356 Winchester Load

Greg Nolan · Jan 31, 2012

I know there are several 356 owners out there and I'm starting to load for one so I'm hoping to get some pet loads if you would care to share. Has anyone tried the Hornady LeverEvolution 200 gr. bullets in the 356? I was thinking of the Lee Factory Crimp Die to be able to adjust the OAL and still have the crimp. DrMike, I read that you have used the 356 sucessfully and seem happy with the caliber. Please give me some hints.
Thanks Everyone
Greg

DrMike · Jan 31, 2012

Greg,

I have loaded the 200 grain FTX. It shoots very well in my rifles. I do trim the cases back an additional 0.005 inches as Hornady recommends (http://www.hornady.com/assets/files/ftx_load_data/356_win_ftx.pdf). I still use the Lee Factory Crimp Die for these loads.

Greg Nolan · Jan 31, 2012

Thanks DrMike. I checked out the site and as soon as the 356 is released I'll try it out.
Greg

DrMike · Jan 31, 2012

The 200 grain FTX gives me great accuracy, but I'm still using 220 grain Speer FN and 250 grain Kodiak FN bullets as the greater mass gives me excellent kills when I've needed to use these rifles on big bears, moose and elk.

Greg Nolan · Jan 31, 2012

DrMike,
Do you think the FTX is too light for elk in the timber and out to 200 yds?

FOTIS · Feb 1, 2012

I would "personally" feel better with the 220 Speer on elk.

DrMike · Feb 1, 2012

I prefer more mass than the FTX. I believe it is adequate, but at those ranges, I believe the extra 20 grains from the Speer FN works to your advantage. You're not going to get a massive velocity increase with the FTX, and that difference in mass argues in favour of the Speer. I believe the Kodiak 250 grain FN is better still. I know what it will do to a worked up bull at 100 yards, and that gives me even greater confidence. I also know what the 220 grain Speer does on an unalarmed grizzly at 140 yards.

FOTIS · Feb 1, 2012

Spot on Doc.

My texas hog took one under the neck quartering and went completely lengthwise, and exited the ham.

Not an elk or a Griz but a tough beast nonetheless.

Here is one with the kids. I am holding the 94 356 win

DrMike · Feb 1, 2012

Fotis,

I believe a hog is a pretty tough critter. Any bullet that will give that sort of penetration provides excellent recommendation in my book.

Greg Nolan · Feb 1, 2012

Good, I'm glad I havn't purchased bullets yet.
I see your rifle is scoped Fotis, what are you using for glass? Also I'm curious as to the sighting on your rifle DrMike and of course anyone else who has set up a similiar rig.
I had a 2-7 on my 450 Marlin but it may have been overkill in size. What do you think?
Thanks Again
Greg

SJB358 · Feb 1, 2012

Greg, that 220 Speer is a great bullet. I have ran it in my 358 Win and it works nicely, as Mike mentioned. I would have 0 problems with tackling elk/moose out to 200 with it. It is a tough bullet.

I kinda wanna rescope my 45-70 and think the 1.5x5 VX3 would be a nice scope on the lever rifles. Who knows though, a 2-7 works great too.. That 356 is one cool cartridge. Very seldom seen around much, but man, what a package they are.

FOTIS · Feb 1, 2012

Greg Nolan":13zcdkic said:
Good, I'm glad I havn't purchased bullets yet.
I see your rifle is scoped Fotis, what are you using for glass? Also I'm curious as to the sighting on your rifle DrMike and of course anyone else who has set up a similiar rig.
I had a 2-7 on my 450 Marlin but it may have been overkill in size. What do you think?
Thanks Again
Greg

I had a 2x7 leupy on it. Sighted her in for 150 yards

DrMike · Feb 1, 2012

Greg,

I've generally scoped my Model 94s. In addition to a couple of Williams peep sights, I've had B&L 2-7, VX3 2.5-8 and Conquest 1.1-4.5 scopes at various times. All worked very well. Presently, I have a Vortex PST 1-4, a Kahles 1.1-4.4 and a VX7 1-6 on my Model 94s. I really appreciate the scope. If the shots are going to be close, the Vortex and the Kahles work very well. For a little more reach, I appreciate the VX7, just as I appreciated the VX3 2.5-8 and the B&L 2-7.

DrMike · Feb 1, 2012

Greg,

I've previously posted these pictures, but I'll do so again.

This is one of the 356 rifles. It is wearing a VX7.

This is an earlier photo of the lever guns that were then gracing my safe. The BLR (.358) was wearing a Conquest 1.4-4.5, as was the .356 on the extreme right. The .375 was crowned with a Williams peep sight. The penultimate .356 on the right was wearing a Kahles 1.1-4.4.

This was the .356 when it was wearing the B&L Elite 3200 2-7.

This was the .356 wearing the VX3.

The bear in the follow photos was taken with the .356 that was wearing the B&L Elite 3200 at the time. I was using a Speer 220 grain FN at ~2400 fps.

gerry · Feb 1, 2012

Nice looking bear DrMike, you aren't helping with me thinking about grizzlies all the time now

Oh and the guns are nice too.

DrMike · Feb 1, 2012

I do love that .356, Gerry, and I wouldn't hesitate to carry it again for grizzly. However, should I get the draw, I'll likely be carrying my 9.3X64 this year.

CatskillCrawler · Feb 1, 2012

I have a dissected 200gr .358 FTX at home. The jacket is very thin with hardly any, if at all, thickening of the jacket as you approach the base. I haven't recovered any I've shot at paper and haven't performed any bullet tests into any type of media/game. But, based upon what I have seen of its internal make-up, I won't use it in my 358WIn on anything but whitetails or smaller.

I'm sure it's fine at 35Rem velocities but I wouldn't push it beyond 2300fps and expect too much integrity.

Greg Nolan · Feb 1, 2012

Thank You All

Based on what you've all shown me and written I should look at the 220 gr. bullet and a scope with a top end of 6 or 7. I realy liked the look of the smaller scopes of about 20mm. I suppose the lense quality will make up for loss of light gathering of say a 32mm. Now the search is on for a scope. I'll check my stock and see if I have one to use (I doubt it) or one I can sell to fund the new project. I can't pick the rifle up for 9 more days but it's fun to plan.

Greg

gerry · Feb 1, 2012

Greg,
Make sure you post pics of your 356 when you get it

should be a fun gun to play with.

tjen · Feb 3, 2012

Greg Nolan":sm1grji9 said:
I know there are several 356 owners out there and I'm starting to load for one so I'm hoping to get some pet loads if you would care to share. Has anyone tried the Hornady LeverEvolution 200 gr. bullets in the 356? I was thinking of the Lee Factory Crimp Die to be able to adjust the OAL and still have the crimp. DrMike, I read that you have used the 356 sucessfully and seem happy with the caliber. Please give me some hints.
Thanks Everyone
Greg

The 220gr Speer is hands down the best all round 356 bullet for deer to moose sixed game. For deer the 200gr REM CLRN would work as a hammer. Many use it in the 358win but I think for thing larger than deer the 220gr is better. There is the Hawk bullets also and the .030" jacket RT should work get. I used a 225gr .030" RT in my 358win this year and it work superbly. They are pure lead and copper so they are slower than gliuding metal jackets 2340 verses the 2430fps 225ge PT's get form my gun.

I have wondered if nosler could make a profit from small batch runs sold through a few large dealers like midway/mid south. I am thinking mainly mid to large bores