.358 Norma Magnum

[Jaydub in Wi]

Cowboybart,
swift makes a 280 gr A frame in 35 cal.

[gryphon]

Hey there members,just joined in after I stumbled onto the 358 thread on here. Its interesting to read the posts on this cal.
 Having one being worked on atm I am reading up on as many posts as I can.
My current one is  commercial `98 Mauser formally a 308 Norma Magnum.

New MAB stainless barrel,S+K mounts,Zeiss scope and a B+C Medallist stock should have me  shooting in the killing zone next year I reckon.

AS far as pills I have  Norma Oryx 250 grainers  but  I am  having some solids made up for me in the caliber if my  bullet testing opportunity on buffalo here in Australia  comes to fruition.

[Cowboybart]

These are some loads that work for me:
74gr AA4350
Hornady 250gr Spire Pt Moly
.9" @ 100yds
75gr AA4350
Barnes 250gr X Moly
.6" @ 100 yds
77gr AA4350
250gr Barnes X Moly
1.1" @ 100yds

The Barnes 250 "X" bullets are getting hard to find, but in all reality the 225 triple shock will have just as good terminal performance.
I'm going to try IMR 4320 powder next, as it looks promising on paper.
This is my elk rifle but unfortunately it just got carried this year and not shot

[sbsmith]

  I believe some people are missing a good thing with the 358 Norma. I have used my 23" Barreled Sako 358NM for the better part of 20 years using 225 Nosler Partions and H4895. Just one of the endearing qualities of the Norma is it can use faster powders for top velocities and accuracy. You get none of the powder compression of the 4350's although H4350 is short cut which helps in that department. Velocities in my rifle run right at 3000fps with MOA accuacy using H4895 with no special throating. I also use reformed WW 338 brass. It's tougher and harder the  Norma brass.
  One last thing. I can't believe people are still using the old , tired argument of lousy bullet selection of the 35 caliber. I guess for some the bullets available from Barnes, Speer, Sierra, Nosler, Swift , Norh Fork, Hawk, Hornady, Woodleigh and Norma are not enough? Some folks are never satisfied.
sbsmith

[lgm270]

  I believe some people are missing a good thing with the 358 Norma. I have used my 23" Barreled Sako 358NM for the better part of 20 years using 225 Nosler Partions and H4895. Just one of the endearing qualities of the Norma is it can use faster powders for top velocities and accuracy. You get none of the powder compression of the 4350's although H4350 is short cut which helps in that department. Velocities in my rifle run right at 3000fps with MOA accuacy using H4895 with no special throating. I also use reformed WW 338 brass. It's tougher and harder the  Norma brass.
  One last thing. I can't believe people are still using the old , tired argument of lousy bullet selection of the 35 caliber. I guess for some the bullets available from Barnes, Speer, Sierra, Nosler, Swift , Norh Fork, Hawk, Hornady, Woodleigh and Norma are not enough? Some folks are never satisfied.
sbsmith

Hi Smith. Good post. Would like to hear more about your 20  years' experience with the 358 Norma? What kind of hunting did you do?

[bigswede]

Hi my name is Brent and I'm a 35aholic.  I to have the "BigSWEDE", mine is built on a Model 700 with a fluted 24" Adams and bennet barrel.  It wears a leupold European-30 in 2-7 with the German No. 4 reticle.  I had been shooting 250 gr hornady's, but they pissed me off changing from a spire point to the new sp/rp so I am switching to 225 gr Nosler Accubonds.  I shot a 3 shot group yesterday that measured .650 at a chronographed average of 2950 fps.  Look out wapiti and Mulies.

[sbsmith]

  Just for the record. I use primarily the 225 Nosler Partition in all my hunting in Alaska with the 358 Norma. 69 gr. H4895  gives 2950fps  w/Partitions and 3015fps w/ 225 Accubonds. Both loads are moa or better.
  These are shot out of a 23" Douglas barrel, Sako AV. Please be advised these are MAXIMUM loads in my rifle. Your milege may vary. Be careful.
  sbsmith

[Drugstore Cowboy]

Well  this is a link to Norma Ammo
http://www.norma.cc/sortimentjakt.asp?Kaliber=29&Lang=2&Kalibernamn=.358 Norma Mag                 

Grewup thru the 60s when the 358 was used more and had an interest in that cartridge. What it boiled down was you could get simular performance in a 375 H&H. A 375 is leagal for dangerous game in Africa and ammo in widely available not so for the 358.  But does a Michigan deer hunter need a 375H&H? Ended up with a 35 Whelen years later. Also developed an interest in 9.3x62 and have 3 of those. 9.3 has been widely used in Africa on everything. Pushes a 286 gain slug at 2450 fps

[WSM264]

I just found a set of RCBS dies in a pawn shop for $19.  I traded into an A&B 35 Whelen barrel a few months ago.  I also have a VZ-24 action laying around not knowing what to do with it.
Now I know - a 358 Norma will be in my future!