It shoots well and is light and easy to carry while hunting. With the 250-grain bullet, it's better than the .30-06 on heavy game at close ranges. If you handload your ammunition, it will make feeding a .358 Norma that much easier, just realize you wont find ammunition at a general store, or even at most gun shops, for that matter. Of them all the one I still have is the 9,3X62. 200-grain bullet to almost 2500 f.p.s. Give a Gift Have all three, and have not shot any of em My medium is a 9,3x62. Around eight pounds set to go is a good compromise. Mag.They have almost identical case capacity, but the .358 Norma Mag. Copyright 2000-2023 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. No, its not exactly easy on the shoulder, but its not terrible either. As a result of all this activity, .358-inch diameter jacketed rifle bullets are available in a wide range of weights and styles, from 150-grain semipointed to 200- grain roundnose, all the way up to 310 grains for the heaviest game. As a "stopper" for use on dangerous game the .358 Norma is clearly superior to the .300 Magnums. My 35 Whelen will run 250gr partitions at 2700 fps with power pro 2000 powder. I bought it as a moose rifle but never got drawn in ten years. You can never lead if you always follow; the other cartridges were designed to chase Winchesters success, while the .35 Rem. The .35 Caliber Cartridge Family(.357 Mag., .35 Remington, .356 Winchester, .358 Winchester, .35 Whelen, .350 Rem. I am often criticized for following the Elmer Keith school in suggesting powerful cartridges. Back in the late 70's I picked up a custom 1903 in 358 Norma Mag, awesome rifle, very accurate and it put a thump on deer, I bought it hopping to get a moose tag back in MN, never did and sold the rifle. Mark Bansner is making one for me: synthetic stock on a left-hand Sako action. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Compare practically any small bore cartridge (.32 caliber or less) with a .35 caliber cartridge of similar powder capacity and the result is pretty much the same. Kynoch was a big producer of .350 ammo, but that has ceased in the recent past. But in my experience, if you can cover that 300-yard window with confidence youre in good shape. Kali Parmley of Gun Dog Magazine talks to George Thompson from Benelli USA about the new features from the Benelli line in 2023. Among my own favorites for the .358 Norma are the Nosler Partitions in both 225 and 250 grains, Swift A-Frames (225, 250, 280) and various Woodleighs, including the unique 310-grain Weldcore. As unmagical as that might sound, it's one of the hardest hitting non-magnum cartridges ever. So if you have a .375 (or larger) and a yen to take it elk hunting, be my guest. Although such weight is rare, a big bull can exceed 1,000 pounds. Looks like I'll do a Whelen. So it is fair to say that, over the years, .35 caliber rifles at least have caught the interest of the gun and ammo manufacturers, if not the general shooting public. The main problem with such potent cartridges is that they kick hard in rifles light enough to carry all day in steep places. Here in North America big game starts with deer. Being able to take off the scope and work with iron sights, using cast bullets or light jacketed bullets, adds an entirely new dimension to the rifle. While the Colt Model 601 was the first AR-15 to be mass-produced, there were several design variations that came before during the platform's development. Another vote for something different.The 358 STA would be the one. The .35 Whelen is a necked up medium bore wildcat cartridge that was created by necking up a .30-06 Springfield case which is famously overpowered for the 30-caliber bullet it propels. Original Schultz & Larsens had substantial freebore to keep pressures down, and Normas specifications for the cartridge called for it. It arrived with three other cartridges designed to compete with Winchesters popular lever-action lineup. That is quite a few cartridges considering that there is not a single best selling rifle cartridge in the bunch. On the other hand, you must hit it well, because if poorly hit, an elk shows strength and stamina and may cover many miles of tough country. The full spectrum of our many 7mms, from 7mm-08 and 7x57 on up to the fastest 7mm magnums, are also fine, but they are not magical giant-slayers. That version is in some dispute, with evidence that Whelen himself developed the cartridge or at least worked with Howe on its development. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Bertram Brass from Australia is a good source when you can get it, and Quality Cartridge makes a run of .350 Rigby every few years, but you could be waiting a considerable amount of time. Ill bet its been awhile since those cartridges have been seen in a hunting camp. A medium variable in the 3-9X or 2.5-10X range should be enough scope for elk hunting. Looking for previous installments of our "Behind the Bullet" series? The recent introduction of a Hornady LeverEvolution factory load for the .35 Remington has usefully improved its ballistics. Contributor Brad Fenson takes to the grill, to cook up some delicious venison burgers. Sure, you can get away with it, especially with todays extra-heavy bullets, but I think its foolish. My favorite