Why no love for the .358 Win?

[MS 9x56]

View attachment 597454
Who... me?

Seems to be same model you have with the long barrel.

 

[Brian Rothhammer]

Seems to be same model you have with the long barrel.

Carbine held by gent in pickelhaube is not a Schoenauer, IIRC it's an M1892.

Mine (Grand - Dad's) is a Mannlicher Schoenauer M1910 Take Down Model.

 

[Rick HOlbert]

I will be using my .358 BLR on Black Bear this fall in Michigan and in May in Saskatchewan
It drops whitetail in their tracks when I shoulder shoot them (which I do with bucks so they don't run off the property and die)

The .358 is very under appreciated

Good news!! Just found a good supply of North Fork .358 cal. bullets in 225grn weight. Working up loads now. Very good results so far with groups well under 1 MOA. Also have some 200grn pills to work with. The North Forks are very good. Hope to try them on feral pigs when I get back from Namibia next month..

 

[RayAtkinson]

Just not much to love about that caliber, 35 has never been very popular in the USA, 358 is slow and brush calibers per say are a joke, the 35 Whelen being an exception I suggest...the 30-06 reigns in the East, west north and South and resale effects 358s..all that and its a decent caliber or shoud I say orphan..

 

[sestoppelman]

Just not much to love about that caliber, 35 has never been very popular in the USA, 358 is slow and brush calibers per say are a joke, the 35 Whelen being an exception I suggest...the 30-06 reigns in the East, west north and South and resale effects 358s..all that and its a decent caliber or shoud I say orphan..

The .35 Remington was extremely popular in Remington model 8/81s and Marlin lever guns. My dad was a huge fan of the .358 Win though it never really caught on.

 

[jnmullins]

Modern powders give the 358 a real boost in velocity, out of the brush cartridge category. Using Ramshot TAC, I am getting around 2600 fps with a 200gr TTSX, whcih is similar velocity to a 180 in a 308, although the BC and SD of the 358 bullet are obviously lower. Out to 500 yards, the ballistics if the 200 TTSX are virtually identical to my 35 Whelen AI shooting a 250 Speer SP at 2660 fps and 6 inches lower at 500 than a 180 out of 30-06.

 

[Rick HOlbert]

Just not much to love about that caliber, 35 has never been very popular in the USA, 358 is slow and brush calibers per say are a joke, the 35 Whelen being an exception I suggest...the 30-06 reigns in the East, west north and South and resale effects 358s..all that and its a decent caliber or shoud I say orphan..

Sorry to disagree with you sir. The .358 Winchester is a sadly overlooked round. The pressures were held down on purpose as some gun writing hacks back in the day said it had horrible recoil. Really? while in the same breath saying the 300 Win Mag was a comfortable round to shoot. It doesn't have any more recoil than a 30-06 with the same weight bullet. Comparing against FACTORY loads in the 35 Whelen, with careful hand loading, you can come within 100fps with the 358. I've used it on game in Africa up to Eland. It preforms all out of convention and what the paper ballistics says it should. I know of one guide in Alaska who carries one for brown bear and has used it to good effect. Short range/brush round? With 180grn bullets you can near match 30=06 velocities. Anyone want to call the 30-06 a brush round? I'll keep shooting my 358 and never feel under gunned. It's one of my favorite medium bore rounds.

 

[Rosch]

I ordered a custom 358 Win about 20 years ago because I wanted a handy with short barrel gun for everydays business. I really wondered why so many were talking bad about that actually good looking compact cartridge shooting a 200 grain bullet on 2600 fps with 358 dia. What the hell could be wrong with those parameters?

My experience is, there is nothing wrong with that cartridge, on the contrary it is my favorite rifle on hog and deer. Heres more to look at: It fits standard action, uses standard brass, loads „easy to get“ and afordable premium bullets, takes medium gun powders with good results, doesnt waste much meat because of mint hämatomes, is easy on recoil and kills fast and successfull anything around here You shoot at. Anybody‚s having trouble with that wonderfull mini big bore (which is not too far away from 9,3 and .375) should overthink his doing! If one looks for an allday universal rifle for „normal“ hunting here in Europe You will do fine with this cartridge!
Waidmanns Heil

 

[Rick HOlbert]

I ordered a custom 358 Win about 20 years ago because I wanted a handy with short barrel gun for everydays business. I really wondered why so many were talking bad about that actually good looking compact cartridge shooting a 200 grain bullet on 2600 fps with 358 dia. What the hell could be wrong with those parameters?

