358 Winchester - strictly for handloaders?

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buckchaser

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I've been looking at the 358 Winchester in a Browning BLR for a few years now - but my primary hesitation is that I can't find factory ammunition anywhere online or otherwise. I know that Double Tap and Buffalo Bore load 358 Winchester cartridges, but I don't think either are available in Canada?

Any insight? I don't handload and don't expect to start any time soon (simply no time for it) so I may be better off bypassing the 358 Winchester?
 
Just bite the bullet and get set-up to reload... it opens up a whole new world.

I love the .358 Win... great little cartridge.
 
Inisght or Tip would be to use 200-225 GRainers to keep enough powder in yer case to keep er useful out to 250meters...... otherwise them 250grainers will put the smack down on some serious sized critters
 
I have 3 358s, and don't handload. You can get dealers to bring you up whatever ammo you need from the US. I have a bunch of Hornsby, Winchester white box and now buffalo bore. It's not a plinking round so a little goes a long way. Enjoy!
 
hoytcanon said:
Just bite the bullet and get set-up to reload... it opens up a whole new world.

I love the .358 Win... great little cartridge.
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With the inexpensive Lee hand press (about $60) you can set yourself up for hand loading for less than $200.
No need to get into multi thousand $ dillon rigs if you're hand loading hunting caliber rounds.
Guy we hunt moose with has a neat sako carbine in 375 h&h and reloads for it with the Lee hand press.
These are hunting rounds and aren't calibers you are going to pop 400 rounds off per weekend at the range.
 
torontogungal said:
With the inexpensive Lee hand press (about $60) you can set yourself up for hand loading for less than $200.
No need to get into multi thousand $ dillon rigs if you're hand loading hunting caliber rounds.
Guy we hunt moose with has a neat sako carbine in 375 h&h and reloads for it with the Lee hand press.
These are hunting rounds and aren't calibers you are going to pop 400 rounds off per weekend at the range.
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You can buy a reloading kit with a proper single stage press for $200, why would you buy a shytey hand press?
 
We've hand loaded with the Lee hand press in the past and it is not 'shytey'.
They have plenty of capability of loading calibers up to and including the 416 rem mag.
They take the regular 7/8" dies.
They can be put in a suitcase and transported without having to unscrew or dismount anything.
Better than the classic Lee loader which many have used successfully for years.
 
buckchaser said:
I've been looking at the 358 Winchester in a Browning BLR for a few years now - but my primary hesitation is that I can't find factory ammunition anywhere online or otherwise. I know that Double Tap and Buffalo Bore load 358 Winchester cartridges, but I don't think either are available in Canada?

Any insight? I don't handload and don't expect to start any time soon (simply no time for it) so I may be better off bypassing the 358 Winchester?
Click to expand...

I've never had an issue locating the 200gr Hornady load, You just stock up when you find some.

The 358 isn't a range plinker (with factory ammo), if you don't plan on hand-loading you are going to be limiting yourself and the cartridges potential.
 
I have a Ruger M77 Hawkeye stainless in the great old 358 Winchester, it came from a friend on a trade for his winters wood supply. I am set up to reload for it, but so far I have not needed to as I have a LGS that keeps it in stock, plus it came with several hundred rounds of ammo already. Hornady is probably the most readily available, and PR has already shown you they have some in stock. I say go for it and stock up with as much factory ammo as you can afford, save the brass even if you don't reload, maybe someone you know can load for you and then you are in great shape!
 
Fellow hunter has a bolt action 416 rem mag.
It's either reload or pay $150 per box of ammo.
He has a Lee hand press.
He also has a rem 660 in 350 rem mag.
 
I currently have a BLR takedown 358 Win on order set to arrive in December. I do hand load and that only optimizes this cartridge further (along with most;). There is ammo to be found though if you search some stores.... I had purchased 4 boxes of loaded rounds from WSS (before they closed down the online store) and you certainly can find Hornady loads at PRF. Gagnon sports also had some Winchester 200 gr Silvertips in stock last I checked but they are $$. The loaded Hornady rounds are actually quite reasonable priced for being hard to find ammo. Long story short.... loaded ammo is hard to find so if you do buy a lot. Best case is too start loading as you will pay for the start up costs in less than a year or find a friend (who you can trust) to load up rounds for you. I CANNOT WAIT FOR MY 358 BLR:)
 
fuzzy39 said:
I currently have a BLR takedown 358 Win on order set to arrive in December. I do hand load and that only optimizes this cartridge further (along with most;). There is ammo to be found though if you search some stores.... I had purchased 4 boxes of loaded rounds from WSS (before they closed down the online store) and you certainly can find Hornady loads at PRF. Gagnon sports also had some Winchester 200 gr Silvertips in stock last I checked but they are $$. The loaded Hornady rounds are actually quite reasonable priced for being hard to find ammo. Long story short.... loaded ammo is hard to find so if you do buy a lot. Best case is too start loading as you will pay for the start up costs in less than a year or find a friend (who you can trust) to load up rounds for you. I CANNOT WAIT FOR MY 358 BLR:)
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If you have a buddy who handloads, you can set up with him/her. Then all you have to buy is dies (Lee are very functional) and components, and a few beers for after the session. One session will pay for your dies.
 
fuzzy39 said:
I currently have a BLR takedown 358 Win on order....Long story short.... loaded ammo is hard to find so if you do buy a lot...I CANNOT WAIT FOR MY 358 BLR:)
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Fine rifle, I sure like mine. I load 310gr RN Woodleigh bullets at 2100 fps MV, pretty good effectiveness on Moose. Compact and stows nicely. :cool:

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358 Winchester Browning BLR Lightweight '81 Stainless Laminate Takedown with Leupold FX-II Scout IER 2.5x20mm
 
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