Another caliber question

bcboarder

bcboarder

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Been looking around on the internet and local shops, and have decided I want to get my hands on a BLR. Only thing is I'm not sure on what caliber to get. The toss up is between 325 WSM and 358 win. Not a handloader yet but hope to be in the future. Thanks for any help and info.

Brad
 
I'd pass on both unless I was a handloader.

Once you do get loading the 358Win would be easier to get brass for as you can just neck up 308 brass.

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Why would you pass? Lack of factory ammo, cost, or lackluster performance from the pre rolled stuff? Just curious so I can make a better decision. Thanks again
 
Both would not be easy to find on the shelf. The 358 is an excellent chambering, but somewhat limited in supply. I don't have any experience with the 325, but suspect it would be effective on heavier game as well.

If shooting factory ammo be prepared to pay high prices and I suggest you stock up when available.


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I was planning to use it for the standard deer, elk, and moose. Did a search and it seems that neither would be recommended for grizzly. I found factory ammo from hornady at a local shop for the 358 win.
 
I don't think the 325 wsm is going to be around forever but then I shoot 45-70 and 6.5x55... The numbers look really impressive on it though. Factory ammo is nipping on the heels of 4000 ft/lbs of energy and while that's not the end all number, it helps. I'm a little suspect of new magazine advertizing created calibers, but this one does look like it hits pretty hard.
 
200 grain bullet weight. I think it was about 40 bucks a box. The cheapest I saw 325 wsm was $50. Thanks for the info might have to pick up a BLR in 358 now.
 
As much as I like the 358Win, a 200gr loading won't offer much if anything over a 30/06 loaded with 180s.

It would be cooler though and a worthy venture once you get loading heavier bullets. Save your brass.


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I'm not a short mag fan at all, so I vote for the 358 Win, I have a BLR 358. I don't used it an aweful lot anymore, though. I did stock up on ammo, when I saw it on the shelf. I was told that Winchester was the only maker of it and they only make it every 4 yrs or something like that! But, got a tip in another thread that Hornady is now making it! Ya-hooo, I do like Hornady ammo! Getting old, I seem to grab a milder cal out of the safe on whitetail hunting morning, like a BLR in 257 Roberts or 7mm-08. I'm sure you won't be dissapointed in any way for going with the BLR in 358. Good Luck & enjoy.
 
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two-dogs said:
I'm not a short mag fan at all, so I vote for the 358 Win, I have a BLR 358. I don't used it an aweful lot anymore, though. I did stock up on ammo, when I saw it on the shelf. I was told that Winchester was the only maker of it and they only make it every 4 yrs or something like that! But, got a tip in another thread that Hornady is now making it! Ya-hooo, I do like Hornady ammo! Getting old, I seem to grab a milder cal out of the safe on whitetail hunting morning, like a BLR in 257 Roberts or 7mm-08. I'm sure you won't be dissapointed in any way for going with the BLR in 358. Good Luck & enjoy.
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I too vote for the .358, not being a magnum man either. I recently had a Handi Rifle in .357 reamed and extractor modified to .356 Winchester. The rifle shoots both .356 head spacing on the rim and .358 head spacing on the shoulder. I don't believe this can be done in a levergun. I am very impressed by the performance of this rifle and believe the .358, with the proper range, load and bullet, is adequate for anything in North America. It is definitely a handloader's caliber. Factory Winchester ammo in .356 and .358 sells locally for 55 dollars U.S. for a box of 20. Hornady IS making it and the price is lower. The best bet, as has been said, is to neck up .307 brass for the .356 and .308 for the .358. I'm shooting 200 gr. Hornady SPs in both now while waiting for the 225 gr. Sierra Gameking to come into inventory.

Good luck and good shooting,

Pete
 
bc boarder, my buddy has a 325 WSM in all stainless/synthetic and loves it. Uses it for all larger game. I actually got a Moose with that gun also.
As for me, I handload, and my 30-06 is more than enough for what I hunt (Deer/bear/Elk, and wouldn't hesitate on a Moose)).
Ammo is readily available from factory, as is components for reloading. Same can be said of most of the mainstream 30 Calibre rifles.
 
SuperCub said:
As much as I like the 358Win, a 200gr loading won't offer much if anything over a 30/06 loaded with 180s.

It would be cooler though and a worthy venture once you get loading heavier bullets. Save your brass.


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.358 in a BLR is lighter and shorter than the 30.06 in the same gun. I would go for the .358 over .325. Good factory ammo is available from Hornady and is not too difficult to find. This will serve you just fine until you get into handloading. You can't go wrong with a short action BLR and .358 is a great cal.
 
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Both the .358 and the .325 WSM are very good hunting cartridges IMO.

The only real question is do you want to go magnum or not.

The .358 with 225's is serious business on big game at 95% of normal hunting ranges; the .325 loaded with Sierra's tough 220 grain SBT would be a very good longer range thumper, and penetrate very deeply on the biggest stuff you might want to shoot at.
 
bcboarder said:
I was planning to use it for the standard deer, elk, and moose. Did a search and it seems that neither would be recommended for grizzly.

With proper loads and bullets both are excellent grizzly medicine, don't know who you found on your "search" but I can tell they have no experience with either cartridge. I would feel positively "warm and fuzzy" inside taking a bead on a big ole grizzly with either one of these cartridges and an appropriately constructed bullet in the right weight.
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I've been playing around with my BLR 358 and have shot the 180's, 200's and the 250 weight bullets.
The 250's fall a remarkable distance compared to the other two at the 100 yard targets.
May need to bump the powder weight up a bit to see how it/could change things.
I load the same powder weight for the 180's and 200's and the only point of impact
change is elevation.
Now this is incredible for my eyes.
Nice to know that I can use either and only have to think about elevation.
It was under two inches.
I never get tired of shooting this gal, just a world of win.
 
You'll want to get into handloading, but if you do you'll love the .358.

I only have experience with 250 and 225 grain bullets in the .358, but I would think that at its sensible velocities, that 200 gr bullets would hold together and penetrate very well on any reasonable shot on a moose.

RG

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