Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Express Rifles and Big Bores Only 358 Norma Mag questions

I finally figured out how to get a pic on here (My Son ) Here's my Norma at the end of a long spring season on Pumice Creek.

Thanks again guys..... As I said before I have a bunch of 308 Norma mag brass so I plan to neck that up, probably in 2 steps, .33 then .35. Based on what you guys have said, I will probably go with a 1-12 twist. I want to be able to shoot 250 gr pills. or maybe bigger. Not sure what my choices are there.

I'm instantly jealous.........nice looking gun. I like mannlichers.

The 275 gr Woodleigh PP, 310 gr Woodleigh RN and solid and 280 gr Swift come to mind for heavier bullets. You might need to anneal the cases before necking up especially if they have been fired already.


Waterrat, I thought you sold that gun at one time, you buy it back?

It's back in my possession, bro-in-law deal!

Good to know you got it back, that is a pretty sweet gun

Here you go: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1554132339/shilen-match-grade-barrel-blank-358-caliber-centerfire

Great cartridge especially in Moose and bear country. A 1-12 will still shoot pistol bullets and some cast ones. Making cases I would just fire form to minimize working the brass too much. Annealing beforehand might save some brass loss. But I would have no problem just necking up and firing them. The belt if cut to minimum tolerances should make this work easily.

Always wanted one but went 375 for a medium with Africa in mind but for NA or anywhere there is not a caliber restriction the 358 would be tops. Every time I used a heavier than needed barrel I regretted it. I have made this mistake when I see a barrel on sale in a caliber I want but won't do that again. The MPI stocks I have handled are good and I like the manlicher option and styles they have. They have a good weight to stiffness ration especially if the Kevlar graphite option is ordered. No it is not due to the use of Popsicle sticks in the layup.

I prefer to size and slice my .358 NM brass from .375 H&H. It doesn't get shorter than the already short .338 brass. My favorite load is 77 gr H414 over a 250 gr Hornady Spire Point. It has enough penetration to break both shoulders on elk with good weight retention. Sure, you can bump up to 275 or 280 gr bullets, but you give up the 30-06 speed and trajectory. I also load 200 gr. RCBS RNGC cast bullets over about 16 gr. of Unique for a great practice load.

My current Norma is built on a LH Model 70 stainless magnum action also. I had a Douglas #4 1-12 twist put on and cut to 22"
If I were to redo it, I'd probably go with a #3 though.
My go to loads are 225gr Barnes TSX's or 250gr Noslers both with max charges of IMR4350. I've also played around with 200gr Hornady's and found the accuracy to be just as good with a whole lot less recoil.

Love the 35 caliber, having owned quite a few, from 35 Remington to 358 STA, but, only one 358 Norma Mag, a Remington 721, built by Homer Strickland in Anchorage, AK, back in the 70s. That was a real nice rifle, accurate, and responsible for a few head of game - moose and caribou. Haven't retained any load data, just fond memories.

By far, my favorite 35 caliber was a 358 STA Win 70, built by the Winchester Custom Shop, the last rifle ever commissioned by my late father (Alaska Master Guide). That one was on a synthetic stock, I think a McMillan. Never shot, unfortunately, I moved it along, to my everlasting regret.