I have found in the bottom of one of my safes a 98 action from a very good manufacturer. I have decided to build a .358 Norma with a 23" SS Walther barrel, iron sights and a good scope. The stock wil be an MPI. Any thoughts? I have had clients use them with us in Africa. A little weird but I feel it is a very balanced round.

Thanks, Aleko

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I have never had a 358 Norma, but I have seen it used and it sure worked on everything including a big male Lion and buffalo...I was pretty impressed with it...this guy used Woodleigh bullets as I recall....

I've never used my 358 Norma on anything bigger then moose, but it sure works on them. - Dan

Nothing bigger than Elk but it does a number on them.

Dan;
I was just scheming on building a .358 Norma. We're gonna have to get our heads together! What is that one of yours built on? Maybe some heavy duty swapping might be in order...

My 358 Norma is built on a pre-64 Winchester. Barrel is a 25" Pac-Nor #4 contour ( a little heavy). It is sitting in a McMillan stock since most of my hunting is done in Alaska. I have only shot a wild pig with it and it did the job well. It will be going to the Kwa-Zulu Natal in September for some plains game.

I am going to Boise next week to drop off the action. My importer told me we are 4 to 6 months out for loaded ammo and A2 is about the same. I ordered a case so if any one wants some let me know. The import duty is the worst part of it!

The Norma our client was shooting knocked the tar out of about everything he shot. Including a very big bull giraffe.

Thanks, Aleko

Alf: Lekker vuurwappen!

[ 04-18-2003, 09:53: Message edited by: Heritage Arms ]

The .308 and .358 Norma Magnums are the best designed and most efficient magnums in these calibers, IMHO. I had a pair in the early 1960's and wish I still did.

Heritage Arms -- You can get all the ammo you want from Superior Ammo of Sturgis South Dakota, and pay no import fees. I shoot a .358 STA and bought all my brass from them. I have never used brass any better. Good luck and good shooting.

Heritage Arms Out of curiosity what twist are you having the barrel made with? I have an old 358 built on a P-14 action and with 250 gr bullets it is quite a moose elk and bear rifle.If there is any knock against the big swede it is that some were made with a 1-16" twist and would not handle bullets heavier than 250 grs.Woodleigh makes heavy bullets (up to 320 gr I believe)and Swift makes a 280 gr A-frame that should be very good on heavy game. I would think a 1-14" or even a 1-12" twist would be in order.

I am of the opinion that with medium and large bores you should always go for stabilization. A 1/4 MOA is not going to matter with these cartridges, and velocities are not high enough to cause bullet destruction. If you have a choice, always go one or two steps above "normal". That way, you will not be limited on the heavy bullet end or by some quirky bullet configuration.

We ordered several Walther barrels in the 1 -12" just for that. I forgot to mention it.

Aleko