Thinking about building one. Anyone shoot one Tell me about it. Loads, velocities etc. powdr

I was looking at one developed by VA Silent Arsenal. Looks impressive, 250gr @ ~2700 @ 18 bl if I remember right. It is enough motivate me to write them to inquire conversion costs, limitations, powder suggestions. But I would probably just cut down a 325 since I already have one with 24" barrel. There is also the "35 Sambar". I don't know if these two are identical.

I also seen one somewhat frequent user on this forum that may have built one- BigStick or something like that, maybe ask him. Kind of impatient and haughty persona but maybe he would have done one... the guy seems to like building stuff and appears to know a bit.

How much will you gain over a std 358?

There is a cool factor with a 358 WSM.

Originally called the 35 Sambar after being developed in Australia. 250s at 2700. Ooommmppphhhhh.

So who might have a reamer or even build me a 358 wsm barrel for a montana action i have laying around, emailed VA silent arsenal and that was a no go. I have a Montana 1999 that was destined to be a short mag of some kind now needing a barrel.

I just did it. Just picked it up from my rifle builder a couple of days ago. I'll be necking up some 325 WSM brass and developing loads. I took a Win model 70 stainless classic in 270 WSM and rebarreled it.

Specs are M70 stainless classic action
Lilja stainless modified Winchester contour barrel in 12 twist.
Put it in a factory featherweight super grade stock.
Topping it off with a silver Leupold 4.5-14x40 VX3 in dual dove tails.

I have a few finishing touches to do to it yet, but I should be shooting it soon. I'll post my results when I do because it was difficult to get solid info. Some guys gave me solid advice but what they were shooting wasn't exactly what I want to try so, it will be tricky. I did a bunch of research on here and other forums so in the mean time I'll do some digging and post links to my threads so you can see what info I have.

What are your plans so far??

Some info here.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/15934342/358-loads#Post15934342

bobinpa who built your rifle/barrel?

Sent you a PM

What did you decide? Are you building one?

Yes, working on a reamer, love to find a reamer but looked all around and they seem to be scarce, so I will have a reamer for rent LOL, still working the reamer deal if someone has one and sees this.

Seeing this, still looking for a reamer or a smith that might have one and wants some work, no hurry to get it done.

might have to have one built??

This can also be made into a 9.3 WSM.
Charlie

Any live pilot WSM reamer (except the 7WSM) can be bushed up and used. I bushed up and used my 6.5 WSM reamer, then neck and throat reamed. I used a Savage action and a Green Mountain barrel. It is still at 26", I just don't know what to cut it to, I'm liking 22" for handyness and reducing the weight. I had a guy in Iowa modify a set of 325 WSM dies for bushings and made me 35 cal bushings for the sizer die. It was cheaper than having custom dies made. I have only tried RL17, but in this day and age use any powder you can find in that range. The thump is a shove rather than a smack - about the same as my 358 Norma and much less that a 300 Win/Wby

It's a lot like a 350 Remington Magnum

I love my .358 win, but if the 358 wsm can really make a 250 grain bullet travel 2700 FPS out of an 18” barrel !?!?! That would be cool!

Might also need a spark arrestor on the end of the barrel to keep from setting the Forrest on fire. 18” barrel ought to be interesting.

Shortly after the WSM’s came out I had a Ruger #1 made up into a .338WSM thinking that I would be ahead of the curve 🤣WRONG! They brought out the 325. Oh well. I am currently working on 250 gr load for it. Should get in neighborhood of 2650 from a 24” tube. Will be my son’s Africa rifle.

I’d love to learn of the powder and charge thereof that nets 250 gr @ 2700 from an 18” barrel in the 358WSM That would be sweet!

IMHO I think you probably are ahead of the curve. You will have a lot better bullet selection in a .338 than a .325.

Oh I know it. It’s why I chose the 338. I just thought the gun manufacturers would have the same forethought. Lack of headstamped brass is my only regret. Oh well.

I never thought at the time about the 35. I should have. It’s an incredible game killer. I sure hope the OP can get the numbers he wants. I’ll be watching with great interest.

I'm working on one myself...actually just waiting on a scope right now. I'll try to remember to post up my results when I start to break it in.

It's not a 358 WSM, but I've got a 375 WSM made by JES. I got it with a 20" barrel on a M70 classic WSM action. So far it's been fine, but I have had to neck ream newly necked up cases because they get a doughnut. First cartridge I've had to do that. It's got a very tight chamber - probably the bottom end of spec, but I've never cast it. Dies are CH4D - they were in stock, so that was easy. I had to spend some extra to expand my neck reaming setup though so it wasn't the cheapest thing to get into.

I'm going to have to see if I can modify a Lee .325 WSM factory crimp die. I don't want to pay $100 for a crimper from CH4D.

If I ever take it to Africa I'll have to get RCC to make some cases with the right headstamp.

Load data I just used QuickLoad and GRT and it was close enough not to blow anything up. RL16 for 300gr A-Frame and 300gr Cutting Edge safari solids. I get a little over 2500 ft/s with both.

I like the .375 bore much more than .358, but I suspect the practical aspects would be identical for a .358 WSM.

I had one but changed the barrel out. Best load was a 225 grain partition, 72.5 grains of R-17 for around 2,900 fps. I'm pretty sure I was using Winchester .325 WSM brass.

Recoil was sharp.

I still have the die set if you're interested.

Not to steal from the original poster but smokepole if you have dies I’m currently looking for a set myself

Does anyone use pistol bullets for pinker or Small Game loads in these 35s ?

Is there any of the "custom" brass makers making headstamped 358 wsm brass/

VA Silent Arsenal claims to load ammo with proper headstamp, maybe they also do just brass. Not sure if that's a good option pricewise though.

yes sir ...... For a small fee RCC can make your headstamp "358 WSM"



358 WSM brass

Thank u i will get some RCC stuff, not impressed with VA Silent, try to have them build a gun that was not happening and they will not sell any components unless you have their gun which I tried to have. Black gun mostly is my opinion, not much for bolt guys.

so has anyone tried loading 180 or 200 grain Barnes ttsx bullets in 358 wsm?

Just looking at option and where to start, 23.5 inch barrel 1:12 twist

Thanks!