.358 Winchester

.358 Winchester

From left: .308 Winchester, .338 Federal, .358 Winchester
Type Rifle
Place of origin USA
Production history
Designer Winchester
Designed 1955
Manufacturer Winchester
Produced 1955
Specifications
Parent case .308 Winchester
Case type Rimless, bottleneck
Bullet diameter .358 in (9.1 mm)
Neck diameter .388 in (9.9 mm)
Shoulder diameter .454 in (11.5 mm)
Base diameter .470 in (11.9 mm)
Rim diameter .473 in (12.0 mm)
Rim thickness .054 in (1.4 mm)
Case length 2.015 in (51.2 mm)
Overall length 2.780 in (70.6 mm)
Rifling twist 1-12
Primer type Large rifle
Maximum CUP 52,000 CUP
Ballistic performance
Bullet weight/type Velocity Energy
180 gr (12 g) SP 2,700 ft/s (820 m/s) 2,914 ft·lbf (3,951 J)
200 gr (13 g) SP 2,500 ft/s (760 m/s) 2,776 ft·lbf (3,764 J)
250 gr (16 g) SP 2,200 ft/s (670 m/s) 2,687 ft·lbf (3,643 J)
Test barrel length: 24
Source(s): Hornady [1]

The .358 Winchester is a .35 caliber rifle cartridge based on a necked up .308 Winchester created by Winchester in 1955. The cartridge is also known in Europe as the 8.8x51mm.[2]

History

This cartridge came over 30 years later than the .35 Whelen which is based on the .30-06 Springfield. The relationship in performance between the .358 Win and the .35 Whelen is similar to that between the .308 Win and the .30-06.[1] It created a round more powerful than the .35 Remington and .348 Winchester.

Some think that the cartridge is only good as a short-range and woods round, but it is adequate for any North American big game, providing more energy than the .30-06 at close ranges.[2] Another benefit is that this round can be loaded with very light loads for informal shooting using smaller powder charges and bullets designed for the .38 Special and .357 Magnum. If the 250 grain bullet is used, it is reliable against the great bears.

Popularity of this cartridge has dwindled[2] but Browning Arms Company still produces the Browning BLR in .358 and numerous other rifles, such as the Winchester Model 70, Winchester Model 88, and the Savage Model 99 are available on the used gun rack; a number of companies (see availability below) still produce the ammunition. Noted web firearms author Chuck Hawks agrees with the Speer reloading manual that 'The .358 Winchester is one of the best woods cartridges ever designed.[3][4]

Performance and Availability

Winchester occasionally offers one load for this cartridge; the Winchester Super-X Silvertip. It consists of a 200-grain (13 g) pointed soft point bullet with an advertised muzzle velocity of 2,490 ft/s (760 m/s), and an advertised muzzle energy of 2,753 ft·lbf (3,733 J).[5]

Hunting Shack offers a choice of two loads, 225 grains or 250 grains.[6]

Buffalo Arms also offers a choice of two loads, 200 grains or 250 grains.[7]

Old Western Scrounger currently offers a 250 grain load.[8]

And, while temporarily suspended, Hornady offers a 200 grain, soft point load with a muzzle energy of 2,720 (ft-lbs).[9]

Cartridge cases can be formed from .308 cases.[4]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hornady Handbook of Cartridge Reloading vol I, Sixth Edition; Book by Hornady Mfg Co, 2003 pp539-541
  2. 1 2 3 Cartridges of the World 11th Edition, Book by Frank C. Barnes, Edited by Stan Skinner, Gun Digest Books, 2006, ISBN 0-89689-297-2 p. 83
  3. ↑ The .358 Winchester by Chuck Hawks (subscription required)
  4. 1 2 Speer Reloading Manual Number 13; Book by Speer, Blount, Inc., 1998 p.372
  5. ↑ Winchester.com
  6. ↑
  7. ↑ 22-.35 Caliber Smokeless Ammunition | Shop .22-.35 Caliber Smokeless Ammunition at Buffalo Arms
  8. ↑ 358 Win 225GR RN [3582] - $49.95 : The Old Western Scrounger LLC
  9. ↑ Hornady Manufacturing Company :: Ammunition :: Rifle :: Choose by Caliber :: 358 Win :: 358 Win 200 gr SP

External links

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