Need some .35 help

[PAShooter]

I am looking to get a new rifle. I want it to be a .35 caliber. The calibers I am considering are the .358 STA, .35-.300 Win Mag, and .35-.300 WSM (Sambar). I am currently weighing the cost options. I could build the .35-.300 Win Mag and .35-.300 WSM for a lower cost than building a .358 STA. I would be able to buy either a .300 Win Mag or .300 WSM and just have it rebarreled. Where I would have to have more work done to be able to build a .358 STA.

So my question is I am looking for some people with experience in any of these three rounds and could give me some feedback and possibly some ballistics and loads.. I have been having a hard time finding ballistics for the .35-.300 Win Mag and .35-.300 WSM.

Any feedback or advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[JD338]

My 35 cal experience is with the 35 Whelen. It flat out kills and leaves a nice big exit wound with the 225 gr PT. Any of the above mentioned would be just more of a good thing.
If you really want some performance, consider a 358-338 RUM. :idea: I would think you could push a 250 gr PT easily over 3000 fps for some serious horse power.

JD338

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

As a huge 7mm STW fan, I'm inclined toward the .358 STA (one is a 8mm mag necked up, the other a 8mm necked down), but your gunsmith would probably like you better if you went with the 35/338 RUM. Since it's non-belted, it's much cleaner to chamber, and headspaces off the shoulder, not the belt.

 

[DrMike]

I have several .35s in my safe (.356 (2), .358 (2), .350 RM, 35 Whelan) and I love the calibre. Currently, I'm keeping my eyes open for a 358 Norma Magnum. I have seen a couple come through the shop, but the last two were in rough shape and didn't excite me a great deal. It is obvious that I'm not really inclined to work with anything other than factory cartridges from my possessions. However, that doesn't mean that I'm unaware of the other cartridges. The 358 STA is a thumper for certain. As far as ballistics go, you're not likely to find an abundance of information concerning loads for the Sambar and the 35-300 WM. If it is horsepower you are looking for, JD338 and Antelope Sniper are right on the money with the suggestion to look at a 35/338 RUM. Whatever you build, let us know here on the forum once you get it and work up some loads.

 

[tjRoberts]

You could build a 358 STA on a 7mm mag action if you start with a remington 700.
But I think the .358 Norma makes the most sence. It would be just about the same as your 358 X 300 win.
Great for the biggest north american game.
Of Course the STA is faster, but the norma is plenty of power.
...tj3006

 

[Big Squeeze]

Or! Here`s another possibility!!

How about a 35/375 Ruger??? A necked down 375 Ruger.

The 35/375 Ruger should get you more case capacity than the 358 Norma Mag and should fall right in between the 358 Norma Mag and the 358 STA in the performance dept.

As a matter of fact, it wouldn`t surprise me at all to see Ruger/Hornady do exactly that! That would make for one helluva 35 cal offering in a new Hawkeye nearing the STA`s performance, and in a shorter `06 length action too.

Maybe buy a 35 Whelen Hawkeye and convert it over??? Possible??? The 35 Whelen has the same action length as the 375 Ruger.

If I wanted a hi-powered 35, that is one possibility I`d certainly research.

 

[Antelope_Sniper]

B_S, I wonder if anyone makes reamers for that?

 

[Big Squeeze]

B_S, I wonder if anyone makes reamers for that?

...................Hmmmmm! Don`t know!...... But I`d certainly want to do some research to find out everything I could about necking down that round. They`ve already gone up to a .416 Ruger, so why not neck it down and add to production a 30/375 Ruger, a 338/375R (for those who want more power than the 300/338 RCMs) and add on a 350/375R too. Call em the 300 Ruger, 338 Ruger, 350 Ruger or add on the word "magnum."

I did read somewhere that the 375 Ruger has already been necked down to the 338 by a wildcatter. I have also read a few accounts where a few have re-barreled their rifles, converted over to the 375 Ruger or had customs made.

So, I assume that the chamber reamers exist.

