358 Winchester

[Super Scout]

HI
I'm in the process of having a scout rifle built on a 700 action. I plan on using it as insurance on fishing trips in northern Saskatchewan. Has any one used this caliber on big bear? The gun will have 2 seperate loads. The first is 125 - 158 grain .357 loaded hotter than the 357 mag. cartridge - for gophers and other varmints. The other is a 225 Nosler partition at about 2500 f/s. The .357 will be developed to impact target at the same point as the 225. I'm not sure if I should go up to 250 as velocity will drop by about 100 f/s. i don't think the bear will know the difference. Any ideas or help would be appreciated.

 

[Slapshot]

I load a squib load for my BLR with 158 grain jacketed hollow points. 5.5 grains of green dot, velocity about 850fps. Very accurate and hard on varmints. I carry a few in my pocket deer hunting for chicken control.
My deer round is a 225 Sierra over IMR 4320. A fairly stiff load gives me about 2450fps.

 

[todbartell]

at close range bear protection, I wouldnt worry too much about muzzle velocity

a 250 gr. @ 2200-2300 fps would surely hit hard, a bit more than a 225 @ 2500

pick your poison, Im sure they will both thump them
​

 

[A-zone]

at close range bear protection, I wouldnt worry too much about muzzle velocity

a 250 gr. @ 2200-2300 fps would surely hit hard, a bit more than a 225 @ 2500

pick your poison, Im sure they will both thump them
​

What he said.

I suspect that a stoutly built 250 would go end to end through most bears. (I had an experience with a 250grain Hornady RN in a .338 (going at .35 Whelen velocity) going "thigh through eye socket" through a ~300 lb sow at about 150 yards (the bear dropped stone-dead, the bullet kept going), so I think it would be more than adequate for an "up close and personal" encounter with any black bear in the .358 Win.

 

[Why not?]

Our expereince, and tyhat of several friends using the 358 Win on really big game is that the 250 gr spitzers are much more reliable.

They also shoot plenty flat for shots out to 250 yds.

Ted

 

[oldbadger]

A buddy from up that way tells me the Savage 99 in 358 has been a long time favorite with surveyors and such in Alaska, good horsepower with a liveable weight to lug.

 

[JohnnyJ]

My 358 Win(Browning BLR with 20" barrel) likes the Sierra 225 gr BT with an appropriate charge of IMR 4895 and measured velocity is 2550 fps +/-
The first 3 shots measure about 1.25" center to center.
This load has worked very well on a dozen or so Moose and several deer so far. They only need to get hit once!
Good Luck
John