357 vs 358

Rosko Packer · April 27, 2010, 01:39 PM

I have seen in several places that 357 pistol bullets can be shot in the 35 Whelen. I would like to experiment with this but I am wondering about the difference in stated size. The Whelen is listed as .358 cal and the pistol bullets are .357. Some of my manuals have loads listed for "158grain pistol bullets". Are the 357 and 358 really the same? My new Rem 700 has a 1:16 twist. I was wondering if I could make up a 158 or 180 grain screamer with my 357 bullets. Please advise. Loads?

Jimro · April 27, 2010, 01:42 PM

Yes. The one thousandths "undersize" pistol bullet will be fine.

The land to land diameter of a 358 rifle is 350, so you are getting plenty of rifling engagement. As the throat squeezes the bullet into the bore a little deformity will push material into the thousandth gap in the groove to groove diameter.

Jimro

vladan · April 27, 2010, 01:49 PM

The 1 thou difference wont be an issue, but the bullet construction most likely will. these bullets are made for 1400-1800 fps velocities and I suspect they just will come apart when shot at rifle velocities. the rifle will just put too much spin on the bullet and jacket will rip under the centrifugal forces in similar ways the light .224 bullets do in fast twists (1:8, 1:7) barrels

Rosko Packer · April 27, 2010, 02:23 PM

Its great to have the knowledge of all you folks available. Thanks a ton.

April 27, 2010, 01:39 PM	#1
Rosko Packer Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: A valley in The Flint Creek Range of The Rockies in Montana Posts: 20	357 vs 358 I have seen in several places that 357 pistol bullets can be shot in the 35 Whelen. I would like to experiment with this but I am wondering about the difference in stated size. The Whelen is listed as .358 cal and the pistol bullets are .357. Some of my manuals have loads listed for "158grain pistol bullets". Are the 357 and 358 really the same? My new Rem 700 has a 1:16 twist. I was wondering if I could make up a 158 or 180 grain screamer with my 357 bullets. Please advise. Loads?

April 27, 2010, 01:42 PM	#2
Jimro Senior Member Join Date: October 18, 2006 Posts: 7,097	Yes. The one thousandths "undersize" pistol bullet will be fine. The land to land diameter of a 358 rifle is 350, so you are getting plenty of rifling engagement. As the throat squeezes the bullet into the bore a little deformity will push material into the thousandth gap in the groove to groove diameter. Jimro __________________ Machine guns are awesome until you have to carry one.

April 27, 2010, 01:49 PM	#3
vladan Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2010 Location: Central Florida Posts: 813	The 1 thou difference wont be an issue, but the bullet construction most likely will. these bullets are made for 1400-1800 fps velocities and I suspect they just will come apart when shot at rifle velocities. the rifle will just put too much spin on the bullet and jacket will rip under the centrifugal forces in similar ways the light .224 bullets do in fast twists (1:8, 1:7) barrels

April 27, 2010, 02:23 PM	#4
Rosko Packer Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: A valley in The Flint Creek Range of The Rockies in Montana Posts: 20	Its great to have the knowledge of all you folks available. Thanks a ton.