35cal Norma bullets - any good for hunting?

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Whelen B

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I've acquired a quite a number of these old stock Norma bullets in 358. They are 250gr. and one has a very pronounced hollow point and the other a semi-spitzer shape - both have canalures. The HP seems huge and I wonder what velocity and/or calibre it was designed for. A magnet sticks to them so I'm guessing they are what is called "cupronickel" clad.

Any info on these specific bullets would be appreciated - especially as to how good they perform on big game.

In the pic below the HP is loaded in 356Win and the other in 350WSM.
norma358cal_250s.jpg

norma358_250grs.jpg
 
I've seen pictures of south African bullets with that big hollowpoint, I think in handloader. The front half blows apart and the back keeps on trucking.
 
I have some WWII era 303 Brit surplus loaded with cupro-nickel jacketed bullets. The jackets are silver in colour (about the same as raw aluminum) and a magnet will not stick to them. I think your bullets may have a steel or iron core. It might be worthwhile to slice one of each in half lengthwise just to see how they are constructed (jacket thickness, partitioned or not, etc).
 
Norma bullets are typically steel jacketed with a thin copper plate for lubrication. They are good bullets. Regards, Bill
 
I have used both of those bullets in the 358 Win and the 358 Norma mag.

The HP, as you can guess, works great in the Winchester. The semi-spitzer was okay in the Nine Norma, but I never shot anything at close range with them.

They are both Norma's Tri-Clad Jacket bullets.

Ted
 
Thanks Why not? and Leeper and all. Appreciate the weath of experience there.
The HP, as you can guess, works great in the Winchester.
Click to expand...
The HP has the canulure .720" from the nose so it seems perfect for the 358Win as you say.

I'm guessing at somewhere between 2050MV and 2250MV should be about right for that particular Norma 250gr HP launched from either my 356Win or 358Win - offering penetration without over expansion or mushrooming. Any more velocity may reduce effective penetration (because of that large exposed lead tip with a deep HP) and may result in excessive meat damage too.

Would all that be a good guess as to the terminal performance I might expect?

I'm going to try it on bear this month to see how it works (the real test of a game bullet) if I have opportunity. But want to be off on the right foot on this. I've killed bears with 250 HornadyRNs a few times and have always got exits which I like. I typically shoot them under 80yards - often under 30. I'm thinking these Norma HP pills will be as good HornadyRNs if I don't drive em too fast.

Any further thoughts or comments?
 
WB, the Tri-Clad jacket is very tough. I have never had one come apart violently, even at close range.

Actually, I have shot the HPs in the Norma, just to see how they performed. They were very accurate at way over 2800 fps. I never tried them on game at that velocity, and wouldn't, for fear that they may not hold together.

They are just the ticket for your 356 and 358. Go bear hunting and report back with the good news. :)

Ted
 
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