358 Winchester plinking load success

[Jevyod]

So for my 358 Winchester that Tim Malcolm built, I was working on an easy shooting load for fun/possible small game load. I had come across a promising load so today I loaded up some and decided to see how 30 rounds group. Here are the loaded rounds before heading to the range:
https://i.postimg.cc/vmDp3fvR/20200530-125523.jpg (https://postimg.cc/WDLW4DKS)
Load data was as follows: 1x fired Rem 308 brass formed into 358, CCI 200 primers, 12.1 grns Unique powder, and the Arsenal 358-158 bullet from the recent group buy. Mine drop at right around 162 graind with the gas check installed. Bullets were powdercoated with Smokes powder, a mix of the dark blue and the traffic purple to make a dark purple. Here are the results of 30 shots at 50 yards. I did not give time for the barrel to cool between shots, and there was a 5-10 mph breeze. So with cooling the barrel plus a calm day, one could probably tighten the group up pretty easily. The shots tended to go higher as the barrel heated up. So here is the pic: (grid is 1/2 inch squares)
https://i.postimg.cc/WbnCVXWL/20200530-153209.jpg (https://postimg.cc/XprQcc6Q)

I am very happy with the results. This was just fun shooting plain and simple!

[Winger Ed.]

Way cool.

Be careful at the range.
Some people don't like it when you make them look bad.:bigsmyl2:
Especially after they've told you cast will never work, and you'll ruin the barrel too.

[Beerd]

you sure all 30 hit the target?
I can't count more than 20 holes. :kidding:

Same sight setting as your usual hunting load?
..

[Jevyod]

Am pretty sure all 30 are in there!!!! I moved the sight down about 2 inches for these as they impact about 2 inches higher than my hunting loads

[Silvercreek Farmer]

That was your 358th post! Your "plinking load" probably carries as much energy as a full power 357 mag revolver. Go forth and make meat!

[richhodg66]

That was your 358th post! Your "plinking load" probably carries as much energy as a full power 357 mag revolver. Go forth and make meat!

Yep.

I did some similar loads in my .358, but have done it more in a Handi in .35 Wheln. One of the beautiful things about the .35s is the ability to use revolver bullets for this sort of thing.

[cwlongshot]

Great fun load!!

Love the 358's!

CW

[Norske]

My Browning BLR shoots anything I've tried if I use IMR 3031 powder. Three 200 gr cast gas checked bullets from Missouri Bullets landed in an elongated 1-hole group at 100 yards. The outside of the group can be covered with a dime. My range has a fun challenge called "dime group" where the outside of three shots has to be smaller than a dime. It encourages shooting. My 358 is the largest caliber to have done it so far. The powder charge was 39 grains.

[Silvercreek Farmer]

My Browning BLR shoots anything I've tried if I use IMR 3031 powder. Three 200 gr cast gas checked bullets from Missouri Bullets landed in an elongated 1-hole group at 100 yards. The outside of the group can be covered with a dime. My range has a fun challenge called "dime group" where the outside of three shots has to be smaller than a dime. It encourages shooting. My 358 is the largest caliber to have done it so far. The powder charge was 39 grains.

Very nice! I'll have to try your load. I was working with RL7 and getting very hunting worthy groups of around 1.5" at 2300 fps+ but ES were a bit wide. I bought a lb of 3031 to try but it has been shelved.

[Jevyod]

That was your 358th post! Your "plinking load" probably carries as much energy as a full power 357 mag revolver. Go forth and make meat!

I was thinking it should work dandy at the woods ranges I shoot where 75 yards is a long shot!

[Camba]

Nice shooting!


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[Milsurp Junkie]

I have a 358 winchester (243 Rossi single shot rebored by jes) that I want to shoot some pistol bullets with. I have some 158 grain XTP HP and FP, that I would like to see how they would act for Texas deer and varmint hunting, and I wanted to see if I could find a nice squirrel load for some 158 grain swaged speer roundnose bullets I have. I have unique, red dot, 2400, hs6, 3031, and trailboss. Something in the 1200 fps range.

[Norske]

If sometime you have trouble getting Reloader 7, Ramshot Exterminator works in a similar fashion. Western Powder's reloading guide lists Winchester primers for all their rifle powders, which I find much more reliable with any double base powder, especially graphite coated ones.