358 Winchester for upcoming NL moose hunt

[GeorgeShaw]

I just ordered some Barnes 200gr bullets, and TAC powder to work up a load this summer. The outfitter says to be proficient from 75-150yds with a maximum of 300. Let's see what it'll do. my rifle is a light contured barrel Ruger 77

 

[thinhorn_AK]

358 Winchester kicks ass.

 

[GeorgeShaw]

358 Winchester kicks ass.

That's what I'm hoping

 

[elkguide]

Love my M77 in .358. Great rifle.

 

[GeorgeShaw]

Love my M77 in .358. Great rifle.

I wish I could have found one, but ended up having one built on a Ruger all weather compact. It's short, and very very lightweight.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

there's no need for a mono bullet at the velocities you can get with a 358 win.

 

[ElPollo]

there's no need for a mono bullet at the velocities you can get with a 358 win.

Agreed. I would generally avoid them unless you have to use them. And if I had to use them, I would pick a faster cartridge. My experience with the Barnes TTSX was spotty to poor performance below 2100-2200 fps. The TSX is even more spotty.

 

[robtattoo]

I really wish Speer would unplug their heads & reinstate the 220gr Hot-Core.

The only bullet that's even remotely better is the Rem Core Lokt & they've been unobtainable forever.

My little 700 is hands down my favorite rifle. 20", 7lb on the button.

 

[Macintosh]

re: the mono--be really careful with the across the board velocity recommendations, they are not valid across the board. Example, barnes mono muzzleloader bullets expand PLENTY at velocities way below 1800fps, that's like the muzzle velocity of most muzzleloader projectiles. Barnes is admittedly crappy at communicating this info, but they will tell you a different velocity for almost every different caliber and weight bullet...example the .308 168 expands at lower velocity than the .308 165gr. It may be +/- accurate for most of the high-velocity rifle bullets, but there are notable exceptions. Call them and ask about the .358 bullet if worried and get a velocity (and add some padding to whatever they tell you), but 100% they make bullets that are specifically designed to, and from firsthand experience do, reliably expand at much lower velocities.

Moose aren't that hard to kill, unless that bullet is grossly mismatched with the velocity you'll get, it'll work fine.

 

[GeorgeShaw]

re: the mono--be really careful with the across the board velocity recommendations, they are not valid across the board. Example, barnes mono muzzleloader bullets expand PLENTY at velocities way below 1800fps, that's like the muzzle velocity of most muzzleloader projectiles. Barnes is admittedly crappy at communicating this info, but they will tell you a different velocity for almost every different caliber and weight bullet...example the .308 168 expands at lower velocity than the .308 165gr. It may be +/- accurate for most of the high-velocity rifle bullets, but there are notable exceptions. Call them and ask about the .358 bullet if worried and get a velocity (and add some padding to whatever they tell you), but 100% they make bullets that are specifically designed to, and from firsthand experience do, reliably expand at much lower velocities.

Moose aren't that hard to kill, unless that bullet is grossly mismatched with the velocity you'll get, it'll work fine.

I did call them, and was told 1800fps was the minimum velocity they recommend on that bullet. I'm only in the test stage right now for a 2025 hunt. I'll build a load, run it through the crony, and determine what distance will maintain that parameter. I know that it's not going to smash through a shoulder like a 338Win Mag.

 

[Macintosh]

then its like their regular centerfire rifle stuff, keep it well above 2000fps and you will be fine, barnes seems optimistic about their minimum velocities. Looks like you’ll want to load that pretty hot to get reliable expansion at 300 yards. This is for a ttsx g1 bc of .369 at 1500’ elevation. 2650 fps mv was down in the 1900fps range at 300.

Again, moose are not hard to kill, you definitely dont need a 338. The moose Ive been around taken were with standard .308win, 7mm-08, 30-30, a 30-06 and a 270 win, about half with solid coppers. All died just fine with zero fuss. That gun will go thru moose shoulder just fine.

 

[GeorgeShaw]

then its like their regular centerfire rifle stuff, keep it well above 2000fps and you will be fine, barnes seems optimistic about their minimum velocities. Looks like you’ll want to load that pretty hot to get reliable expansion at 300 yards. This is for a ttsx g1 bc of .369 at 1500’ elevation. 2650 fps mv was down in the 1900fps range at 300.

Again, moose are not hard to kill, you definitely dont need a 338. The moose Ive been around taken were with standard .308win, 7mm-08, 30-30, a 30-06 and a 270 win, about half with solid coppers. All died just fine with zero fuss. That gun will go thru moose shoulder just fine.

View attachment 724214

Thank you for the assistance.

 

[Macintosh]

yeah, and sorry to be a busybody! Sounds like a cool cartridge, I was curious so plugged it in. Surprised it isnt more popular around me.

 

[GeorgeShaw]

yeah, and sorry to be a busybody! Sounds like a cool cartridge, I was curious so plugged it in. Surprised it isnt more popular around me.

It's all good, you're not a busybody at all. I welcome all discussions and comments. I learn stuff that way, and maybe someone watching does too.

 

[GeorgeShaw]

I see online a lot of guys using TAC for the 358Win, so I bought a couple pounds. Using Hornady data I loaded 50gr(52+ was maximum) at 2.810" OAL, I'm not sure if 52 will fit actually. Only loaded 5, I'll test 3 for accuracy, and run 2 through a chronograph.

 

[ResearchinStuff]

tac is pretty temp sensitive in my 223, be careful with the heat wave

 

[GeorgeShaw]

tac is pretty temp sensitive in my 223, be careful with the heat wave

Yeah you won't see me sitting at the range in this weather, lol. I'll wait for a nice weekend and post results.

 

[GeorgeShaw]

today was my latest test day. 51.2gr of TAC, and bullet seated to 2.790" very compressed load. got it dialed in at 100yds, average muzzle velocity was 2639fps. I ordered my free turret from Leupold, and at some point I'll be testing it out to 200 and 300yds.