358 Norma Mag....?

[HunterX]

.358 Norma Magnum would use the same bolt face as other cartridges based on the H&H belted magnum design, but for magazine length it is a standard length cartridge (overall length 3.34”) like .338 Winchester Magnum and 7mm Remington Magnum, instead of a magnum length cartridge (overall length 3.6”) like the original .375 and .300 H&H cartridges. I’ve been playing with the idea of building a .358 STA as I prefer the idea of a full magnum length cartridge, but realistically this offers few advantages over my .375 H&H Mag.

If you want a full length 358 caliber, why not do a 350 Rigby? From a power perspective it doesn't outperform the 375…but it’s cool and also historical.

 

[HunterX]

Oh, and it is possible to get Bertram brass for the 350 Rigby.

 

[RedTag]

If you want a full length 358 caliber, why not do a 350 Rigby? From a power perspective it doesn't outperform the 375…but it’s cool and also historical.

Mostly just because I live in Alaska and the idea of a cartridge called Shooting Times Alaskan seems like a pretty cool idea. Well that and the ability to launch 250 grain .358” bullets at 2,900+ fps would be pretty cool too. It should have ~150+/- fps advantage over the .375 H&H across the bullet weights they overlap, but I can’t decide if that juice is worth the squeeze.

 

[HunterX]

I think it is like stock blanks….you just like what you like…and when you get infatuated with one there is no other good reason that…”I like that!!! I think that’s just how we are. Especially those of us on the forum.

 

[HunterX]

Can’t tell you why I am so obsessed with the 318 Westley Richard’s. It’s immeasurably cool.

 

[jruby]

My 358 norma started life as a 300H&H before being rebarreled.

 

[odonata]

Do I start with any belted magnum and just have a new barrel built for it? As they're all 375H&H derivatives i assume all bolt faces and magazine lengths will be the same?

For rifles with a .540" bolt face & a magazine that handles 3.34" / 84.84mm length cartridges, you should be able to get a new barrel made & get it to operate well. I took a 7mm Rem Mag & had fun upsizing it to a 458 Win Mag as a winter project to tinker on in the workshop (below). It worked great with minimal upgrades using hand tools.

So the list below would be some options to consider for customizing based on a common belted parent case:

257 Weatherby
264 Win Mag
7mm Rem Mag
300 Win Mag
308 Norma Magnum
338 Win Mag
358 Norma Magnum
375 Chatfield-Taylor
416 Taylor
425 Express
458x2 American
458 Win Mag

I like the numbers it puts out BUT I have 30-06, 35 Whelen, 338 Win Mag, 340 Weatherby and 375 so idk if I can find an excuse that I need one.

I absolutely didn't "need" a 458 Win Mag. It was just fun to build one & shoot it. So you won't get any discouragement from me for building a 358 Norma Mag. I'm a big fan of the series of cartridges listed above simply because I shoot left-handed and 7mm Rem Mag & 300 Win Mag rifles are fairly easy to acquire as donor rifles for people with my particular affliction.

Based on the rifles you already own, I would probably be considering the 416 Taylor especially because properly headstamped brass is available (if that's a concern). Quality Cartridge does occasional runs of 425 Express brass when there's enough requests to justify it. I know @Badboymelvin is fond of his. But building a .4** sized rifle reflects my personal tastes and the gaps I currently have in my gun safe. That is absolutely not a criticism of the 358 Norma Mag as a choice.

 

[Axle2010]

I do really enjoy my 416 Ruger and have been wanting to find an affordable 416 Rigby so another 416 in the house would not be amiss! I haven't seen much on the Taylor but I'll look into it, thanks a lot.

 

[coreydb]

In terms of a need, you already have the necessary rifles....BUT it's the want that drives the decision. I'm one of those people....

 

[HunterX]

I do really enjoy my 416 Ruger and have been wanting to find an affordable 416 Rigby so another 416 in the house would not be amiss! I haven't seen much on the Taylor but I'll look into it, thanks a lot.

I really like the 416 Taylor is a necked down 458 Win Mag, fits in a standard action and has more Panache. Hits like a 416 Rigby with a smaller action and less recoil. What is not to love. And you can get headstamped brass from Ravenrock and other places. I have a bunch of Quality Cartridge brass, and it could be made from 458 in a pinch.

Why the .416 Taylor wildcat is the best big 40-cal - Sporting Shooter

The .416 Taylor wildcat shoots flatter than a .358 Winchester Magnum, hits harder than the .375 H&H and fits a standard action length.

sportingshooter.com.au