358 win hunting bullet

[Tom_in_AZ]

I just pulled the trigger on a Ruger frontier 358 win. Any mold suggestions/experience for hunting? Thanks!


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[GLynn41]

The Lee 200 gr is accurate and should be a good killer too

[Smoke4320]

NOE 360-200 .. you can get it FP or with 3 pins FP, HP and cup point
RCBS 35-200 is good as well
as mentioned above the lee 200 grn is good as well

[White Oak]

I have used both the 200gr Lee and the RCBS 35-200-RF for my 358Win and 356 Win. and have killed deer with both of them. However both of them dropped boolits that were undersized for my rifles. I sent the 35-200 to Hollowpoint Services and had the bands opened up to .360 and is very accurate in both rifles. With 50/50+2% COWW/PB/Tin it weighs 218grs with Gas check.
Knowing what I do now I would have gotten a 35-200 clone from NOE, Accurate, Arsenal, or MP and Specify .360.

[dragon813gt]

Get a 35-200 or one of its clones. I have clones from MP, NOE and Accurate. Don’t ask why I have it from three makers. But you can’t go wrong w/ this design. It flat out works.

[MT Chambers]

Saeco 245 gr. fp gc, hits hard and is very accurate.

[Tom_in_AZ]

Thanks! I’ll check what MP has to offer


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[RugerFan]

The Saeco #352 (245 gn) is the most accurate out of my M77 at hunting velocities. The RCBS 35-200-FN is a close second.

[richhodg66]

I like the NOE clone of the RCBS 200 grain FP. Only killed one deer with it, but it worked well.

[Oily]

NOE 360-230-RF Ranch Dog. A little heavier but best shooter out of my Marlin X7 JES rebore to .358. LEE 200 is a good shooter too. The extra weight on the Ranch Dog gives a significant thump on anything you hit. Only downside it doesn't feed well from a double stack magazine like the Marlin X7. Feeds great from the left column but not the right side. Redneck fix I super glued a dummy round on the first round placement on the right side and then load a round in magazine on left side and then depress round and slide a round into chamber and close bolt. This way I have a follow up shot. With the .358 and 230gr boolit with a large meplat you don't need a follow up shot DRT. I am working on a follower and magazine well to feed single stack and problem solved

[Beerd]

What are you hunting?
I like the idea of a 230 - 250 grain bullet.
..

[Tom_in_AZ]

What are you hunting?
I like the idea of a 230 - 250 grain bullet.
..

I was thinking deer/hogs/black bear. I see mp molds makes a 220 solid/217 hp mold. Was thinking this would give me some good options


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[waksupi]

I live in an area with large and dangerous game. I opted for a 265 gr bullet for all round use. With any cast bullet, I always prefer heavy (long) for bore size for best performance on both target and game.

http://castpics.net/dpl/index.php/the-library/cartridge-specific-articles/214-cast-bullets-in-the-358

[white eagle]

I use a 260 gr mold from Mountain molds
checked and coated pushed to around 2100 fps
kills deer like lightning bolt

[McFred]

MP just cut a solid or HP clone of the RCBS 35-200. You might be able to get in on the group buy late:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?359540

Just FYI.

[Tom_in_AZ]

MP just cut a solid or HP clone of the RCBS 35-200. You might be able to get in on the group buy late:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?359540

Just FYI.

Thanks! It’s probably too late, but I responded just in case.


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[canuck4570]

I had the Saeco 352 that has a gas check and the Saeco no gaz check of the 352 and both shot great even at full load the rifle was a ruger like yours......

[Harter66]

I shot several bullets in a Santa Barbara 98 , 1-14" A&B 22" barrel .
I shot 358432 148gr , 358-125 RF , 358-158 RF , 358-200 RF , 360-228 XCB , and 35-250 .
Real surprises were the WC that shot well to 100 , 110 yd , the 125 Lee was a fun squirrel slayer . The 358-200 Lee shot ok , well inside critter getter limits . The XCB bullet , the rifle was chambered with THE XCB reamer , shot well as long as it was run hard . No surprise there that's what it's supposed to do . The 35-250 was THE show stopper 5 under quarter . If I hadn't screwed that up the 3rd shot they'd have been inside a nickle . At the time I really felt like a 250 at 2100 fps was really getting the job done . It still is . 26-2700 for the XCB is too much of a good thing unless you want to reach out past 250 for 4-600# critters .

