.358 -> How hard is it to find good factory ammo

... hate to say this about about my beloved BLR but these rifles are not designed to take the high chamber pressures and they shot poorly when you shoot hot loads ... i.e. rebarrelling a .308 BLR to a .338 is a really bad idea

... re the bolt action (or 338 in general) I started out by stating I like short action levers as they are friendly in tight quarters against bear etc ... a bolt (for me) is out of the question. After you have spent many moons in the bush with a lever in your hands you will start to understand; until then I can't explain the devotion :)
 
aomancini said:
... hate to say this about about my beloved BLR but these rifles are not designed to take the high chamber pressures and they shot poorly when you shoot hot loads ... i.e. rebarrelling a .308 BLR to a .338 is a really bad idea
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You beloved BLR wouldn't get any more pressure from a .338 that it would from a .308 or .358. All 3 are based on the same case and would be very close in operating pressure with reasonable loads.
 
BLR .338 vrs .308 chamber pressures

SuperCub said:
Your beloved BLR wouldn't get any more pressure from a .338 that it would from a .308 or .358. All 3 are based on the same case and would be very close in operating pressure with reasonable loads.
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Hmmm some how in my mind I was thinking 55K versus 62K ... does anyone have some real data from factory Win 180 gr loads?

I guess what I was trying to impart, without actually saying, is that I have always felt (gut) that BLRs don't do great with even high pressure loads in .308 ... my gut feeling based on shooting 125gr, 150gr & 180gr is that they are much more accurate with the lighter loads. Maybe just my particular rifle.

On that note perhaps I should avoid the BLR .358 as I gotta believe it too is gonna have high chamber pressure with 250gr loads (what I want to shoot)
 
aomancini said:
On that note perhaps I should avoid the BLR .358 as I gotta believe it too is gonna have high chamber pressure with 250gr loads (what I want to shoot)
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No, you should avoid the 358 because .......

1. Factory ammo is hard/impossible to find.
2. You won't handload for it.
3. Cuz you don't know what you're talking about and refuse to listen to those who do.

Sorry for sounding harsh, but I'm just calling it as I see it.

Merry Christmas ......
saintnick.gif
 
rum and eggnog .... it is Christmas after all (except maybe for SuperCub)

But seriously has anyone else noticed the BLRs shoot worse with 180gr factory loads. I just assumed these are higher pressure loads than the 150s and 125s and jumped to the conclusion the action itself is not suitable for high pressures. It seems to make sense on the surface as you don't seem to see BLRs in magnums. I am no expert as I wouldn't be asking all these questions but it seems a logical conclusion ...
 
aomancini said:
....I just assumed these are higher pressure loads than the 150s and 125s and jumped to the conclusion the action itself is not suitable for high pressures. It seems to make sense on the surface as you don't seem to see BLRs in magnums. I am no expert as I wouldn't be asking all these questions but it seems a logical conclusion ...
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All factory 308 loads, except match loads, are loaded to approximately the same pressure, regardless of bullet weight. The recoil may be heavier with heavier bullets, but not the pressure.

Ted
 
Factoey Ammo or Reloading?

I think 220 Swifty said F**k everbody in the east.

As a card carrying CPC who knows that PET f**ed the west, I resent that.

Believe me, altho I live in Ottawa, I am at heart a westerner. So be careful throwing arround the s**t please. There are many of us here in the east who realize that the WEST is very important, and no, not just for oil!

I want a strong Canada, which includes la belle Province, if they smarten up, as well as Atlantic Canada and the west. Am I a dreamer?, probably. But that's the way it is.

So, in the spirit of the Season, the Best to All, and malice to none.:)

God Bless!

SOF
 
I use a 358 and actually handload for it so the ammo availability is not an issue. I would try approaching your friendly neighbourhood dealer and ask him if he would order up 200 rds of 358 for you when he puts in his ammo order, he should be willing to give you a break on the price since it is essentially pre-sold.
bigbull

ps: the 358 does take game with more authority than a 308:D
 
Why not? said:
Now, here's a man that has never used a 358 Winchester on big game, or ever seen any shot with one. :D

There is a very noticeable difference from both perspectives on really big game.

