Well I have come to disagree with velocities over 2600ish fps for game animals your eating. I like the 358 and the Whelen. I also like the 9.5 Mannlicher and the 9.3 Mauser. My current custom is a 6.5X55 SE that launches 155/156 grain slugs at 2600 fps. I think the 338 Federal has a lot to offer, but I am also cautious of small cases and high pressures. I will not hotrod the cartridges past their design. Velocity is too often used as a fix, or just to see who has the hottest caliber, but most of the time it is a poor sub for hunting skills. Sorry, I had to say it and I do not mean any offense to anyone, but a 300 RUM is not needed when your 115 yards from your quarry and bullets often have erratic performance. I know you just spent a buck$ a bullet for your favorite reload in your Ultra or Short Mag, but guess what, you do not need it! The bullet companies are making a killing designing bullets small for caliber but tough to take the velocity junkies handloads. I would choose a heavy long for the caliber load at moderate velocity. Look at what calibers like the 30'06 were designed with. Yeah, that’s right 220 grain slugs reduced to 174 later. This is still larger than most shoot out of it today. Take a look at the 8mm Mauser and the 196/198 grain loads from Europe. How about the 9.3X62 with the 286 grain smashers?!?! We look at the historical reputation of a caliber and them make it into something else when we get it by using bullets in it that we neither the ones that made the reputation, nor the ones designed for the caliber.

Sorry if this is considered a high-jacking of the thread, but the 358 would do everything I would want for NA bigger game, especially under 200 yards with 225s or 250s.