350 Rem Mag

[tawin]

I do enjoy this Forum. I especially like reading the Daveinthebush stories. From reading some of the past posts I see there are some 35 caliber shooters here.

I just bought a Remington model 600 in 350 Magnum. I would like to have some information on light loads using 357 pistol bullets for this rifle. Any help would be appreciated.

[Advocate]

HI Twain: You're right about Davinthebush and about this forum.  The people are wonderful and their real life experiences are the spice of life to a city slicker like me who lives in  a big metropolitan area.   And  there are a number of .35 caliber cultists in here too.  I really like the 35's myself, even though I don't have any. Good luck with your .350 Rem. I've thought about making one on a Mil surp mauser intermediate length action.  I'm curious to know howyou make out with yours.  Do keep us informed.    Best.

[Daveinthebush]

Firstly guys thanks for the kind words.  And like you noted, this is one great forum!

The .350 is almost the same as the Whelen.  The data that I see isn't that far apart except for the fact that the Whelen is commonly loaded at 50,000 cup and the .350 at 53,000.

My data for the Whelen shows the 158 Sierra JHC, 30 grains of 4198 for about 1,930 fps.

The 140's, 33 grains of 4198 for 2,010.

These loads are on the light end and the data indicates that the lighter loads are probably better. It is possible to reach 2,400 fps but I have also read of guys sheading the jackets driving them too fast. Remember that these will have to jump quite a distance to the lands.

You can also load down the 200 grain bullets to .35 Rem. velocities and cast to duplicate the old 38-55.  The one great thing about the Whelen is that it is hard to find a bad load.  Hopefully the .350 is the same way.

Good luck and thanks again for the compliments from all of you.  Please send checks and donations to PO Box 3456. :idea:  :grin:

[Paul H]

When my 35 was chambered as a 35 whelen ackley, I played quite a bit with 158, 180 and 200 gr cast bullets.  You an use from 10 to 15 gr of Unique with any of those bullets, and velocities will be 1200-1700 fps.  You don't need any filler, even though the case is mostly empty, and the accuracy will be from good to very good.

Now that my rifle is re-chambered to a 350 Rigby, I find 14 gr unique pushes the 200 gr cast 1400 fps even, and will put them nearly in one hole at 50 yds, with very little recoil.  

2400 is also a good powder for reduced pistol loads.  Lyman's cast bullet handbook has some data in it for the 350, and I've seen an older issue of Handloader with some data, but can't recall which issue.

I'm a hardcore 35 fan as well

[Advocate]

A .350 Rigby?  Where do you get brass for that?  Loading data? I"ve heard of the cartridge, but have never seen any brass or loading data.  Is it realy that much better than the .35 Whelen AI and the .350 Remington?  

Please don't keep me in suspense!

[Paul H]

Bertram makes 350 Rigby brass, but at $3 ea  :eek: I prefer to make my own from 375 H&H.  I chuck the brass in a lathe, cut off the belt, cut the rim down to .520" dia, and deepen the extractor slot.  Then I run it trhough the FL die to neck down and set the shoulder back, then back in the lathe to trim to length @ 2.76".

As for data, since the case is just a tad larger then the 358 Norma, I just use 358 Norma data.  So far the best full patch load is a 250 gr hornady rn over 66 gr Varget for 2700 fps and 5/8" 3 shot groups.  The other favorite load is a 200 gr cast bullet over 14 gr Unique for 1400 fps and 1" 50 yd groups.

My gun as a 35 AI would only group when really pushed, ie 250 gr @ 2700 fps which IMHO is too hot for that case.  The groups were 1 1/2", but when backed down so much as a 1/2 gr, would open up to 3-5".  So, for this gun, the re-chamber was well worth it.  For the trouble of forming brass though, I'd much prefer a 358 Norma.