Husqvarna .358 Norma Magnum
- Thread starter Sinovac
- Start date
Since I was apparently not alone in having no knowledge this gun existed, I thought I would post some pictures. I still have no idea what it is worth, but it was cool so I bought it. Cartridges are no longer available, but it is nice to look at. It has three rear sight leaves for 100, 200 and 300 meters. I guess the Swedes can make something other than chainsaws.
from Wikipedia
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. 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. 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 but it is still available from Winchester Repeating Arms Company and Browning Arms Company. 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.
Performance
Winchester currently 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). Cartridge cases can be formed from .308 cases.
I couldn't find it in the current Winchester listings. Looks like Hornady has a .358 Win also
http://www.hornady.com/store/358-Win-200-gr-SP/
Another source -
http://ammoseek.com/?gun=rifle&cal=192
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. 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. 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 but it is still available from Winchester Repeating Arms Company and Browning Arms Company. 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.
Performance
Winchester currently 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). Cartridge cases can be formed from .308 cases.
I couldn't find it in the current Winchester listings. Looks like Hornady has a .358 Win also
http://www.hornady.com/store/358-Win-200-gr-SP/
Another source -
http://ammoseek.com/?gun=rifle&cal=192
Thanks Ralphie. I also found this:
http://www.norma-usa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=20&Itemid=212
and this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.358_Norma_Magnum
Based on the casing dimensions, the .358 Norma Magnum and .358 Winchester are not interchangeable. Norma discontinued the cartridge.
http://www.norma-usa.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=20&Itemid=212
and this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.358_Norma_Magnum
Based on the casing dimensions, the .358 Norma Magnum and .358 Winchester are not interchangeable. Norma discontinued the cartridge.
Last edited:
BlackICE
GT Owner
From this -
"The handloader can easily make cartridge cases by necking up and fire-forming cases from any similar,.532-inch base diameter, belted magnum: the .338 Winchester Magnum, .308 Norma, etc., or by shortening and forming longer belted magnums. Norma continues to make factory cartridge cases in this caliber. One advantage many handloaders enjoy is that the bore, being .358-inch, allows use of the vast variety of relatively inexpensive bullets designed for the popular .38 Special/.357 Magnum handgun cartridges to be used for plinking, hunting small game and vermin, and lower-recoil target practice. Light (lower power) loads with bullets designed to expand at lower velocities, that emulate lesser cartridges such as the .35 Remington or .358 Winchester, can also be handloaded for use on deer and other smaller big game, something that cannot be done with the .338's and .375's for lack of suitable bullets."
If you're into wildcatting - it looks like this wouldn't be too much of a change, for either you or a competent gunsmith. And, if you can get the cases from Norma, handloading would be quite easy.