.358 Win Loads

[HeathSexton]

Got my .358 up and running it's in a BLR and a friend loaded me 50 cases with 36.5grs of RL7 with the 225NBT. I chronoed the load and it was going 2060 average, it shoots real well and I am sure it would be fine for deer around here but since the NBT is no longer around I want something else. I guess I could try the AccuBond but the bullets are just so dang long for the case. What are ya'll's favorite loads for the .358? I have looked around and found a few, one with the 225 Sierra that looks good but I figured I would ask here also. Rifle will be used for deer with the rare shot at a hog.


Thanks

 

[honkeetonkin]

Heath, dont overlook the 225 gr Partition, I shoot it out of an encore pistol using 49 gr of IMR 4895, very accurate out of my 15 inch barrel and at 100yds is same point of impact as 225 bt's.

 

[HeathSexton]

Thanks, I thought the 225 PT might be too tough so I hadn't thought about it. You are not the first person I have seen say 49grs of 4895 and a 225. I am going to have to get some 4895.



Thanks

 

[DrMike]

Heath,

I have shot a .356 Winchester for years, only starting to reload for the .358 this past year. However, in my BLR, 225 Sierra Boat Tails shoot very well. Yesterday, I shot my first set of 225 grain Accubonds. The results were very encouraging. I obtained 3/4" groups. The load consisted of 47 grains of Varget ignited by WLR primers. Ballistics were exceptional, with great consistency over the range of charges. Also, 35.5 grains of RL7 ignited by WLR primers, gives sub-MOA groups with 225 Nosler Partitions. Though 200 grain bullets will be adequate for deer, don't ignore the heavier premium bullets. Consequently, I used this rifle with a 250 grain Hornady Interlock this spring to drop a fine buffalo. I can honestly say that I would have been happier with either the AccuBond or the Partition since the bone structure of buffalo is so heavy. Bullet performance left something to be desired, though the first shot was adequate to drop the animal. I would have enjoyed more penetration.

 

[HeathSexton]

DrMike, do you know the velocities you were running? I am not a speed freak but I like to get optimum performance from my guns. I have some Varget and RL7 I need to get 4895 also.



Thanks!

 

[DrMike]

The Varget load yields 2282 +/- 2 fps. As I said, it is an extremely consistent and accurate load. I can get almost 200 fps more velocity, but accuracy is degraded significantly.

The RL7 load yields 2106 +/- 14 fps. This is a fast powder, and I can gain about 60 fps more velocity, but again, accuracy is degraded. With RL7 across the spectrum of loads tested, ballistics are consistent with standard deviation of 12 to 17 fps.

My rifle has a somewhat slow barrel, but these velocities are higher than I would obtain with my .356 which has taken grizzly and black bear, elk and mule deer. I would not hesitate to tackle whitetail or hogs with a load yield such velocities with the bullets listed.

I trust you will enjoy the .35 calibre as much as I do. I spent the day at the range yesterday with two .356 model 94s, my BLR in .358 and a Remington 673 chambered in .350 Remington Magnum. Each gave me excellent groups with the appropriate loads. I trust you will have as much fun hunting with your rifle as I have with these. The .350 will be broken in on elk and moose this Fall, the season opening in a little less than three weeks.

Best of luck and great success in your hunting.

 

[HeathSexton]

DrMike, thanks for the info, sounds like our guns are running fairly close in velocity. I have read good things about the 35's and their penetration and killing power. The 358 is the first 35 I have ever owned, but I doubt it's my last. Gonna run down a good 35 Whelen at some point.


Thanks for all the info and best of luck to you this season.

 

[tjen]

I am using 46.5 grs of H4895 with the 225 Partition and it yelds 2425fps from a 20.5" shilen barred 700. And with the hornady 200gr 46.5 grs gets 2480 fps and both are under max loads listed for each bullet. The rem 200gr pointed core lokt works just as good. The Partition is my choise for black bear and up but with its soft nose should work for deer too.

The max listed by hornady for the 200gr bullet is 47.8grs and the 225 from hodgon is 47.0 grs. double check thier website and good luck.