A few weeks ago SPS had a really good deal on 358 cal 200 grain Accubonds. I had read they are too long to be useful in 358 Win loads, but the price was so low I thought I would give them a try. My rifle is a stainless Ruger Hawkeye with a magazine which will accommodate cartridges up to 2.880 inches in length.

The other components were Winchester cases, trimmed to 2.09 inches, and Federal 215m primers with TAC. Overall length was 2.875. I started at 48 grains and planned to work up to 52 grains. At 51 grains the charge was compressed, at 51.5 the "crunch" of the powder was distinctive. I decided not to load any with 52 grains.

The first loads at 48 grains showed an average of 2,730 fps. This seemed really high but there were no pressure signs. The next few .5 grain increments showed a steady increase in speed. I stopped shooting at 50 grains when three shots averaged 2,805. There were no signs of excess pressure but recoil was notably more stout than 200 Honradys at 2,600 fps or 250 grain partitions at 2,450 fps. Accuracy was not good on any of the loads. All groups, three shots each, were around 2 inches.

I suspected my chronograph might not be working properly so I shot some loads with 200 grain Hornadys and the readings were right on at a bit over 2.600.

I should note that my BLR 308 magazine will only accept loads with a max length of 2.815, so these loads would not fit. All the 308 based cartridges 243, 7-08 etc have interchangeable magazines in BLRs.

-Z

Wow! A 200gr accubond at 2800fps is some serious whoopin out of a short action. Sounds like big bear and moose medicine to me....

Wow! That’s smoking! How long is that bbl? With 50 gr of TAC and a 180 ttsx I’m getting 2530-2550 out of a 20” bbl.

The barrel is 22 inches. I am guessing 2,800 fps is developing pretty high pressure. I am going to play with between 47.5 grains and 49 grains of TAC and see If can get better accuracy. I think 2,700 fps is plenty.

-Z

If memory serves that is about the velocity that Mule Deer showed with his .358 Win loads shooting 200g TSX. I believe his was a Ruger too. I tried the load with 1 less grain in my Win Mod 88 on his advise and got ~2400 fps.

2,730 with a 200 gr from a 22” 358 Win is pushing it a bit imo.

I’d be inclined to back that off til’ I hit around 2,630 max (or a bit less) and call it good.

In the early 90’s I had a crazy accurate 358 Win carbine that made big ragged 3-shot holes with the 200 gr Hdy over IMR 4320. A really neat round. Here’s a pic from around 1991:

Brad,

I run 200 Hornadys at 2,600 normally. I agree I should back off. Going to shoot for between 2,650 and 2,700. I just hope I can get the accuracy figured out.

-Z

I use both Remington bulk bullets. The RN 200 gr for brush and the 200 gr SP for general hunting. The 200 RN was also loaded in the 350 Remington Magnum. I have factory fodder in both and they are the same bullet. The Silvertip from Winchester seemed to have the best of both worlds, pointed and flat. I don't think when they say seasonal they mean to say each season. I can't always get factory before deer season in the state of Misery. Go hunting, and Be Well, RZ.

i can no longer find corelokt 200 gr Rn and have switched to Hornady for my 358 BLR

Very close to my 35 Whelen load with a 225 gr Nosler Partition. I figure that would be good to hunt caribou in Alaska in an area where Big Bears might get fiesty. I like either IMR 4320 or Varget.

when I loaded them in my BLR the accuracy was really poor because I had to load them DEEP in the case to fit the magazine.

too bad. I really wanted the AB to work for me! the 225 PT's are so danged expensive at ~$1.00/shot!