My experience is, there is nothing wrong with that cartridge, on the contrary it is my favorite rifle on hog and deer. Heres more to look at: It fits standard action, uses standard brass, loads „easy to get“ and afordable premium bullets, takes medium gun powders with good results, doesnt waste much meat because of mint hämatomes, is easy on recoil and kills fast and successfull anything around here You shoot at. Anybody‚s having trouble with that wonderfull mini big bore (which is not too far away from 9,3 and .375) should overthink his doing! If one looks for an allday universal rifle for „normal“ hunting here in Europe You will do fine with this cartridge!
Waidmanns Heil

Amen brother Rosch. I've always been of the opinion that the 358 would be an outstanding driven boar hunt rifle. Quick cycling short action that hits like Thor's hammer!! Couldn't have said it better. All the best to you and many great hunts to come.

 

[Ruraldoc]

I had a Browning BLR in 358, ammo and brass were hard to find so traded for something else.

I fill that niche now with a 9.3x62, but there is nothing wrong with a 358 if that’s what you want.

I never hunted with the 358 but have successfully hunted with the 35 Remington and 350 Remington magnum so I have a pretty good feel for what they can do.

I prefer the 308 in short action bolt actions because ammo, bullets,and cases are everywhere.

That’s why I took a 308 to Africa last year, I knew I could get ammo for it just about anywhere.

When I go back, I’m taking a 9.3x62 for eland, but could certainly make a 358, 350 mag, or 35 Whelen work as well.

 

[MS 9x56]

You will find with enough questioning, that most who bad mouth it have never owned and hunted with one. Once prejudice sets in (started by gun rag writers who never owned or hunted with one) it is awfully hard to change.

 

[Rosch]

You will find with enough questioning, that most who bad mouth it have never owned and hunted with one. Once prejudice sets in (started by gun rag writers who never owned or hunted with one) it is awfully hard to change.

Yes….that seems the real trouble….once bad mouthing started, all others follow the bloodtrail unproven! Woodcartridge? Yes, You can use the 358 Win in woods or brush with great success…….but not only!
I like this little bammer without any Magnum ambitions very much and will use it for all my daily needs but never give it away. I load those 200 grainer Softpoint RN from Sierra with H4895, which do very well on all my hunts. I shoot any distance from 50 to 200 yards, further out there is not much business for any of us anyway!
Results are in my world allways formidable.
Besides, I do own a 9,3x62 as well, but it is just too much for my taste and my hunting grounds around here. Lots of german hunters use it here on wild boar.
But in my understanding its too dangerous for the area behind the shot when more than 70 % of the 286 grain energy leaves the animal farside in search for new targets. Those new monotype bullets with solid ambitions multiply that danger too. You remember, Germany is heavy populated and a ricochet could produce a hell of a lot serious trouble.
The 9,3 with stout bullets fits in my opinion great to Afrika for the big antelopes best acompanied by my 425 or 458 for the serious stuff.
The 358 Winni stays my favorite firestick around here )))

 

[Ruraldoc]

I share your admiration of 200 grain 35 caliber bullets.

I have used a 35 Remington for a woods cartridge with 200 grain bullets. Very effective.

Also used a Ruger in 350 Remington with 200 grain bullets. I was hunting on the banks of a large river and a wounded deer that made it to the river was impossible to recover.

I never saw an animal take a step toward that river.

So for hunting where you must anchor game quickly, your 358 makes perfect sense.

Also, Lapua makes a 185 grain hollow point for the 9.3 x 62 that works great on deer and hogs if you want a lighter bullet option.

 

[Rosch]

lso, Lapua makes a 185 grain hollow point for the 9.3 x 62 that works great on deer and hogs if you want a lighter bullet option.

Yeah, I‘m sort of crumpy old man, who buys his underwear in the same old fashioned shop for many years now! New things first must do good for me before I even consider them as excisting!
Same with my gunnery! Sure, I could load lighter bullets into the 9,3, but why should I?
My 9,3 gets only 286 grain premium bullets and done I am!
Thats what she‘s made for!
The 358 Win does get only 200 grain Sierras and done I am!
When I grab one of my guns there is only one load in it! No interchange, no problem, no experimenting, no playing around at the range, no shelfs full of different opened bullet and powder cans, staying around and staring @ me!

Beside this, I use only one gun powder (H4895) for for all my 12 different guns! Every gun has its load and just one bullet, thats it.
My storage has about 500 bullets per dia and type, about 5 cans of powder and when any of those are finished I go buy another bulk same type same Production Number!
You should know I like it easy!!

