Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only .358 win deer loads

I posteed this on the gunwriters's forum but thought I'd try it here as well. I recently purchased a .358 win pistol barrel for my encore and am looking forward to trying it out. I do not have any experience with this caliber but was wanting something in a medium bore that I could use for deer. I'll be hunting midwestern whitetails and am looking for a suitable load. I have heard from several different people to use the 200 gr TSX's. I really like these and have used the TSX in my .300 for a while now. I am a little concerned that the 200 tsx may be a little tough at slower velocities and that I may not get great expansion on those thin skinned deer. Since I am going to be using a large bullet then penetration shouldn't be a problem and I would rather get expansion for that bang-flop. Has anyone had any experience with the .358 for deer? I will plan on using a tougher bullet if I ever step it up to bear/elk/moose. I have seen the 225 accubond for this and was thinking it might be the ticket. Anyone used these? Thanks for any help guys.
Lee

I can't see using a tsx unless you'll get at 2700 fps at the muzzle, and a 358 win rifle will be hardpressed to do that with 200gr.

I think any of the generic cup core 200's will be supurb in your pistol, just find the one that is most accurate.

Deer are thin skinned and not difficult to put down. The 350 Winchester loaded with a 200 grain Hornady or 220 grain Speer will do the trick with mild recoil.

Would have to agree with Lott... I just bought one of the 16.5" barreled Ruger Frontier rifles and so far all velocities are under 2300 fps with bullets from 180-220 grains. If you have the standard 15" barrel for the Encore look for up to 150 fps less. I used to shoot a 14" Contender in .35 Remington and I believe the velocity with the 180 grain bullets was in the 1950 fps area.

For deer your best bet would be the Hornady 180 grain Single Shot Pistol bullet, 180 Speer FP or the 220 Speer FP.

As to performance of the .358 Winchester in a pistol, it is more like a .35 Remington from a rifle...

Bob

Thanks guys. Great info. I was kind of figuring that I'd get 2000-2200 fps with a 200 gr bullet. That should be enough for these deer. Thanks again

You should probably give the 200 gr. Rem RN a try. It's probably one of the softest 35 cal bullets which you will need at encore velocities.

180 Hornady Single Shot Pistol bullets are what you are looking for. A bit better BC and soft enough to expand at 1700fps. I'd bet you can get 2400 with it and 15" of Barrell. I'd keep shots under 200 yards to ensure good expansion.

I have killed caribou and seals with this bullet and a 20" 358. It works very well at 1700-2400fps expanding very well and penetrating adequately.

Speer makes a 180 gr that just might work for you. They work in my 35 Whelen just fine.

I use the 225 gr HAWK FP with .025" jacket in my 14" 35 Rem Contender. 1900fps average and 3/4" groups using Reloader 12.

Kevin

encorerb has mentioned just the ticket for the 358 win. I've got some remington 200gr round nose loaded-up right now and can't wait to bust brown. Ken

Not exactly what you are asking, but I use the older 180 grn X bullets in my 358 7600 pump remmmy carbine with 18" tube. I get 2650fps, and it works perfectly.
Good expansion with 2 holes every time.
Killed many of those brown buggers, every one while not bang-flops, die with huge blood trail within 20 yards or so.
While have to switch to the 200 tsx when supply of 180's run out, but ain't switching till then.

Kevin

The 358 is a serious amount of lead for a little old WT.

I have used RL-7 at around 2200-2400 FPS with 225 grain bullets. Shoots like a 7-08 (little kick) and flattens deer like they were hit with a ton of bricks.

For elk I use a hot load with IMR-4064, but it isn't anything like a 7-08 load.

Spot

Varget and 4064 havwe been a mainstay for the 358 Win with 200 gr bulk rn or pointed from Remington. The RN has produced bang flops from my Lone Eagle - barrel at 15". Works well from the Savage 99 too. Rustyzipper