Development History of the .338 Spectre cartridge

Like the .458 SOCOM, the .338 Spectre cartridge was developed specifically for the AR-15 family of gas-operated, detachable-box magazine-fed firearms. The cartridge is intended to fill the gap between traditional pistol caliber cartridges and existing rifle cartridges used in this weapon system. By offering ballistics similar to the .357 Maximum, the .338 Spectre offers great potential as a single shot, silhouette and small game cartridge. By using .338 caliber bullets, the cartridge offers a nice variety in projectile choice, ranging from 160-grain Barnes X Spitzers, through 180-grain BST to 300-grain HPBT MatchKing rifle bullets. Furthermore, it allows the user to employ existing suppressors for the 9mm without modification, providing enhanced tactical firepower.

Ballistic performance is comparable to the .357 Herrett or .35 Remington or even the 180-grain load for the .44 Magnum. In the 16" barrel carbine, the .338 Spectre will launch the 180-grain BST at 1,800 feet/second, approaching 1,300 foot-pounds of energy. By loading the 225-grain Hornady Spire Point bullet at subsonic velocities (1040 fps) for suppressed application, the muzzle energy approaches 540 foot-pounds, rivaling the high velocity 115-grain load for the 9mm Parabellum.