Die set for 358 Win?

[ValorsMinion]

I have a BLR in 358 on they way and was wondering which dies would be best for it. Since 358 brass seems to be near unobtainium, not to mention expensive, I plan on forming brass from 308. I also plan on shooting cast exclusively in this gun.

Any mould suggestions for hunting boolits would be appreciated as well. This will hopefully be my "do everything" cast boolit hunting rifle. It will mostly be used on whitetail and hog here in Texas but I someday hope to use it for larger critters too.

[MarkP]

I would try an intermediate step such as 338 when necking up from 308, an elliptical expander is nice (Hornady). You can go from 308 to 358 in one step but you may lose a few. Hornady makes spindle assemblies that will fit RCBS dies. The bad thing about the Hornady dies is the spindle can slip within the collet nut, it is very frustrating. The RCBS is threaded into a blind hole. The collet is to act as a safety / fuse and not bend the spindle in extreme situations, it slips upward. The new zip spindle they have is a little better in this regard. I have found the Lee lube in a small toothpaste like tube works best, just put some on a cotton swab and apply in the ID of the neck.

I would try the RCBS 35 - 200 FN or look at some of the molds in Accurate Molds catalog if you want something a little heavier.

[jhalcott]

I used the 358315 (205) and the 358318 (245) bullets in the .358 and 35 Whelen. They are round nosed and work much better when flat nosed in MY opinion. Cast of a Lyman# 2 (16 BHN) alloy for big tough stuff and COWW (13BHN)for deer. I have only recovered one of these (205gr) from deer. That was a frontal shot at a standing buck about 70 yards from the muzzle. ALL broadside shots exited, even from the lowly .35 rem cartridge.

[Ole]

Google is your friend.

Folks are using super light charges of pistol powder and cases full of cream of wheat to make .358 brass out of .308 brass.

I haven't tried it, but that's what I'd do if I was in your position.



As far as what bullet mold works well, I think you'd have a harder time finding a bullet mold that didn't work well in .358 Win.

[Idaho Sharpshooter]

If you have a case trimmer*, I would suggest using 35 Whelen if you can find them. Most rifle chambers are on the loose side, loaded round may mike .006-0010" under chamber dimensions.
That will give you a closer fit, and reduce the chance of starting the projectile down the barrel off-center. Run the well lubed 35W cases thru the 358W fl sizer with the spindle removed. 358009GC is a great boolet. 250gr from WW.

*cheap option is the Lee trimmer.

[Alan in GA]

I just used Lee dies. I tapered my expander/decapping rod and polished it, never lost a case going up to .35 from .30 [308 cases]. Later Lee started making tapered expanding rods for the standard die set. Guess they knew a lot of folks would want to make .358 cases from easily available .308 cases.

[waksupi]

I don't recall ever loosing a case expanding from .308 to .358. Just lube the inside of the case neck.

[Artful]

Tapered expander plug - use 'em to form 300 whisper from 221 fireball or 358 from 308 - just lube inside the neck and away you go - quick and easy.

[JesterGrin_1]

I don't recall ever loosing a case expanding from .308 to .358. Just lube the inside of the case neck.

He is very Correct. I use a Q tip with a little case lube for the inside of the neck. Some say you can use Graphite as well. But that stuff can go everywhere lol.

As for A Boolit I would look here and see if you can get an over run. http://castboolits.gunloads.com/show...highlight=Thor

Or an RCBS 35-200 should also be a fine Boolit.

An RCBS Die set should be just fine. I also have the Hornady die set with the zip spindle and it is just that thus far Zip as in Slip lol. I am sure I will get it straightened out eventually lol.

And do not forget a Lyman M Die with the Short Body.

[milkman]

I just formed 100 308 to 358 with lee dies and didn't loose any. Inside lubed with mink oil and formed a little at a time,backed off and formed some more.

[MT Gianni]

I also have a 358 BLR. No cases lost in necking up from 308 nor any need of a small based die.

[youngda9]

What length do the 308 brass end up when sized up to 358. As I recall when I resized some the necks were very short. I just bit the bullet and bought 358 brass.

+1 to the M-Die...use it to expand the neck prior to seating the boolit so you are not sizing down the boolit.

[Shuz]

What length do the 308 brass end up when sized up to 358. As I recall when I resized some the necks were very short. I just bit the bullet and bought 358 brass.

+1 to the M-Die...use it to expand the neck prior to seating the boolit so you are not sizing down the boolit.

I, too, have a Browning BLR in .358 Winchester and my R-P .308 Winchester brass ended up between 1.973 and 1.985 after it had been resized and shot with 22.0g of 2400 and the RCBS 35-200.

[MT Chambers]

The best cast boolit is the Saeco 245 gr. Fp Gc, for dies I always get the Redding Deluxe die set which includes a neck sizer, a full length sizer and a seating die, this is all good quality equipment.