Does anyone reload 358 Norma Mag?

M48scout said:

All stock setting in QL for the 358NM, except for tinkering with each powder till the max pressure was reached. 26" barrel length:
H4350 2817 fps
RL16 2914 fps
RL17 2931 fps

If RL16 is this close, probably best to go with it for temperature stability vs the RL17. But the referenced RL16 load was at 107% fill while the RL17 load was 102% fill. (the 4350 load was 108%)

Click to expand...

M48scout said:

Around 4715 ft-lbs Bob. (!)

I'm hesitant to actually load near this level until I hear supporting information from others that there is wisdom in that plan. If for no other reason than to preserve my shoulder.

I think once I actually acquire powders, I will use fired factory ammo cases to determine real grains of water capacity and then carefully record seating depth for program inputs. From there, if the program still predicts the cartridge can safely approach the levels I listed, I will inch towards velocities while watching behavior carefully.

Since I have not seen book load data for this round and RL16 or RL17 I would ideally like to hear from another end user first. Lacking that, I would like to hear from others who have used QuickLOAD to generate load data in absence of book data (especially at aspirational velocity levels).

Click to expand...

wswolf said:

Though the base to shoulder measurement of the .358 Norma is Nominally .045" greater and the base to top of shoulder is .022" greater, I have fired full-powered loads from necked up, and not fire-formed, Winchester .338 brass with perfect satisfaction. And then loaded and fired those cases several more times with no sign of head separations or other problems. I relegate the ex-.338 cases to the target range and use Norma .358 cases for serious business.

I fully agree that .300 Win Mag cases are the better option than .338 Win Mag but sometimes one must make do with what is at hand and sometimes results are better than expected.

Cheers,
Walt

Click to expand...

jruby said:

I have done this as well. I also do it for my 404 BJExpress without issue. I have fire formed several hundred cases doing this process. I have never heard of an issue where fire forming 338 brass in a 358 norma has caused problems.

Click to expand...

358 Norma said:

I've had case head separations using 338 win mag brass, you're better off running 300 win mag brass through your sizing die and necking up the case and pushing the shoulder back. Then trim to length and fire form, you'll have better case life.

Click to expand...

Bob Nelson 35Whelen said:

@358 Norma
Whenever I'm forming cases to a bigger or smaller cal I ALWAYS just form the neck to make a false shoulder:- is if going from 338 I would size to 375 then back to 35. Just enough to be a slight crush fit in the chamber.
This way you have a false shoulder to headspace off. Virtually eliminates head issues.
A bit of extra effort but well worth it.
Bob

Click to expand...