So, this is for all you .35 cal shooters.
I have a .35-404J on the way, and am compiling a list of good bullets for load development.
Although any response is appreciated, those with 35 Rem or Whelen or the like may have a bit less in common with my parameters than the Norma/STA crowd.

So far, I have a box each of 280 Swift A-Frames, 220 Speers and 250 Speers.
Woodleigh makes a 310 grainer(?) that I must get my hands on, and there's North Fork's line, all of which look outstanding.
Who else should I consider?
I'll mostly just be screwing around for awhile, looking for that ultimate elk/bear load. Also a less-destructive deer load.

280 grain Swift A-Frames get my vote.

I'd add my vote for the Rhino Bonded bullet

Rhino Bonded Bullets

I was going to try the Woodleigh, but they only come in roundnose, and my .358 Norma drives them about 200fps faster than Woodleigh recommends.

The Rhino bullets are a flat-tipped spitzer (good ballistic co-efficient, but a flat tip that will not get battered by the recoil.

These bullets are not so well known in the US, but have a great reputation...

jpb

You will have to check if they are still being made, but I have a couple of boxes of 270 TBBC's that I was going to play with for my .35 Whelen

Bwana-be ---- I have shot nearly all the .358 caliber bullets except the woodleighs, and I hear they are excellent. I don't speculate on bullet performance until I shoot it, then I will tell my experiences, good bad or ugly. The bullets I have shot are Barnes, Nosler Partition, Kodiak, Seirra Gameking, North Fork. My rifles like the Kodiak, Sierra and North Fork best for accuracy. I like the North Fork above all others because they are as accurate or more accurate than anything else and as tough as the Barnes. They are also a pleasure to seat and absolutely are the most consistent bullet I have every worked with. I am taking two boxs of .358 STA in 270 grain North Forks with me today to Alaska on a Caribou hunt in Big Bear country. I know they will do the job, I only hope I can do my part. Good luck with your new rifle it sounds like a good one and good shooting.

jpb,

The Rhino bullets are a good design but appear to be identical to our Trophy Bonded Bear Claw which Jack Carter from Texas designed in 1985.

savage

Yes, I agree they appear very similar.

However, the Rhino bullets are apparently made on CNC lathes, and are much more concentric than the Trophy Bonded (and by all reports plus my own experience, they are indeed much more accurate).

Also, because they are NOT made in the US, you can get them in Canada without the permission of the US State Department.

jpb

I'd like to ask those who have used these bullets on game. how far "behind" are the standard Nosler Partitions???? For $30 bucks or so, how do they stack up against the others that are $25 for 25???? Some of you are driving them pretty fast with the 35/404 and STA, but unless you are shooting elk up the ass on purpose, are they that much better?? I can unerstand if the accuracy is so much more stellar, but doesn't the cost outweight the benefits?

Can someone list apprx US prices for the lesser known bullets and sources?? i.e. Northforks and TBBC, Swifts, etc. ???

Jesse,

quote:

---

I can unerstand if the accuracy is so much more stellar, but doesn't the cost outweight the benefits?

---

First off the NP are a good bullet. The three you mention in my opinion are better but, it depends on a lot of things such as size of game, velocity, distance, etc. What's right for me may not be for you. As far as the cost factor goes, bullets are the cheapest part of your hunt and can sometimes make the difference. You'll have to decide for your conditions what's right and the only way to do that is to try different ones. Practice is one thing but when it comes time to go hunting, cost of the bullets should be the least of your problems. The reason I like the other ones you mentioned is I want consistency of results. That's my two bits anyway.

Do yourself a favor and give the 250 grn Hornady interlock a try.