On another thread someone has asked about the 338/08 and one of the replies is that the 358 Winchester has the advantage of over the counter ammo.

How easy is it in America to buy factory ammo for calibers like 358 Winchestr, 416 Remington, 250/3000 Savage, 264 Winchester or whatever. Could you get the same ammo on an ongoing basis.

What sort of calibers are normally available in both small and big gunshops.

Mike

I reload,but I have a 264 and a 308 Norma,most sporting goods stores (hunting)stock them,here in BC. The department and hardware stores will have the 270,7mmRM,30.06,30 30,or 300Win.Some times on sale.

Mike,
My favorite gunshop is in a little town of about 1500 people,but people from towns a LONG ways away visit there,as it is a good "old time" gunshop with expert gunsmith and all.

They carry all the ammo you mention,plus at least one box of 9.3x74R,a box of 8.15x46R,and a few other oddball stuff.A few months ago they even stocked some REALLY rare stuff from Old Western Scrounger,even 45-120 3 1/4 inch.

Even without the local shop,anyone in the USA with access to the internet can send an e-mail or make a phone call and can have the oddest of the odd cartridges delivered to their door in a week or three.

Brian.

Brain,

Factory ammo is pretty limited in Australia when it comes to the less common calibers.

I think in Australia there would be very few gun owners with guns that were not 223, 22/250, 243, 270, 308, and various military calibres like 6.5 X 55 who do not reload. If someone was to buy a 270 Wby, a 375 or whatever, then they would also buy brass. That would aslo apply to lots of 270 buyers.

Mike

Mike, I generally glance at the available ammo in every sporting goods department that I go by. What I see is that if you have anything more than a smiggen off the beaten track...you had better be a reloader. Finding 7mm/08 is usually about as wild as they get. I would say a person with a 250/3000, a 358, a .257 Roberts
and such is generally SOL.

But it may not be QUITE that bleak. I've never bought factory ammo other than .22.

Mike: Our local gun shops have quite a few calibers. As long as it's not a wildcat and made by a USA manufactuer, they'll usually have a box or two in town. All of the ones you mentioned are usually available. Last time I looked, they had 416 Rigby and 416 Weatherby as well.

Mike375... I am a big 250-3000 fan and try to keep factory ammo on hand just for. They (win) make this brass seasonly and can for the most part be bought online. If not I will make the brass out of a larger case. If you use 22-250 cases and form them in a die, your necks oftan come up short as do your case. I do not fireform as I have found its a waist of time at the range, I can get titer cases from a larger parent case.
I see 257roberts ammo more then 250 savage. some gun stores around my area specialize in the funnies.
Take care
smallfry

Your average gun shop in the UK will stock:-

22hornet
222
223
22-250
243
Perhaps 25-06
270
308
Perhaps 30-06

One that specialises in stalking might have 6.5x55, 7x57, 7mm08. There are a couple of real specialists that will get any US or continental stuff for you in time and at a price.

All of those calibers you mentioned are available at a gun shop near me. One load for each and they were priced higher than more popular calibers. European calibers like 8x68, 9.3s etc are only available by mail order though and cost several times as much as US calibers.

Any "large" gunstore should have those calibers you mentioned available although probably in limited quantity.

Mike375,
Driving through Colorado and Wyoming this fall, I stoped at several big gunshops. This includes Cabela's In Sidney, Nebraska. I didn't need ammo because I had a couple of boxes of handloads but I did observe that not one of them carried .35 Whelen. Cabela's had about everything but that.
Rich Elliott

Superior Ammo in South Dakota can supply you with all the ammo and brass for it you can imagine. They will sell you the brass or loaded ammo, they will even develope you a load with your rifle. Sorry I do not have the address or phone number at hand, I will supply later if anyone needs it. Good shooting.

I work at a gun shop, part time. We usually have all of that ammo in stock or can get it. The 358 Winchester is produced in limited quantities and in only one bullet weight currently (200 grain). We've ordered, and received, 416 Remington for customers. There aren't many who want it since we primarily hunt whitetails.

Bob257