Hi Folks,
I am toying with the idea of building a new rifle. I would like to build something "out of the ordinary" but don't know exactly what yet.
I am somewhat interested in a large case .358 ( I miss my .35 Whelen) Does anyone have any experience with either the .358 STA or a .358 based on the Ultra Mag case or the Weatherby case?
Good Shooting
HBB

Hillbillybear
I see in the gunsmith forum that you asked about a weatherby action and custom guns.
I had a 358 STA built on a Mark V action. It has a 27 1/2" sheland and a Macmillan stock. Everything I feed it shoots very well, but I really have not had the time to do any serous load testing for it yet. I just got some load data from a few of the guys on this forum and starting loads were very encouraging. Go for the 358 STA and you will not be sorry.

I seriously debated the 358STA,338-8mmRemmag and 338Ultra. I opted to build the Ultra and am astounded with it.

My favorite load is the 210XLC at 3400fps. That rifle will shoot that combo in .4's(Sako L61R action,26" #4 contour S/S Douglas,McMillan Sako Hunter pattern stock and a Leupie 3.5-10x).

I'll not cuss the others,but can't sing the praise of the 338Ultra enough...............

Hillbillybear,
I have a 358 Griffin & Howe Imp. I use 340 weatherby brass and fireform it. My rifle has a 24 inch barrel and i get 3050fps with a 250 NP and 2800 with the 280 A-Frame and that is a mild load. No matter witch one you choose you will be Happy.

I have a 358 STA and am quite happy with it. If you're looking to kick it up a notch try the 350 Wells express. That's a 378 Wby necked down.
Fred Zeglin does a 300 Ultra necked up and I think that someone at Wells'Sport Store has necked one up as well.

I have a 35/375 imp. which for all intents is a 358STA. A 28" Douglas barrel,SakoL61R,Brown stock. I've had it for 25+ yr. but only recently started load developement. It is impressive to say the least.357 pistol bullets up to 275gr. leaves a lot of room.This would be my choice for a one gun only scenario.Mark

Couple of fellows around here use something called a 35 Rock Express, which is essentially a 35-378 Weatherby Improved. I'm told 3200 fps with 250 gr bullets, which tempts just enough to build one. - Dan

Look at the 358 hawk. www.z-hat.com very practical you should be able to get 2675 form a 24 inch bbl with 250 grn bullets.

A super improved 35 Whelen.

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MED

The sole purpose of a rifle is to please its owner

I shoot two .358 STA rifles, and two .340 Wby's. I am going back to Alaska this year and wanted something with a little more frontal area, and a little more bullet weight than the .340 Wby I took on a Moose hunt in 1999. One is a Winchester Model 70 built on an Africaner frame from the Winchester Custom Shop. The other is a Model 70 Post 64 action with a custom Lilja barrel. They both will shoot one hole groups with any size North Fork bullet I have put through them, the other bullets I have had to tweak more, but the Barnes X, Nosler Partition and Swift A-Frame have shown promise with at least one size. I shoot 225 gr. up to 280 gr. at this time. I am getting 3200 fps with the 225 gr. 3100 fps with the 250 and 3000 fps. with the 280 gr. Those speeds are with the Lilja barrel, which will be 100 to 150 faster per bullet size, over the Winchester. I am extremely pleased with my .358 STA and look forward to many more sessions prior to September and the Alaska hunt. I am anticipating a new size North Fork in 270 gr. they are coming out with soon, I feel it will be about perfect for the .358. Good luck and good shooting.

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