I went to the range last week and shot a ladder using x-terminator powder and 225 SGK's out of my 358 BLR. It was cold and I was grinding through 5 different powder weights with three shot groups. I really was not checking my spotting scope..I just wanted to be done.

When I went down range to check my targets, I had a group about the size of my thumbnail right at 44.5 grs of X-terminator. Sweet!

My question: I have read that the larger caliber Sierras are a bit tougher than the smaller game kings. Was thinking about using this load as my standard walk about load where the game encountered might be deer or elk.

Is this bullet tough enough for a shoulder shot on elk?

Any insights or experience from other 35 cal shootes would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

this is my fav 35 caliber bullet .. i ahve shot pigs, deer, rams, and blackbuck with that bullet, more or less 2500fps . excellent, accurate, and deadly .. ranges from 170yards to 10 feet (flushing boars) ...

I on the other hand found them way too soft on game.

It's one of my favorite bullets for the 358 Win.
I also like the NBT/NAB in the 358. The Ruger and Winchester short actions will accomodate the long bullet.

Lou

The Sierra 225 Gk was my favourite bullet in my Win Mod 70 358 win. It was very accurate with 3 shots in one hole & great on game like Red deer. I believe it would do very well on Elk out to 200 meters. I would recommend it over the 200gr bullets any day.

Thanks for the the responses. Will continue to work up different loads and bullets.

If nothing else, the SGK will make great practice rounds.

I have had no luck getting 225 NP's or NAB's to group.

Worked up a great 250 gr Speer load.

Now working with 200 gr Barnes TSX's...back to the range soon.

Cheers.

Great post. I just ordered a barrel for a 35Wheelen build and was wondering about the Sierra offerings.

iirc, i preferred win748 for this, with a win LRM primer ... i DO recall my load .. it used to be publised by winchester in their paperguides for the 250gr ..
i used same charge, lighter bullet

Hey Kreyten, I have some of the 225gr Sierras and they sure are a fine looking bullet - like a long range missle. I can't comment on how they work on Elk, but they do fine on Deer at 350RemMag velocities.

However, my go-to 35cal bullet of choice is the 200gr Hornady SP. It is tougher than a lot of bullets and do their best when they first make contact with a Shoulder and angled on into the next Shoulder - again on Deer. If they are placed Lung-to-Lung, there could be some long tracking involved.

My prefered 35cal is the Original Fred Barnes 200gr SP, but of course they are no longer made.

Darn shame about the Partitions not working well for you. Just remember an Elk's Shoulder is a HUGE Target, even out as far as a shot should be taken with a 358Win.

Good Hunting and clean 1-shot Kills.