What would you do with a 358 Winchester?

[Rick HOlbert]

If the .358 Win can push a 225 gr bullet at around 2500 fps or better then it wouldn't be too far behind the original ballistics of the .350 Rigby Magnum which fired a 225 gr (.358") bullet at a listed 2625 fps (Kynoch factory specs; see my chart above). And the .350 Rigby was considered to be a fine cartridge back in the day judging by what I've read about it.

A couple of examples:

Behind the Bullet: .350 Rigby Magnum​

by Philip Massaro, posted on November 17, 2021​

NRA American Hunter​

https://www.americanhunter.org/content/behind-the-bullet-350-rigby-magnum/​

​

Rigby’s .350 Magnum – A Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane​

by Robin Hurt​

August 13, 2021 | SCI​

https://safariclub.org/rigbys-350-magnum-a-nostalgic-trip-down-memory-lane/​

Just my ramblings and musings. . . Cheers! Bob F.


View attachment 725805

BF, I'm getting 2510-2520fps with 225grn bullets in my 358 Win. No pressure signs, easy 1 finger bolt lift and extraction. I tried Varget when doing load development and got good velocity and accuracy but, when I tried W748 I got slightly better velocity and 1 hole accuracy. That's my go to load for my rifle. That cartridge punches way above it's paper ballistics.

 

[7x57Joe]

I have loads running 225's at 2518 fps and 250's at 2353 fps from my rebarreled M.70 Featherweight but, have mostly switched to cast bullets for it at around 2000 fps.

 

[Jon R15]

One of my 358s shoots 200gr TTSX at 2600fps into one hole at 100 yards. I have taken a cow Nilgai, cow elk, Wyoming mulie buck, several pigs and a couple whitetails. The elk needed an extra shot but the rest only needed one.

My other 358 shoots 225gr North Fork softs and cup point solids at 2525fps sub 1 inch at 100 yards. It took a sable, white blesbok, common blesbok, klipspringer, and red harteabeast all with one shot.

There is some magic to this round that is hard to explain until you use it on some hunts.

 

[Ray B]

My other 358 shoots 225gr North Fork softs and cup point solids at 2525fps sub 1 inch at 100 yards. It took a sable, white blesbok, common blesbok, klipspringer, and red harteabeast all with one shot.

There is some magic to this round that is hard to explain

One shot killed five animals- That is indeed magical. Were they all lined up?

 

[Jon R15]

One shot killed five animals- That is indeed magical. Were they all lined up?

They were lined up the long way. It was a hell of a shot...

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Slay all plains game on my wish list! Sweat a little less carrying 1/2" less action steel. I would put Barnes TSXs in the loads, get it chronographed so I could get the CDS knob from Leupold for my 1-6x24, or 2-10x42 and Bob's your uncle! I guess I would flinch a bit less than if I used a .375 or .416 as well. I built an AR-10 in .358WIN for use on deer here in MO - it is staggering how much damage the Barnes 200gr does to chest cavities.

@USMA84DAB
Don't need no fancy bullets like the Barnes with the velocities you get out of the 358.
The 225gn Woodleigh rnsp or PPSP will punch a hole thru both sides of most game you shoot out to 300yds. Just as brother @ Rick HOlbert, he is yet to recover a projectile.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I have used 35s in the US. They work.

I think I would keep it simple and use the 200 grain TSX in the 358 to take any plains game animal. It would be about perfect for leopard as well.

@Ruraldoc
Why???
225gn Woodleigh at 2,500+fps will work fine and dandy. Expand quicker and kill quicker.
Better for thin skinned game.
Bob

 

[7x57Joe]

If the .358 Win can push a 225 gr bullet at around 2500 fps or better then it wouldn't be too far behind the original ballistics of the .350 Rigby Magnum which fired a 225 gr (.358") bullet at a listed 2625 fps (Kynoch factory specs; see my chart above). And the .350 Rigby was considered to be a fine cartridge back in the day judging by what I've read about it.

A couple of examples:

Behind the Bullet: .350 Rigby Magnum​

by Philip Massaro, posted on November 17, 2021​

NRA American Hunter​

https://www.americanhunter.org/content/behind-the-bullet-350-rigby-magnum/​

​

Rigby’s .350 Magnum – A Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane​

by Robin Hurt​

August 13, 2021 | SCI​

https://safariclub.org/rigbys-350-magnum-a-nostalgic-trip-down-memory-lane/​

Just my ramblings and musings. . . Cheers! Bob F.


