200 gr TSX in .358 Win?

[Calif Hunter]

How would this work on elk or the "medium-sized" African plains game like kudu, gemsbok, etc. (Smaller than zebra or eland).

Any suggested loads?

[grayghost]

Although the .358 Win has ample foot pounds for the game your asking about, I would consider it a little shy on the distance you are apt to encounter. You may get lucky and have shots under 200 yards, but more than likely you would encounter longer ranges where accuracy plays a role. It was introduced as a "short to medium range" cartridge in 1955. I do not have any data on the 200gr bullet but looking in the latest Speer manual, I find the 180gr bullets can be max'd at 2628 fps to 2732 fps. 220gr bullets @ 2481 fps and 250gr bullets @ 2333 fps. These are muzzle velocities and are maximum recommended loads. Before heading to Africa, it was recommended to me, that I zero my guns out to 300 yards. I went with a 200 yard zero. Next year I will be at 300 yards as I had many more opportunities at 300 plus yards. Things worked out OK with the 200 yard zero but I really would have been better off with a longer POI. Take into consideration that the animals you are asking about would rank as larger plains game. Greater Kudu can exceed 650 pounds; Gemsbok can weigh in the mid 400s; Hartebeast (Red) 350 pounds; Waterbuck in the mid 500s. Most Zebra weigh less than they appear and the Common Eland hits 1200-1400 lbs. These are just average weights, and I've found no plains game with layers of fat. Most were very healthy but lacked the fat we sometimes find on our Deer. One thing about African Plains game: all are very tenacious and tough animals. They can absorb a lot more than many of our animals. Shot placement is paramount to getting a quick kill. Good hunting, grayghost

[MacD37]

grayghost from the ranges you sight, I'd say you porbably hunted in either RSA, or Namibia. Those ranges are way longer than my experience has been in Africa. In the four countries
I've hunted in Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana,and bushveld of RSA, I find the longest shots needed were in the area of 200 yds or less, with the greater number in the 100 yds or less.

This could be because I hunt dangerous game, Cape Buffalo, for the most part, and most of the real open parts of Africa don't have Cape Buffalo. With plains game as targets of oppertunity, many of which I have taken with a S/S double rifle, because that is what was in my hands at the time.

I always have a scoped bolt rifle, or Ruger No1 for long shots, usually a 375 H&H, zeroed at dead on at 200 yds, about 2" high at 100yds, and dead on at 25 yds, and with 300 gr bullets. I've never felt handicapped with this zero on my scoped light 375 H&H rifle.

I would agree with your long zero in Namibia,or Botswana, for things like Gemsbok, in the Kalahari, or the hilly country around the cape, though!

[grayghost]

Yes, I was in RSA in the Eastern Cape. I hunted a variety of terrain: from open plains to steep kloofs rising up from the Fish River Valley. I was advised to go with a 300 yard POI but instead I went with a 200 POI. Didn't really cause problems per se, but several times it could have made the difference, especially on 50+ inch Cape Kudu. I shot over two Kudu and one Warthog (looked like he was 12-14 inches of ivory, a huge tusker to miss). The Kudu were over 300 and I over estimated hold over and the Warthog was under; around 131 yards. I just missed I return next May/June and I'll take a .300RUM: .280 again and either a .223 or .17HMR unless I'm forced to bring a shotgun. Hopefully, my PH will have an over/under for me to hunt birds with. If all goes well, after next year, my following trip will be for Buff and Lion or Leopard in Zimbabwe. If you have any advice on going there I'd really appreciate it. I value experience...always. Nothing in books or television can truly give you first hand advice, at least not to me. I'd also enjoy looking at any pictures you might have if possible.
Good hunting, grayghost

[Calif Hunter]

The PH has said that most shots will be under 150 yards and advises folks to zero dead on at 100 with most .30-06 type cartridges. This is forest country - not jungle, though. He prefers .30 caliber as a minimum, as he wants a good blood trail. He thinks a .35 Whelen or .338-06 are just about perfect.

I get closer to "standard" .35 Whelen velocities with a 225 gr Partition over a load I got from Paco Kelly. I won't give data, because it is way over "book max." But it is under 65,000 PSI and since my action can take WSM pressures, it can handle it.

I was just curious if anyone has used the 200 gr TSX in the .358 on large game.

[Quigmy]

Grey Ghost, are you an experienced 358 user or have you just read about it? Quigmy