Quick Answer
Hunting elk in national parks with a .338 Federal is generally not recommended due to the caliber's limited availability in national parks, as well as the park rangers' preference for traditional calibers like .30-06 and .308 Winchester.
National Park Regulations
Elk hunting regulations in national parks vary from state to state and park to park. For instance, in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park, the permitted calibers range from .243 Winchester to .300 Winchester Magnum. On the other hand, in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, only .243 Winchester, .308 Winchester, and .30-06 Springfield are allowed. Prior to planning an elk hunt in a national park, it is crucial to familiarize yourself with the specific regulations of that park.
Ballistics and Hunting Effectiveness
The .338 Federal cartridge has a slightly shorter length compared to the .338 Winchester Magnum but uses the same .338 inch diameter bullet. It produces a maximum muzzle velocity of approximately 2,700 feet per second and a flat trajectory. However, its effectiveness in hunting elk at longer ranges is somewhat diminished due to its relatively lower kinetic energy compared to other, larger cartridges. Typically, hunters prefer to hunt elk at shorter ranges, making the .338 Federal suitable for closer shots.
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