 

[TScottW99]

The Ruger was necked down to .338 and called the .338Barker if memory serves.

http://www.matchgrademachine.com/ did the work for a guy over at Specialty pistol forums last year. I believe he had two rifles and two handguns made for the round.

 

[Jim1 AB]

PAShooter

I've owned and shot my 358 STA for years on everything from antelope to moose. 225 to 300 grain bullets. If you can handle the recoil it is a very hard cartridge to beat. When or if the barrel finely goes I will probably build a 358 based on the new Ruger case. I have a new 6.5 Ruger going into the field this fall and to have a big brother to it would be nice. I've had great results from 125 to 160 grain bullets on the bench and will be shooting 130 grain Sciroccos on deer this year unless that bullet does not hold up to the velocities I'm shooting. Back to the subject at hand. I would expect the Ruger case to equal or even exceed the the 358 STA. To simply neck down the 375 case would be easier than fire-forming 340 Weatherby or other brass.

Jim

 

[taylorce1]

I agree with using the Ruger cartridge for a wildcat .358. I'm sure if you ask around on the Wilcat page over on Accurate Reloading you will find someone with the reamer. Or I'm sure Pacific or 4D will make you one for the right price.

Rick Bin over on 24Hr Campfire shoots a .338-375 Campfire, which is his wildcat on the .375 Ruger case. Me I just built a .375 Ruger when I wanted to rebarrel a 7mm RM that I had. No modifications needed to get this conversion to work in my action.

 

[SJB358]

I think I would like to rechamber/rebarrel my old Winchester Model 70 7mm Rem Mag. I already have another 7mm RM in a Weatherby. I would think it would be easy to rechamber the rifle to a 358 Norma. Pretty easy to make brass from a 338 Win Mag. Plus, shouldn't have to make many changes to the rifle. Seems like it would be a killer combo and likely stomp elk into the Earth. I am with Dr Mike, I want to keep it with standard produced shells, and I don't want anything more than what it would probably give me. Scotty

 

[Guest]

Making your 70 into a 358Norma is exactly as you describe it. Simply a matter of changing the barrel out. The cartridge bodies are so similar I doubt you'll have feed issues at all. You can get 358Norma brass from Norma if you'd like correctly headstamped brass, too. It's not cheap, but it's very nice brass.

 

[SJB358]

I am a pretty big fan of the 358 caliber rifles, so I think the NM is the next one. Plus, I already have the rifle, so a barrel change and a new stock should make for an excellent long range hammer. It might get a brake also. Hard telling though, still aways from actually starting anything. I think sending a 250gr at over 2800+ would be a pretty awesome shooter. Scotty

 

[FOTIS]

http://noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewt ... highlight=

 

[SJB358]

http://

noslerreloading.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=11254&highlight=

That is a great deal Pop. I would probably take you up on it if I could. Right now I want to get a Redhawk and some other equipment first. Plus I have my 35 Whelen. Good luck getting rid of it. Just the componets are worth some bucks. Scotty

 

[Jim1 AB]

B_S, I wonder if anyone makes reamers for that?

...................Hmmmmm! Don`t know!...... But I`d certainly want to do some research to find out everything I could about necking down that round. They`ve already gone up to a .416 Ruger, so why not neck it down and add to production a 30/375 Ruger, a 338/375R (for those who want more power than the 300/338 RCMs) and add on a 350/375R too. Call em the 300 Ruger, 338 Ruger, 350 Ruger or add on the word "magnum."

I did read somewhere that the 375 Ruger has already been necked down to the 338 by a wildcatter. I have also read a few accounts where a few have re-barreled their rifles, converted over to the 375 Ruger or had customs made.

So, I assume that the chamber reamers exist.

Trying to dig into the mind of number crunchers. Have at it. There are just so many new cartridges out in the last five years or so. Besides the 260 Remington the 6.5s and 35s are the only ones not flooded. The 325 WSM surprised me with it's introduction, as it along with the other two I've mentioned have never done well in the North American market. I've found the 35 I have, a 358 STA to be such a great versatile cartridge. I'll keep my fingers crossed but I'll not be holding my breath. I'd think you'd see a 338 first.