Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Bullets for 358 Win

What would be good deer bullets for the 358 Win? Is the speed too slow for the 225gr Sierra for proper expansion?

Have heard the 225 Sierras to be pretty thick jacketed, 200 gr TTSX's and RL-10 powder are magic on deer and pigs in my 358 Ruger S/S.

I plan to use 200 TTSX when I get mine put together. They seem to be the sweet spot. 180s open to 1900, 200s down to 1800, and 225s down the 1600. I'm just not sure you can push 225s fast enough.

How about the 200 grain Interlock?

I have 50 loaded up but have not put them to the test yet.

If you have the magazine space the 200 gr Accubond is tough to beat. It helps to have more than the typical 2.800" magazine of some short actions.

The spire point version is the only bullet I have ever used for deer hunting since I bought my 358 back in 1979.

Dale

I am shooting a single shot TC Encore so magazine space isn't a concern. I am currently shooting 200 gr hornady factory loads.

I am shooting the 180 gr Hornady Interlock spitzer and the 180 gr Speer .35. I put a spitzer meplat on their 180 gr FP with a tool my late dad made for me.



Hornady Rifle Bullet, 35 Caliber, .358", 180 Grain, Spire Point, 100/Box (350

The Accubond's sometimes like to be seated deep so if you find a promising load a little tweaking can go a long way. The 200's are probably my favourite 35 cal bullet although I shoot them in a Whelen. The dummy rounds I made in 358 show it is a tight fit in a short action but thankfully you won't have that issue.......

I use the 200 gr Hornady Spire point.

I have taken whitetail deer with 225 grain Sierra and Nosler bullets in my .35 Whelen. Both worked well, however due to OAL and velocity concerns in the .358 I would opt for a 200 grain bullet. There are lots of good choices out there, though if you are happy with the Hornady spire point I see no reason to change.

200 Hornady PSP shoots great and has been effective on our whitetails.

The 220 Speer shoots just over 1" @ 2455fps with 3031, no kills yet.

The 225 Accubond was 1" average @ 2428fps with H4895.



Fired from my Ruger Hawkeye.

gunswizard,

OAL and velocity concerns with the 225 Partition? It's easy to get 2400-2500 fps from that bullet in a .358 with the bullet seated to the standard short-magazine OAL.

While not needed for deer, the 225 Partition kills them just fine, due to the soft front core of ALL Nosler Partitions.

I think the 200gr TSX and 225gr Partition (depending on your tastes) are the 2 best picks for the 358 Win for ALL AROUND use.

Are you saying 1600 fps is as fast as the 358 Win will push a 225?

I have used the 225g Nosler PT on deer with excellent results. Expansion, penetration. I have loaded the 225g Sierra, but haven't used it on game yet. Similar accuracy with both.

I think he means for 1600fps is the minimum for expansion

Yes,but then he says he isn't sure the 225's can be pushed fast enough. Maybe he meant they can't be pushed too fast.

200 Hornady is my fav for deer. Been shooting them since about 1985. Have never kept one in a deer yet no matter the angle. Good accuracy and expansion. You do NOT need premium bullets in this cal for deer!

I have used the 200sp since the mid 90's for 25+ deer and a couple of black bear Its a fine enough bullet for those uses. If I were to bring one of my 358's for something larger like elk or moose. I would look at the 200 tsx or 225 NP, but I don't think they are necessary for deer and typical black bear.

Hope I'm not hijacking too bad but I've been wanting a 358 myself. I've heard that the brass is slightly short when you neck up 308 brass and it might cause an issue with throat erosion. Is this something to think about or just too much worrying over a non issue? I'm new to reloading so it was a thought with 358 brass possibly becoming hard to find.

Another vote for the 200 gr Hornady.





Dan

[quote=R_H_Clark]Hope I'm not hijacking too bad but I've been wanting a 358 myself. I've heard that the brass is slightly short when you neck up 308 brass and it might cause an issue with throat erosion. Is this something to think about or just too much worrying over a non issue? I'm new to reloading so it was a thought with 358 brass possibly becoming hard to find.


For about 30+ years I necked up 308 brass, never had an issue.

