Doe's anyone, have any information on the 358 STA or the 400 Whelen? I would like any information such as brass availability, hand loading, and which is the best. Best big game round, any experiences or story's??? anything...

I have a 35/375imp. which for all intents is the same as STA. From the time it was built(60's) there were few bullets which could handle the 2800-3000fps. I shot it some back then with pistol bullets at gophers but never real big game.However in the '80's we tried some Nosler and Sierra bullets and later A-Square with excellent results.
Mine is a Sako L61R action with a 28" Douglas and Brown Precision stock and is light. The recoil is stiff with the 275gr. A-Square bullets off the bench but not too bad in hunting situations.Mark

I'd have to give the nod to the 358 STA, it has a huge selection of component bullets, and is capable of pushing the 280 gr swift a-frame 2700 fps, which gives it the trajectory of the 338 win mag, and the punch and penetration of a 375 H&H. That said, I'd opt of the 375 H&H as a much more practicle choice, and I'm a 35 bore nut.

The 400 whelen is an interesting round, but component bullet choice is very limited, though I'm sure it is a decent performer.

As far as brass and dies, both are wildcats, so dies are exspensive, and you have to make the brass yourself, though thats easy enough, neck down and blow out 375 H&H brass for the 358 STA, and neck up 35 whelen brass for the 400.

The .358STA gets my vote. I have a .358 Griffin & Howe Imp. and it will push 225s to 3200fps,250s to 3050fps,and 280s to 2800fps. I use 340 brass to fireform my cases. When the cooperate i'll let you know how it worked.

Sorry,when the ELK cooperate.

If you go with a .400 whelen, be sure the smith has a proper .400 whelen reamer. The original was more of a .400 whelen imp. The case being blown out, in a sense, made a proper shoulder to headspace on. Somewhere along the way reamers became made up as a necked up .06 unchanged. Thats when all the stories of not enough shoulder to properly headspace came about. Of course dies would need to match or you'll shrink the shoulder dia. back to .06 diamentions.

Instead of a 400 whelen you might want to look at a 411 Hawk because the 400 whelen is said to have serious headspace issues.