User:84kludge/sandbox

The .358 WSSM is a wildcat cartridge developed for Indiana deer hunting under the original PCR (pistol caliber rifle) rules. There are several versions of this wildcat; some of the other names for this cartridge are .358/.25 WSSM, .358 BFG , and .350 Indy. Historically, Indiana has only allowed shotguns, muzzleloading rifles, and handguns for deer hunting during firearms season. In 2007 a change in the rules allowed rifles that fired a cartridge with a minimum case length of 1.16", a maximum case length of 1.625", and a minimum bullet diameter of 0.357". The minimum case length of 1.16" allowed the .44 Special to be used (but not the .38 Special) and the maximum case length of 1.625" allowed the .500 S&W Magnum to be used.  In 2012 the maximum length for PCR cartridges was increased to 1.800" to allow the .460 S&W Magnum. The rules do not specify that the cartridge must have been designed for use in a handgun, nor do they specify that the cartridge must have a straight-walled case. This opened the door for wildcatting. The Indiana DNR (Department of Natural Resources) has confirmed to hunters that wildcat cartridges that meet the specifications are legal for deer hunting.

Case Forming
The cartridge is formed by necking-up .25 WSSM brass to .35 caliber and trimming the case to 1.625" (actual trim length varies). Some versions of the chamber reamer are made such that neck turning is required, while some versions do not require it (having a larger neck diameter).  This is a matter of preference.  Turning the necks can yield better consistency and accuracy, but requires more time and effort, and some claim that this is not necessary for a hunting cartridge.  WSSM brass is thicker than typical rifle brass, and even after necking up from .25 to .35 caliber, the brass is still thick enough to effectively turn the necks.  Custom wildcat reloading dies are usually supplied with two tapered expanders, a .30 caliber expander and a .35 caliber expander to neck the .25 WSSM case up in two steps.  Annealing before expanding, or in between expanding steps may or may not be necessary, but annealing is generally considered a requirement after the second step. This enables good brass life by eliminating the work hardening imparted to the case necks after being stretched from .25 to .35 caliber. Custom barrel and ammunition makers will have reloading dies matched to their reamer, and Redding offers .358/.25 WSSM dies from their "custom" line (#80739 and #84739), and are available off-the-shelf (no special order required). Redding uses as a basis, a "Redding compatible" reamer available from Dave Manson. The .358 WSSM uses standard .25 WSSM "go" and "no-go" gauges for proper headspace dimensions on the barreled action.

Usage and Performance
The .358 WSSM duplicates the ballistics of the .358 Winchester, and beats the .35 Remington by about 300 feet per second with all bullet weights. The case capacity of the .358 WSSM is identical to the .358 Winchester. Useful bullet weights range from 180 grains to 225 grains and MPBR (maximum point blank range) is around 235 yards (+/- 3" trajectory). Sighted 3" high at 100 yards, the bullet will fall 3" below the line of sight at 235 yards and to about 12" below line of sight at 300 yards. This is a drastic improvement over the trajectory of the vast majority of shotgun slugs and muzzleloader bullets, doubles the 150 yard effective range of the .44 Magnum and bests the .357 Remington Maximum by 100 yards. Until the 2012 hunting season and the 1.8" rule, this was the best possible performance available to the Hoosier deer hunter. The performance of the .358 WSSM makes it appropriate for all large game, including elk, out to about 250 yards.  Besides the .358 Winchester, other cartridges with similar performance are the .356 Winchester, .338 Federal, and the .338 Marlin Express.

Both Winchester and Browning chambered rifles for WSSM cartridges and these make good donor rifles for converting to the .358 WSSM. However this will somewhat limit bullet choice and performace, due to the shortness of the action and the magazine. Without the limitation of the WSSM action, bullets can be seated further out of the case to allow more room for powder, with a slight increase in performance. Most bolt action conversions are done on a rifle chambered in one of the WSM (Winchester Short Magnum) cartridges and this allows the use of any .35 caliber bullet with room to spare. However, the extra space in the magazine can cause feeding problems, but these are easily remedied.

.358 WSSM rifles are also built on the Thompson/Center Encore single shot rifle platform as well as the AR-15 platform, although the length of the AR-15 magazine poses the same performace limitations on bullet choice and powder space as the WSSM action. On the other hand, the Thompson/Center Encore platform allows the use of a velocity boosting 26-inch barrel, yet still maintains an overall length similar to a bolt action rifle with a 22-inch barrel.