358 Norma Mag

[Big_Country]

So I picked up a nice 358 Norma Mag last year and thought I would see what others thought of it being used as an all around elk rifle? It seems to like the 225 AB and the 250 Partition quite well. I think my ole Sako Finnbear 338 WM and my 35 Whelen might be left home this coming season...
Who's using, or has in the past a 358 NM for elk hunting? Which bullets do you prefer and at what distances?

** PS I know it's not needed to harvest elk

 

[Reemty J]

Tagging in

 

[Muddyboots]

Oh man, 254HH would be unreal in this!

@RockyMtnMT : need 225HH for this bad boy!

 

[memtb]

IMO, it would be a good "all around"…..for everything! Just like a .338 WM …..a great "all around" contender! memtb

 

[memtb]

** PS I know it's not needed to harvest elk

Correct, not "needed"…..a 22 LR "will" do the job under ideal conditions, if you're willing to wait for ideal condition. I rarely experience "ideal conditions" when elk hunting! Prepare for the worst - hope for the best! memtb

 

[snox801]

Someone say 178gr hammers over h4350?
16" barrel sending them over 3100fps seems to do the trick on deer and elk.
Not my rifle but I load for it as my uncle has one and uses it for all his hunting.
Best bullet I've found for it so far. It was the late version of the sledge hammer. Not sure what they are called now.
His is very old and very light weight. Shoots great out to 400 and flattens anything he can hit with it.

 

[levers4life]

I run 225gr Barnes in mine. Never put it on elk but pigs rarely take a step.

 

[snox801]

Like these

 

[snox801]

I run 225gr Barnes in mine. Never put it on elk but pigs rarely take a step.

Ran those for a bit but the hammers seemed better. Both are plenty for pigs or elk.

 

[Big_Country]

** PS I know it's not needed to harvest elk

Correct, not "needed"…..a 22 LR "will" do the job under ideal conditions, if you're willing to wait for ideal condition. I rarely experience "ideal conditions" when elk hunting! Prepare for the worst - hope for the best! memtb

I have killed them with 243, 25-06, 270, 7mm-08, 280, 30-30, 300 Win, 300 Rum, 338 Win, 35 Whelen to name a few.

 

[Reemty J]

SnoX what are they ?

 

[snox801]

.358 norma mag loaded with 178gr hammers

 

[memtb]

I have killed them with 243, 25-06, 270, 7mm-08, 280, 30-30, 300 Win, 300 Rum, 338 Win, 35 Whelen to name a few.

Exactly! My wife's taken elk with .243 Win., 270 Win., & .338 WM…..she's much happier with the .338's performance! I don't have experience with multiple cartridges….so my actual experiences are somewhat limited! memtb

 

[Apex Custom Rifles]

Following. I've always wanted to build a bigger brother (358) to my 308 Norma. Don't need it, but that's got nothing to do with it. I would think some hammers in the 358 NM would be a hell of a combo!