Frustrated - no more Nosler 225 Grain BT

[358jdj]

Boy am I ever frustrated.  Over the last couple of years I have worked up a good load for my 358jdj using 225 grain Nosler BT.  Came to find out yesterday, Nosler no longer carries this bullet.  It has been replaced with a 225 grain Accubond.  Of course the Accubond is more expensive, to the tune of 70 cents per shot for the bullet alone.  NOT FOR ME!

Guess I will go with the old and proven 200 grain Remington Core-Lokts.  I can buy them bulk for less than $100/500.  Should I try the round points or the spire points?  Price is the same.  I would really like to use the spire points to gain whatever ballistic advantage I can get.  On the other hand I want terminal performance on heavy game.  My guess is that I can get either bullet up to 2100 fps at the muzzle.  I am hoping for 250 yard performance.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[jhalcott]

 I use the RN's in my 358jdj and have no problems with deer past the 150 yard mark. It does the job and still leaves a lot of meat. I tried the Hornady 200 gr spire points ,but felt that they were harder than the RN's and did not give good terminal effects! I got smaller wound channels and exits. Also longer tracking jobs, Even though the deer only went about 100 yards after the hit. I was spoiled by the near instant drops with the RN's.

[358jdj]

Thanks for the reply.  Do you use the Remington RN or another brand?

[Lone Star]

The Remington 200 RNCLs were designed for .35 Remington rifle velocities and are proven performers.  Look below for information on several different .35 bullets:

http://www.marlinowners.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=7180&highlight=

The RP 200 SPCL pointed bullets were designed for the .350 Remington Magnum and are much tougher.  They will give better penetration on larger game than the RN at the expense of expansion.

.

[jhalcott]

  358, I use good old REM BULK RN's ! Some time s I spring for hornady. I have been casting some 250 grain bullets and have had good to excellent results with them ,accuracy wise. I still have to see what they do on live game.

[Ravenwolf]

358JDJ,
I too used to use the Nosler 225 gr BT in my 358 JDJ, but my old standby is the Hornady 200 gr Spire Point.  JD recommends the Rem RN Corelock over the Hornady but after 30+ deer with this particular caliber, many shot at 200 to 250 yards I will stay with the Hornady.  In my barrel with my handload I am getting just over 2400 fps with the 200 gr SP and have found the Rem bulk RN CL to damage to much meat for my like.  Close up shots really make a mess with the Rem.  I would use the Rem CL if I toned my loads down to reflect typical factory loaded 35 Rem velocities but the 358 JDJ is getting 356 Win velocities out of a 14" barrel and the spire point shoots a little flatter out to 250 yards.  Additionally, if you are a Handgun Hunter's International member and get their paper the "Sixgunner" there have been some good articles on bullets for the 358 JDJ.  My barrel has proven to be a "fast" barrel as compared to a couple of friends that have them but using AA2520 and Hornady SPs we have all had much success on Whitetail and Black Bear.  YMMV .....RW

[EdK]

I buy Nosler seconds at:

  http://www.shootersproshop.com/noslerfactory2nds.html

While you'll have to check back as they are out of stock right now your 35 cal ABs are running 38 cents/shot. The "seconds" are really only cosmetic and do function as well as the 1sts. For the hunt of a lifetime use the real deal I suppose. On less demanding game the other bullets mentioned so far are good choices. The cost of materials is headed straight up and we can only expect the price of components to follow.

[Boxhead]

Have you tried the 225 gr Sierra? Not sure what you plan to hunt but this bullets has been extremely accurate in various 35 cal rifles for me and is a fine deer/hog bullet. Though I have not bought any in a while they were relatively inexpensive too.

[358jdj]

I have not used the 35 caliber, 225 grain, Sierra BTSP bullets.  I have used them extensively in the 25 and 30 caliber cousins out of rifles (25-06 and 30-06) with great success.  Deer, elk, caribou and big horn sheep.  It is my understanding that the bullet style needs a little more velocity than I can generate out of a 14 inch pistol barrel.  Am I correct?

From what I have read and been told, the old style Remington, 35 caliber, 200 grain RN is going to be hard to beat.  Many favorable reports on price, accuracy, availability and on game performance.  Guess I will go that route.  Wish I could have gone with a spire point, but the ballistic tables show that out to 250 yards, the difference between a spire point and round nose is very small.

Thanks for all the help guys.