The .358 Winchester (center) is the ballistic predecessor of the new .338 Federal (left). Both were developed from the .308 Winchester (right).

The spate of new .35-caliber bullets increases the utility of the .358 substantially. In addition to the tried-and-true cup-and-core missiles, there are Nosler Partitions, A-Frames from Swift and no-lead Triple Shock-X bullets from Barnes.

With the proper bullet, the .358 can handle a variety of hunting situations. Deer are in real jeopardy when a .358-toting hunter is in the woods. The 180-grain Speer flatpoint was originally designed for the .35 Remington, but propelled to 2,620 fps by 46 grains of Accurate Arms' XMR-2015, it is a deer bomb.

The 200-grain Hornady roundnose can be boosted along at 2,550 fps by 48 grains of Hodgdon's Benchmark powder. I have taken deer with Speer's 220-grain FP, and it is also a terrific deer bullet. My favorite load for it is 46 grains of Benchmark. Note that these three loads use benchrest powders.

Two new, sleek 225-grain bullets expand the range of the .358. Sierra's SBT over 46 grains of Benchmark produces 2,380 fps. Nosler offers a 225-grain Ballistic Tip Hunting bullet, which was designed for the .35 Whelen but is also suitable for the .358. For deep penetration, look to the Nosler Partition over 46 grains of Benchmark for 2,470 fps. All of these middleweights have velocity, retained energy and trajectories flat enough for (at least) 250-yard shooting and are suitable for big game up to and including elk.

But dedicated bullet mavens will want to poke holes in large critters with the heavyweight of the .35-caliber clan. Here four tough 250-grain stalwarts take center stage: the tried-and-true Speer Hot-Cor SP, the Partition, the Barnes TS-X and the Swift A-Frame.

The Hornady 200-grain Spire Point over 44 grains of H-322 printed this .94-inch group.

(Swift also offers a 280-grain A-Frame, but it's a bit too heavy for the .358's limited case capacity.) With the Speer SP, a charge of 44 grains of H-322 is about perfect at 2,330 fps. Also quite good is 44 grains of XMR-2495, good for 2,310 fps. The reasonably flat trajectory and bone-crunching power of any of these loads will ruin an elk's afternoon.

With new .358 Winchester rifles now available, it would be nice if the ammo companies would pony up some high-tech .358 fodder. Until then, we reloaders will simply have to take up the slack for this fine old cartridge.

WARNING: The loads shown here are safe only in the guns for which they were developed. Neither the author nor InterMedia Outdoors Inc. assumes any liability for accidents or injury resulting from the use or misuse of this data.