How many of you are using the 'higher' performance .358s??? I have used the .350RemMag and the .35 Whelen...and have been very pleased. I still use the Whelen due to the efficiency and performance of the 250gr bullets in the longer case.

What are you experiences with these higher capacity .35s?? Does the added velocity increase the inherent usefulness of the .358 bore?? or Should I go ahead and jump to the .375??

Thanks,

It's all just numbers. Bigger is bigger, faster is faster.
If you hit them where it counts, not much else does, but still, bigger is bigger, and faster is faster.
But with everything there is a price. If you want to shoot X yards away at a particular animal for which you need Y ft lb, and Z penetration, but you're only willing to tote W pounds worth of rifle and can only handle R ft lb of recoil, then you know exactly what you want.
A .338" or a .358" or a .375" 250g bullet (say) going the same speed from the muzzle, the smaller bore will have more recoil, due to the increase in powder required to acheive the speed. The .375" will make a little bigger hole, and the .338" will hold onto speed longer and penetrate more.
The 338 Ultra and H&H will do a 250g justice, but if you're looking for a 300g bullet, the difference gets bigger trying to get a .338" bullet to go fast, you will be in for a ride on the other end.
If you're happy with the Whelen, I wouldn't steer you from it. But if you want to make a big bullet go really fast, then go for it. Figure how fast you want how heavy a bullet to go, and then you'll know what chamber you want. I have a wildcat that pushes a .358" 280g into the 2900's, though I keep it at about 2800 fps. But if anyone said I needed it, I'd have to laugh. Sure, there's the theoretical 400yd shot I just can't pass up and will be glad I have the ballistics to back up the skills, but come on. The 35 Whelen is a great cartridge, and by the same rationale, I could easily end up walking into the woods with a 460 Weatherby, "just in case!"
I think a 25" bbl 358 Norma or STA is a great cartridge. But beware; many published loads are at high pressures. They are only what they are, and there's nothing magical about the .358" bore that makes a bullet go faster. The 338 Winchester and 340 Weatherby ballistics should give you an idea of what to expect from similar SD bullets in .358", minus just a bit. Or on the other side, 375 Taylor and 378 Weatherby, same SD plus a little.
As for performance on game, well there's no secrets. A well-made bullet in it's design parameters will do what it's known to do.
Hopefully this has been of absolutely no help, and you'll see you really just want a 416 Rigby.

North GA Airedales ----- You say you have used the Whelan and 350 Rem and were pleased, if you owned them I would tell you to go on up to a .416 Rem or Rigby. However not owning them and wishing for a .358 I would say go ahead with the .358 hotter loads because they are awesome. ----- I shoot two .358 STA's and in my opinion they along with the Norma and Ultra surpass the .375's for what I want in a chambering and even compare to the .378 Wby. I hunt Colorado for Elk and Alaska for all it has to offer and will hunt Africa this year for Buffalo and Plains game. With a 270 grain North Fork bullet or 280 grain Swift A-Frame bullet at 2800 to 3000 fps you can have a rifle that will do many chores. I have shot hundreds of rounds and they are perfectly safe in my rifles, which are both Model 70 Winchesters are super accurate. I elected to bypass the .375's and go on to the .416's for the Buffalo. I really would like to try the STA on a Buffalo, but they are not legal in Tanzania where I plan to hunt. ----- Many good .358 bullets are available now, go for it. I contend the heavier .358 bullets are inherently accurate, the shooter just has to do his part. Good luck and good shooting.

Gentlemen,

Thank you for your responces. I seldom hear of the higher velocity .35s. Thanks for your real life experiences.

I was thinking of building up another medium to big bore. Since it might go to the dark continent, I may as well go with a legal minimum (.375), but will probably stay clear of the RUMs and use the H&H.

Thanks,

Off topic, but mind me asking you if you hunt with your airedales? I have heard that they were good hunting dogs. How are they for maintenance with the curly hair, lots of brushing needed?

I know a guy with a 358 Norma, built on an enfield, he loves it, hunts Elk in Washington with it every year. He has a 375 Ackley Improved as well and still takes the 358.

Red

Our Airedales are from hunting stock (instead of the smaller show lines). Airedales are used in both North and South Georgia primarily for hog and bear.



I join some mountain friends a few times a year to chase hogs. Our Airedales are also used to blood trail deer during bow season, and dig out a few ground hogs as well.



On the maintenance side, an airedale will grow 'wooly' if left uncut, often keeping a 4-5" wire coat that can really stand up to the cold. I cut and strip ours to a length of 1" or so and it stays free of tangles or burrs and keeps them looking like they should. The face and beard are usually left to grow long as well. I usually only brush them once each few weeks.



Thanks,

Strawboss,

I took our female Airedale to the lake this past weekend and she water retrieved for the first time like a champ. She weighs 68lbs and is much taller than the standard show dog. I was very pleased but not suprized, ... she is afterall an airedale.

Regards,

I have built 3 .358STA's and hunted and taken animals with them all. Personally I prefer the .375-.358STA (about the same as a .375WH). I have shot or saw shot probably 10+ elk and moose with the .358STA and at least that many with the .375-.358STA. The .358STA's were shooting 225 Sierra's and the .375-.358STA's were with 250 Sierra's. I personally think the .375 kills better (ie quicker). Unless your looking for a unique round I would lean towards the .375's of some flavor shooting 260gr Accubonds around 3000fps for anything up to moose in size. They shoot nearly as flat as the 300 Win Mag with about 40% more energy.

My .375-.358STA is my go to rifle despite having 50+ hunting rifles. It's killed everything up to Kudu and Moose and I have never lost an animal. That kind of makes it hard not to grab when it's time to go hunting.

I had a 35 Whelen Ackley Improved made on a M98 action with a Shilen bbl. I left the bbl. 26", and get great velocity and astounding accuracy. With the 225 gr Barnes XLC (blue coated) bullet, I have seen well over 2800 fps. If I need more gun and penetration I need to be running away from whatever I am shooting at.

I do see the need for power. I have a .300 Win Mag and with 200 grain bullets it will do everything my Whelen does, and shoot flatter with more retained energy. However, my Whelen will reach out to 350 yds with hardly any holdover, if at all. I just know it makes a bigger impression when it hits, based on the reactions of large animals (elk) when hit.

I have a 7 STW and that is as much bullet I want in front of that sized case! Here's to you guys who want to subject yourselves to bulging scapula's with every shot! Here, here!

Bonz.

Bonz, I've long thought a 338-06 or 35 Whelen with a 26" bbl would make a right sensible elk gun. I have a new 358 RUM of sorts, and though it's not that bad on the shoulder, it ain't a lightweight, and it's sure more than enuff.

Hey! Bwana -be, what have you done with that big .358 so far? What kind of velocity have you measured? Are you going to hunt with it this year? The last I heard about it you were just about ready to get it.If you like send me an E-Mail roger

NGA, I would step up to a .375h&h if I wanted a bit more gun. Bigger holes are always better.

I'm on my 2nd Airedale, I love this breed because of their spirit & versatility. My last one was Oorang line & weighed just over 90#. He died couple of years ago & I have another, also from hunting stock, he weighs in about 70#.

The .358 Norma mag class of .35s are fully equal to the .375 H&H so jump to a .416 caliber.

fredj338,

I am headed for a .375H&H as I speak. It fits in nicely to get me legal and sensible for the dark continent between the 300WinMag, 35Whelen, and 45/70...

thanks for the comments on the magnum 358s as well and that is a nice looking airedale.

Regards,