I have acquired a .338 Federal in the Tikka T3 bolt action. This is a very accurate rifle with modest recoil. I hope to take a Black Bear with it in a few weeks and then a Moose a few weeks latter. I will report on its performance if I take either or both animals.

Thanks, I'm looking forward to hearing about it's performance.
I contemplated, for several years, about having a 243 rebarreled to the 338-08. Never did but now it looks as though I can purchase a factory made. Ready to go. Also, the Tikka T3 looks like a fine firearm.

Fuzzybear, I just returned from the range and checking my sights. I wanted to try the 200 gr Fusion load. Some articles that I have read claimed that the Fusion load was not as accurate as the Federal Vital Shock loads. Well, not in my Tikka T3!! I shot a 200 yd three shot group that could be covered by a Quarter!! That will be my deer/caribou load!

I've got a 338 federal in a ruger. It's one of those scout rifles with the ~15 inch barrel. I had considered putting on a longer barrel to reduce recoil and increase accuracy, but after shooting it several times at the range, I'm completely satisfied as is... straight out of the box shooting factory federal loads. I have reloaded for it, but the factory loads have worked well enough, and they aren't too too expensive. I think it will be a great elk/mule and white tail deer/ black bear/ hog gun. My rifle really doesn't recoil much even though it only weighs around 6 lbs. The barrel does lift somewhat significantly after firing, but this is just do to the shorter barrel, and it's really a non issue for me. I'd recommend it to anyone, I'm just afraid that the factory production of ammo may not last. It doesn't seem to me that it has become too wildly popular. But, if one can handload, it really is a great cal.

a fifteen inch barrel....
is that even legal?

Nope, not w/o some federal doumentation first.

I belive he means 16 inches.

Here a little something to spark a bit of interest.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/338_federal_first_look.htm

You are both right... it is 16 inches. Didn't have my tape measure on me at the time, hence the "~15". ~ meaning, about, for those that don't know. That aside, my point was that it is still a straight shooter with little recoil despite its short barrel and light weight.

I read the chuckhawks article actually before I bought mine. His sense or judgment regarding recoil is different than mine. He seems to have some, I'll call it obsession, with this 338-57 o'connor round. A wild cat that is essentially the same as the federal, but with less velocity and recoil. I think such a wildcat wouldn't sell too well and would really be more limited than the federal. The 338 federal is really good for anything in the lower 48, and its trajectory is flatter than this hypothetical cartridge. Again, I'm a fan of the 338 federal, and I don't think the recoil is much worse than the -06.

P.S. If anyone is interested in seeing my 16 inch barrel on my ruger and is willing to instruct me on how to post pics, I'd be happy to do so. I'm very fond of the little rifle and wouldn't mind having a little show and tell. After all, who doesn't like to show their toys off?

Kimber is chambering the 338 federal in their short 84m action.