[RugerFan]

One addition to my earlier pst. The 358318 (245 gn) was also plenty accurate. I haven't used it for hunting yet, but I have no doubt it would do the job just fine. I really like the blunt profile.

[bpatterson84]

Email MP molds, just did a run of 200gr with hollow point options, he usually has extras.

[white eagle]

I found the 250 jacketed to be super accurate as well and deadly on bull elk
the 358 does not get the credit as it deserves
the deer I have shot with it and cast have literally staggered after being hit
I have not seen that with any other cartridge I have used
a fine choice really with pretty much any bullet,boolit

[Tom_in_AZ]

I found the 250 jacketed to be super accurate as well and deadly on bull elk
the 358 does not get the credit as it deserves
the deer I have shot with it and cast have literally staggered after being hit
I have not seen that with any other cartridge I have used
a fine choice really with pretty much any bullet,boolit

Due to the 16.5” barrel, I wasn’t really considering it for elk due to the fact that shots can sometimes range to 400 yards. But within 200, I’m sure it would be a hammer.


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[versa-06]

Does anyone have a 250-265gr bullet mold that is known to cycle in a BLR 358 & Ruger Hawkeye 358 without an excessive amt. in the case? I plan on some blackies in the future. Thanks Jim

[cwlongshot]

Its a real nice bullet proven buy how many makers make copies!! ;-)

I have a WFN 190 I also like allot but wish it was longer. I have a 235g Keith that shoots well but never too any game with it. NOE makes a real nice 280RN but the 358 dosent have the powder cap for 250+ weights. I actually prefer 225 as a heavy in the 358 and switch to the Whelen or Norma Mag when I need to shoot the heavier bullets. There is a point of diminishing returns.


Then the 200 & 210 RCBS/ LYMAN bullet I like best.

CW



Thanks! It’s probably too late, but I responded just in case.


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[versa-06]

According to my manuals 2000 fps. up to 275 grain should not be impossible? Your thoughts?

[waksupi]

According to my manuals 2000 fps. up to 275 grain should not be impossible? Your thoughts?

I get 2170 fps with a 290 gr. That's pushing past any factory loadings for power.

[cwlongshot]

Seems WAY WAY faster then anything I have herd of in the 358. Hell its faster then Im shooting my Whelen 280’s!!

CW

[GLynn41]

I had at one time some 275 gr Hornady rn and got them to 2170 in a 22" barrel.
I have killed just one deer with cast. It was the Saeco 245gr bullet. I used h322 and the wound was the diameter of my pointer finger, or about .60-65. The Lee 208 gr I have, would I am sure make a much larger hole. I too would like a bit more bullet weight but for deer it is not necessary. I too think that the .358 Win peaks at 225-250 gr spitzers. Now all I shoot is cast and PC, i.e. old copper penny.

[white eagle]

Seems WAY WAY faster then anything I have herd of in the 358. Hell its faster then Im shooting my Whelen 280’s!!

CW

all you need is the rite powder bullet combo
it aint that hard to do

[McFred]

I get 2170 fps with a 290 gr. That's pushing past any factory loadings for power.
Seems WAY WAY faster then anything I have herd of in the 358.

all you need is the rite powder bullet combo

I agree that an apples-to-apples approach should be taken. The following are velocities from a ~180gr projectile from a .308-based cartridge with a 24-26" barrel. One would think that things would favor the .358 given longer barrel (better expansion ratio) and shorter bullet bearing length, yet somehow it's more than 200fps slower than the .338Federal.

With modern, strong actions you should be able to safely drive the .358 to far greater velocities than what's listed in commercial publishings, especially with some of the recently developed powders.

Waksupi's 290gr load is not out of line in terms of muzzle energy of 308-based cartridges running at modern pressures.



7-08 Rem 24"bbl 2.800"OAL IMR 4451 43.8C 2,598fps 58,800 PSI(175gr projectile)
.308 Win 24"bbl 2.800"OAL IMR 4064 45.2C 2,683fps 58,200 PSI
.338 Fed 24"bbl 2.810"OAL 8208XBR 48.5C 2,811fps 59,900 PSI
.358 Win 26"bbl 2.700"OAL H4895 48.0C 2,603fps 49,900CUP

Source: Hodgdon online reloading data

[versa-06]

Look'n at NOE's .360-294 RN GC & SC360-232-RF GC, called him look'n to buy some samples to test cycling in my 2-358's he has none & says he doesn't know anyone who sells them. Also look'n at Accurate molds 36-250AG Anybody know where a fella could purchase any of these? Don't need to be lubed, sized or checked just .360 or larger. Thanks Jim

[Beerd]

Jim,
have you tried a post in the "Bullet Exchange" sub-forum?
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/forumdisplay.php?49-The-Boolit-Exchange
..

