Short Action 35 Caliber Cartridges

[358Win]

The following is a list of the 35 Caliber Short Action Cartridges and velocities for a 250 grain spitzer:

358 Winchester             2350 fps     Chronograph Reading
358 x 57mm                 2425 fps     Predicted Value
350 Rem. Mag.              2500 fps     Reloading Manual
35 Whelen                    2550 fps     Reloading Manual
358/375Ruger x 57mm   2700 fps     Predicted Value

I have the 358 Winchester and love it.  I'd like to build a 358 x 57mm on the New Ultra Light Arms 3.0 inch action left-handed 20 ounce action with a 20 inch barrel.  The new 375Ruger/Hornady case is big enough to shorten for a 400 (0.411 inches).  The available bullets in 0.411 run from 170 grain up to 400 grain, plenty for anything out of Africa.  For this I'd use the New Ultra Light Arms 28 ounce 3.0 inch action with Magnum Bolt Face.  Again 20 inches is plenty of barrel.

[Blammer]

just curious, what do you consider a long action?

[victorcharlie]

The parent case of the 358 X 57 mm is not a true short action.  The 7 X 57mm, the parent case, if used in a short action, will often require the bullet seated deep in order to work through the action.  The Ruger 77  in 7 X 57 and .257 Roberts is chambered in a long action.

The .35 Whelen, who's parent case is that of a 30.06, would require a long action.

If you want a short action, why not  use the new .325 WSM necked up to .358?  I haven't heard of that wildcat yet, but I'd find it highly unlikely that someone hasn't done it already........

[358Win]

A true short action ala Model 7, etc. is 2.8 inches in length and pretty much limits one to about 55mm = 2.170 inches in length.  This is done with the 350 Rem. Mag. and with the 358/284 wildcat.  This also requires fairly deep seating.

The Ultra Light Model 20 is a 3.0 inch action and is very useful for 57mm cases that would otherwise have to be chambered in a standard length action of 3.4 inches which is also used for the 35 Whelen.

Chamber Reamers for the 358/325 WSM and the 375/325 WSM are currently available from a couple of sources.  Do an internet search if interested I'm sure they would be happy to sell you or your gunsmith one.

A long action such as used for the 375H&H and the 458 Lott etc is usually 3.8 inches in length if memory serves.

The 325 WSM case has a very minor fault in terms of a DGR or Bear Rifle in that it is a rebated case and true controlled round feeding and guaranteed extraction are very slightly hampered.  The new 375 Ruger case has 0.532 rim and case base diameters versus 0.532 rim and 0.555 case base diameter for the 325 WSM.  In equal lengths the WSM case has slightly higher capacity.

I still think I like the idea of a 358x57mm based on a 8x57mm case necked up and used in Ultra Light's 3.0 inch action.  Kind of an even split between the 358 Winchester and the 35 Whelen.

[Syncerus]

My friend, you have too much time on your hands.



Why not just go with either the .358 Win or the .325 WSM?

Perfection is unattainable in this world, but excellence is well within reach ...

[358Win]

At least when it comes to Wildcats, when one has been pondering the options for the 32 years I've been reloading, one can have a full life, raise 2 kids, get a college degree and change professions from machinist to software engineer, take care of an 8 year old grandson (who loves shooting and reloading by the way) and still think all these things through in ones sleep cycles.

I have a BLR in 358 Win and fully believe that is by far the best factory cartridge in existence today.  But that is just one old shooters opinion.

[358Win]

By the way, I was wrong about the Ultra Light 28 it does have a magnum bolt face, but the magazine well is 3.4 inches. 

[lgm270]

A gunsmith named Dick Nichol lived in Seattle and specialized in re-boring rifles and  we discussed this  round more than 10 year ago.  He said it was a very popular option for mauser owners. He said you could use a .358 expander and load .358" bullets in lieu of the original .355" 9x57 mauser bullets.  This round is actually very well established and very  functional I gather. He didn't mention ballistics it's obvious that  you could probably exceed the .358 Win by 100 fps and tread closely on the heals of the 35 whelen. 

Best of luck whatever your decision.   

[358Win]

Well it will probably take a year to save enough money to keep momma bear happy.  But I really do think I'll have a 358 x 57mm within 6 months after that or so.  We all got to have something to keep us dreaming to pour hope into life.

[358Win]

The 358 x 57mm is almost identical to the old 9x57mm.  New powders and modern bullets make it the new version a bit more potent than the old 9x57mm.  A great article on the 9x57mm can be found at:

http://www.african-hunter.com/9x57_mauser.htm

check it out.

[Syncerus]

Look at this:

http://www.simpsonltd.com/index.php?cPath=22_35_152

You can pick up a 9x57 off the shelf for very reasonable money.

[tanoose]

358WIN i was looking at the barnes reloading data for the 358 winchester and they show 3 powders giving just over 2400 FPS with there 250XFB , just wanted to let you know. I myself just bought a new browning BLR in 358 winchester and cant wait to get to the range i'll start of with a few boxes of winchester factory 200 gr. silvertips

[daddywpb]

He didn't mention ballistics it's obvious that  you could probably exceed the .358 Win by 100 fps and tread closely on the heals of the 35 whelen.     

That would be the .350 Remington Magnum, my favorite cartridge. It is easy to reload, capable of taking anything on this continent, and does it all gracefully and without excessive recoil.

[Doesniper]

I would't count out the 35 Rem. I did some reloading tests on a Rem action and pressures with the 35 Rem. When loaded to equal pressures as the .358, it is as comparable as the .308 is to the 30-06. Loosing speed only with the heavy bullets. I am tempted to blow out the 35 Rem to an Ackley shoulder to see if that would pass the .358 in velocity. My .02

[RaySendero]

By the way, I was wrong about the Ultra Light 28 it does have a magnum bolt face, but the magazine well is 3.4 inches. 

358,

If mag is 3.4", why not just do a 35 Whelen or 9.3x62 or even a 375 Whelen?

[358Win]

In the regular action the 9.3x62 would be the most tempting choice.  In the 3.0 inch Ultra Light Model 20 action, the 358x57mm or even the 358/284 would be the items that get my heart a pumpin' !!!!

[Sourdough]

The .350 Rem Mag is a heavy hitting cartridge, both ends.  I own two guns that shoot this cartridge, a Remington 600, and a Ruger M-77.  I love the looks of the Remington, but the magazine is too short to accept anything but 200gr bullets.  I like to load the .225gr bullet and the Ruger handles them well.  I can load the 250s and feed them individually, they are just a little too long for the Ruger magazine.  They work well on bears from a stand.  Range is not that great, so I only use them when hunting over bait. 

I own one .35 Remington, it stays down in Tennessee with my only 30-30, for use on Whitetails from a treestand.  Where ranges are 40 yards or less.  I don't think it is of much use here in Alaska.