hunting round. .50 BMG. Ive obviously left the door wide open. He, too, could have been one of the greats. Posts: 46,063. With todays interest in long-range shooting, big scopes are in, but powerful scopes add weight. I did kill a ton of squirels with pistol bullets and a little 700X, it would shoot little cloverleafs at 50 yrds. X-Vision Optics long-range ImpactThermal Scope (TS300) boasts a 640 x 480 thermal sensor that can detect big game well past 3,000 yards. They can take their time and pick their shots. I wont go so far as to say thats foolish, but theres a major difference in size and toughness between a cow or spike and a mature bull. Today we have better bullets than when I was a kid. Contributor Brad Fenson takes to the grill, to cook up some delicious venison burgers. The .358 Win. .35 caliber rifle cartridges have been around practically forever without ever really becoming popular. Bottles & 12-oz. Mag. Petersen's HUNTING Publisher, Kevin Steele is in the CZ booth with Dylan Rice at SHOT Show to talk about CZ 600 Series Trail rifle. The hunter from afar, journeying into unfamiliar country, must also accept the pressure of a limited period of time and the knowledge that it may come down to just one chance. Elk hunting can be extremely physicalnot only steep country, but also altitude and sometimes deep snow to buck. .358 Norma brass is a snap to make from 338 Win Mag brass. Ive had a 350 RM in a 600 Remington since the 60s. I have needed to reach 400 yards, but never a whole bunch farther. Either way, the Newton is the unbelted twin of the .358 Norma. And for the larger antelope species, like any of the eland, wildebeest, zebra and roan, the .350 Rigby Magnum is a sound choice. Is the .358 Norma Magnum a cartridge destined to make a huge comeback? As it was released in the first century of the . In 1965 Remington took it to the next level with the introduction of the Model 600 Magnum Carbine. It will work in this action with ease and will be plenty cheap to feed and use if one simply sizes up 338 brass and goes along thier happy way. Rifle Recoil Table. Does the power of the magnum offer much over the whelen in real life terms? First, it will do everything the .338 will, and a bit more. The .308 Winchester is a fine elk cartridge, and the grand old .30-06, with a bit more velocity and energy, is better. This is not enough to argue about, so Im not convinced that the 7mm is better than the .270, but you can stoke it with a heavier bullet. is on the threatened list, this one is on a path to extinction. .50 Beowulf. In 1968 the 600 Magnum was replaced by the Model 660 Magnum, which featured a 20-inch barrel, but it was never a big seller, and Remington dropped the rifles. The 250-grain .358-inch bulletwith a sectional density of 0.279if properly constructed, has enough length to handle the brown bear and bison, and all of the African plains game species, plus lion and leopard. However, that may be changing, or at least the possibility of change may exist. compare 338/06 vs 338 win, and 35 whelen vs 358 norma vs 358 alaskan (stw) loaded to same pressure. Most Professional Hunters agree that a bullet with a S.D. the problem in this debate is we are crossing over in calibres, which means thrust on different sized pistons. Sadly, my favorite bullet diameter, the .35 caliber, doesnt even rate a blip on the American shooters radar screen. Many western hunters annually take elk with 6mms and .25s. And, as any fan of the .35-caliber cartridges knows, there are quite a few bullet weights to choose from within the caliber. You know the kind with the locking bolt. Synthetic stocks arent always lighter than wood, but they are stronger and more stable, and elk hunting can be hard on rifles. The .350 Magnum has a case length of 2.742 inches, and an overall cartridge length 3.44 inches, so it will feel at home in a magnum-length receiver. into the deer woods, and I pine for what could have been. The M700 has been a popular action for building a rifle in .358 STA, a wildcat based on the 8mm Remington Magnum. Whelen would not. Oklahoma. These include some of my favorites, such as the .358 Winchester and .45-70. I have used the .35 Whelen on critters from bobcats to moose. Honestly, Ive taken as many elk with the .30-06 as with any other cartridge, and the farthest at 350 yards was no problem. Trust me, you could do worse, but youll be hard-pressed to do better! Far more alternatives, in fact, than exist in several more popular caliber families. As a "stopper" for use on dangerous game the .358 Norma is clearly superior to the .300 Magnums. Hornady has a Superformance load with a 200-grain SP at 2910 f.p.s. There are several reasons. For the one perfect all-around elk rifle, Im not sure you can beat the good old .30-06. The Remington Model 600 Magnum rifle, along with the cartridge it birthed, was just such a product. If you match the bullet to the game, this is one of the all-time great hunting cartridges. My vote is for the .35 Whelen. Avoid quick-opening bullets, especially match bullets; instead, choose controlled-expansion designs intended for hunting larger game. The big case certainly made its reputation with the 250-grain bullets, as their sectional density gives excellent penetration on even the heavy-boned animals, and the .358 Norma can push them to a muzzle velocity of 2750 fps. Synthetic wins over laminate because laminates, strongest of all, are also heaviest. Introducing the Veracity PH from Burris, the perfect combination of reliability, quality, and technology delivering a simple aiming solutiona tool for the hunter that just works. In its 112-year lineage, it has probably taken more elk than all other cartridges combined. The cartridge is closely related to the .308 Norma Magnum. 