.358 Win kill

[GradyL41]

I thought some might be interested --took a 190#(live weight) 8 pt with my .358 win Vanguard --I used varget and a hornady 250 RN -- we hunt in a 7000 acre swampy bottom of public land in West Tenn.  in the right shoulder- out through the ribs on the left- the hole in and out in the ribs was bout two plus+ fingers in size-- i only use something like this in that bottom because shots run  from 20-90 or so yards-- the velocity at 12 feet was 2365-- I normally use 200 to 225 but wanted to see what the Hornady might do -- I have had them for a long time-- they were so lonely

[rickt300]

I have four kills with my 358 and so far with whatever bullet thats the kind of performance I get.

[GradyL41]

Then only confusing results I have gotten with my .358 has been at long range (250 long steps) with 200 Remington psp -- on two occasions the bullet did not exit --- I lost one of the deer which the land owner found--other wise 220, 225, and now 250 have all done very well - I have been using this rifle since 1979

[rickt300]

As a night hog gun I haven't had to shoot more than 50 yards, as a deer rifle It hasn't had to reach 75 yards yet. It easily shoots flat enough for dead on hold to 200 yards. I plan on loading my Whelen to top 358 levels when it takes over any 35 caliber tasks I might have. So far I have been happy with the 250 grain Speer at 2200 fps.

[Country Boy]

 I've taken a lot of game with a .358. Never a failure. 200 grn hornady for deer and .250 speer for bear. Always a bang flop ! The bears just fall where they stand or only go a short way. Have yet to find a bullet all pass throughs.  The I've also used the .225's but can live without them. I drive .250's to 2350 and 200 to 2700 in a Browning blr81

[GradyL41]

country boy -- not asking for the load but what powder are you using to get 2700 with 200?  I have gotten  2630 or so but not 2700 just interested-- most any bullet in the .358 will work on deer --never been bear hunting but I trust you on that-- I have assumed that my one failure with the .358 was mine -- shot too far for that bullet I guess --it is easy to hit with though--

[Country Boy]

Don"t mind giving the powders. ,these are way over anything you will find in a load book. So work up slowely. 53/748/250 grn speer
54/748/200 hornadt sp.   I've also had good luck with imr 3031 and ACC 2520.   The best of all was AAc 2015 br. but it isj't available any more. Yes, they do have a 2015 but no matter what they say it doesn't give the vel or accuracy of the old stuff.
    I don't have my reloading notes handy but E-mail me and I will send them along. As to the bears: I will send some pictures, the last one was 7' 2" weighed 512 and was the non-residen't Manitoba record for 2004. The 2 before that were over 400 lbs same story one shot  one bear. The bull3ts made complete pass throughs. I do have one bullet from the blond bear,(also a record)

 it broke both shoulders and lodged in the right leg. perfect text book mushroom.

   Look in the the issue  Bear Hunter Mag. with an artiice called "Manitoba Gold" and you will see a picture of the blond bear and me.
  Sorry, this is so longe but you get on bears and I can't seem to heolp myself.