Ted
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A good long time hunting bud of mine(who changes guns yearly a real fanatic like some members on here;)) has shot a fine buck that I saw. Yes, it blows a really big hole and the buck fell within 40 yards or so. Thank god he didn't need another shot because his BLR jammed! (that's not the fault of the caliber), but so what?!!! Do you think for a second, the buck would have gone any farther shot with a .308, .30-06, or .270 and shot with any less authority? BS.
 
Ahhhh.............Woodsman,I think you need to re-read Ted's 2nd sentence of his post. No one is saying anything about deer sized game with the 308 vs 358. It's the bigger critters that the 358 shines brighter with over the 308.

Getting back on topic. So you guys are telling me the 9.3x57 has more ammo choices then the 358 Win at this time?
 
Woodsman said:
Do you think for a second, the buck would have gone any farther shot with a .308, .30-06, or .270 and shot with any less authority? BS.
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Before you call "BS" on Why Not?, you should know that he has shot/or seen shot more big game [moose/caribou/bison/bear/deer] with more cartridges in more rifles than the very most of us CGN wannbes would ever think about hunting. He has been there and has done that! In fact even his his wife has probably shot more game than most of us as well. She hunts with a 358Win and is a fine shot.

I've know Ted [WhyNot?] for about 15yrs, sat at his table with his family and personally hunted with him. I do know that if he says the 358 works better on big game than a 308 for example, that statement would be based on ALOT of actual field experience not found in internet scribble or in the pages of a magazine.

If he says it, you CAN be sure it's not "BS"! :mad:


.
 
New BLRs are now chambered in the some of the WSM cartridges, so I believe it can handle the pressure. Also it has a rotating bolt head similar to a bolt action, so the lock up is pretty strong. I had a BLR in 358 and selling it has been one of my single biggest bone head moves ever. :(
 
SuperCub said:
Before you call "BS" on Why Not?, you should know that he has shot/or seen shot more big game [moose/caribou/bison/bear/deer] with more cartridges in more rifles than the very most of us CGN wannbes would ever think about hunting. He has been there and has done that! In fact even his his wife has probably shot more game than most of us as well. She hunts with a 358Win and is a fine shot.

I've know Ted [WhyNot?] for about 15yrs, sat at his table with his family and personally hunted with him. I do know that if he says the 358 works better on big game than a 308 for example, that statement would be based on ALOT of actual field experience not found in internet scribble or in the pages of a magazine.

If he says it, you CAN be sure it's not "BS"! :mad:
.
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Don't be mad. He quoted me first so I'm only rebutting his remarks as to mine. I'm sure he's shot more game than Buffalo Bill and his wife is a real Annie Oakley, and all three of you have a real lovely relationship and you're all fine, good people. I just think it's a hunk of bull that one caliber kills better than another. Most of my experience is with my .30-06 and deer can drop on the spot or travel 40 or so yards (or more) with a large 2 inch exit hole the other end.

The .358 may make you feel better but it means squat if it's shot properly with most any caliber out there. This .358 caliber is destined for obsolescence and it's perceived better killing abilty is just that, a PERCEPTION. I've seen animals shot with .44 caliber 300 grain slugs from muzzleloaders, .444 Marlins, 7mm magnums, .30-30 (my son's first deer), .303 my dad's moose, .300 Win mag (Dad's caribou), and my .30-06 (moose, deer, caribou). They all died when hit properly and I can't say the caliber had anything to do with any better perceived killing ability of one over another. That's just between your ears. That's all bunk for discussion boards and the like. At best it might make you feel better and more confident, but some will say the same about their .270. As long as the bullet weight is appropriate for the caliber and game pursued, and that it is shot within the distance limitations of the round, animals will die when hit in the proper spot. Sometimes they will die on the spot and sometimes some distance from there regardless of the caliber used.

Also, since you don't know me from Adam, I'd refrain from commenting on (or aluding to) my real life experience in the field. I've hunted big game since I'm 14 and am now 46. I've shot my fair head of game (moose, caibou, and numerous deer) over the years and have been there when others in my group have done the same with a host of variety of calibers. So spare me the baloney of the wonders of any one caliber. Fairytales are for the young and inexperienced.
 
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