9.3x62 boots 320gr Woodleigh protected points and weldcore round noses out at 2400 fps with RL-17. In the 80s, when Jack Carter was making his Trophy Bonded Bearclaw bullet by hand, I did some elk hunting with the 240-grain .375 version. I am not into the current long-range fad, especially on powerful animals like elk. I have long been something of a .35 caliber fan, but I have to admit that I believe the reason for the general lack of public acceptance of all but the least powerful .35's is, in a word, recoil. and .35 Rem., it was an excellent woods rifle for hunting whitetails. It is a good choice for shooters who are very sensitive to recoil, since its free recoil energy is only about 4.5 ft. lbs. The ammunition hung on a while longer, but eventually Big Green abandoned her babies and stopped making both cartridges. from my E.R. 35 Whelen. Also H&R 1871, Inc., offered single-shot rifles in .35 Whelen from 1994 to 1996. A failed product is often said to be ahead of its time, which is usually just a polite way of saying nobody wanted to buy it. Unlike either the .338 or .375, the .35 (.358-inch) has been a standard American caliber since 1900. That load has a maximum optimal range on 1000 pound game (like a big Alaskan moose or brown bear) of 151 yards. From left: (1) .35 Remington, (2) .358 Winchester and (3) .358 Norma Magnum. THe 35 whelen did have a little more power than the 358. This was not the factory bullet from the 1960s, with its mild-steel jacket, but a later one. But the .416 is certainly not the only cartridge to bear the Rigby surname; read the works of Walter Dalrymple Maitland Karamoja Bell, or Col. Jim Corbett and the .275 Rigbybetter known as the 7x57mm Mauserwill get all sorts of praise. Any listing you find for H-4895 can be modified by loading only 60 percent of the published minimum to create some very comfortable loads. The .350 Magnum has a case length of 2.742 inches, and an overall cartridge length 3.44 inches, so it will feel at home in a magnum-length receiver. By and large, we shooters seem to gravitate to the middle of the road; to bland, yet predictable, mediocrity. It will kill farther than that, of course, but that is its optimum range. 1 Item (s) Show per page. As an experiment, I shot the nilgai five or six more times with different bullets, then hauled the carcass back to the cleaning station intact and carried out a necropsy. At 400 yds., the .358 Norma impacts 3.1 inches lower than the .300 Win. and is a good cartridge for hunting the thick woods for deer, hogs, black bear or even elk. There werent many factory .358 Norma Magnum rifles mademost were Husqvarnas or Schultz & Larsensbut many American gunsmiths converted the Mauser 98, Springfield 03-A3 and the like to the big .35, as it made an absolutely perfect choice for those headed north to Alaska. In the mid 70's I picked up a 358Norma. Coming from me, this conclusion may shock you, so let me give you another surprise. I have one, of course, and it is fun to shoot, but I would never use it on a serious big-game hunt. Then come the .270s. The .338-inch fans cite the advantage of the higher sectional density figures, while the .358-inch camp favors the better frontal diameter of the larger bore. This is basically a deer and black bear (CXP2 class game) cartridge, although it is reputed to be superior to cartridges in the .30-30 class for game weighing over about 400 pounds. and is probably a better deer and black bear cartridge at woods ranges than the more popular .30-30 Win. I'd go with the 35 whelen. They will also slap down lighter game like deer, feral hogs and black bear with authority, of course. Publisher, Kevin Steele is with Brett Marquardt from Streamlight Inc. discussing the new Streamlight Pro Tac 2.0, the latest edition in the Pro Tac series. After ten years of not getting drawn I sold it it was too much gun for most of my hunting. Shaw rifles 24-inch barrel. Mag. There have been many others, such as the .35-30 Maynard (both in the 1865 and the 1882 versions) and .35-40 Maynard. and .32 Rem. A monster buck is different from a fork-horn or a fat doe. The .350 Remington Magnum is the only cartridge that appears on both lists of current and obsolete calibers. All Petersen's Hunting subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. As well, most bullet manufacturers produce soft, 200-grain roundnosed bullets intended for the .35 Remington, and these fit a wide range of uses. Of course, not all .35-caliber cartridges approach greatness. Since then, I have often recommended medium bores, such as Elmer Keiths favorite .33s, and Ive used the 8mm Remington Magnum a lot. The .35 Whelen is a fine elk cartridge. up to 0.358 inches and dubbed it the poor mans magnum.. They live in steep, rough country, and their long legs cover a lot of ground. From