 |
| 700 | 870 | 870 | 870 | 900 |
| 800 | 710 | 710 | 710 | 735 |
| 900 | 580 | 580 | 580 | 600 |
| 1000 | 475 | 475 | 475 | 490 |
Energy decays steadily, with heavier loads retaining over 1000 ft-lb beyond 600 yards, sufficient for ethical hunting on large game. Lighter loads drop below 1000 ft-lb around 500 yards, limiting expansion at distance. Ethical hunting ranges are 300-400 yards for deer, where energy exceeds 1500 ft-lb for reliable kills. Certain loads fail to expand below 1200 ft-lb, emphasizing bullet choice. For more on energy retention, see our Barnes TSX bullet profile or Nosler Partition review.
Wound Ballistics (Expanded Practical Section)
Bullet design matters greatly in the 338 Federal, as its mild velocities allow vivid expansion while maintaining penetration. Supersonic loads produce hydrostatic shock for fast kills, with differences in tissue damage based on construction – frangible for trauma, tough for depth. The goal of this section is to provide practical guidance on terminal performance for hunters. For gel-testing results, refer to our hunting caliber guide or bullet reviews.
Bullet Performance Profiles (5 Most Common Loads)
Hornady InterLock
- Type – soft point construction
- Behavior – spectacular expansion, wide wounds in gel and tissue
- Use – mid size game like deer
- Effective Range – up to 300 yards
- Short Summary – Provides fast kills on lighter game but may lack depth on heavy bone.
More details available in our dedicated Hornady InterLock bullet profile page.
Federal Fusion
- Type – bonded lead core
- Behavior – high shock at close ranges, broad wounds in gel
- Use – deer and hogs with forward shots
- Effective Range – 50-250 yards
- Short Summary – Excellent for close-range impact but requires careful placement on larger animals.
More details available in our dedicated Federal Fusion bullet profile page.
Remington Core-Lokt
- Type – soft point with locked core
- Behavior – wide exit wounds, consistent expansion in tissue
- Use – large deer and elk
- Effective Range – up to 250 yards
- Short Summary – Reliable for big game with good penetration and wounding.
More details available in our dedicated Remington Core-Lokt bullet profile page.
Barnes TSX
- Type – all-copper monolithic
- Behavior – wide wounding channels, deep penetration through bone
- Use – heavy game like bear and moose
- Effective Range – 100-400 yards
- Short Summary – Ideal for tough animals, maintaining integrity for complete pass-throughs.
More details available in our dedicated Barnes TSX bullet profile page.
Nosler Partition
- Type – dual-core partitioned
- Behavior – broad frontal wounds, rear mass for deep penetration
- Use – elk and large deer
- Effective Range – 50-350 yards
- Short Summary – Balanced for reliable performance on medium to large game.
More details available in our dedicated Nosler Partition bullet profile page.
Practical Summary
For predators like coyotes, lighter bullets such as the 180gr Barnes TTSX fit well with flat trajectories and quick expansion. For hogs and deer, mid-weight options like the 200gr Hornady InterLock or Federal Fusion provide balanced shock and penetration. Heavier loads like the 200gr Federal Trophy Copper or 210gr Nosler Partition are correct for elk and bear, ensuring deep wounds on tough game. Range discipline matters, as energy drops limit ethical shots to 400 yards maximum. Bullet choice defines terminal results more than velocity in this caliber, prioritizing construction for the target. Explore deeper ballistic and gel-test materials on the site for optimized loads. Readers are encouraged to explore related articles for deeper analysis, such as our long-range hunting calibers, small game caliber guide, or bullet comparisons like Barnes TSX and Hornady InterLock.