[versa-06]

Thanks Beerd! No I haven't, as a matter of fact I never Knew it existed. Not very observant on my part. Sorry for the delayed post, all we have up here is dial up and there has been trouble with lines due to the weather. And again Thanks! Jim

[kiwi]

I have the NOE 360-232 it cast a nice boolit the HP is massive have not used it much but shows promise.

[pmer]

NOE 360-230-RF Ranch Dog. A little heavier but best shooter out of my Marlin X7 JES rebore to .358. LEE 200 is a good shooter too. The extra weight on the Ranch Dog gives a significant thump on anything you hit. Only downside it doesn't feed well from a double stack magazine like the Marlin X7. Feeds great from the left column but not the right side. Redneck fix I super glued a dummy round on the first round placement on the right side and then load a round in magazine on left side and then depress round and slide a round into chamber and close bolt. This way I have a follow up shot. With the .358 and 230gr boolit with a large meplat you don't need a follow up shot DRT. I am working on a follower and magazine well to feed single stack and problem solved

I'm late to the 358 Winchester party but I have the 245 grain Seaco and the 35-200 fn. In my Hawkeye the 35-200's don't feed the last round of the mag either (right side). The nose misses the hole for the chamber and hits the end of the barrel at about 11:00. The 245's feed good as do shells from a box of 200 grain Silver Tips. I noticed the OAL for the 35-200 is much shorter than the other two and seated a few out farther. It does seem to work better but I only tried a few seated longer.

Here is quite an article about the 358 Win. They aren't too worried about the silver stream and they say the Sierra 225 Gameking is a great jacketed bullet for the cartridge offering a balance of range and effectiveness.

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.358+Winchester.html

He gets into terminal ballistics and impact velocities and it seems to explain what I have seen with rear lung shots and 45-70 cast boolit velocities. I'm pretty excited to get this 358 hitting my shoulder but its been could and I have had to shovel snow out of the target area twice now.

[Jedman]

There is a guy on marlinowners forum that has modified Marlin 336 rifles in 35 Rem. to feed slightly longer cartridges and throats them for long bullets.
He claims in his "Safari Grade " 35 Rem. He gets 2150 fps with a 310 gr. bollit.

Jedman

[Reverend Al]

Depending on your barrel twist I'm "+1" on any version of the 200 grain boolit. (I have the 35-200 RCBS and love it in my custom build Remington 600 in .358 Win) If you get desperate and in an emergency you have to revert to using a jacketed bullet (shudder ...) then the Hornady 200 grain Interlock is hard to beat ...

[Pilgrim]

Browning BLR (old style with the ugly magazine), rebarreled with a 22" Douglas premium, mid weight barrel. That original 18.5" Browning barrel was LOUD and grossly inaccurate. Now the RCBS 35-200 pushed along by a bunch of VV-135 is accurate and deadly. First moose shot with it dropped with the first shot. Moose don't do that! The guide was just stunned. Eventually the bull got up and started to run. The second 35-200 put him down to stay. Both boolits were found under the skin on the other side of the critter after passing through bone. Both looked like advertisements for commercial bullets. Perfect mushrooms. Boolits started out at 213 grains lubed with GC. Both were about 180 grains after transiting the moose. My boolits are cast with WW + ~ 10% 95-5 solder, air dried, lubed with LBT blue. They are BHN 14-15 when loaded and I send them on their way at 2430 fps (chronographed - no bull). Accuracy 100 yards ~ 1.5" for 5 shots. No leading. These boolits have also accounted for elk. No running from them either. Dunno what more you can ask of a boolit !! Pilgrim

[35Whelen]

This one from Accurate is a tack driver in mine.
http://www.accuratemolds.com/bullet_detail.php?bullet=36-240AG-D.png

237532

Ive found there isn't much the 358 wont shoot well...you will likely find the same. I like heavy for caliber bullets, they penetrate very well

[pmer]

There is allot to like about this cartridge. Does anyone use VV N540 in the 358? I got some I'd like to use up. Could use a starting point with it.

