When it comes to big game hunting and long-range shooting, the 338 caliber is a popular choice for many hunters and shooters. Two very popular cartridges are the 338 Lapua and the 338 Federal. Often times these cartridges are compared for their similarity of shooting a .338 caliber bullet, but just about everything besides the bullet size is different between these two cartridges. So let’s look at just how different they are.
Here is the short answer:
The 338 Federal is smaller and more versatile than the 338 Lapua versatile cartridge. the 338 federal is better for hunting medium to large game. The 338 Lapua, on the other hand, is a larger and more powerful cartridge that is best suited for long-range shooting and military applications.
now that we have looked at the short answer, we can go more in-depth on each cartridge and which cartridge is truly better.
An in-depth look at the .338 Federal
The .338 Federal was introduced in 2006 by Federal Ammunition as a compromise between the .308 Winchester and the .338 Lapua. It uses a 308 Winchester case necked up to accept a 338 caliber bullet essentially making a 338 caliber short action rifle. The 338 Federal offers a maximum effective range of around 600 yards so it is a cartridge that can be used at long range without issue.
The 338 Federal is popular among big game hunters who desire a short action rifle with a heavy-hitting rifle cartridge that can take game as big as moose while still being light enough to pack into the mountains if need be.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 338 Federal with a 200-grain bullet soft point:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2700 | 3237 |
| 50 | -0.1 | 0.2 | 2592 | 2984 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.8 | 2487 | 2746 |
| 150 | -1.3 | 1.8 | 2384 | 2524 |
| 200 | -4.1 | 3.4 | 2284 | 2316 |
| 250 | -8.6 | 5.5 | 2186 | 2121 |
| 300 | -15 | 8.1 | 2090 | 1940 |
| 350 | -23.3 | 11.3 | 1997 | 1771 |
| 400 | -33.6 | 14.8 | 1905 | 1612 |
| 450 | -46.5 | 19.2 | 1817 | 1467 |
| 500 | -62.1 | 24.4 | 1733 | 1334 |
An in-depth look at the .338 Lapua
The 338 Lapua, also known as the 8.6x70mm, was developed by Lapua in the 1980s for military and law enforcement snipers. This cartridge is very powerful and has an effective range of 1500 yards which is well beyond the capability of most shooters. The 338 Lapua is popular among long range shooters, it is too big to be used for hunting big game animals.
Here is a ballistics chart of the 338 Lapua with a 250-grain soft point bullet:
| range (YD) | drop (IN) | wind drift (IN) | velocity FPS | energy ft-lb |
| 0 | -1.5 | 0 | 2875 | 4588 |
| 50 | -0.2 | 0.2 | 2791 | 4323 |
| 100 | 0 | 0.6 | 2708 | 4070 |
| 150 | -1 | 1.3 | 2627 | 3830 |
| 200 | -3.2 | 2.4 | 2547 | 3601 |
| 250 | -6.8 | 3.7 | 2469 | 3383 |
| 300 | -11.8 | 5.3 | 2392 | 3175 |
| 350 | -18.3 | 7.3 | 2316 | 2977 |
| 400 | -26.5 | 9.8 | 2242 | 2789 |
| 450 | -36.5 | 12.6 | 2169 | 2611 |
| 500 | -48.2 | 15.9 | 2097 | 2442 |
In-depth answer
The main difference between the 338 Federal and the 338 Lapua is their size and power. The 338 Federal is smaller and is better for hunting because it has less energy than the 338 and is not overkill. The 338 Lapua is a larger and more powerful cartridge that is best suited for long-range shooting and military applications.
The 338 Federal is a great cartridge for hunters and shooters who want a cartridge that can do it all from shooting long range, to hunting everything from deer to moose. It offers a flat trajectory, moderate recoil, and excellent accuracy, making it suitable for medium to large game hunting and long-range shooting. It is also more affordable than the .338 Lapua, which makes it a great choice for hunters and shooters who want a powerful cartridge without breaking the bank.
The 338 Lapua is a cartridge that is designed for long-range shooting and military applications. It offers a high ballistic coefficient, excellent accuracy, and devastating power, making it one of the most popular cartridges for long-range shooting. So if you need a cartridge you can shoot over a mile with then the 338 is the cartridge for you
summary
The 338 Federal is going to be better for the shooter who desires versatility, the ability to hunt big game, and not have a cartridge that will break the bank. the 338 Lapua is better for the shooter who wants a round that can be shot at long range with efficiency and has a larger budget.