I have 35whelenAI, What about a 338/358 vs 358 norma. Has a 338/358 bin done before.need help thanks.

Not sure I follow your question but the .338/.358 is usually called the .338-08. With the Whelan case it's called the .338-06. Neither is comparable to the .358 Norma in my opinion. The .338-06 is the more practical of the 3 however.

[ 05-23-2003, 03:36: Message edited by: DigitalDan ]

Sounds like you are considering re-chambering? I would go with the 358 Norma, as reamers and dies are commonly available. The difference in case dimensions between the norma and a 338/358 are miniscule, and certainly not worth the trouble and expspense of a wildcat. I went to the 350 Rigby when re-chambering my 35 whelen ai, but if I were to do it again, would go with the Norma do to easier supply of brass.

It is definately enough increase in case capacity to be worth the conversion, but if your current chamber has a sloppy throat or neck, the re-chamber won't clean it up. You also might need to get the barrel set back thread, I'm not sure how the necks and shoulders compare between the ai and the Norma.

You're talking about a 338 WM necked up to .358, right? i usually see that referrred to as 358-338 rather than the other way around. Might get you more responses.

Sorry about that. I did mean 358/338. 35AI is my wifes, She has shot Antalope,Deer,Elk with it, works great for her. Iwas thinking about 358sta but was thinking about 358/338 or 358 norma also. thanks for the replies.

Go with the 358 Norma. I have one, it's a good hammer. You can neck up 338 Win Mag brass and use it if 358 cases are hard to come by (and they usually are). - Dan

Figure 250gr@2900 or so.
With the full-length case (STA) you get maybe 3000fps.
You have a gun you're figuring to rechamber? That might be a big factor.
If you don't mind the obscure, check out the 358-404 Schofield. It's a 2.5" Jeffery case, with a hair more water capacity than the 2.8" STA!
Think "350 Dakota."

I have a 280AI , Has anyone made a 35whelenAI case the same length at the shoulder as the 280AI case, looks like it would hold 2,3 gr. more powder. it may shoot like the 358 norma?

Possum, check out ballistics for the 35 Brown-Whelen. It is pretty close to what you're talking about, and while it definately is an improvemnt over the stock Whelen, it comes no where near the 358 Norma. Simply a question of case capacity. - Dan

Possum, I think the 35 Brown Whelen is about as much case capacity as you're going to get on that parent case. The Brown Whelen is more than just firing a 35 whelen in the chamber. You first have to neck up to .40 caliber to create a secondary shoulder to headspace on, then you neck down to 35 caliber. The 358 Norma really is a good caliber that doesn't beat you up.

POSSUM/358, bring it down to Helena and have Dennis Erhardt rechamber it to .358 Sledgehammer. It's a .375 Dakota case necked down. Shoots 250's @ 3000fps with no problem.

Thanks guys . When i first started this project i was thinking 358sta. this will be a complete new gun .remington actoin,north west precsion barrel,mcmillan stock,I have all the parts,just don,t know how i want to chamber.thanks.

Possum, if you are talking about the .358 Norma vs a necked-up .338 Win., the difference would be the same as a .308 Norma vs a .30/.338! In other words, none to speak of!!