[versa-06]

35Whelen; Good Shoot'n!! I've been think'n 250 grain plus, but probably gonna leave too much boolit base below the neck. That boolit would probably work for me and these occasional Va. Black Bears. Nice Boolit Good Shoot'n. Jim

[versa-06]

Sending off 2 diagrams to Accurate Molds, waiting to hear approximate bullet weights. Want weight and keep it in the neck but it seems that I can only get a limited amt. due to throat on both 358's. Wait and see!

[versa-06]

Well; Tom at Accurate has accepted a design and cataloged it 36-254C. I Decided to go with a 2-cavity Iron Mold. I feel like a real Juvie, I paid him one day, and checked the mail box the next. I am pushing the big 60 & still can't wait to receive a new toy!!!! Think this ought to make a pretty good sleeping pill for just about anything round here in Va. Jim

[35Whelen]

That should be a real thumper Versa.....let us know when you get it and how it shoots.

[versa-06]

Due to the time of year, Just might have to try it on a Yote? Don't Like'm, but make good Trapp'n & shoot'n Targets! Just might rescue a few fawns at the same time!!? Jim

[versa-06]

THWAK! Tom @ Accurate Bullet Molds is another fine artist @ his trade! He cut me a Diamond! Give him a try if you haven't already! Jim

[35Whelen]

Jim......post some pics of the cast rounds when you get a chance and let us know how they shoot. I'm betting 30-34 grains of H4895 is going to be a good combo

[Blammer]

the Lee 358 158 is a good one.

I shoot it out of my 360DW rifle and my 35 whelen. Out of the Whelen it's a bit fast for deer sized game. :)

[beltfed]

240166

Here is my 358Win selection for hunting loads.
250gr Lyman 358318 Paper Patched, clocks 2340fps
Killed a number of deer with it. One shot One Kill "right now"
220 Speer load, clocks about 2450fps. Also a good killer with multiple big deer.
NOE360- 235gr RDGC bullet.
versa06, PM me your address and I will send you some of those NOE bullets.
beltfed/arnie

[beltfed]

OH, forgot to mention that those 250 PP bullets feed just fine
from magazine of my Savage 110CL, rebarrelled about 1990 with Douglas 14 twist /24" barrel.
My first 358 was a Rem LH788, also Douglas rebarrelled. It also fed just fine with the 250PP bullet.
beltfed/arnie from WI, hunting in the North Woods.

[Nrut]

beltfed,
What powder are you using for your 358318 PP load?
I have that bullet and am using it PP in my 9.3X74R and it works quite well..
Would like to try in my lil' Ruger Frontier .358..
Thanks

[beltfed]

Nrut,
I am using IMR 3031 under those .358W loads. My loads fill the cases nicely
to the base of the bullets that are seated out to get close to the leade. The
bases are a bit above the neck/shoulder junction.
Using necked up WW 308 brass as they hold a bit more powder than R-Ps
The Lake City brass is thicker/heavier and so hold less powder. So I did not use the LC cases
that I am "swimming in"
So far, I have not used actual WW .358W brass since I have less than 20 of them.
beltfed/arnie

[Nrut]

Thanks beltfed.
I have a goodly amount of 3031 so I will give it a try when I make some more empties..:-D

[beltfed]

Nrut,
FWIW, I have been using jacketed bullet data for my 358318 Paper Patched.
My paper patching is in the "school" of info taught by Col. Harrison back in '60s
for full velocity 30 cal loadings
beltfed/arnie

[ChristopherO]

Beltfed, those PP look like just the nose profile that should feed in mu 35Whelen. Flat nose cast will not work. Why do you PP a boolit that is already dropping out of the mold at 358? I would love to understand your method. I really want to use that rifle with cast.
Thank you, Christopher

[beltfed]

ChristopherO
I PPed this bullet, first of all because I have the mold and because I can
shoot this Paper Jacketed bullet at Jacketed bullet speeds.
Method:
1. The cast bullet is sized down to 0.357"
2. Patch the bullet. Let it dry.
3. CLip off the tail with a sharp side cutter
4. Stand the bullets papered base up on a piece of
corrugated that has holes that fit the noses snugly
5. Spray the papered bases with Dry Teflon spray. Let dry.
6. Size and lube the bullets in a 0.360" H&I die . I use MTL lube.
When loading, I prep the sized cases with a Lyman M die so the step
expands the case mouths to accept the 0.360 sized bullets.
beltfed/arnie

[ChristopherO]

Beltfed,
Thanks for the tutorial. I read up on Col Harrison last night. Good information. Still appears that exceedingly 2,500fps demands lead too hard for hunting. Yet, 2,350 isn't anything to sniff at. You may have just given me a new project to work on.

