Best 358Win White Tail Bullet

[tjen]

Silent Sam

What I am looking for is a bullet that in the 358win (2400-2500fps) on deer size game will expand fast enough to nock the snot out of deer like my 35 rem does at 2188fps. So fare have not found it. I have the 225gr PT loaded at 2440fps but have yet to shoot a deer with them, maybe this year.

I am very awear of all the ballistics that why I have hand load the 225gr GK, 225gr PT, and the 225gr Hawk RT .025" jacket bullets. The hawk would be hands down the best, but because of the 100% copper jacket it is 100fps slower thus just on par with the 35rem on deer. Yes if I was hunting moose it would sine well above the 35rem but then I would just use the 225gr PT.

Here in MI for deer I do not need to shoot 300 yards more like 125 yards max so 250 yards just fine and NO DOUTE ABOUT IT a 200gr FXT or 220gr HC at + 300fps faster than the 35rem will hit harder. because it expands fast at slower velocities plus the added impact velocity. As I have said for all else I use the 225gr PT. I should add here I do not want a explosive bullet. But one like Nosler makes that expands at its intended impact velocity and ends up ay 60-70% of its original weight. Just optomize for the 358win and cheaper than the PT. And the brass of the 358win will handle the same pressure the 338fedcan it just the old guns that can not.

Brings me back say 7 years when I asked Nosler for a spitzer shaped Bonded Solid Base 220gr in .358" with +P load data for it too. The 358win and 350rem can't use BT & AB's instead they mad a 200gr AB which like you I would not use in for the 35whelen because we have the 225gr AB.

 

[SJB358]

TJen, I've taken a few deer with the 225 PT at 2450. It flat out hammers deer as hard as anything you can put to your shoulder. Don't fear it opening up cause it will and if it manages to stumble anywhere at all, there will be more blood than 10 deer should spill. It's very good.

 

[tjen]

Thanks on the PT report, I just have to buy some before they cost more. And I can likely push it to 2500fps with out any pressure signs.

Did that with the +P 35rem loads and its pressure is so low its only sticky extraction that gives indication in a 336. Guys with Model #7's get 2300fps useing TAC. I have to dig out a copy of handloader that showed the 338fed & 358win loaded to the same pressures.

Have you seen the Safari Grade 35REM pushing 260gr lead at 2180fps in modified 336's its not your papa's gun. I think 310grs is the heavy bullet. And they have a SG 444 as well.

 

[Alaska]

The Nosler 225gr AccuBond in the 358 Win would be excellent.

Also the Sierra 225gr Gameking work excellent.

 

[Silent Sam]

...if you have enough room. In my BLR the AB base will be in the case down to the bottom of the shoulder to keep it out of the lands. That and my experience is that ABs like a good jump to the rifling. That cuts pretty heavy into the powder room. I have a Ruger Hawkeye that I can seat the AB wholly in the neck and still have some freebore to play with. i haven't worked any loads for it but it's on the list. A 225AB @ 2500 would make a good thing even better... it just won't work in my BLR.

 

[SJB358]

Partition or the AccuBond.. Bet it'd be impossible to see the difference on animals.

 

[Silent Sam]

It's all about the BC...

 

[DON]

I've taken deer with the 225 AB and Partition with my 35 Whelen. Both work equally well. IMO the Partition seems to expand faster. POI is same for both bullets at 100 yards. It just hammers deer. The only deer ever to get up after being shot with the Partition was this past season. Shot thru liver at 65 yards got up and ran 35-40 yards then fell over. Liver was just gone upon inspection, silver dollar size hole thru ribs.

Don

 

[SJB358]

It's all about the BC...

They aren't too different in actual shooting in my opinion. I've taken them both out to 600.. Any difference was probably more me than the bullets.

 

[Silent Sam]

Well it's a choice (the AB) that I don't have with the BLR. I don't have any issue at all with terminal performance with the 225gr Sierras or Partitions. My BLR loads shoot about the same out of my Hawkeye so I don't have anything to lose except the cost of a box of bullets and some reloading & range time. Maybe I'll end up with the Sierras seated out further with a little more powder, maybe a different powder, a little more barrel and some more useable velocity. I intend to find out. And so it goes...

 

[350JR]

Since in Indiana, I've not had a need to shoot more than 150 yards but if you do a search on my posts you'll find my report on my 350Jr wildcat that is a 358 Win capacity twin, but a legal wildcat here in Hoosier land.

There are photos in there of a Speer I dug out (the only one ever recovered in 14 deer now) that went through diagonally entering the shoulder bones (oops) and ended up under the skin on the opposite hip. The photo of the recovered bullet says it all, to me anyway.

That was the 180 grain and my friend who has the other 350Jr shoots the 220 grain Speer. I THINK mine went down a bit faster than his since moving faster and opening up faster but that said, anything he shoots going even 40 yards is rare. Two I shot broadside and never hit rib till exiting dropped on their belly, DRT, one at 80 one at 100 or a bit more.

The 35 bore is just a hammer. I think any bullet made to open at these velocities will give similar results, but looking at cost/accuracy and results, I shoot the Speer Hot Cor.

If setting up for over 200-250 yards (doubtful) I might rethink it though.

God Bless
Steve