Centerfire rifle cartridges using .338-inch (8.6 mm) bullets. This catalog links straight to complete guides and ballistics articles for shooters choosing between compact 338s, efficient mid magnums, and heavy hitters built for serious reach.
Cartridges in this catalog:
- 8.6 Blackout
- 338 Federal
- 35 Whelen
- 338 RCM
- 338 Winchester Magnum
- 338 Weatherby RPM
- 338 Weatherby Magnum
- 33 Nosler
- 338 Lapua Magnum
- 338 RUM
8.6 Blackout
8.6 Blackout is a big bore AR-10 cartridge built for heavy bullets in short barrels. It shines with suppressed rifles at close to moderate ranges, trading raw speed for large frontal area and strong terminal performance.
338 Federal
338 Federal is the 308 Winchester case necked up to 338. It gives significantly more frontal area and penetration than the 308 with only moderate extra recoil, making it a practical choice for elk and larger deer-country game in short action rifles.
35 Whelen
35 Whelen necks up the 30-06 case to 35 caliber. It throws heavy, wide bullets with strong penetration for elk, moose, and big woods hunting, without jumping all the way into the recoil of the harshest 338 magnums.
338 RCM
338 RCM is a compact beltless 338 magnum for short actions. It aims to give strong 338 performance in handy rifles with efficient powder use, well suited to elk and larger game where shots are not extreme ELR distances.
338 Winchester Magnum
338 Winchester Magnum is the standard 338 magnum many hunters know. It offers a strong jump in power over 30 calibers, with enough reach and authority for elk, moose, and large bears when the shooter can manage the recoil.
338 Weatherby RPM
338 Weatherby RPM is a modern beltless 338 built for lightweight rifles. It delivers strong magnum ballistics with a bit less overbore feel than older Weatherby designs, aimed at mountain and western hunting with tough bullets.
338 Weatherby Magnum
338 Weatherby Magnum is a classic overbore 338 with very high velocity. It pushes heavy 338 bullets faster than the 338 Winchester Magnum, giving more reach and energy at long range for large and dangerous game, with the recoil and blast that come with that speed.
33 Nosler
33 Nosler is a beltless big 33 magnum with serious horsepower. It pushes heavy bullets fast for long range hunting of large game, trading noticeable recoil and barrel life for reach and terminal performance.
338 Lapua Magnum
338 Lapua Magnum is a purpose built long range and sniper cartridge. It drives very heavy 338 bullets with high BCs, delivering extreme downrange energy and wind resistance from heavy rifles with brakes or suppressors.
338 RUM
338 Remington Ultra Magnum is one of the hardest hitting 338s. It offers tremendous energy and reach for very large game, but with severe recoil, heavy rifles, and shorter barrel life, best reserved for specialized hunting roles.