358 Norma

[Muskox]

My cousin had a 358NM built on a P14 that he had been using for the last 30yrs on Sambar. Unfortunately it was stolen out of his vehicle at work. He started using a 300WM, but was not impressed at how far the deer ran after being shot.
When another 358NM came up built on the 98 Mauser he just bought it. He is now very happy to be back using the 358NM.
His latest stag and his GSP that is the dam to my GSP.
View attachment 650109

Splendid sambar stag.

 

[Rule 303]

I load for my ´61 Husqvarna 1651 (25,5" barrel) with VV550 (Vihtavuori) and get 2900fps for 250gr Nosler Partition, 3020fps for 225 TSX and 3150 for 200gr TTSX. Try that with Whelen...

You have a very good powder for the 358Norma. At this time that powder is not available in Aust. In Australia the published data we have list 358Norma max velocities for a 250 grain bullet from 2550 to 2800fps. Bob can chime in with his exact data but the 35 Whelen using CFE223 is up in this neighbour hood. So not too far behind the Swede, but not there with it. So the Swede may not have the legs on the Whelen when using CFE223. As I said if there is a new or better powder for the Swede it may put the Swede in 358RUM neighbour. I don't doubt that with better powders the 358STA would be in 358RUM territory not line balling the Swede. The Swede and 358STA data taken from data in my reloading manuals and relating to the 250 grain bullet.

If I experiment with the 38Sambar I may get up in the Swede area with a 250 grain bullet, but I am not going to do this as I have a very sweet spot using a 200 and a 225 grain bullets. Yes the are between a Whelen and Swede velocities. The CFE223 powder in a Whelen seems to match these.

I like your rifle.

 

[Ray B]

I family that I hunted with about 25 years ago was sold on 35 caliber. They used 358 Win for deer and 358 Norma for elk. 35 is a great caliber for bullet selection since if you want a plinker you can use bullets designed for 38 spl & 357 mag. If you want to put on a show, fill a few gallon milk jugs with water- freeze them so 1 inch of the outer edge is frozen with water in the interior. Then load up a 125 grain .357" jacketed hollow point. Hang the jug from the target holder at the range and fire away. Spectacular splashes- particularly if you put food coloring in the jugs.

 

[argonautti]

You have a very good powder for the 358Norma. At this time that powder is not available in Aust. In Australia the published data we have list 358Norma max velocities for a 250 grain bullet from 2550 to 2800fps. Bob can chime in with his exact data but the 35 Whelen using CFE223 is up in this neighbour hood. So not too far behind the Swede, but not there with it. So the Swede may not have the legs on the Whelen when using CFE223. As I said if there is a new or better powder for the Swede it may put the Swede in 358RUM neighbour. I don't doubt that with better powders the 358STA would be in 358RUM territory not line balling the Swede. The Swede and 358STA data taken from data in my reloading manuals and relating to the 250 grain bullet.

If I experiment with the 38Sambar I may get up in the Swede area with a 250 grain bullet, but I am not going to do this as I have a very sweet spot using a 200 and a 225 grain bullets. Yes the are between a Whelen and Swede velocities. The CFE223 powder in a Whelen seems to match these.

I like your rifle.

Vihtavuori N550 is one of those high energy powders from 1990´s and it works splendidly also in .30-06. With proper modern high energy powder you should able to reach those velocities , regardless of the manufacturer. I have got excellent results also with Reload Swiss´s high energy powders (and Vihtavuori N540) in my other niche caliber (376 Steyr). Of course my results are for my rifles and (safe) maximums in Scandinavian temperatures.

 

[ZG47]

I family that I hunted with about 25 years ago was sold on 35 caliber. They used 358 Win for deer and 358 Norma for elk. 35 is a great caliber for bullet selection since if you want a plinker you can use bullets designed for 38 spl & 357 mag. If you want to put on a show, fill a few gallon milk jugs with water- freeze them so 1 inch of the outer edge is frozen with water in the interior. Then load up a 125 grain .357" jacketed hollow point. Hang the jug from the target holder at the range and fire away. Spectacular splashes- particularly if you put food coloring in the jugs.

Also … as you get past 40 years old, .30 bore diameter barrels are the minimum size that you can easily inspect for cleanliness—and leade erosion—without using some sort of magnifying device. I am nearly 63 years old and my 7.92x57IS Brno Volkspolizei rifle has the easiest barrel, apart from the Browning Double Auto, to inspect for cleanliness.
Yes, I still clean my .22 Rimfire rifle barrels properly but … the inspection process requires a bit of squinting, resting my eyes and having another look. The same applies to a young fella who is short of sleep, by the way.

 

[Rule 303]

Vihtavuori N550 is one of those high energy powders from 1990´s and it works splendidly also in .30-06. With proper modern high energy powder you should able to reach those velocities , regardless of the manufacturer. I have got excellent results also with Reload Swiss´s high energy powders (and Vihtavuori N540) in my other niche caliber (376 Steyr). Of course my results are for my rifles and (safe) maximums in Scandinavian temperatures.

In Aust we have only recently had Vihtavouri back and only in Pistol powders and the faster rifle powders. I did use it in my 270 wayback in the late 70's. Which ever one I used was great for accuracy but proved fickle on the very hot times. Nothing bad just sticky bolt lift. i have no idea what velocities they were achieving.