Browning BLR 358 Win

[barthowes]

45.5 gr TAC, Win brass, CCI LR Mag primer, 225 gr Partition gives me 2450fps in my savage 116 with sub MOA. I couldn't get the speeds Mike Price wrote about, but i am more than happy. Shot a 4 point WT with it last year at 60yds. hit both front shoulders and DRT. Massive damage with a complete pass though from the rear portion of the bullet. I'm hooked on my .358.

 

[Rem Jim]

I finally shot my BLR 358 at the range and chronoed it - Avg was 2450 fps loaded with 47 grs Imr3031 CCI200
Accuracy was 1.5 " 3 shot at 100 yards - good enough Short range Blackie Bear load ! RJ

 

[DrMike]

Yup! That'll work for black bear.

 

[tjen]

Great rifle / cartridge combination you will love it.

I have used both TAC and H4895 with both 225gr PT's & GK's to get 2430 fps in a 20.5 in barreled 700. With the 200gr Spire Points I used both H4895 and H322 with 2480 fps but stopped there for best accuracy.

Have not used the 225gr PT on deer so far but hope there the best. Shot two with the Spire points and wasn't impressed. The best deer bullet I have yet to try is the 200gr REM CLRN.

Still hope Nosler would make a cheaper 358 cal bullet with deer in mind that is shaped for the 358win rifles. 215-225gr would be fine to get the SD & BC up over the 200 grainers. Win just release their white tail bullet a large mentplate tipped bullte design for fast expantion.

 

[FOTIS]

I love my 358 BLR. Still have not fired it!

 

[DrMike]

The cartridge is excellent. The rifle carries easily and seems to leap to the shoulder when it is needed. The largest game I every took with my BLR was a cow bison. However, the cartridge worked.

 

[FOTIS]

Mike:


Have you used the 200 gr Hornady SP? How tough is it? Elk tough?

 

[DrMike]

I would use it without too much hesitation. The bison I dropped was hit with a 250 grain Hornady SP. Shot was about 80 yards and the first bullet was found lodged in the spine. The 200 grain SP would work well for elk at reasonable yardage. I've used 200 grain Sierras for big game, and they do work.

 

[SJB358]

Mike:


Have you used the 200 gr Hornady SP? How tough is it? Elk tough?

Dan tested the 200 Hornady from his Whelen on some deer and the jugs around 2600 or so. I'd bet they are real good around those speeds.

 

[tjen]

Hornady says it has the same jacket thickness and core antimity as their 250gr spire point. So I bet it will not fail, but thats where I want a 225gr PT or at least the 220gr speer for more penitration.

At 2480 fps I thought it lacked expansion on deer. I had two lung shot bucks that did not drop as fast as I wanted. Every deer is different but I get better sized through holes with a 200 gr CLRN loaded to 2188 fps in my 35rem, and fast drops. The Hawk 225gr RT max loaded to 2360 fps worked great on a buck at 70 yards, but that do much faster than my 35rem. Now make that an elk and I will take the 225gr at 2360 fps any day over my 35rem.

 

[Rem Jim]

I just got some Sierra 225 gr SPBT bullets they will fit well in the 358 Mag ! Anyone on here shot them in there 358 Win ? what load ? thks RJ

 

[DrMike]

Aggravation, I wrote up a response only to see it disappear into the ethereal unknown!

Here are a few loads that worked in my BLR.

WLR		A 2015			0.86
CCI200		BL-C(2)			0.97
WLR		BENCHMARK			1.19
WLR		VARGET			0.98
WLR		VARGET			1.15

I'll include data with this particular bullet from my Hawkeye, as it may be of value to you.

F210		10X	41.5		0.53
F210		10X	42.0		1.07
F210		10X	43.5		1.18
F210		TAC	45.0		0.75

 

[FOTIS]

This is the best load I found out of my BLR 220 speer 215m and 52 gr 748
Nice but velocity is a mediocre 2415 fps

 

[DrMike]

The 220 grain Speers always gave me better accuracy than anticipated in both the .358 and the .356. That particular bullet was a winner in those cartridges across multiple firing systems.