.358 Magnum Wildcat

Slooshark1

Slooshark1

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I have acquired a Ruger Number 1 in .338 Winchester Magnum and I would like to change it to .35 cal. I'm not sure if I should bore it out to a .358-338 Win Mag, .358-300 Win Mag or .358 Norma Magnum. I've also thought of going with the .358-375 Ruger. I am reloading so what is my best option here? Dies would probably be cheaper in .358 Norma Mag but brass is next to impossible to find. If I'm wildcatting .338 Win Mag or .300 Win Mag, brass is plentiful but I will have to order custom dies. If I get the .358-375 Ruger, I'll have to get dies made and brass is next to impossible to find, but it would sure be cool.

What do you guys think I should do?
 
Those are all interesting choices in your list. The one that stands out for me, is the 358-338. Dies would be pricey, but you can get them and the brass is plentiful. Let us know how you make out.

James
 
Go for the .358 Norma, and you can use .300WM brass anyway, or .338WM brass.
 
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Go for the .358 Norma, and you can use .300WM brass anyway, or .338WM brass.
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Good practical advice - but the power (recoil) levels will only be slightly over the original chambering if that's what you want. Brass for the 375Ruger has been hard to get so consider that.
If you want more of a quantum leap in velocities power (and recoil) using readily available dies and brass, chamber for the 358STA. It uses 8mm magnum brass made by Remington blown out on first firing - easy. It's kind of a more recent version of the older "Super Mashburns".

Also rebore a 12" twist if you want to use 280 A-Frames and 310gr Woodleighs - otherwise a 14" twist should suffice for 250s.

My thoughts since you're asking.
 
The 35cal wildcat that always interested me is the 350 G&H.

Dead simple ....... neck 375H&H brass down to 35cal and go.



.
 
I didn't realize that you could use .300 Win and .338 Win Brass for the .358 Norma Mag?? What is involved in this? Do you simply resize in the Norma Die and you're good to go? That's what I do for my Whelen with 06 brass right now.
 
The 350 super Mashburn is neat wih a full lenght 375 casejust blown out a bit.

I have always wanted to try a 35-378 wby.

The #1 can even handle the big 416 case if you fel the need you can do a 350/416 that will light up things.

But for you have many options to go with.
 
As an extremely wise man told me once:

"358? Why stop there? Make it a 375."

Go for a 375 Chatfield-Taylor. 375 H&H performance, brass is dead easy to get (hell, you can use your original 338 brass), and since you reload you don't need to worry about factory chambering nonsense for an uber-expensive 375 Ruger.

Mine is at the smith being built right now actually. Cheers -Cameron
 
hansol said:
Go for a 375 Chatfield-Taylor. 375 H&H performance, brass is dead easy to get (hell, you can use your original 338 brass), and since you reload you don't need to worry about factory chambering nonsense for an uber-expensive 375 Ruger.
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"Uber expensive?"

You guys crack me up...:rolleyes::D
 
Come on guys! This is a Ruger Number 1! There is no friggin' way I could handle a .35-378 Weatherby. I think I'll probably end up going with the .358 Norma Magnum and substitute the Win Mag brass if I have to. I already find the Whelen to be kind of stout on recoil. At least with the Norma, I can start at the Whelen recoil and work my way up.

Thanks very much for your advice.

Best regards,

Slooshark1
 
The down side to the 375 Ruger is hand loaders can't get the powder that Hornady uses to get that performance out of the small case. All the Hornady wunder cartridges in the RCM line and a couple of others just can't be duplicated without the juiced powder. The 375 H&H stands on its own.
 
Omega said:
The down side to the 375 Ruger is hand loaders can't get the powder that Hornady uses to get that performance out of the small case. All the Hornady wunder cartridges in the RCM line and a couple of others just can't be duplicated without the juiced powder. The 375 H&H stands on its own.
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The .375 Ruger case has more capacity than the H&H, no need for special powders.;) The only downside is that nobody else is chambering it, yet.
 
Omega said:
The down side to the 375 Ruger is hand loaders can't get the powder that Hornady uses to get that performance out of the small case. All the Hornady wunder cartridges in the RCM line and a couple of others just can't be duplicated without the juiced powder. The 375 H&H stands on its own.
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What kind of velocities are you getting with handloads in the 375 Ruger and RCM cartridges?
 
go .358 norma. i hve one and am quite happy with it. and all my brass is either necked and trimmed .300 WM or just necked up .338 WM thee .338 brass is actually a bit shorter, but will "grow" with a few firings
 
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