I am sick and tired of hearing that there is a poor selection of component bullets in 35 caliber. All major manufacturers, and small manufacturers make a variety of bullets, and available weights are 125, 150, 158, 180, 200, 220, 225, 250, 275, 280 and 310 gr. There is also a huge selection of cast bullet molds. Not to mention the bullets available come in varied toughnesses, if you are using one of the smaller cased rounds, there are bullets designed for 2200-2400 fps muzzle velocity, as well as those that do fine being launched 2700-3000 fps.
Now that we have that clear, we can debate the BC, SD and other BS related to our favorite calibers
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001
Paul, Do you actually think that we could get something stirring if I said that the 35 Whelen was nothing but a underpowered game crippler and that the 338-06 is God's answer to all of our hunting needs? Oh well, I'm not a trouble maker so I won't bring it up. That way we all won't have to get embroiled in debates about knockout values or frontal surface area versus sectional density! I don't really believe that stuff about the 35 Whelen--but if we're gonna get any myths put to rest, then someone's gotta start the ball rolling! Good Hunting, Andy
Posts: 6711 | Location: Oklahoma, USA | Registered: 14 March 2001
The 35 caliber is the most under-rated of them all.
Sure it may not be sexy and go a million feet per second but it down right works for the intended purpose, putting game down.
Plain and simple paper balistics don't do it justice. Who gives a rip about SD and BC. That's not my judgement on game. The 35 Whelen would be a great all around NA caliber.
Don't forget the great selection of cast bullets available for .35 calibers. The March issue of Rifle has a review on a new mold from NEI . It casts a 282 gr flat nosed slug out of linotype , and it looks like a beauty .....
[This message has been edited by sdgunslinger (edited 03-05-2002).]
Posts: 1660 | Location: Gary , SD | Registered: 05 March 2001
Who cares about selection when we have Gerards 200 gr. H.V. for game? Hornady's 200 gr. for practice, and a zillion hand gun bullets for plinking? JMO, Dutch.
Posts: 4564 | Location: Idaho Falls, ID, USA | Registered: 21 September 2000
I agree with DB Bill but the problem with .35 selection is that Nosler doesn't!
For heavy game yes, the 225 Partition is really good but my purpose is deer and black bear in the forest with the .358W.
For that I am convinced that a 180 gr bullet is ideal and the right 200 gr is good. As I have mentioned I am using the 180 Speer Flat Nose with outstanding results. But it's BC is only .245 and it's not a partition either or lead free either. I found that the 200 gr Hornady RN does not expand right for me. I filed one in half and found that there is almost no opening in the nose! On the outside of the bullet there is lead all over the nose. The 200 gr Silvertip is the opposite and it's a excellent performer. Wish I could still get them.
I tried the 180 X bullets and the fouling stopped me.
I might try a 180 gr Ballistic tip if there was one but right now all my .358W's are sighted in with that one load, the 180 Speer. I am happy and just joining in the discussion.
Most of us have many other calibers. The .358W is not one that I experiment with. My main purpose is having them always 100% ready. When I need to fill a tag they are the ones I reach for. I am far more concerned that they stay sighted in and I am in practice with them. So I shoot them a lot and just with the #1 game load.
quote:Originally posted by Bruce Gordon: Ok, I will bite on this one. How good do the .358 caliber rifles shoot pistol bullets?
It depends on the gun. My 35 whelen ackley is fickle, and not terribly accurate, ~4moa for 5 shots. I've given some of my 200 gr cast bullets to buddies, and folks have been putting 5 of them into an inch or better at 50 yds. I would consider this more normal accuracy, and see no reason why moa groups wouldn't be possible with some load tweaking.
I really enjoy shooting the large meplat bullets at 100 yds. You can definately hear the impact on the cardboard backer, first the report of the rifle, a slight delay, then a wap from the hit.
I've launched 150, 180 and 200 gr cast bullets from 800 to 1700 fps. At 800 fps, they are quieter then a 22 rf, have no recoil, and are more effective then a 22 rf on game. A 200 gr bullet @ 1700 fps would be plenty for whitetails, and has minimal recoil. For powders, Unique is good for 800-1500 fps, for 1200-1700 use 2400.
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001
quote:Originally posted by Paul H: My only gripe is that Hornady doesn't make a 275 gr rn, I don't want to pay premium prices for the speed I'd drive a 275 gr.
Speer does. Acording to Haralds wounding paper it didn't do too well but that was from a 340WM
Posts: 2258 | Location: Bristol, England | Registered: 24 April 2001
quote:Originally posted by 1894: Speer does. Acording to Haralds wounding paper it didn't do too well but that was from a 340WM
I was speaking of .358" bullets, and I believe the .338" 275 is no longer made. There are a few small bullet shops making 275's in .358", but I'd like to see a big maker offer them, at std bullet prices. Sadly, there just isn't the market for such a bullet.
Posts: 7213 | Location: Alaska | Registered: 27 February 2001
Hi Paul. A little off topic, but do you know of any 275-300 gr 358 bullets? Seems to me that with those bullet weights the bigger 35's would really come into there own. I know I'd be anxious to try them out. Take care - Dan
Posts: 5285 | Location: Alberta | Registered: 05 October 2001
I have shot the 275 gr Swift A-Frame in my .340 Wby and it was impressive. It kept 96% of its mass and penetrated 21.7 inches in my wetpack at an impact velocity of roughly 2600 fps. Finn Aagaard tested the .358-280 grain bullet and it went 19 inches at only 2324 fps.
