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

I just had one built myself. It was made by Wayne York on a pre 64 m70 with a 22" barrel and one of his cut rifled barrels. I had him fit one of his pendleton classic composite stocks on it as well. After have some issues with a whelenI have and a 16" twist I opted for a 14. Pretty easy to get Moa accuracy with several loads, though it seems to have a preference fo 4895 and H380 over 4350 speed powders. Anyone try alliant 2000 mr in one? I'm thinking the 225 tsx would be just the thing. I definitely recommend Wayne and Oregunsmithing for custom rifles.

ronben: Welcome to the fire. Sounds like a sweet gun. I'm more than a little jealous. Any pics? Was your donor rifle a 30-06 action or a belted mag action?

Waterrat.....how about starting a thread on your .358 N with a few more pictures. How do you like that stock? Nice set up.

I considered it and then went with the 340 B for twenty years mostly on elk, caribou, etc. Very effective. But as J Barsness says, I'm a "churner", always thinking of something different; sold my 340 and went 375 R but for a brief couple of days considered the Swede seriously just because it doesn't pass the "mom and pop, corner store" test.

Any class including the 338s, 340, and 375s, would have to include the Norma too. It's effectiveness on the same game would be no less effectiveness than any of the former. Plus it has that very cool factor.

somebody please sell me some 358 ammo...by the way;as stated above, the .340 wby is basically perfect !

If you wanna rock and roll on both ends,neck an 8 Rem Mag to 358(basically the 358STA)....forming is easily done with the 375H&H brass.

The 250 gr will break 3000 fps from a 24" tube,1-12 twist(why go slower?).

Yes, it kicks.

I would go no slower than a 12 twist on a big 35,and maybe a 10........churn them over!

Here it is. Pre-64 M70 magnum action, 2.5-8 leupold, Pendleton classic b stock, Oregunsmithing cut rifled barrel w/14" twist, Just over 8 lbs with scope and sling. Recoil is substantial, but manageable. The straight stock and decelerator pad helps a lot.
Its only blood so far is stopping a cow elk that was attempting a getaway after being hit hard by my boy. She stopped.

That is a sweet looking rifle you got there ronben. Very cool.

Nice looking rig there ronben!!!!

Thanks,Guys, Wayne is the man!

I just asked Barnes if they will be making a 225 tipped tsx for the 35's. If enough of us request it, it will happen.

It would be the most efficient 35 bullet made I believe. I was most impressed after seeing what it can do to an elk leg bone, and still hold together.

What about organizing a group buy? How many pre-orders would they need to produce the run?

Actually, as another option, if you get a medium length action (say, an MRC action) with a longer box you can shoot the milder 350 RM and get the 225-gr TSX up to 2800 fps with TAC. I mention this because the 358 N really duplicates your Ruger. But the 350 may not have the panache of the 358.

I have a 350 Rem mag, you are getting 2800 fps with a 225 grain? Isnt that a little hot? I thought my loads were pushing it at 2700 fps. If you dont mind the recipe please?

Long magazine for COAL of > 3" combined with long throat.

Oh, ok i see what your saying. My 350 RM is a Rem Model 7 so thats a no go for me.

What exactly would that provide that the 225TSX does not?

Higher BC, faster expansion with the same weight retention.

The tipped 200 is as efficient as the 225 tsx.

I have one built on a 700 action. It started life as a 35 Whelen. I scrounge as many 250gr bullets as possible and it likes them. Hornady's and Norma's into .6" and Barnes 250 X into .8".
I recently found another set of RCBS dies at a pawn shop, traded into an A&B barrel and have a magnum 98 action laying around. The reamer I have only has 1 chamber on it so I will put together another 358 Norma.
I find the recoil milder than a 338 WM or 300 Wby. I use 7 mag or 338 WM brass necked up. What isn't there to like about it??

I know from experience that the 225TSX opens just fine on whitetails, not sure I would want it to open any faster.

The higher BC may look good sitting in front of the trajectory program at home, in the field I doubt you could ever see the difference.

It would be a sexy bullet however!

I get the same with my 350 RM (a 2.8" mag Rem 673). Barsness has some data. Admit it's hot, but case head expansion is on par with lighter loads. Also admit that case head expansion is a lousy pressure indicator. I shoot a couple of these rounds a year in prep for elk season.

I wanted a 358 norma for years until I discovered TAC in my 350 RM. If I want more, I'll go up to the 358 STA. Plus I have a 375 Ruger.