View attachment 725805

I got to playing around on a ballistics calculator and using the same 225 grain bullet, the .350's velocity at 45 yards is the same as my load in my .358 Winchester at the muzzle. I don't think that will make much of a difference in the scheme of things. I know the deer I've taken with the 225 grain load have been most sincerely bowled over.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Rebarrel it to 308WIN for better ammo availability.

Because as an AH member, you should already own a 9.3 mm / .375 cal rifle suitable for DG that would have the 358WIN covered.

@BeeMaa
308 users provide a lot of free brass just begging to be necked up to 358.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

If the .358 Win can push a 225 gr bullet at around 2500 fps or better then it wouldn't be too far behind the original ballistics of the .350 Rigby Magnum which fired a 225 gr (.358") bullet at a listed 2625 fps (Kynoch factory specs; see my chart above). And the .350 Rigby was considered to be a fine cartridge back in the day judging by what I've read about it.

A couple of examples:

Behind the Bullet: .350 Rigby Magnum​

by Philip Massaro, posted on November 17, 2021​

NRA American Hunter​

https://www.americanhunter.org/content/behind-the-bullet-350-rigby-magnum/​

​

Rigby’s .350 Magnum – A Nostalgic Trip Down Memory Lane​

by Robin Hurt​

August 13, 2021 | SCI​

https://safariclub.org/rigbys-350-magnum-a-nostalgic-trip-down-memory-lane/​

Just my ramblings and musings. . . Cheers! Bob F.


View attachment 725805

@BFaucett
Bob with the Whelen loaded properly it out does the 350 Rigby and gives the other two big 35s you list a good run for their money.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hunt any plains game short of eland with it.

@Hunter-Habib
Personally I would even take on eland with a 358 win
Bob

 

[clockwork_7mm_gator]

Keep the 358. You'll not regret it.

It's not going anywhere.

 

[BFaucett]

It's not going anywhere.

Since you're the OP, I'm just curious... What make / model of rifle is your .358 Winchester? How about posting a pic?

Cheers! Bob F.

 

[clockwork_7mm_gator]

Since you're the OP, I'm just curious... What make / model of rifle is your .358 Winchester? How about posting a pic?

Cheers! Bob F.

Bob -- it's currently disassembled while I refinish the stock. (Adding ebony tip and grip cap, oil finish, bedding, red Pachmayr.) But it's a late 1960s Model 70 Sporter with its original open sights. Started life as a .243. JES turned it into a .358.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob -- it's currently disassembled while I refinish the stock. (Adding ebony tip and grip cap, oil finish, bedding, red Pachmayr.) But it's a late 1960s Model 70 Sporter with its original open sights. Started life as a .243. JES turned it into a .358.

@clockwork_7mm_gator
Best thing to ever happen to a 243.
Bob

 

[clockwork_7mm_gator]

@clockwork_7mm_gator
Best thing to ever happen to a 243.
Bob

Hey now! I've got two other 243s in the safe! They've always killed deer reliably.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Hey now! I've got two other 243s in the safe! They've always killed deer reliably.

@clockwork_7mm_gator
All I can say is they must be little deer or paper deer.
I wouldn't trust the 243 in anything bigger than a field mouse but that's me.
Bob

 

[Rule 303]

@clockwork_7mm_gator
All I can say is they must be little deer or paper deer.
I wouldn't trust the 243 in anything bigger than a field mouse but that's me.
Bob

I am in the same boat. Certainly, wouldn't want a 243 if there was a wounded mosquito about.

 

[Rule 303]

I haven't used a 358Win anywhere, I have used a 356Win on pigs in Australia and a 358RUM on plains game in Namibia. I would not hesitate to use a 358Win on plains game and Leopard. Plenty of Lions and Elephant shot with the 350 Rigby magnum when it was loaded down to Whelan performance.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I haven't used a 358Win anywhere, I have used a 356Win on pigs in Australia and a 358RUM on plains game in Namibia. I would not hesitate to use a 358Win on plains game and Leopard. Plenty of Lions and Elephant shot with the 350 Rigby magnum when it was loaded down to Whelan performance.

@Rule 303
You got that arse about face mate.
The Whelen was loaded to similar velocities as the Whelen but with hand loads the Whelen runs rings around the Rigby. If the Rigby was loaded to modern pressures it would be outstanding.
Bob