[beltfed]

ChristopherO
HEre you go :
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lyman-Ideal-Bullet-Mold-358318-867-Winchester-95-35-35-Mag-Caliber-Wheelen-9/303140231435?hash=item469490d90b:g:zlgAAOSwXUNcyM2 n

[beltfed]

ChristopherO
Meant to also say here is a current ebay offering of the 358318 bullet that I use .
beltfed/arnie

[ChristopherO]

Thank you for the heads up.

[versa-06]

35Whelen; Would love to send pics but not pc & camera savy enough, need to put my old self back to lernin this new stuff. Fixn to send the BLR off to Jes Reboring, the chamber is waaay tooo tight, not near saami specs. Seems the Japs did this on several early production units. Burned a few rounds in the Ruger & seems AA2015 may be the ticket for it. 35 Would have responded earlier but the little woman has gotten that fish'n fever & keep'n me bizzy doin that & workn on the boat. Jim

[versa-06]

beltfed; Thanks for the PM. Have you ever played with Teflon tape to wrap boolits? Did some in the past & worked yes & no, different types of tape different results. Plan on playing with it some more now that hunt'n season is over & not worried about spook'n any game. Jim

[waksupi]

35Whelen; Would love to send pics but not pc & camera savy enough, need to put my old self back to lernin this new stuff. Fixn to send the BLR off to Jes Reboring, the chamber is waaay tooo tight, not near saami specs. Seems the Japs did this on several early production units. Burned a few rounds in the Ruger & seems AA2015 may be the ticket for it. 35 Would have responded earlier but the little woman has gotten that fish'n fever & keep'n me bizzy doin that & workn on the boat. Jim

Some companies started doing match chambering as a selling point to the uninitiated. Match chambering is exactly that, and has absolutely no use in a rifle you are going to shoot a lot. They demand absolutely perfect ammunition. A speck of dirt can put you out of business.

[versa-06]

Waksupi; I've heard this tight chambered stuff is valued by some bench shooters, but this is a BLR 81, 358 Win. I respect precision engineering as much as the next guy, but a bullet sized 360-361, binds in the neck area of the chamber. Bore slugged .3585 in digital caliper & .359 in the dial caliper. I need a little more room & I think Jes could probably handle it, fits fine in the Ruger African 358. Jim

[beltfed]

verso06
Why not just try bullets sized to 0.359" for that BLR81 358.?
Also, Re. TFE taped bullets. A friend here tried that some. Mixed bag.
I still like what is working for me: paper patching.
beltfed/arnie

[versa-06]

beltfed; I see your point, at 0.359 dia. I still get friction in the neck area of the chamber with Lake City Brass and others that might be a little neck heavy, besides neck trimming brass is time consuming & thinning to the brass life. A little extra bullet diameter goes a long way with increased velocity. And at this weight paper patching will still land around the same velocity with a bore riding nose (so I think). Jim

[beltfed]

versa-06,
Though I have a lot of once fired and even a couple hundred NEW LC 77 Match brass,
I have used only WW 308 commercial brass for my 358W cases Because
it is thinner, holds a bit more powder.
Oh, and thinning necks by a couple thousandths will not appreciably weaken the brass.
I have shot Outside neck turned brass a lot from my 32-40 Rem Hep and others.
Another advantage for lightly neck turning is to make neck wall thickness more uniform and
concentric.
beltfed/arnie

[versa-06]

beltfed; You are right neck turning works great, Did a bunch of LC mil surplus 308 for my 243's. Things are just too tight in the BLR, Saami Specs show .3880 loaded round. This BLR at .3530 it will load but is very tight and .3540 won't load, would be ok with .359 sized boolits but at 1800 fps or plus I get lead wash. Tight loads make for excessive & erratic pressure loads. Things are just too tight. Jim

[versa-06]

OOPS: That last input should be, This BLR at .3830 will load but is very tight and 3840 won't load, SORRY, Don't know what I was Thinkn. Maybe its a tight neck thing. Jim