Need info about 358 JDJ ?

[Erik F]

High I am new here but have found a lot of really good information so far.  I'm interested in the rimmed 35 cal rounds that are used in the Encore or Contenders.  I am about to buy a Encore and want to get a 35 cal barrell for it, I already load so that is not a issue.  I have a #1 in 35 whelen and want to try somthing different with the Encore.  I have seen references to the 358 JDJ, 358 Bellm, and 35 x 444.  I know very little about any of these but am interested how do they compare to the 358 winfor example, what type of load info is around for them any help would very welcome.

Thank you,
Erik F.

[Robert]

I can't use factory loads in it, I basically use 358 JDJ data.  Some of these loads are pretty hot in a Contender.  Encore should be fine with 356W, 358W or 358 JDJ.  The JDJ data is compareable to starting loads for the Winchesters, but with an Encore, I bet you could push it a little better.
  I am also considering getting a 358 JDJ.  I myself am also shooting a Whelen that I just got re-barreled.  I guess I am just in love with those pretty 35 caliber bullets.

[Bob C]

I have a 14" Contender in .358 JDJ. It's definitely powerful, fully as much as I care to fire in a handgun.

Accuracy in mine is very good, particularly with the heavier loads with AA 2520. If I want reduce the velocities a bit, I use IMR 4895. AA 2520 in the lighter loads gives too much spread in the velociites.

[Graycg]

I sent my 35 remington barrel off to David White and had him rechamber it to another 358x444 version, the 358 Bellm.  You use normal 358 winchester dies and just lube and run your 444 cases into the full length die and then trim them to even up the necks.  I like this round better than the 358JDJ because I use heavy cast bullets and this round has a longer neck than the JDJ round does and that is better for using 230+ grain cast bullets.  I am a fan of the 309JDJ and only use jacketed bullets in that, but for the 358s, I prefer the bellm than the JDJ.

regards and good luck with whatever you choose.

graycg

[Erik F]

Thanks for the info.  I had been thinking about a G2 as light wieght pack gun but was not sure about the power factor. Thats why I was leaning towards a Encore, but if I can get whaty I want with a G2 I will go that route.  In your contender Bob what type of fps are you getting with 225gr bullets ?  can you load 250gr loads and if so what type of fps ?  Greycg wha are you using for your 358 Bellm encore or Contender ?  What type of fps are yougetting with 225gr bullets andcan you load 250gr bulets if so at what fps ?

Thank you,
Erik F.

[Bob C]

I got around 2200 with the 200 grain bullets, and around 2100 with the 225's, without any pressure problems. At those velocities the recoil became the limiting factor for me.

I haven't tried the 250's.

[Graycg]

I'm using a contender for my 358 bellm and concur with Bob C, recoil is more limiting than pressure.  I can push a 232 grain NEI cast bullet to 2200 FPS, I can get about 2350 from a 200 grain RCBS or NEI cast bullet...I prefer keeping both to around 2000 fps for my 16 inch skinny barreled carbine.


regards,
 Graycg

[Graybeard]

I've owned both the .358 JDJ and the .358****. The JDJ will get you more safe velocity as it does have a larger case capacity and more loading data availabilty. From my 14" JDJ rechamber I was getting 2300 fps with 225s and still hadn't reached the max powder charge SSK recommends. That was plenty for me.

For really heavy cast bullets that long neck on the **** "might" be a small advantage but really the JDJ has more than enough neck for most any reasonable bullets. Recoil can be wicked.

GB

[T.J. McSuds]

OK, I give up. What is the ****?

[Robert]

What is the brass length on that case from Daveid White?

T.J.... ***** is a bad, bad thing.  (just kidding)  That is the name of a guy that caused a ruckas on here.  Stick around...you'll understand soon enough.

[T.J. McSuds]

While I agree that a troublemaker should be banned and not encouraging promotion of the person is correct. As some interested in 35cal loads and came here for info, I think it is a disservice to newbies to compare one 35 to another without saying what the compared load is.

 I will probably go with the Whelan or JDJ but my mind is not made up yet.

 T.J.

[Erik F]

I have learned a lot from this thread.  But I still have some quistions.  I am starting to lean towards the JDJ as it is now but I am worried about reloading  dies in the Bellm I see that a person can use a 358win die with a 444marlin to do the job.  Is this the case with the 358 JDJ as well?  If not how much do dies run?  From looking around I have found that it is possible  to load 225gr   bullets no problem in the JDJ but have gotten the feeling that 250gr bullets are not done. Am I right or wrong here?  I am not sure why the 250gr could not be used if wanted the neck length of the JDJ is longer than that of the 258win and 250gr are used with that round?  Please correct me if I am wrong.  One last quistion is the JDJ safe in a contender or only the Encore?

Thank you,
Erik F.

[Graybeard]

I know of no reason why you can't load the 250s in the .358 JDJ. Even cast ones. It has a generous neck, just not as long as that other one. Dies are readily available from SSK. I think price is $60 as best as I recall. It absolutely amazes me that folks think nothing of the price of a custom barrel, base/rings and scope that might total in the $600 plus range and then worry about an extra $25-30 dies might cost. Not saying you fit this but just that it seems to be a too common situation when the JDJ rounds are mentioned.

While I agree that a troublemaker should be banned and not encouraging promotion of the person is correct. As some interested in 35cal loads and came here for info, I think it is a disservice to newbies to compare one 35 to another without saying what the compared load is.

While I agree to some extent and do sympthize there are some trouble makers who've either left this site of their own accord or have been booted off who just can't seem to stay away. They insist on trying to sneak back in for no reason other than to disrupt the harmony of the site and to try to bring free advertising for their super hero to this site. Well it just ain't gonna happen. To tell you the truth the entire TC topic is really more trouble than it is worth to me. Were it not for the great folks at SSK and Ed's TCs whom I respect and appreciate I'd dump the entire topic from the site. I won't for them but dang if TCs don't cause me more head ache than the rest of the entire site combined even tho they are but a small part of it. Seems to me that some TC users have to be the most obnoxious folks in the shooting/hunting community. Not all mind you but some 50-60 of them that like babies crying with a wet diaper want attention.

GB

[Jerry J]

I've owned a .358 in a Lone Eagle it would do 2250 with a 200gr Sierra Round Nose. I took one elk with that and the bullet blew apart, poor bullet choice on my part. The LE got stolen so I went to the Encore, worked with the 7mm08 and it is a great round in the Encore 15" bbl. I the bought a Fox Ridge standard bbl in .358 Winchester. It is a good round in the Encore it would do 2300 with a 225 Sierra Boat Tail. I sent this bbl to Virgin Valley and had it rechambered to a 35/284 Winchester. It is now my primary big game gun, it will do 2480 with a 225gr Nosler Partition.
I just picked up a 35rem bbl for my new G2. I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Hope this helps.. Good shooting.   Jerry J

[Pinkerton]

:grin: I have a 22" 35 rem contender barrel that I aquired from Ed's Contenders about 2 years ago and sent it right off to SSK to have it rechambered to 358JDJ and it is one nasty thumber on both sides of the barrel. Kicks like a team of mules and is even magna-ported.  I've fired a contender in 375JDJ 14" unbraked and found it to be more pleasant than the carbine configuration of my JDJ but it is very accurate and knocks the snot outa stuff. I've only used 180gr hornady's and 225 nosler BT's but 250's are listed in JD's load data. Very easy round to reload and worth every penny but not for the recoil shy but that's just my opinion.  Turn around time is very quick from SSK (usually faster than any other).  

Makes for a nice light packing powerful package.