 

[Alaska Luke]

I loved my .358 it's not "bad." The issue is whether it's better than a 308. I think for most people a 308 is plenty adequate and the ease of finding 308 ammo makes it an easy choice. I think that explains why the 358 gets less love.
I did just shoot a grizzly with my 308. No complaints at all. With modern bullets I don't think a .358 makes as much sense as it once did.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Just not much to love about that caliber, 35 has never been very popular in the USA, 358 is slow and brush calibers per say are a joke, the 35 Whelen being an exception I suggest...the 30-06 reigns in the East, west north and South and resale effects 358s..all that and its a decent caliber or shoud I say orphan..

@RayAtkinson
Plenty to love about the little 358. Punches well above its weight for its size and shoots as flat as you need out to 300yds. Loaded to its potential is almost equals the Whelen in factory loads.
Definitely ain't no short range cartridge unless you regard 250-300 yards as short range.
Bob

Sorry to disagree with you sir. The .358 Winchester is a sadly overlooked round. The pressures were held down on purpose as some gun writing hacks back in the day said it had horrible recoil. Really? while in the same breath saying the 300 Win Mag was a comfortable round to shoot. It doesn't have any more recoil than a 30-06 with the same weight bullet. Comparing against FACTORY loads in the 35 Whelen, with careful hand loading, you can come within 100fps with the 358. I've used it on game in Africa up to Eland. It preforms all out of convention and what the paper ballistics says it should. I know of one guide in Alaska who carries one for brown bear and has used it to good effect. Short range/brush round? With 180grn bullets you can near match 30=06 velocities. Anyone want to call the 30-06 a brush round? I'll keep shooting my 358 and never feel under gunned. It's one of my favorite medium bore rounds.

@Rick HOlbert
Wait until I bring you over some 225gn Woodleigh rnsp mate. They will put some big hurt on those hoges mate and put some big holes in. Things.
Bob

I had a Browning BLR in 358, ammo and brass were hard to find so traded for something else.

I fill that niche now with a 9.3x62, but there is nothing wrong with a 358 if that’s what you want.

I never hunted with the 358 but have successfully hunted with the 35 Remington and 350 Remington magnum so I have a pretty good feel for what they can do.

I prefer the 308 in short action bolt actions because ammo, bullets,and cases are everywhere.

That’s why I took a 308 to Africa last year, I knew I could get ammo for it just about anywhere.

When I go back, I’m taking a 9.3x62 for eland, but could certainly make a 358, 350 mag, or 35 Whelen work as well.

@Ruraldoc
If you have a 308 you have plenty of 358 brass. One pass in a 358 due and you have all the brass you need. Same powders as the 08 and projectiles aren't hard to find.
Problem solved.
Bob

 

[Rick HOlbert]

I loved my .358 it's not "bad." The issue is whether it's better than a 308. I think for most people a 308 is plenty adequate and the ease of finding 308 ammo makes it an easy choice. I think that explains why the 358 gets less love.
I did just shoot a grizzly with my 308. No complaints at all. With modern bullets I don't think a .358 makes as much sense as it once did.

Luke, you make a good point. For 90% of my hunting I use a 308 myself. But when after heavier game I do like a medium bore round that cuts a bigger wound channel. I do admit to being in the Elmer Keith camp liking bigger diameter and heavy for caliber bullets. Just me.

 

[PerH]

I may have posted it else here , a Swedish buddy have a custom REM 700 with Recknagel open sight , Leupold mount and Zeiss scope . What kind of bullets he has not used is easier to say . Same with game taken . Easier to say what not taken . Otherwise than that tracker rifle , borrow rifle and spare . Not failed him and it launches the 200-250ish ones where they ought to go .

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Yeah, I‘m sort of crumpy old man, who buys his underwear in the same old fashioned shop for many years now! New things first must do good for me before I even consider them as excisting!
Same with my gunnery! Sure, I could load lighter bullets into the 9,3, but why should I?
My 9,3 gets only 286 grain premium bullets and done I am!
Thats what she‘s made for!
The 358 Win does get only 200 grain Sierras and done I am!
When I grab one of my guns there is only one load in it! No interchange, no problem, no experimenting, no playing around at the range, no shelfs full of different opened bullet and powder cans, staying around and staring @ me!

Beside this, I use only one gun powder (H4895) for for all my 12 different guns! Every gun has its load and just one bullet, thats it.
My storage has about 500 bullets per dia and type, about 5 cans of powder and when any of those are finished I go buy another bulk same type same Production Number!
You should know I like it easy!!

@Rosch
A man after my own thoughts. Keep it simple and have NO problems. Open safe pick up gu