Anybody fooled around with this Wildcat.. What did You Think of this Chambering..
AK

Well a 358 in a 338case gives you a 358Norma with a shorter neck

.. Thats what I was going to say ........

Waterrat .. May have more 358 Norma experience than any one ....

There's plenty of neck on the 338 case necked up to 358. Although the 358 Norma case is longer, the shoulder is moved forward a bit as well, compared to the 338.

I would have a tuff time justifying such a wildcat as long as I could get 358 Norma brass, even if it cost more, unless I just wanted to do it just because. However, I'll bet that the difference in ballistics would be really insignificant. Thus performance wise, the 358/338 should perform very well.

I have a rifle in 9.3x338 and I'm very pleased with it. I just need to use it more.

KB

I was think'in the way your guy's are on this Chambering.. Nice looking Rifle on Cabela's Site.. Thought I'd get some input..
Thanks,
AK

quote:

There's plenty of neck on the 338 case necked up to 358. Although the 358 Norma case is longer, the shoulder is moved forward a bit as well, compared to the 338

I have both a 308&358 Norma. As to a greater capacity in the Norma over the 338 case I measured the difference in a 308Norma and 30-338. IN my cases the Norma was right at 4 grs larger. But Norma cases are normally thinner so my guess would be part of that differance is simply the brand of brass. 4grs in a magnum case that I doubt you ever fill would be a very small gain if any.

So, it seems that we are in agreement. The wildcat just has to be a good choice, if a guy doesn't mind dealing with custom reamers, and custom dies. Brass is probably not an issue, either way. I think if a guy wanted a magnum .358, either the wildcat or the Norma would be great.

I passed on the 358 Magnum, and stepped up to the 9.3x338 because in my opinion it puts the cartridge into a slightly different class. Like comparing the 338/06 and the 35 Whelen to the 9.3x62. The first two are peas in a pod, while IMO the 9.3x62 is stepping up to a measurable different class of cartridge.

Another consideration is overall cartridge length. I think the 358 Norma fits just about all standard length magazines, but the Norma brass necked up to 9.3mm exceeded the Ruger magazine length with normal seating depth of 9.3 bullets. The 338 case, being a little shorter, worked out just right.

On the other hand, I have been considering a 8mm std length magnum for a long time. I chose the 323 Hollis over the 8mmx338 because the Norma .308 brass provided the exact overall cartridge length needed to utilize the full capacity of the Ruger magazine. Small things matter when dealing with wildcats, otherwise one might as well skip wildcats altogehter.

KB

I want to build a 358 Norma or 358/338. I thought I could use a 358 reamer and reloading dies, but use 338 brass, which I have. I gues I could use the belt to headspace the first time. Any problem with this plan, or should I use a 358/338 reamer and dies?

. Thats a good ? I don,t have any cart. drawings with me I can,t say . depends on the distance from the shoulder to the base of the case and from the bottom of the neck to the bottom of the case .....

bja Use the 358 reamer and 338 cases. Neck the cases to 375 then run them through the 358 norma die so the bolt closes with a little resistance. Win 338 cases have a little less capacity than Norma brass but they work just fine. I've used more win 338 cases in my 358 Norma than I have Norma cases.

I've never seen or used such a wildcat. I'm a 35 fan and I've toyed with a bunch of 35s including the Whelen, 358 Norma, and 358 STA. I'm sure it would be a fine game cartridge, but if I were going to the trouble of custom dies, reamers, etc. I'd seriously consider building a 358 on the 375 Ruger case instead. That Ruger case has too many advantages over the WM case even to list here.

I am a great 35 fan! I have shot quite a few critters with 338 caliber and 35 caliber. I have 358 Winchester, 35 Whelen, 358 STA, and 358 Ultra. Most of my 35 work has been done with a Whelen and the 358 STA. All my 338 animals have been 338 Winchester. From what I have observed 338 Winchester does a better job than 35 Whelen-and 358 STA does far better than either. Of course using proper bullets for given job. It would be my opinion that a 358 on 338 Winchester case would do a better job than 338! However I know that 358 STA is a big step up. I also have 2 9.3X338s and although I have not taken them to the field I believe that the larger 9.3 caliber will take this case to a different dimension, perhaps equal with 358 STA and 358 Ultra. SOmething I don't think will be done in 358 caliber. This is why I skipped 358 based on this case, went to the 358 STA and Ultra. I also think that should one stay with 338 caliber that the 338 Ultra would be tops in it's class.

What does this boil down to in my opinion? I would skip the 358/338 Winchester, move on up to 358 STA or 358 Ultra. Using the 338 Win class I would go to 9.3. Which is exactly what I have done!

Michael

quote:

Originally posted by akrange:
Anybody fooled around with this Wildcat.. What did You Think of this Chambering..
AK

Just read an article by Greg Rodriguez in Shooting Times, he called it the 35 HCR (Hill Country Rifle). They have been using it for awhile. It'll launch 250 A-Frames at 2850 fps.

Just build the Norma, Standard headstamped cases. Heck, though to each their own!