The Mighty 358 Norma has arrived :-) ** 1st range trip & Nikon review**
- Thread starter DIGGER2
- Start date
Ok fellas, after many delays of weather and a shoulder injury, I finally made it out for a quick range shoot after work. I haven't shot for quite awhile so I'm a little rusty off the bench. So I had 20rds of factory Norma 250gr ammo, so I wanted to get it on paper with the new Nikon Monach 3 scope. I used 10 rds to get it close on paper and barrel cleaning the last 10 was for groups. I'll be handloading the rifle so hopefully groups will improve, as will my practice off the bench. Grid on target is 1" and the range was 100m.
Gun shot not to bad, but with a new scope and setup I'm hoping things will improve. Now onto the quick Nikon review. Ive always ran Leupold scopes, VX3's and some VX2's, so Nikon was a new one for me.
Pros
- Glass is very clear, as good or better than my VX3
- Elevation and windage turrets are much more positive click feeling than my Leupold which is "mushy"
- power ring seems to be smoother than Leupold
- great eye relief 4"- nice for heavier kickers
Cons
- physical size of scope is larger than my Leupolds not as compact
- the eye piece seems larger in diameter which leaves a larger "black ring" around the view area
- the view area tends to distort if your not looking dead on centre where as the Leupold will black out if you shift your head around. I know not a huge deal, as if it's set up properly it shouldn't be an issue. Just an observation.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the Nikon for just 1 trip out with it. It was a little less money than the Leupold ($50) I'll run it for awhile and give it a chance, I'm just so used to the Leupold's it's just "different". It's a great scope for the money and if a guy wasn't use to just one brand, they wouldn't notice any difference.
Hope this helps anyone on the fence about a Nikon. I don't regret my purchase at all.
Cheers.....Scott
Gun shot not to bad, but with a new scope and setup I'm hoping things will improve. Now onto the quick Nikon review. Ive always ran Leupold scopes, VX3's and some VX2's, so Nikon was a new one for me.
Pros
- Glass is very clear, as good or better than my VX3
- Elevation and windage turrets are much more positive click feeling than my Leupold which is "mushy"
- power ring seems to be smoother than Leupold
- great eye relief 4"- nice for heavier kickers
Cons
- physical size of scope is larger than my Leupolds not as compact
- the eye piece seems larger in diameter which leaves a larger "black ring" around the view area
- the view area tends to distort if your not looking dead on centre where as the Leupold will black out if you shift your head around. I know not a huge deal, as if it's set up properly it shouldn't be an issue. Just an observation.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the Nikon for just 1 trip out with it. It was a little less money than the Leupold ($50) I'll run it for awhile and give it a chance, I'm just so used to the Leupold's it's just "different". It's a great scope for the money and if a guy wasn't use to just one brand, they wouldn't notice any difference.
Hope this helps anyone on the fence about a Nikon. I don't regret my purchase at all.
Cheers.....Scott
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Things will only improve at the range. Nice rig.
I, like you, have always been a Leupold loyal fan...until I test drove the identical Nikon you mounted on your .358. Mine has been mounted on my Remington 700 SS DM in .338WM for 2 years now. No issues and I simply love the clarity.
Enjoy.
I, like you, have always been a Leupold loyal fan...until I test drove the identical Nikon you mounted on your .358. Mine has been mounted on my Remington 700 SS DM in .338WM for 2 years now. No issues and I simply love the clarity.
Enjoy.
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
Pretty decent groups for factory loads.
With a bit of handloading experimentation your fine rifle is certainly capable of tighter groups. I like anything 35 caliber and your 358 NM is awesome.
I got my 350 RM to shoot not too bad with 310gr Woodleigh bullets. Groups as shown at 100 meters off the benchrest -
I have higher magnification Nikon scopes with 40 and 42mm objectives. I thought I would try a 50mm objective for improved brightness but went with Leupold instead. The VX-2 3-9x50mm is outstanding. I have one on my 308 CZ550 Exclusive -
With a bit of handloading experimentation your fine rifle is certainly capable of tighter groups. I like anything 35 caliber and your 358 NM is awesome.
I got my 350 RM to shoot not too bad with 310gr Woodleigh bullets. Groups as shown at 100 meters off the benchrest -
I have higher magnification Nikon scopes with 40 and 42mm objectives. I thought I would try a 50mm objective for improved brightness but went with Leupold instead. The VX-2 3-9x50mm is outstanding. I have one on my 308 CZ550 Exclusive -
Very nice Slamfire! I'll probably try out some 310's just because. I'm hoping the rifle will show me better than MOA. Of course the operator has to do his part too. Unfortunately the Norma won't get much use for most the summer. Between a new family member arrival, and my 2 hand surgeries I'm going to be busy and out of commission for most of it. Oh well gives me lots of time to load some ammo and fish. ��
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
I like the 310gr Woodleigh bullet. I have used it on Moose in my 358 Winchester (1:12 twist) and it's an excellent penetrating hammer. I would load it in my 35 Whelen Remington 7400 autoloader but it won't stabilize with the slow 1:16 twist barrel. 
