Best loads so far in Sako, 23" barrel

225 Nosler Partition, 69 gr. H4895, 2930 FPS
3/4"/ 3 shots, 100yds

250 NP & Swift A- Fr., 75.5 gr.H4350, 2810FPS
sub MOA
80 gr. R-19, 2850 FPS
1"
280 gr Swift A- Fr. 76 gr R-19, 2710 fps 1+"

All loads with WW 338 brass necked up and fireformed. Norma brass is soft as butter and won't tolerate anything close to these loads.
Some people like IMR 4350 for the 358 but H4350 has better loading density in the 358 where case capacity is an issue and Hogdon powders are not temperature sensitive, also an issue in Alaska.

Sir,

As the owner of a .358 Norma, I would ask if you have tried H414. I seat the bullets out to 3.54 COL and have found that H414 gives great loading density and good velocities (250 gr. @ 2890 fps). I have a 24" bbl, so our velocities should be similar.

Wow!- 2890fps with 250's is smokin' in a 358.Do you have the particulars of that load? To answer your question, no I haven't tried H414 although you can bet I'll be loading some up here in the not too distant future. Have you tried any loads with the lighter bullets? What 250 grainers were you using in the load you referred to? Any other loads you have tried and would share would be appreciated. Thanks for the info.-sbsmith

sbsmith,

Sure, I have the particulars! In my earlier post I mentioned seating the bullets out to 3.54" COL. The rifle is a re-barreled post '64 M70. I installed the magazine box, bolt stop, follower, and spring for the .375H&H models. This allows rounds at 3.60" to feed. The #5 contour 24" Lilja barrel has a 3/8" freebore and is fluted for lighter weight.

The load is: resized .375H&H W-W cases, a Rem. 9 1/2M primer, 78.0gr. H414, and a 250gr. Hornady Spire Point. Chronographed with a ProTach II at 10 ft off the muzzle. I have killed several elk with this load, and it always performs admirably. Somehow these elk have all died without being hit with a SooperDooderHframeSuperStiffXXXbondedcoreCoatedWithBlueStuff bullet! I have a Bausch & Lomb 1.5x-6x scope mounted low, and this is definitely my "go to" elk rifle.

Another load I have played with is the same case and primer, substituting 73.0gr. Vihtavouri N150, same bullet, for 2875 fps.

If I am after speed, I cap the case and primer with 74.0gr N150 and a Sierra 225 gr. spitzer. I get 2975 fps.

I can get these numbers safely because of the freebore and lenghtened COL, and the chrono figures are 5 shot averages, rounded off to the nearest 5 fps.

I have developed light practice loads for this rifle as well, if you are interested, maybe an email would be in order. Let me know and good shooting!

I forgot! Accuracy is excellent with any of these, no doubt due to the barrel. The smallest 100yd. 3 shot group I have on record is .423", shot with 180gr. Hornady Spire Points.