Can anyone tell me which of these cartridges is more powerful (i.e., has more capacity for a given bullet)?
358 Norma, 358-338 WM, 358-300 WM
I know they're about the same, and I think the Norma IS the same as one of the other two, but if I recall there is a difference somewhere.
Thanks!

358 Norma and 358/338 are nearly identicle. The 358/300 would have slightly more case capacity, but not enough to amount to a hill of beans.

I have a 350 Rigby, which is essentially a 358/375 H&H w/o belt, and case capacity is just a tad more then the Norma. I use Norma data, and load to the same levels.

If you just have to be different, then you can go with a 358/338 or 358/300, but you'll spend alot on custom dies and reamers for the project, and have no more performance.

If you really want more performance, then look at the 358 STA, or a 358 RUM, they will provide another 200 fps. Also consider that the recoil will be greatly increased for that extra speed.

IMHO, the 358 Norma, 350 Rigby and anything with the same case capacity is going to provide all the power you'll need in the field, if a 250 gr @ 2700-2800 fps isn't enough, get closer or use something bigger.

Paul, I would agree with that last statement.
It's just that if I'm gonna have a barrel made, and one of these has 3% more powder capacity, I don't see too much reason to not go with it.
I'm not pinching pennies on this one, though I do need to look into the price of the non-Norma dies....
More about 2800 fps at less peak pressure.

I agree with Paul H. I had a .308 Norma, and it could be loaded to equal the .300 Win. Mag., with less powder! But, the .358 STA is something else again! I believe it would be just about the ultimate round for use on the big Alaskan bears!!

Youngun If you're looking for RCBS 358STA dies, I just bought mine from Grafs for $112, I think. Both RCBS and Redding had them in stock at the factory but Grafs was the better price.

If you are going to the expense of custom dies and reamer, then go with a large enough increase in case capacity to make it worth while. A 2.5" long 404 case necked down will have about the same case capacity as the 358 STA, and then you're talking about real performance increase over the 358 Norma, as well as recoil increase.

As information on the .358 STA case capacity. I load 91 grains RL-22 in a new unprimed case with a Sierra 225 grain Boattail bullet, for fireforming. After the fireforming, I can get 93.5 grains of the same powder in the case with a 225 grain North Fork, my most accurate bullets used. I can also load 91 grains of the RL-22 for the 270 grain North Fork or 280 grain Swift A-Frame bullets. With the 250 grain North Fork or Swift A-Frame I can load 92.5 grains of RL-22. Now, these loads are "hot" loads for my rifles, but not to hot. If I change powder lots, I drop back a couple grains and adjust after shooting a few loads. --------- To each his own on the speeds desired. I like them fast, if I can retain pin point accuracy, and this is what my two STA's seem to like, the faster the speeds the better the accuracy. My 270 and 280 grain bullet speeds push 3000 fps, my 250 grain bullets push 3100 fps, my 225 grain bullets push 3200 fps. My muzzle brakes take care of the recoil. If you like the lessor speeds, go for the lessor case capacities. Good shooting.

youngun

I would recommend you to look at the 338 family of cartridges or the 9,3's

Among the 35's I would recommend the 358 norma or 358 STA they will kick hard in a light rifle and doesn't have the same good sectional density and BC as the 338 bullets.

9,3X62 is a very good round , If you want more performance take a look at the 9,3X64. The down side with the 9,3X64 could be finding brass for it

Cheers
/ JOHAN

Given their similarities I would consider brass and die availability. Not enough difference in capacity to worry about.

I own a 358 norma . there was nothing else when I had mine built . I can get 2900 fps out of 250 gr bullets and 3050 out of 225 gr bullets the rifle weighs in at 9 lbs fully loaded and a 2.5 x 8 scope . Hornady dies are available for much cheaper than the others Factory ammunition is available with a fine 250 Woodleigh bullet . felt recoil is less than a 300 mag . As capacity goes 80 gr of RL 19 fills my cases to the bottom of the case neck . you cannot pack 80 gr of powder into a 338 case . you can do a lot worse than the norma

youngun -- I agree with your reasoning. I shoot a couple .340 Wby's, and have no gripes whatsoever with their performance, after taking Elk, Moose, Deer with them. I started the .358 project to have a better Big Bear stopper, while hunting in their backyard. With the bigger bullets the .358's shine. A 270 grain North Fork, 280 grain Swift A-Frame or Woodleigh 310 grain .358 bullet is second to few when it comes to SD and BC. While I am not worried about 400 yard accuracy, I have no doubts about the .358 abilities at that distance. I would worry about "my abilities" at that distance. 300 yards is stretching my distance abilities, but in Bear country I am not concerned about those lenghty distances. I will compare the fast .358's to just about anything, at the lessor distances. Those suckers have a real whallop, and will do the job for the experienced shooter. Good shooting.

Well, looks like it'll be on a long action, so I don't see a good reason not to go with the STA.
Don't really understand expansion ratio, but I'm hoping I can get 270 grains to go around 2800 fps out of a 24" tube.
Anyone have data on this round? There's not a lot that I can find.
The external ballistics on such a load would make an outragous elk gun.
The plan is to switch-barrel off a 416 Rem, which along with my '06 would end my hunting rifle needs. Then I can concentrate on collecting!

Great choice! I'm building one myself. If you want, PM me your e-mail so I can send you what info I have. I have both articles written by Layne Simpson in Shooting Times scanned. Also, John Barsness wrote an article in Jan 2003 Rifle using the STA, "More barrel stuff".

scott, sent you a pm.......

phurley, what is the barrel length you got those velocities from? hoping that it is a 24".....
woofer

Woofer -- Both my STA's have 26 inch barrels. Both are customs, one a Winchester from their shop and the other a Winchester Post 64 action with a "Lilja" barrel, both are stainless. The "Lilja" is from 50 to 125 fps faster on the same loads. Good shooting.

thanks scott and phurley
i anxiously await my barrel.........
woofer

Youngun, sent you a PM.

ScottinPa,
Back atcha!

ScottinPa sent you a PM. thmpr

Just got back from a business trip in GA. Will get info to y'all this weekend.