Need advice on the use of a Savage 99 in 358 win for elk out to 250 yards using 225 Nosler partions? I have hunted elk in CO for the past 20 years with a 300 win mag and would like to use the 358 in the timber due to it's lighter weight(almost 2 pounds). Maybe I should consider the BT instead because of the lower impact velocity.

Personally, I would consider that just about the ultimate mountain elk rifle/ammo combination.

At 358 velocities, I would be most concerned with the bullets opening up properly, rather than over-expansion. I went with a 225 Game King out of my Whelen (about 150 fps faster than the 358) for that reason. The ballistic tip and the partition should have similar performance, with the ballistic tip opening up at lower velocies. So, yes, I'd load the ballistic tip. JMO, Dutch.

My Browning BLR gives 2,400 fps with the Nosler 225's, out of a 20" brl. and shoots 1/2". I feel it very effective in the elk jungles and would not hesitate to make the 250 yard shot on elk.

Do you know if there are currently any .358 Win. bolt rifles being made, for a reasonable price?

I'm not a big fan of Ballistic tips in the .358 due to terminal performance. I have not recovered a bullet yet with jacket and core intact. IMHO there is no better choice than the 225 gr. Partition. They WILL open up at any distance the cartridge will reach.

[ 01-02-2003, 00:50: Message edited by: DigitalDan ]

waksupi,

Winchester listed the .358 Win in their 2002 catalog as a custom.

I would think that someone could make a run of them. Ruger has done it twice.

Kimber makes a .308 size rifle. Perhaps if we contacted these companies they might do it?

Savage99,

I really like your idea of the Kimber 84M in .358. A really light scope would put this just over six pounds for a real walnut and steel rifle. If hunters are honest about the range most game is shot at the .358 is a great choice for 95% of game.

I am going to e-mail Kimber my request maybe you have started a campaign to put your beloved .358 in a great platform for it.

Fireplug

What is Kimbers email? Give it to me and I will send them one too.

I could not find their sales phone # either. I did call a number that I found in their website that I think is for service and left my name and number but so far I have no response.

Bighorn,
I don't think you could go wrong with the Savage 99 in 358. I have a Winchester 94 in 356 and love it for timber hunting. I haven't taken an elk with mine but have taken one mule deer doe with it. A good friend and mentor of mine has taken 42 elk over a long and rewarding hunting career and most were taken with a pre-64 Winchester 70 Featherweight in 358. He used Speer 250 grain spitzers for the most part and had terrific results with them. Most of his shots were under 200 yards and many under 50 yards. He beleived in hunting as close as possible and, as he is fond of saying, "laying a good egg". I don't think he ever had to track one very far. Good luck. Mart.

I have 3 358.. a 99/358, a 1903a3, and a mexican mauser 1910...

All of them devilver good accuracy (under 2") and if you drop the 99, under an inch. I hear lots of "noise" about 35 whelen, but federal loads thiers with a 225 gr bullet to 2500...(it's under loaded) but I get 20-25 fps MORE than that with my 20" mauser. 225gr sierra gameking, 2525.. at 300 yards, I am doing 1900 fps, 1800ft/lbs, and still fast enough to open an X bullet.(10" drop with a 200 yard zero) That's WAY further than I would shoot at game on purpose, but you get the point.

I also shoot 200x bullets, at 2600 (might can do more) and they'll also be open at 300 yards. Partitions and X bullets SAY 1800-1900 fps to open, and BTs 1400...

jeffe

Bighorn, I am a big fan of the 358 Win and Ballistic Tips, infact they are pretty much the only bullet I load. Unfortunately,the BT will be too long for use in the 99. Actually,it was designed for the Whelen and requires a long bolt action or single shot. The BT has a short shank and long tapered ogive, which doesn't allow you to seat very deep. On the bright side, Nosler's 225 gr Partion works well and they list a higher BC: Partition = .430, BT = .421. I have found the 225 gr Sierra Gameking to work well in my medium action (AII)Sako.

Savage99,

Kimber's email address is: mailto:info@kimberamerica.com

All .358 Fans,

Please, join in with Savage99 in lobbying Kimber to chamber their 84M in this great and under appreciated round. A major manufacturer might be impossible to convice to add a rifle nut specialty like .358 to their line, but Kimber has to focus on the niche market segments. The obvious compatibility of their trim little rifle and the .358 cartridge and role also weighs in favor of them taking the risk.

Fireplug

Jeffe,

Sorry, but the Federal load for the 225 grain TBBC in the .35 Whelen is 2600 fps, mine actually averages 2630 fps for 5 rounds from a 22 inch barrel.

Thanks Fireplug,

I sent Kimber an email expressing the need for a rifle chambered for the .358 Win.

I suggested a 20" barrel of a little more cross section than their .30 caliber profile.

HuntAmerica would be a place to mention this.

There was a mention on the "medium bore forum" that Browning was offering a rifle in .358.

Browning used to offer .358 in their BLR but they discontinued it a few years ago. You could keep an eye out, they seem to make run of them every once in a while.
I have an old one in the short action BLR and its a beauty for the thick woods where I hunt. It's quickly becoming my favorite rifle, easy to carry and point when you are in the fir thicket.

[ 01-06-2003, 21:21: Message edited by: stripcut ]

Waksupi-I saw a Ruger M77 in 358 on either Gunsamerica or gunbroker a couple of weeks ago. One of those sites should provide you with what your looking for.

If the Gods shine and I draw a rifle Elk tag for Colorado I'll be takeing my P64 FWT in 358 and the 225gr Partition.

The new aluminum framed BLR lightweight '81 is on Brownings website now.

Another .358 option would be to rebarrel any short action Savage 110 with an Adams and Bennet barrel in .358 Win., available from Midway. You would be able to headspace the .358 barrel with a common .308 headspace guage.

That should be a cheap and accurate rifle in .358 Win, depending on how cheap one could find the 110 donor rifle.

I will work great