The 225gr Accu Makes The 358Win Extremely Versatile

[bullet]

The 225gr AccuBond in a Ruger Hawkeye (because of the generous magazine) makes the 358Win a very versatile rifle and cartridge indeed. I have been testing the 225gr AccuBond in a Ruger Hawkeye at the range and on game for three years now. In my testing I found that the 225gr AccuBond with TAC powder and Rem 9 1/2M primers is 1/2 - 3/4 inch at 100yds, and is moving on the average at 2556fps. To say it is an effective game killer between 1700fps and 2500fps is an understatement. Even though the 225gr Sierra Game King is more accurate I am not able to push it over 2500fps consistently and then you add its much lower BC of 0.370 as apposed to the 0.421 of the 225gr AccuBond, the AccuBond will give more down range ability.

Here is a table to illustrate my point.


Max Point blank range is 253 yds when zeroed at 214 yds. This will allow me to hold on top of a deers shoulders at 260yds and hit that deer still in the kill area at 350yds
Yards Drop Vel. Eng
Muzz -1.5 2556 3264
50 1.4 2454 3009
100 2.8 2355 2770
150 2.7 2258 2547
200 0.9 2163 2338
250 -2.8 2071 2142
300 -8.5 1980 1959
350 -16.4 1892 1789

This bullet at this velocity is rated for game from 901-1500 pounds

Cartridge: .358 Winchester
Firearm: Ruger Hawkeye with 1.5-5x20m VX-III

Bullet Dia (in): 0.358
Case Length (in): 2.015
Case Volume (gr H2O): 57.3
Muzzle velocity (ft/sec): 2556
Bullet Wt (gr): 225
Charge Weight (gr): 50
Barrel Length (in): 22
Firearm Weight (lb): 8.00
Free recoil energy is 24.5 ft-lb. (33.2 Joule) (Only 1 foot pound more of free recoil than a 30-06 with a 180gr bullet)

As much as I like my 300Win Mag I will be using my 225gr AccuBond in my 358Win for three of the four hunts I have planned this year.

 

[DrMike]

As always, Mike, good stuff made all the more attractive by excellent photography.

 

[bullet]

Thanks Mike for the complement. You know, I think I am on the verge of the 358Win becoming my favorite all around cartridge and if I make that swing it is because Nosler had the good sense to make the 225gr AccuBond and Ruger had the good sense to give us a generous mag.

 

[gerry]

Mike, which hunts are you going to be using your 358 on?

Do you ever think that Nosler's b.c. of 423 is a bit low for this bullet? It sure looks sleek.

Your AccuBond load is sure a good one, I will have to buy a left hand friendly BLR in 358 for my wife to carry once she goes through her hunter training. A good 225 gr hunting load and a reduced recoil load using the 180 gr Speer @ around 2400 fps would do the trick

 

[bullet]

Mike, which hunts are you going to be using your 358 on?

Do you ever think that Nosler's b.c. of 423 is a bit low for this bullet? It sure looks sleek.

Your AccuBond load is sure a good one, I will have to buy a left hand friendly BLR in 358 for my wife to carry once she goes through her hunter training. A good 225 gr hunting load and a reduced recoil load using the 180 gr Speer @ around 2400 fps would do the trick

I have a black bear hunt in Arizona and I will take the 300Win Mag for the areas I know are long shots but there is one area of narrow canyons and the 358Win will be used there. I will also use the 358Win on a hunt to Middle Tennessee for White Tail in the first part of Dec and looking for a 160 or 180 scored deer and I will have no shot over 200yds in that hunt. The next hunt will be hog hunt in south Mississippi at the end of Novemeber. Then one final hunt in Louisiana South of Baton Rouge for white tail and some places there I will use my 300Win mag because of distance down gas lines but a few places I hunt there I will use the 358Win also. I do not think the BC is low, I think it is probably the truest BC of any 225gr bullet in 35 Caliber, but don't think that thing won't fly, it will, and when it hits it is like a freight train hitting a volks wagon bug stuck on a railroad crossing.

 

[gerry]

Thanks Mike, good luck on your hunts. I am also very pleased with the AccuBond in my Whelen.

 

[SJB358]

Very nice Mike! It looks great. I am using the PT in the 358 this year. More fitting to the magazine in my BLR. Gotta love them 35's. They sure do work really well and that Ruger of yours looks great. Scotty

 

[JD338]

Mike,

Very nice!
The 358 Win is more than capable,within its limitations, of taking almost anything in NA.

JD338

 

[6mm Remington]

Mike I sure enjoy your posts. I especially love what the photo's add to them! They really are special and pleasing to the eye.

 

[efw]

Dude you're a talented photographer, although the 358 is one of those cartridges that'd get me going even on an old polaroid instant .

I'm sorry but I had to say... the 358 was extremely versatile BEFORE the 225 AB, wasn't it :grin: ??

Seriously I'm excited to hear about your hunts. That is a very cool rifle chambered to a fantastic cartridge!

Max Point blank range is 253 yds when zeroed at 214 yds. This will allow me to hold on top of a deers shoulders at 260yds and hit that deer still in the kill area at 350yds

Could you give me your phone number so I can pass it to my wife.

I'm sure she'll want to shoot you with my new .358 !

That is fantastic; definately NOT the "short range timber rifle" that so many think of it as. VERY cool.

 

[sask boy]

Thank you very much for the article it good to hear so many good things about 358s :!:
It just makes me more anxious to get that 35 whelen.
Keep up the articles they are appealing and informative

Blessings,
Dan

 

[onesonek]

The .358 Win. certainly is no slouch, in such a compact cartridge.I think it is one of rounds that is very under appreciated. And that sure is a nice looking rig!

 

[atmoshpere]

Mike,

Always love hearin more about your work with the 358 win! You mention the generous magazine on that great looking hawkeye and I was just curious what your COL is with the 225 ABs in that rifle.

Thanks,

atm