Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game .358win - what application does it standout/truelly shine.

That 358 bullet starts out pre-expanded by 0.050". Be Well, Rustyzipper.

Useful chamber for hunting, in truth I don’t think it really outguns a 308 Win with 200 gr load at 2,450 fps. It certainly not as versatile as the 308 Win for long range work, but again it’s a great little chamber for most anything.

Ross have you ever shot it long range? Be Well, Rustyzipper.

No, but I’ve shot a lot 308 Win with 150, 165, 168, 180 and 200 gr loads. 600 yards accurately is easy with the first three weights.

Have you shot a bunch of animals with both of the combos? Pretty neat to hear how they have stacked up side by side. I’ve never shot a 200 grain Partition from a 308 but a bit from a 30-06 and 300 magnums. Also taken some stuff with the 358 Win. How have they worked out for you on big game? I’d imagine that 200 Partition in a little 308 would be pretty handy as well.

So you haven't shot it at long range. But you know it is no good at long range because others have said it? Be Well, Rustyzipper.

Regarding versatility in the field, my opinion is that for bullet weights from 125gr-200gr the 308 Win is a much more versatile field chamber for game large and small out to 600 yards. My comment on the heavier .30 bullet was not to demean the 358 Win, but a .35 225 gr at 2,450 fps is not going to be any more of a decider than a .30 200 gr load at around the same speed if both find their mark. Not a knock on the 358 Win at all, just believe the little 308 Win is still one of the best for use across all field boundaries. In truth it is a little cartridge with a pretty big punch competing at long range hunting with likes of the 6.5mm, 6.8mm and 7mm as well as competing with other .30s, .33s and .35s in the field. All from varmint and game from size coyote to moose. It may not eclipse some at either end of the spectrum, but then again they do not eclipse it’s easy handling manners, versatility and typical accuracy (with several bullet weights) in the field. Only one man’s opinion.

I have loaded nosler 200 grain accubond and 200 grain ttsx bullets in the 358 winchester and practiced out to 400 yards over a field pack. Both loads were exactly 2700 fps from 20 inch barrel. The winds were pushing 20-30 mph. For 160 rounds in five shot groups, my groups averaged 13 inches.

Luke/AK-lanche and I developed various 200/308 loads almost a decade ago. We found that the 200 grain boat tail style bullets were too long, severely limiting velocity. The shorter flat base 200 grainers were the way to go.

The slower powders(Mr-2000/reloader 17) yielded more velocity loss from 22" barrel to 20" barrel.

Not the case with the 358 winchester: Reloader 10 x was holding better velocity in the 20" barrel. The 200 grain plastic boat tail bullets did not limit case capacity. With a 250-300 fps jump over a 20" barreled 308, the 358 winchester carbine won't disappoint at extended ranges.

For a lightweight sheeep rifle where high country grizzly are numurous and curious about your pack full of bloody meat, the 200 grain ttsx /358 winchester would be a great package.

Regarding the 358 200 ttsx on game at extended range:

The large plastic tip and cavernous hollowpoint (compared to smaller caliber ones), both aid in expansion at lower velocities. You can definitely tell the 358 bullet was designed differently for the whelen/358 win.

A pastor from out in Dillingham emailed me photos of 358 ttsx recovered from moose and caribou shot at 300-500 yds from the 358 and whelen. In every case, they expanded reasonably well.

I pulled pictures from my email. Anyhow, the 358 Winchester should be exempt from hypothetical thinking out loud, and ballistic "one-ups-manship", it's a great moose/bear/caribou/sheep alpine rifle.


Pastor Rob
-Dillingham
2018:


"These two bullets came from a ≈45 inch bull moose. The bullet on the right hit the scapula, penetrated the chest, and penetrated the scapula on the offside shoulder coming to rest in the muscle of the shoulder. The shot was ≈475 yards with the same ammo as the cow caribou. The bullet on the left came from the neck of the same bull, but was ≈100 yards. As I approached the bull he raised his head and I shot him again to be certain he wouldn’t move, though with the busted shoulders he couldn’t have stood, but I didn’t know and have moose wander around isn’t a good idea in my experience."

"I’ve used them on big brown bears too and it hasn’t disappointed me yet."

That's very impressive mainer!

Thanks Mainer_in_AK. Be Well, Rustyzipper.

I have a custom SA M70 Classic with a Pac Nor barrel, McMillan stock and Leupold 2.5x8. I use only 225 NBT and Sierras to cleanly take coyote, pigs, deer, moose, caribou, elk and antelope from 30 to 350 yds. For me the 358 Win is my magic wand and I am the only one at the campfire with one.

It's really good at making me want yet another rifle even though I have no logical need or reason to use the cartridge.

Same here, I keep talking myself out of it but I bet it’d be a real thumper on hogs in the swampy jungle river bottoms where I hunt.

I hunt whitetails in northern MN and WI with it and have taken a few bears (200gr TTSX).
Like RinB mentioned, there's a host of stuff that works but I just like its thumpability without thumping me in the process.

If I ever chase moose in AK, it'll likely be in the running.

As much as I like the 358Win, this is true. I own 5 off that list. Any one of them with heavier bullets would be just as effective.

That's where I'm at with it!

I think you are on to something here. almost all of us use the more common cartridges to hunt with. they are the most common because they work. the .358w

is a very useful cartridge, as those of you who use it have said. most of us have never shot one, or known anyone who has.

limiting comment to those who have real experience with any topic at the campfire would go a long way to shorten threads and avoid some of the more heated

discussions.

heated discussions aren't new and people who like their hunting gear will advocate for and defend their choice.

i'm sure these same discussions happened in hunt camps throughout history.

when I got my first deer rifle, a sporterized mauser in 8x57, my uncles and older cousins scoffed. lever actions in 30-30 ruled the eastern woods, for good reason.

Indeed it's just relit my shelved curiosity!

The .35 caliber and the bullets available make it a better big game rifle than the ballistic might indicate.