FWIW department. Hornady dropped the 275 gr. RN in 1967. I found a few (35) at a gun show. Looks like they'd do a big bad bear a really bad deed. Paul B.
Posts: 2814 | Location: Tucson AZ USA | Registered: 11 May 2001
This may not be the proper use of wham-bam super-slam components but I was able to take avery nice cinnamon phase bear (fair size not huge) three years ago using my whelan with open sights and off-the shelf Remmington 250's. My first shot was at about 80 yards running away. NOT WELL PLACED BUT WHEN THAT LITTLE RASCAL DID AN ABOUT FACE AND TURNED BACK RUNNING FULL TILT IN MY DIRECTION!!! I was glad I had the Whelan and no lesser rifle. It is one of my favorites.
Posts: 6935 | Location: hydesville, ca. , USA | Registered: 17 March 2001
I really like Corelokts as I use large for the game loads. So I bought 1000 of those 200 gr .358 bullets and they don't group that well for me in the 99F's. I am disapointed and I ordered a bunch more of the 180 Speers.
I experiment like others with other rifles. The .358W for me is just for hunting. It's all set.
Gentlemen -- I shoot a .340 Wby and .358 STA, both of which I consider medium bores. I have shot every bullet known to man and I agree that the selection is excellent, for the .358 and have read for years this is why the caliber is not utilized as much. I use everything from Sierra and Hornady to all the Premiums, North Forks being the best of the lot. If you have not tried them you should. In the .358 they come in 225, 250 and soon the 270 gr. For the .338 them come in 200, 225, and 240. They are designed much like the TBBC with a bonded core lead frontal section and a solid read shank, grooved to eliminate fouling. Their accuracy is what is amazing to me, the one inch groups have shrunk to 1/2 and one holers for me. Good shooting.
Quit trying to save this "Ice Aged" caliber and let Kavorkian put it down painlessly.
Actually, for being a 30 year old kid, and compiling a decent collection of guns, I have 4 custom guns built and tweaked to my spec's (lefty).............my .350 Remington Magnum is my favorite. I have an overlap with the .350 Remington, .338 Winchester and a .300 Weatherby. My .350 has gotten to go and the others have stayed home several times already.
In fact I used it to take a nice Corsican sheep with it at 272 yards two months ago. I guess this was much too far for such a "slow" round, but a Burris Ballistic Plex scope made this a simple feat. I could not have put a dot on this sheep with a marker any closer to the point aim and impact. The tracks the sheep stood in were the last ones made. I have video proof of the terminal effects. I used a 225 Sierra.
I actually consider having a 358 STA built, but then there'd be a huge overlap. New Mexican Jackrabbits generally don't need that much "killing".
PHURLEY, haven't you pretty much hunted the world???? What game has your 358 STA slayed?
Posts: 346 | Location: Las Cruces, New Mexico | Registered: 05 January 2002
Jesse -- I have only hunted North America but have not ventured into Africa yet, I am purchasing my first .416 tomorrow with that in mind. I have killed only one Bull Elk with my .358 STA. I have killed several with a .300 Winny and .340 Wby. Just got my two .358 STA's last year and WOW are they awesome. The .340's are nothing to sneeze at, I took a nice Alaska Yukon Moose with one, as well as Elk and a Mule Deer. I am getting 3200 fps with a 250 gr. North Fork with one of my .358's, and 3000 fps. with a 280 gr. Swift A-Frame with that same rifle. The Swift gets 1/2 inch groups and the North Fork one holers when I have a good day, 1/2 inch when I don't. The .358 Ultra should be a real honey. My STA's are surpassing the .375 H&H now and approaching the .378 Wby, the Ultra should do that well are better. Good luck to those who try, I will be watching. Good shooting.
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[This message has been edited by phurley (edited 03-30-2002).]
What has hurt the big .35s is the introduction of the .338 win. mag in 1958. If winchester had introduced it as a .358 win. mag, then that would have made all the difference in the world. And the .338-06 is not helping any either.
phurley, I would like to thank you for the information on the 358sta. I am working on reloads now. I'll let you know how they shoot. I am using a Win. 70 with a rebore barrel (24). Frank
Posts: 6935 | Location: hydesville, ca. , USA | Registered: 17 March 2001
Hey Don Martin29, order some of the 210 LBT style cast bullets from Beartooth Bullets. Think you might be suprized what these bullets will do for your needs.
------------------ AlleninAlaska
Posts: 1058 | Location: Lodge Grass, MT. Sitka, Bethel, Fort Yukon, Chevak, Skagway, Cantwell and Pt. Hope Alaska | Registered: 24 June 2000
TRY hawkbullets.com, THEY MAKE .358 DIA. BULLETS FROM 200, 225, 250, 275, AND 300GR, IN VARIOUS JACKET THICKNESSES. YOU CAN TAYLOR YOUR BULLET PREFORMANCE TO THE VELOCITY OF YOUR CARTRIDGE AND THE SIZE OF YOUR GAME. I HAVE USED THEM IN 9.3 (.365)DIA. AND .408 DIA. THEY HAVE WORKED PERFECTLY. ELMER KIETH WAS REAL FOND OF THE 35 WHELEN WITH A 275GR BULLET.
Posts: 16134 | Location: Texas | Registered: 06 April 2002
