I too shoot 200 grain Hornady's in my 358, but have not spent enuf time in load development. I have always had good luck on game with Hornady interlock bullets. I've had excellent accuracy with 250 grain Speer and 250 grain Hornady's in my custom built 350 RM, but I have had poor luck with expansion on some Speer hot core bullets in other calibers, so have not tried them on game in my 35's. I'll probably use the 358 primarily on deer, unless horseback and scabbards are part of the elk hunt, then the BLR would really shine. Another advantage to the (old style with the drop down magazine) BLR is: the BLR is also one of the fasting rifle I have to point/aim - similar to the 94 Winchester carbine for me.
I'm curious 340mag have you recovered any of those Speer bullets in elk? Have you used that load on deer?
BTW 1" to 1.2" in a 358 sounds good to me. Thanks