I would be curious to know the 310gr maximum safe MV in your 358 NM.
I would be curious to know the 310gr maximum safe MV in your 358 NM.
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I like the 310gr Woodleigh bullet. I have used it on Moose in my 358 Winchester (1:12 twist) and it's an excellent penetrating hammer. I would load it in my 35 Whelen Remington 7400 autoloader but it won't stabilize with the slow 1:16 twist barrel.
I would be curious to know the 310gr maximum safe MV in your 358 NM.
]
I would be keen on seeing how they go in my Whelen for Buffalo, should be ok for like 150meters I rekon, that would be fair..?
ruger hawkeye though so I don't think ill get much length via magazine!
I think they do a 275gr aswell, that sounds up my Alley.. but 310gr sounds better!
- Location
- In the shadows of the Rockies
I would be more inclined to use the 310gr solids on Buffalo. Bust the shoulders and sever the spinal chord. DRT.
I had a 35 Whelen Remington 700 (1:16 twist) that would stabilize the 310gr bullet not too bad (not sure why my 7400 won't). Around 3" groups at 100 meters off the benchrest. Not sure about longer ranges.
Experience with my 338 WM Ruger Hawkeye and long bullets has shown that magazine length isn't too generous.
I had a 35 Whelen Remington 700 (1:16 twist) that would stabilize the 310gr bullet not too bad (not sure why my 7400 won't). Around 3" groups at 100 meters off the benchrest. Not sure about longer ranges.
Experience with my 338 WM Ruger Hawkeye and long bullets has shown that magazine length isn't too generous.
Johnn Peterson
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- Chemainus B.C.
Ok fellas, after many delays of weather and a shoulder injury, I finally made it out for a quick range shoot after work. I haven't shot for quite awhile so I'm a little rusty off the bench. So I had 20rds of factory Norma 250gr ammo, so I wanted to get it on paper with the new Nikon Monach 3 scope. I used 10 rds to get it close on paper and barrel cleaning the last 10 was for groups. I'll be handloading the rifle so hopefully groups will improve, as will my practice off the bench. Grid on target is 1" and the range was 100m.
Gun shot not to bad, but with a new scope and setup I'm hoping things will improve. Now onto the quick Nikon review. Ive always ran Leupold scopes, VX3's and some VX2's, so Nikon was a new one for me.
Pros
- Glass is very clear, as good or better than my VX3
- Elevation and windage turrets are much more positive click feeling than my Leupold which is "mushy"
- power ring seems to be smoother than Leupold
- great eye relief 4"- nice for heavier kickers
Cons
- physical size of scope is larger than my Leupolds not as compact
- the eye piece seems larger in diameter which leaves a larger "black ring" around the view area
- the view area tends to distort if your not looking dead on centre where as the Leupold will black out if you shift your head around. I know not a huge deal, as if it's set up properly it shouldn't be an issue. Just an observation.
Overall, I'm pretty happy with the Nikon for just 1 trip out with it. It was a little less money than the Leupold ($50) I'll run it for awhile and give it a chance, I'm just so used to the Leupold's it's just "different". It's a great scope for the money and if a guy wasn't use to just one brand, they wouldn't notice any difference.
Hope this helps anyone on the fence about a Nikon. I don't regret my purchase at all.
Cheers.....Scott
Your groups look comparable to what I'm getting with my model 1651 Husqvarna and a 3-9 Leupold Vari X II.
Factory Norma ammo
A quick trial with some 225gr Barnes TSX
I have yet to do some trials with the Schultz & Larsen model 68DL
.
DIGGER2
I'm having trouble finding my copy of the full article (Big Swede) for you I mentioned earlier in this thread - but this is Sundra's load data table from it which I scanned many years back. The second load from the top is his best hunting load using IMR4895 and Speer 250HCs and is in fact the one Ted has already recommended to you. Good shooting.
I'm having trouble finding my copy of the full article (Big Swede) for you I mentioned earlier in this thread - but this is Sundra's load data table from it which I scanned many years back. The second load from the top is his best hunting load using IMR4895 and Speer 250HCs and is in fact the one Ted has already recommended to you. Good shooting.
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