358Win J-word bullet testing

[chickenstripe]

This is a repeat of a post in another thread, I just wanted it to be easily searched/found if someone was interested at a later date.

In an effort to publish some data out there on the internet related to these short barreled rifles, and their terminal performance, I did a bit of testing today.

The rifle is a ruger frontier / compact in 358 winchester (16.5" barrel).

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_45615041129f8e0f0.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=6509)

I posed a question on this forum about the 180gr SSP bullet from Hornady. For comparison I've included the 200gr Barnes TSX, and 250gr Hornady Interlock.

Muzzle velocities are only known for the 180gr load (chronograph is down) and they are launched at 2400fps. For this length barrel, that is about as fast as I can get them to go.

Impact into wet phonebooks was at 50yds.

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_456150411262e8a36.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=6507)

Bullets were recovered and the penetration was measured, as was the expanded diameters of the projectiles.

Left to right: 180gr Hornady SSP #3505, 200gr Barnes TSX-FP #35820, 250gr Hornady Interlock #3525

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_456150411288c8c6e.jpg (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=6508)

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/imagehosting/thum_4561504112e360079.png (http://castboolits.gunloads.com/vbimghost.php?do=displayimg&imgid=6510)

In addition to the 200gr barnes being the prettiest recovered bullet, it has the same point of impact at 100yds as the 180gr Hornady. Therefore no sight adjustment is required. Haven't tried the 250grainer at 100yds.

The 180gr bullet had alot of fragmentation at the point when it was recovered. About the size of #4 shot. Both the 250 and 180 grain bullets peeled back to the cannelure.

I'll be publishing velocity data within the next few weeks, when I get my hands on a chronograph. I'll be interested in chrono data for the 250gr bullet. After speaking with Hornady, they stated that I needed to launch this bullet at a minimum of 2300fps...... I'm no where near that with this rifle/load combo.

Hope this helps someone...... I couldn't find any data on bullets fired from these short barreled rifles.

BTW I'll be using the 200gr barnes......

If there are any takers I may dosome testingon the 308 frontier/compact with the 31141, nosler 125gr,and the 150gr sierra flatnose (30-30 bullet).

Chickenstripe.

[quilbilly]

I will be really interested in the terminal ballistics of your 30 calibers since I have done the same for both my 32-20 and my 30/30. I presume you newsprint medium was soaked with water. This winter I hope to do the terminal ballistics on my 358 boolits from a 357 max using rain soaked phone books.

[chickenstripe]

I understand that the 250gr bullet that I used, would be innapropriate for the 357 max, but I'll be interested to compare the difference.

I do have a 350 Rem mag that I can push all of the bullets a bit faster, and may also try these same tests, with that cartridge.