RE: .38 Winchester Any experience?
I'm so glad to see some fans of the .358 Win.!!!
My name says it. Its my favorite cartridge. I've used a BLR 81 in .358 since 1990. I handload it, and get impressive results both in accuracy and knock down power. Why this caliber never took off is beyond me. If more guys would buy one and use it for a few seasons, we'd see more favorable press on it and once the press says its good, companies make as much stuff to go with it as possible so they can make money off of the press hype!
After many years of playing at the reloading bench with this round, I've proven to myself that the .358 loves the bigger pills. I've shot a lot of 200 grainers out of it and they're accurate and kill deer well. But... The 225 grain pill really shines in the .358 winnie. At the range, there's minimal difference bewteen impact points at 100 yds with the 200 vs. the 225. The 225 grain Sierra Gameking hits 1" lower at 100 than the 200 Rem PSP.
My load for the 225 is 48.5 grains of IMR4895.
My 200 grain loads are:
BL-C(2) 50 grains/ 200 grain Sierra RN-- very, very accurate out of my gun. You'll have to see what yours likes. My smallest group is a 2 shot group at 100yds measuring .245" and the 3 shot group is 1.01".
also try W748 powder at 52 grains with a 200 gr Barnes X. Not quite as good as the recipe above, but a solid deer killer yielding a 3 shot group of 1.411" at 100yds.
I'm going hog hunting next weekend in PA. Of course, I'm taking my .358 Win. I'm using the 225 grain load. I'll keep you posted on the result of el porko vs. the .358!
Hope these loads help you.