R H Clark,

You could probably put 5000 rounds through a .358 without any visible throat erosion, regardless of neck length. Unless, of course, you plan to use one for prairie dog shooting, so will get the barrel hot pretty frequently.

Many thanks to you and TwoTrax. I sort of figured that would be the case,more of a theoretical problem than anything practical.

I've always ran 225 Sierra's in my 358's...

I've always used the 200gr Hornady SP for deer with no complaints.

However, on a recent bear hunt in Manitoba I used the 200gr TTSX. Bang flop! 'Twas amazing!

I've used the 225 Sierra GK on a couple of deer. Muzzle velocity was a bit over 2500 and the farthest shot was 125 yards. No complaints.

Thanks for the replies.

I have. Shot a buck at about 35 yards with a Hornady 200 grain spire point interlock loaded over IMR 3031 from my BLR .358 Winchester. The buck started quartering away just as I pulled the trigger. Bullet entered towards the rear of his left rib cage, shattered his right shoulder and lodged in his ball socket. He ran about 40 yards after the shot. Retained weight was 149.4 grains. Pic of recovered bullet below. It did the job, but I was disappointed it didn't exit. That was a tough buck to run as far as he did with a shattered scapula and a bullet wedged in his ball socket. His lungs were soup, but no blood trail since no exit. His right leg flailed upward as he fell out of sight in a slight depression. This did leave me wondering had I hit him in the left shoulder first instead of the rib cage whether it would have penetrated that first shoulder to reach his vitals.

Probably the ’softest’ 225 is the Partition - though you really don’t need it for deer. The 225 Gameking is a good bullet, though a bit ‘hard’ for the speeds of the small case. There is nothing wrong or ‘too light’ with 200 cup and cores for deer-sized game with the 358. I’ve used the 200 PSP Remington bullet on a few caribou; caught this one after messing up a few bones on one of them.



250 Speer Hot-Cors are softer than the Hornadys in terms of expansion, but perhaps stay together better as they expand....at least based on the tests I’ve done.



250 Hot-Cor (from a close moose)

Though it wouldn’t be my first choice as an all-purpose bullet, I wouldn’t have qualms about poking a moose with the 200 Remington PSP. (I’m content with the 225 Partition as an all-purpose for my 358.)

Gringo Loco - Thanks for the excellent post and pics. Nice buck too by the way! That looks like excellent bullet performance to me. 75% weight retention after a quartering shot, wrecking the chest cavity, busting the scapula and ending up in a knee joint, with no sign of core separation, I will take that all day every day. Agree that buck should have dropped in his tracks!

I like the 225AB at 2,450fps. Mine are launched from a Whelen single shot with a reduced load. Works nicely on deer with good blood trails. Decent BC gets the most from that moderate velocity. I've shot deer out to 225yds and gotten expansion.

They don't fit short actions too well, unfortunately. Doesn't Nosler make a 200gr AB? I don't know

Midway lists them as unavailable-limited production but Nosler load data site has no data.
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/81...grain-bonded-spitzer-boat-tail-box-of-50

Yeah the 225AB in a SA bolt gun is not as promising an idea as it would be in a single shot or a 3" bolt gun. 2.8" is too much of a hindrance.

That would be a good one I'm thinking. I have boxes of 225gr Partitions and 200gr TSX, if that don't work for me, nothing will.

That said, I do have about 50 rounds loaded with 250gr Norma Oryx. You should hear the smack that one makes on steel.

Anyone tried the 180 TTSX from the .358 Win?

I've shot a few, they go fast'ish.

You run them with Tac?

I do, I'd have to find the box as it's the only place written. I'm guessing it was around 53-54grs.

I run 51 for the 200's, that I know.

Thanks

Anyone have experience using 250 Horn RN at 358 speeds? I have a moose permit 2 boxes and a 9(.358)x57, it shoots them about as fast as max 358 loads. Near as I can figure they will be going a bit over 1800 fps at 200 yds and should expand. I also have a box of 250 Speer Grand Slams for it and have good experiences w/the 250 GS in my 338-06 at similar speeds with deer. Any comments? Thanks-Muddy

BC

I've tried both the 180's and the 200's. While the 180's shot OK, the 200's shot much better. Both with TAC.

Used the 200gr load for bear in Manitoba this spring. Bang flop.

