OLDE RETIRED COASTIE
Member
AR 10 358 WINCHESTER VS LEVER ACTION 358 WINCHESTER
WHICH ONE YOU YOU HAVE, AS PRICE WISE ABOUT THE SAME
WHICH ONE YOU YOU HAVE, AS PRICE WISE ABOUT THE SAME
I just find the 358 to not add much use over a 308 in the US.
Forgetting nostalgia, I'd prefer an AR10 if the weight can be kept down. The new Ruger version of the AR10 is about where I'd like to be. They are about 7 1/4 lbs, which is pretty close to what most lever guns weigh. Some of the AR-10's are going to be 10 lbs+ with optics. That is more than I want to carry around while hunting.
It doesn't add anything. In fact, the 308 outperforms it even on bigger game. Most people only think of 308 with 150 gr bullets. But 180 gr factory loads are out there, and it performs quite well with 200 gr handloads. With those heavier bullets it will penetrate deeper on large game than 358. A dime is thicker than the difference between .358 and .308 so it doesn't make a hole significantly larger.
Does bullet construction play no freakin role in whatever terminal ballistic world you live in?It doesn't add anything. In fact, the 308 outperforms it even on bigger game. Most people only think of 308 with 150 gr bullets. But 180 gr factory loads are out there, and it performs quite well with 200 gr handloads. With those heavier bullets it will penetrate deeper on large game than 358. A dime is thicker than the difference between .358 and .308 so it doesn't make a hole significantly larger.
Does Sectional Density Define Penetration's Potential:
- Sectional Density (SD) is the ratio of a bullet’s weight to the square of its diameter.
- if bullets of the same caliber are compared, the heaviest bullet will have the highest sectional density.
- if two bullets of identical weight but of different caliber are compared, the smaller caliber bullet will have the higher sectional density.
- Sectional density does play some role in defining a bullet's penatration potential, it is not absolute.
- A bullets toughness — resistance to deformation or fracture — has a plays a greater role in determining how much it will penatrate.
We need to talk about the sectional density (SD) of an unfired bullet. Why? Because you’ve been led to believe that it matters. And it doesn’t really. Not for most of us. I know this may come as a shock, given that many shooters believe that the higher a bullet’s initial SD, the deeper it will penetrate.
I might well choose a more aerodynamic bullet when setting up for big, open country. Recently, I've done most of my open-country hunting with Hornady's 200-grain .308 ELD-X: SD of .315, BC of .626, both high numbers. On the other hand, when I'm not anticipating longer shots, I usually shoot blunt-nose bullets in my .375s--and I often load up with hard-hitting round-nose bullets for hogs and black bears at closer ranges.
Either way, don't get too wrapped up in the numbers. Neither ballistic coefficient nor sectional density speaks to terminal performance in any significant way. However, before we pronounce SD completely dead, allow me to end with a final thought.
Yes, it is a limited concept based on minimal input, and it's really just an index of weight to caliber. Depending on what you're doing, either shape or construction may be much more important. It is thus not a number to obsess on. But as a hunter, there is one thing I am certain of: Bullet weight covers a lot of sins in bullet construction.
Bullet construction is the biggest factor in how it is able to penetrate. The best example I can think of here is to look at the Sierra .224 55 Gr. FMJBT GameKing #1355 compared to the 55 Gr. BlitzKing #1455. Both are .224 and weigh 55 grs. Both have a sectional density of .157. But there is a huge difference in their construction. The FMJ has a thick jacket and is designed to penetrate. The BlitzKing is designed for fast and rapid expansion with little concern for how deep they will penetrate.
The next time you’re choosing a bullet, look at the construction and less at the sectional density number. It’s all about the construction anyway. If you have any questions or would like to discuss sectional density or bullet penetration further, please give us a call at 800-223-8799 or shoot us an email at [email protected].
I agree it really depends. Hunting hogs from a blind? AR. Hunting booner bucks in the dark timber? Lever.A lever is lighter and handier to carry and shoot. But for longer range an AR is apt to be more accurate and would absorb more recoil. I suppose it depends on what you are using it for.
A lever is lighter and handier to carry and shoot. But for longer range an AR is apt to be more accurate and would absorb more recoil. I suppose it depends on what you are using it for.
I know it's a small sample size but my AR10 is way more accurate than my BLR ever was.In this case I’m pretty sure we are talking about a browning BLR vs an AR10. I wouldn’t take any bets on the AR10 being more accurate than the BLR
I know it's a small sample size but my AR10 is way more accurate than my BLR ever was.
Personally I'd go lever..
The AR15 may be more accurate at longer distances, but honestly IF longer distances were on the menu I'd not chose the .358Win in either platform. The BLR isn't your typical lever when it comes to accuracy.
I love AR15s currently have 6 of them, build my own as a hobby, but I'd still prefer the lever for the kind of hunting I'd do with a .358Win.
One of the issues the OP is going to have is finding a .358 Lever.. I know I tried. The 99s in .358W are rare and highly coveted ($$). The BLRs are still produced, but again when in .358Win they go for more. A quick search of GB for rifles in.358 Winchester will give an idea of what they're going for:
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and there's even a .358 AR15 in the search results.
A 358 win AR would be an AR10, not an AR15. If someone wanted an AR15 then they would need to do 358 Yeti or 358 WSSM