I just bought a 358 BLR and would like to know how hard it is to form 358 Winchester cases from 308 brass. Any trick to it or is it just lube the inside of the case neck and run it into a RCBS 358 die? I will also lube the case body normally.

I run 243 brass up to 260 all the time and 308 and 7/08 brass down to 260....

If you have a 338 spindle, I'd try putting it in your 358 die first, and then after opening the neck up to 338, then place the 358 spindle, or expander ball back in there and re size up from there...

I know when I have tried to go from 280 brass directly to 338, for my 338/06, about 20 % of the necks split...

If I size from 280 to 30/06 and then to 338/06, I don't loose ANY to neck splits...

Hope that might help ya out a little...

One of the reasons I use Lee dies is their tapered expander. I run 308Win cases (new or once-fired) straight into the Lee 358Win FL resizing die ... and out pops a slightly short 358Win. I lube the inside of the cases and at the start make sure some lube is also on the expander. It'll screech if there's not enough. Very easy to do. I've also taken 243Win straight to 358Win ... but that's really hit and miss particularly with once fired brass ... necks will split. I'm also currently pushing in two steps ... 308in to 358Win, then on to 375-08 ... its a bit more than I'm comfortable with though.
Cheers...
Con

I borrowed a set of 358 dies, RCBS and havent bought mine yet. I guess I'll get a set of Lee dies to simplify the project. Once I make 100 pieces of good brass it will be a long time before I'll need more. Which companies brass works best in necking up to 358?

quote:

I borrowed a set of 358 dies, RCBS and havent bought mine yet. I guess I'll get a set of Lee dies to simplify the project.

For my wildcats I've taken 280Rem brass all the way up to 416. Usually in 2-3 stages. I made my own tapered expanders. Got a couple extra from RCBS stuck them in the drill press and cut a taper on the bottom. I go from 280 to 338 in one pass. The expander is tapered at the bottom then the normal ring. So kind of like two steps in one.

I used to make 9x57R out of 8x57R. The 8x57 was .323 and sometimes .318 cal and the 9 was .358 because I used a Whelen expander ball. Worked like a charm with sufficient lube.

Is 358 Win brass no longer available, or are you trying to do something useful with a ton of 308 brass?

Rich

358 is a seasonal run only... means right about now..

since the HEADSPACE is the same on the 308 and 358, I just either fireform 308 brass, or put CHEAP cast bullets in them and POP in the 358 chamber.

die forming - btdt.... nickel cases rivet ALOT, but if you anneal brass cases, WITH A TAPERED EXPANDER, you'll get good 358 brass...

but, i've only got about 250 pieces of reformed 308 and about the 200 358 cases, so I am pretty well set...

no, i don't mix them... but for dorking around and plinkin, i just use 308 cases

jeffe

I have been using 7.62X51 military brass for about four years now. I shoot them out of a Savage99 and Lone Eagle both in .358 Winchester. I found I have the best luck with the military case to use the 308 small base die first and then the 358 die. I haven't had to anneal yet but it probably would give me longer case life. If you want to talk annealing try the 45-70 down to 33 Winchester. Jeffeoso, I didn't realize you were a 358 afficianado. May have to talk to you about a L579 fullstock and Rem. 600 barrel change to 358. Good luck all. Packrattusnongratus

Packrat,
the very first rifle I actually BUILT was my own 358 wincehster on a 1903a3. not the first one I sporterized, but from the ground up...

and it shot about .75" ALL the time...

i was hooked, and have built several more.. just a super super small bore round

jeffe

Have any of you guys had experience with loading and hunting the long 275 gr. and up weight bullets in the 358 Winchester? I have my 280 gr hardcast WLN from Mt baldy but haven't blooded them. I know they are felt at the butt of the gun so they should be cookie cutters through pigs or whitetail. Packy

I've experimented with the 310gr Woodleigh at the range ... but they tipped when fired in a 1:14" barrel. Hopefully in the coming weeks I'll get to chronograph them for my own interest.
Cheers...
Con

I think my gun should stabilize them. I'm only interested in the Savage with the 310 gr. It has a 1 in 12 twist. I won't light up the pistol with the heavies!?! The 200 and 225s have been most effective without going to a heavy. But maybe I'll shoot just one in the Lone Eagle. Like chips, you can't eat just one!!! Let us know how the data comes up. Good luck and God Bless. ... Oh Jeffe, I know you are infected with the big bore bug. I am too. My black powder rifle is a rolling block with a Sharon .58 and .45 barrels fitted to be interchanged. Breach plug in the center with nipple. The 58 is sighted in with 705 gr Minnie balls. 85 gr FFG. I used 120 gr first but after my head cleared and the bruise healed I decided I would reserve that for Cape Buff. What a wuss! Whitetails have hidden behind trees when I carry that gun. If only I can line them up with a sapling I can shoot! pACKY - CAT ON KEYBOARD!

quote:

Originally posted by rickt300:
I just bought a 358 BLR and would like to know how hard it is to form 358 Winchester cases from 308 brass. Any trick to it or is it just lube the inside of the case neck and run it into a RCBS 358 die? I will also lube the case body normally.

rick,
Huntingtons is showing 358 Win brass at $26 for 50. Kinda high, but your reloads will match the case head stamp.

http://www.huntingtons.com/cases_winchester.html

quote:

Originally posted by rickt300:
I just bought a 358 BLR and would like to know how hard it is to form 358 Winchester cases from 308 brass. Any trick to it or is it just lube the inside of the case neck and run it into a RCBS 358 die? I will also lube the case body normally.

I use a .338 expander plug first, then the .358" one.....

Well gentleman, I searched thru my brass collection and came up with two boxes of once fired brass, Federal and Remington. I chamfered the case mouths, inside lubricated with patches made from Armorall protectant wipes on a bristle brush and lubricated the outside of the cases normally. I used the RCBS dies, Not a problem, lost not one case! All fit easily into my chamber. I have some 125 grain jacketed Hollowpoints made for a 357 and I will shoot these to form the cases better to the chamber using a moderate charge of IMR 4198. I also ordered some 200 grain SPCl bullets from Graf's. I went to a big gunshow at Market Hall in Dallas today and found not one box of component bullets for the 358. I did buy a 8 pound jug of WC 852 (like H380) for 60 dollars but that was it. Thanks for the encouragemnent.