quote:

Originally posted by Dwight:
I never even heard of it till I saw it here some time ago. I got interested in it and read a lot about it. Looks like a very outstanding deer thumper and more. If I had seen one before I bought my 7mm08 it would be my favorite rifle I think. I may have to find a place here somewhere for one of them some day.
Why did it never catch on?

Because the .358 comes in light rifles and has more recoil than most rounds popular for deer shooting. But of course, it is also more rifle than one needs in the lower 48...... No .35 ever became real popular in the U.S., except for the relatively mild .35 Remington!

I got my 35 Whelen yesterday. It has a 24 inch barrel that I am going to shorten to 21 inches, maybe 20 inches. I have worked some loads up for pressure but havent made it to the range yet. The powder I have a lot of is WC 852 and it seems well suited for the heavier bullets. It will also push the 200 grain bullets to 358 winchester velocities for a nice deer load. In the next few days I will range test the 200 grain Rem. RNSP and the 250 grain Hornady RN on paper. I reached 62 grains of 852 with no real pressure signs but the case is filling up so I backed off to 60 grains under both bullets. I must be a bit tough as far as recoil goes because neither of my rifles, the BLR in 358 or this Whelen seem to kick that much. I have really gotten to like the 35 bore quickly.

Just thought I would show you what Vapo has done for my 358 project. I couldn't be happier and Vapo is a great guy to deal with. His turn around time is for the record books and his work is top knotch. I'm back in the "stoked" mood on my 358 win. project. Can't wait to get my stock cause I'm about there! Vapo installed a new Dakota bolt handle and jewelled the bolt. Great work Vapo!

Well, I've wanted a .358 Win for years, but only in a Mannlicher-Schoenauer (I know, picky picky). The .358 was a super made in USA attempt to make a short case do what the 9.3x62mm does for the Europeans. I didn't quite do that, and it's way more gun than you need for a whitetail, but from the splat downs I've seen from .358 shooters (Browning BLRs), it's one heck of a cartridge. I may never own one, but I can keep on hoping.
LLS
Mannlicher Collector