WN

I've used hornady and remington 200 gr RN for deer for a couple decades. Point blank shooting out to 250 yds. I have not seen any real need for more expensive bullets on deer.

I've tried many of those mentioned. In my TC single shot 356/358, the two I'm using most right now are the 180gr Speer FP and the 225gr NAB. The nab opens better than the speer, though....so I'm migrating to more of those and the 200gr NABs.

I finally got my 700 SA 358 Win put together. Loved the cartridge in my BLR. Sold that rifle now plan on working up loads.
I'm surprised at the difference in loading manual loads comparing Hornady and Lyman.
But I used 48 grains of H4895 in the BLR. That'll be my first load. Does anyone prefer Varget, IMR-4064, IMR-4166, RE7 or perhaps IMR3031? I just purchased an 8 pounder of TAC Too. Thanks.

IMR 4064 works well in my .35 Whelen with 225 gr. Sierra & Nosler bullets, should work well in the .358 too.

Handloader August 2008 #258 shows 52 grains of TAC for 2,749fps with 200 gr Barnes triple shock.

That seems high pressure/velocity to me.

Wow that is smoking for a 358. Mine shoots 200gr hornady factory loads in mid 2600s.

Wow that is impressive....I wonder what I can get with that load in a 16" barrel 358 win.

There is no need to use any "premium" bullet for whitetail or any deer for that matter. The 225 grain Sierra over 47 to 49 grains of TAC will let the air out of the largest buck with ease. I've used that load on everything from 50# fawns to 240# bucks and have never had one go more than 2 or 3 jumps before crumbling. More often than not they die where they stand. That same powder charge under the 225 grain Nosler Partition is "Big Medicine for moose and elk.

We used the 200 gr TTSX extensively in Africa in 2012. Worked like a charm.

What was your COAL on that Ed? TAC?

I plan on using Hornady interlocks

If anyone would like a copy of MuleDeer's article on loading the .358 shoot me an e-mail and I will get it to you.

would me much appreciated, PM sent...

Pm sent. Thanks

I just loaded two 200 grain round nose and one 200 grain spire point Hornady interlock bullets with 52 grains of TAC. THe powder came up to midpoint of the neck. The magazine and the chamber allowed me to load the bullets so that they compressed the bullets very little if any.
It's evening and getting dark. It wasn't a pyrotechnic show but there were flames. The cases came out easily. The primers, CCI Standard rifle, were rounded and there were no signs of excessive pressure.
I'll load up a dozen and see how it shoots when weather is better.

That load came from load data which referenced the handloader article. I don't recall if it referenced barrel length. I wonder if it was shot in a 77? Also the article said Magnum primers were used. I suppose that could give it more velocity.

I've had pretty good luck with IMR 4320 and the 200 gr Hornady spitzer in my 358 (a Savage 99) over the years.

But I did just pick up a pound of TAC for the 223, I'll probably experiment with the 358.

Dale

I've used most of the powders in that burning range in my former 358. I never got those velocities at least according to the manuals. I had planned on H4895, due to temperature insensitivity. But if TAC loads turn out to be accurate, I may have to go with TAC.

I wonder about the rifle used in that article in the Handloader and if those magnum primers caused the powder to burn faster and higher pressures and more velocity resulted.

The rifle in the article was a Ruger Hawkeye with a 22 inch barrel.

-Z

I use 225 PT's for elk, and TAC as my powder, however.....

if all I wanted to shoot was deer? I'd probably go with the 200 IL just cause of cost.

the 225 PT's are >$1.00 ea, and completely unnecessary on deer sized game.

practice hurts when each shot costs over a buck. =/

It's been a while, but I've loaded pistol bullets (158 JHP's?) in the 358 for cheaper practice. Doesn't work for long range practice but for gun handling/short range/offhand it's fine.

Dale

I loaded up a batch of 185 hardcast a while back. much cheaper, but radically different POI. I didn't like the idea of two POI with one rifle, so I stopped loading the hardcasts. I "had" to load the PT's for elk. didnt want to hunt elk with a hardcast lead.

I just sighted the scope with the 158's, think I even took it groundhog hunting a couple of times using them. Then resighted with the usual 200 gr Hornday's for deer season.

Dale