there, you can work up until you find a load that gives you the accuracy and velocity you want. Im voting no. Have a .350 Rem Mag, building a .358 Win currently, would prefer to do the .358 Norma if possible but not sure if this action can handle it.Anyone? It is very accurate, easy to carry and fast on the target. The .35 Rem. If you happen to have a .35 and don't mind the extra recoil, there is no denying that it will flat get the job done. Had the .358 Norma Magnum been chambered in an American rifle, or at least promoted by an American company, the popularity of the cartridge may have been much greater than it is. Theres more to success than merely landing a good one on the chin. These were, primarily, the Schultz & Larsen (Denmark), the Husqvarna (Sweden) and a few Browning High Powers made by FN in Belgium. From the .35 Winchester (1903), .35 Remington (1906) and .351 Winchester Self-Loading (1907) to the later .358 Winchester (1955) and .350 Remington Magnum (1965), there has always been at least one .35-caliber cartridge in use. Maybe it's a regular BDL? of muzzle energy. Of the three, only the .358 Norma has not become a standard chambering. can drive the same weight bullet a bit faster. But they are not essential, and despite their effectiveness, all magnums from .30 caliber upwards generate more recoil than many folks are comfortable withand are able to shoot well. Heres a look at 10 of the most flexible long-range hunting cartridges. I wont be ashamed to take it elk hunting, but today Im certain that level of power is not essential. You get the shot you get, and within sensible limits, you must be able to take the shot offered. lbs. would follow that tradition. Too bad Ingemar Johansson was not so well equipped. Since lack of a gas seal in a low-pressure load is more of a nuisance than a danger, it can be ignored if you dont mind the soot. The bullet was the then-new Trophy Bonded 250-grain Bear Claw. And the hunter must have full confidence in his or her choice. Thats the primary game for many of us, but one size doesnt fit all. and .358 Norma Mag.). As it turned out, having a great punch was not enough for either one. The .35-caliber cartridges usually top out at 250 grains, though if a 300-grain bullet at a slightly faster twist rate were employed, it would certainly be in the same class as the .375 Holland & Holland. At 300 yds., the .358 Norma impacts only 0.96" lower than the .300 Win. Powered by UBB.threads PHP Forum Software 7.7.5. That year, Remington also brought out the Model 673 Guide Gun in .350 Rem Mag. Choose at least medium weight for caliber: 140 grains in 6.5mm and the lighter 7mms; 140 and 150 grains in .270s; 150 to 160 grains in faster 7mms; 165 or 180 grains in .30 calibers. Kevin Steele from Petersen's HUNTING speaks to Jordan Egli of Burris Optics about the all-new Veracity PH Riflescope. Is there a way to find out what year it is by serial #? Griffin & Howe developed the semiwildcat .350 G&H based on the .375 H&H case, as well as pioneering the .35 Whelen. The quest for an acceptable .35 has inspired such impotent wastes as the .35 Winchester Self Loader, once labeled a candidate for the title: Worlds Most Useless Center-Fire Rifle Cartridge.. Right now, I think that the Browning BLR lever-action rifle is the only production gun left on the market in .358 Win. As many hunters know, the Remington Model 600 carbine, which was introduced in 1964, was one of the first short, light, bolt-action rifles to find success with deer hunters. I own several rifles in this cartridge and all my .35 Whelen rifles are accurate. The company has chambered several rifles in the cartridge including models in bolt-action, pump-action and semi-automatic. How it would have done on a live animal is impossible to say. Heeding the advice of American friends, Kvale worked on what would become the .358 Norma Magnum. The .357 Magnum is ideal for light game like javelina and will do for the smaller species of deer and antelope at short range. [quote=encorerbHmmm, makes me wonder. That does not mean that any gunsmith who had his own ideas about velocity and accuracy might not include it or go completely the other way. Campfire 'Bwana. Mention the Rigby name to any rifle aficionado, and odds are that the famous .416 Rigby cartridge will come quickly to mind, and with good reason; it is an undeniable classic. People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf. Heres a detailed look at each step of the process. This raises the obvious question: Why, with so many modern cartridges around of more or less equal power, chambered in readily available rifles, is there this lingering interest in, and loyalty to, the .358 Norma? Common loads fire a 200-grain bullet at 2,800 fps (about 3,480 foot pounds of energy), a 225-grain bullet at around 2,600fps (3,380 foot pounds of energy . With such a wide range of both cast and jacketed bullets available, and todays variety in powders, the .358 Norma has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to load possibilities. But in those countries where the lighter cartridges are legal for the cats, the .350 Rigby Magnum is just about perfect. With modern powders the muzzle velocities can certainly beat those of the Cordite loads a century ago, especially in a modern rifle.