338 Federal Dies
RCBS makes full-length sizing, neck sizing, and bullet seating dies for the 338 Federal. If I have read things correctly, the seating die cannot be used to crimp the bullet in place unless there is a cannelure.
I spoke to Lee Precision and they have decided to produce 338 Federal dies as a regular item. They will probably become available several weeks after SAAMI signs off on the new cartridge. Their plans include the factory crimp die. (The date for SAAMI certification should have passed, but as of September 2006, I still don't see dies on Lee's website or at MidwayUSA.)
For Lee presses, use a #2 shell holder.
338 Federal cases can easily be made from 308 Winchester cases, and no special forming dies are needed. You can use the normal full length sizing die made for 338 Federal. See the page on 338 Federal brass for more information.
Lee Factory Crimp Die
A crimp is highly recommended for hunting ammunition. The Lee Factory Crimp Die is the only good solution for applying a crimp to bullets without a cannelure (such as the Barnes X bullet). Lee intends to produce this as a standard offering.
Lee Case Length Trim Guage
MidwayUSA is having Lee produce a special run of case length trim guages. However, since Lee intends to carry the dies as a regular item, I can only assume that the trim length guage will also be a standard item.
![]() |
![]() |

