358 range report.

Elk creek

I took the 358 out today for an initial “get to know ya” out at the range. I don’t think the V8 weaver is holding zero. I had a 4” group at 25 yards with some factory hornady ammo.  I’m going to strip the scope off and try again..... 

Diver43

Hope that is all it is.

Elk creek

Diver43 said:

Hope that is all it is.

Yeah, me too. 

Big Al1

The rifle's junk!! I'll do you a favor and take it off your hands!! 

GunNut

As we discussed, if it's not the scope, It seems (from my google searches) the .358 Winchester 99 has a 1:12" twist barrel.  The 200gr Hornady bullet MAY be a little light for it.  My .35 Whelen shoots that same bullet to .5 MOA with Factory ammo but the twist is 1:16".

Zee

Rifle is toast. I’ll let you recoup half your cost. 

Cause I’m nice like that. 

sakodude

Oh sure, you hit the range the day I leave Colorado!!

Elk creek

sakodude said:

Oh sure, you hit the range the day I leave Colorado!!

Why the heck didn’t you shoot me a call, or text?

JerryBobCo

I'm betting on the scope.  My .358 puts the 200 grainer in less than 1.5" at 100 yards.  I could probably do better with hand loads, but hunting with it was a one deal for me until I bloodied it, so it will probably take an honored place in my safe for now.

Elk creek

JerryBobCo said:

I'm betting on the scope.  My .358 puts the 200 grainer in less than 1.5" at 100 yards.  I could probably do better with hand loads, but hunting with it was a one deal for me until I bloodied it, so it will probably take an honored place in my safe for now.

That’s what Im hoping....

GunNut

My money is still on the scope too.  Anyway, here's an excellent article on the .358

https://www.ballisticstudies.com/Knowledgebase/.358+Winchester.html

breamfisher

GunNut said:

As we discussed, if it's not the scope, It seems (from my google searches) the .358 Winchester 99 has a 1:12" twist barrel.  The 200gr Hornady bullet MAY be a little light for it.  My .35 Whelen shoots that same bullet to .5 MOA with Factory ammo but the twist is 1:16".

I'm not sure that a faster twist rate is a problem with lighter/shorter bullets.  The article you list says that 1:12 is usually only a problem with lighter bullets driven fast in magnums, say at velocities over 2,950 fps.  Elk Creek's ammo's more like 2,500 fps in a 24" barrel, which I don't believe his rifle has.

Elk creek

Two sets of 4 rounds at 50 yards with irons. The rear sight is in its lowest setting. Not stellar by any standard 

earlyagain

Not stellar, but the potential is there. Need more variety of ammo. If the shots are rising and pulling right with heat. Some forearm tinkering might help.

I'd buy some ammo and reduce groups to two shots. Nothing round' here is gonna soak up more n' two a those big slugs.

breamfisher

Elk creek said:

Two sets of 4 rounds at 50 yards with irons. The rear sight is in its lowest setting. Not stellar by any standard 

Looks better than 4" at 25 yds...

snake284

Elk creek said:

Diver43 said:

Hope that is all it is.

Yeah, me too. 

About 4 years back my 7 mag Savage 110 went bonkers on me. It was shooting 5 inch groups at 100 yards all of a sudden. This had always been  one of my most accurate rifles. I bought it used off a Gun Broker auction and it was pretty old when I got it so Iwas ready to throw in the hat and rebarrel it. I mean a 40 year old 7 Mag. could easily be shot out. Then as a last resort I started to remove the scope and put another scope on it to make sure it was the barrel and not a scope problem. I had a 35 year old Weaver K6 steel tube on it and was also wondering if the scope had left the building along with Elvis. It had Weaver style claw mounts on it. When I went to loosen the back ring from the base I saw the whole problem. The rear claw bolt was broken. I put some new rings on it and it was back to 3/4 inch groups.

Elk creek

snake284 said:

Elk creek said:

Diver43 said:

Hope that is all it is.

Yeah, me too. 

About 4 years back my 7 mag Savage 110 went bonkers on me. It was shooting 5 inch groups at 100 yards all of a sudden. This had always been  one of my most accurate rifles. I bought it used off a Gun Broker auction and it was pretty old when I got it so Iwas ready to throw in the hat and rebarrel it. I mean a 40 year old 7 Mag. could easily be shot out. Then as a last resort I started to remove the scope and put another scope on it to make sure it was the barrel and not a scope problem. I had a 35 year old Weaver K6 steel tube on it and was also wondering if the scope had left the building along with Elvis. It had Weaver style claw mounts on it. When I went to loosen the back ring from the base I saw the whole problem. The rear claw bolt was broken. I put some new rings on it and it was back to 3/4 inch groups.

It shot “better” with irons still 16” high. I changed out the front sight and really gave the barrel a scrubbing. It was surprisingly filthy! It sure looked a lot cleaner. I’m going to load some Sierra 225’s and go from there. 

GunNut

Now we’re talking 😁

Freezer

My 99 was ridden had and put away wet. It took a long time to get the barrel clean. Have you looked at the muzzle? Indiscriminate  cleaning from a past owner may have damaged it.