BLR - 358 Win.

[NYDAN]

I have been working on a load for my BLR chambered in 358 Win.

I started with the Hornady 200 gr. RN and transitioned to the Hornady 200 gr. SP bullet. I tried a few different powders including Reloder 7, H-4198, H-4895.

Below are a couple of interesting targets with the 200 gr. SP, Reloder 7, and bullet jumps of 0.040" and 0.060".


Interestingly, bullet jumps of 0.020", 0.030", and 0.050" produced significantly bigger groups.

Today, I tried a bullet jump of 0.070" and got an acceptable target with a group size of about 0.47"



Unfortunately, I don't have much Reloder 7 left. Now I have to try to switch into another powder with the above knowledge. Maybe the H-4198 will work similarly.

I also switched from the RCBS seating die to a Hornady seating with die with the optional micrometer adjustment. What a difference for the better. This die makes it a lot easier to switch between seating depths and different bullets.

 

[DrMike]

You appear to be well on the way to a grand load, Dan.

 

[300WSM]

I have been working on a load for my BLR chambered in 358 Win.

I started with the Hornady 200 gr. RN and transitioned to the Hornady 200 gr. SP bullet. I tried a few different powders including Reloder 7, H-4198, H-4895.

Below are a couple of interesting targets with the 200 gr. SP, Reloder 7, and bullet jumps of 0.040" and 0.060".
View attachment 26275

Interestingly, bullet jumps of 0.020", 0.030", and 0.050" produced significantly bigger groups.

Today, I tried a bullet jump of 0.070" and got an acceptable target with a group size of about 0.47"

View attachment 26276

Unfortunately, I don't have much Reloder 7 left. Now I have to try to switch into another powder with the above knowledge. Maybe the H-4198 will work similarly.

I also switched from the RCBS seating die to a Hornady seating with die with the optional micrometer adjustment. What a difference for the better. This die makes it a lot easier to switch between seating depths and different bullets.

Good shooting brotha.


I agree one million percent about the dies.
RCBS isn't a bad company but dollar for dollar Hornady dies are better. That micrometer adjustment option is nice. I own two of the micrometer adjusters as most times I 'm loading more than one cartridge on a turret press.

My only negative about Hornady is one of their dies in a set is NOT marked for the caliper it's made for

Outside of that I like the ability to expand their dies like the mic adjustment or seating stem changes for the low drag longer bullet profiles of today.

 

[salmonchaser]

Dan,
That looks great

 

[wvbuckbuster]

Good load there. You will find that 200gr Spire Point will do well on deer. Did in my 35 Whelen.

 

[RL338]

0.070” very respectable , nice job.

 

[Blkram]

Gotta love the 358 in a BLR that shoots so well!
Light, handy, quick handling, and accurate...not to mention fun to shoot!
Not many critters are gonna walk away on you when you go hunting with this combo!

 

[SJB358]

I used 4198 with 200’s for around 2600 in my BLR. I don’t remember 1/2” stuff like yours but it was really accurate and really easy to shoot. Nice shooting Dan. You’re making me wanna dig mine out.

 

[NYDAN]

I used 4198 with 200’s for around 2600 in my BLR. I don’t remember 1/2” stuff like yours but it was really accurate and really easy to shoot. Nice shooting Dan. You’re making me wanna dig mine out.

It turns out that I had more RL-7 than I realized. At only 39 grains per load a half pound goes quite a ways. I shot the load again yesterday and verified a 100 yard zero. Then I loaded up the remaining prepped brass for this year's hunting. I will still have enough powder for another batch of brass when I shoot up my loaded rounds. So, it will be a while before I have to try the H-4198 again.

I am on to other projects now.

 

[SJB358]

It turns out that I had more RL-7 than I realized. At only 39 grains per load a half pound goes quite a ways. I shot the load again yesterday and verified a 100 yard zero. Then I loaded up the remaining prepped brass for this year's hunting. I will still have enough powder for another batch of brass when I shoot up my loaded rounds. So, it will be a while before I have to try the H-4198 again.

I am on to other projects now.

Good deal. That’ll be a sure thing killer.