358 wssm

rich1/61 · May 20, 2008, 09:39 PM

I am looking for any info on this wildcat

Sidetracked · May 20, 2008, 11:06 PM

This is a cartridge that interests me. I currently have an almost-finished .35 Whelen, and a .358 Win is on the way.

However, it is very hard (for me) to get information, and/or get people to talk about what gunsmith they used for the rebarrel job.

Your best bet is to contact some big-name gunsmithing operations or wildcat specialists and inquire as to whether or not they have a reamer available to chamber a barrel.

Dies would be a custom job; either acquired from a major vendor (RCBS, Hornady, etc), or made by a gunsmith.

If you do manage to get a rifle chambered in it... Starting loads for the .358 Winchester would probably be a good place to start working up loads for the WSSM. As always, do a case capacity check before starting. That way you'll know just how much of a difference there is, and whether or not the .358 Win loads are actually a good starting point.

Lastly-
The .358 WSSM (or WSM) is not a cartridge for the faint of heart, or beginning wildcatter. If you don't have a great deal of reloading experience, or a history of using wildcats; you are getting yourself into a world of confusion and danger. If this is your first wildcat, I cannot advise you to pursue it any further. It is a world of uncertaintly at the moment, with almost zero published data.

If this is not your first wildcat... disregard, and good luck.

rich1/61 · May 22, 2008, 01:36 PM

I have talked to a good gunsmith he will do the rifle and work up the load . He is going to take a 350 rem mag and rethread the barrel to 358 wssm

arizona hunter · May 26, 2008, 10:48 AM

So what does this cartridge perform like? Is it like a 35 Whelen a 358 Norma or a 358 STW?

rich1/61 · May 26, 2008, 07:30 PM

It seems to get about 2600fps from a 225 grain bullet. Which is very good for Indiana

Sidetracked · May 26, 2008, 08:25 PM

Most reports I've read put it in .350 Rem Mag and .35 Whelen's velocities, but it is sometimes hard to tell if the owner is shooting the WSSM or WSM version.

Rich's quote of 2,600 fps with a 225 gr bullet would put it in the class of the .358 Norma Mag, or a hot .350 Rem Mag.

Ruger4570 · May 26, 2008, 11:21 PM

I get right at 2700 fps with my 35-284 and Sierra 225 gr bullets. This load was originally chronographed for my by Gary Sitton (Author/Friend) in Tucson.
A 358 Norma can do a lot better than 2600 fps for sure.

Lawyer Daggit · May 27, 2008, 06:04 AM

Why not just buy a .350 Rem Mag or a .35 Whelen and be done with it? cases and rifles are readily available and I would imagine the WSM derived model would not be much different in performance.

arizona hunter · May 27, 2008, 10:09 AM

Lawyer Daggit (BTW I love that line in True Grit "she draws him like a gun"),

I think too, it would be just as well to get a 350 Rem or my choice, a 35 Whelen. Rifles are already chambered for them and with 200-250 grain bullets like a Barnes, Nosler, Swift etc. they can drop any critter in North America and most in Africa from 300 yds easily.

Or if 358 Norma velocities are desired, then just get a 358 Norma.

May 20, 2008, 09:39 PM	#1
rich1/61 Junior Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: in. Posts: 3	358 wssm I am looking for any info on this wildcat

May 20, 2008, 11:06 PM	#2
Sidetracked Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2008 Location: Henrietta, FL Posts: 306	This is a cartridge that interests me. I currently have an almost-finished .35 Whelen, and a .358 Win is on the way. However, it is very hard (for me) to get information, and/or get people to talk about what gunsmith they used for the rebarrel job. Your best bet is to contact some big-name gunsmithing operations or wildcat specialists and inquire as to whether or not they have a reamer available to chamber a barrel. Dies would be a custom job; either acquired from a major vendor (RCBS, Hornady, etc), or made by a gunsmith. If you do manage to get a rifle chambered in it... Starting loads for the .358 Winchester would probably be a good place to start working up loads for the WSSM. As always, do a case capacity check before starting. That way you'll know just how much of a difference there is, and whether or not the .358 Win loads are actually a good starting point. Lastly- The .358 WSSM (or WSM) is not a cartridge for the faint of heart, or beginning wildcatter. If you don't have a great deal of reloading experience, or a history of using wildcats; you are getting yourself into a world of confusion and danger. If this is your first wildcat, I cannot advise you to pursue it any further. It is a world of uncertaintly at the moment, with almost zero published data. If this is not your first wildcat... disregard, and good luck. __________________ Feel free to disagree with my opinion. -I do it all the time.

May 22, 2008, 01:36 PM	#3
rich1/61 Junior Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: in. Posts: 3	358 wssm I have talked to a good gunsmith he will do the rifle and work up the load . He is going to take a 350 rem mag and rethread the barrel to 358 wssm

May 26, 2008, 07:30 PM	#5
rich1/61 Junior Member Join Date: May 20, 2008 Location: in. Posts: 3	358 wssm It seems to get about 2600fps from a 225 grain bullet. Which is very good for Indiana

May 26, 2008, 08:25 PM	#6
Sidetracked Senior Member Join Date: May 12, 2008 Location: Henrietta, FL Posts: 306	Most reports I've read put it in .350 Rem Mag and .35 Whelen's velocities, but it is sometimes hard to tell if the owner is shooting the WSSM or WSM version. Rich's quote of 2,600 fps with a 225 gr bullet would put it in the class of the .358 Norma Mag, or a hot .350 Rem Mag. __________________ Feel free to disagree with my opinion. -I do it all the time.

May 26, 2008, 10:48 AM	#4
arizona hunter Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2005 Location: phoenix, AZ Posts: 212	So what does this cartridge perform like? Is it like a 35 Whelen a 358 Norma or a 358 STW?

May 26, 2008, 11:21 PM	#7
Ruger4570 Senior Member Join Date: April 3, 2005 Location: Rochester, New York Posts: 2,136	I get right at 2700 fps with my 35-284 and Sierra 225 gr bullets. This load was originally chronographed for my by Gary Sitton (Author/Friend) in Tucson. A 358 Norma can do a lot better than 2600 fps for sure.

May 27, 2008, 06:04 AM	#8
Lawyer Daggit Senior Member Join Date: December 5, 2004 Posts: 1,181	Why not just buy a .350 Rem Mag or a .35 Whelen and be done with it? cases and rifles are readily available and I would imagine the WSM derived model would not be much different in performance.

May 27, 2008, 10:09 AM	#9
arizona hunter Senior Member Join Date: May 20, 2005 Location: phoenix, AZ Posts: 212	Lawyer Daggit (BTW I love that line in True Grit "she draws him like a gun"), I think too, it would be just as well to get a 350 Rem or my choice, a 35 Whelen. Rifles are already chambered for them and with 200-250 grain bullets like a Barnes, Nosler, Swift etc. they can drop any critter in North America and most in Africa from 300 yds easily. Or if 358 Norma velocities are desired, then just get a 358 Norma.