I'm looking into buying a BLR in .358 . I understand that this caliber's true potential is realized only in handloading for it. That being said I think I remember reading somewhere about loading lightweight lead bullets in it for plinking and small game use. Maybee using 357 bullets or something like that. Can anyone here give me a little more info on that?

I'm looking into buying a BLR in .358 . I understand that this caliber's true potential is realized only in handloading for it. That being said I think I remember reading somewhere about loading lightweight lead bullets in it for plinking and small game use. Maybee using 357 bullets or something like that. Can anyone here give me a little more info on that?

Contact of mine suggests 16gn of Blue dot behind 158gn lead 357 pills. Says very accurate, don't know velocity. I am using Hornady 158gn XTP and 25gn of ADI (Australian) 2205 powder for a calculated about 2000fps. These group about 1 1/2 at 100 from my Pre 81 BLR.
2205 is close to IMR or H4227. Go to it!

Some manuals that list pistol and lighter bullets for plinking are the Nosler,with the 180 grn handgun silhouette bullet, Sierra with the 158JSP and 180 FPJ match, and Speer with the 140 and 158 JHP and 158 JSP. If you want to know the specific load data out of them let me know. The 358 is a great round.

A great load that I call the "Punkin Buster" uses any 158 JHP (the Remington "Rose Petal" bullet is spectacular) over 21.0 of 4198. Oh my.

With a 158 or 180 cast bullet, my "Universal Load" of 13.0 RedDot may be used in the .358 with rewarding results.

MikeG still has nightmares about what a Remington 158 grain JHP out of my .35 Remington did to a skunk. :D Lets say that the destruction was impressive.

Bye
Jack

Let me guess, it was like a prarie dog with varmint bullets?

About like that. The range was 40 yards, from UPWIND, and the case was full of 3031. :D

Bye
Jack