The following includes some updated information recently sent to known suppliers of rifles, barrels, and ammunition for the .358 Hoosier:

Because of the continuing shortage of .358 Winchester brass (the original parent case of the .358 Hoosier) many owners of existing .358 Hoosier rifles and barrels are forced to use various brands of .308 Winchester commercial brass to make Hoosier cases. Some (not all) of this brass is a little too thick in the neck area to chamber in existing rifles without first outside neck turning the formed brass. In order to make it easier to use commercial .308 Winchester brass as the parent case (and not needing to neck turn the brass) in future barrels, Pacific Tool and Gauge has made a modification to the finish chamber reamer that they produce. The headspace and other dimensions stay the same, but the neck diameter is increased about .004 inches. Also, about .020 inches longer freebore is used in the latest version of the .358 Hoosier to better accommodate slightly longer overall cartridge lengths. The finish reamer Print Number is D-32464.

It has been requested that future .358 Hoosier barrels be chambered with the latest reamer dimensions. However, if or when a supplier does this is strictly up to them. The same thing holds true regarding possibly “opening up” some existing chambers to the new dimensions. As you know, the cartridge and all that goes with it are in the public domain.

There still exists the caution regarding surplus military .308 (7.62 X 51 NATO) brass. It may have thicker case walls and necks than commercial brass and a somewhat smaller powder capacity. Also, some of it may have been fired in machine guns having very “generous“ chambers (which can make initial resizing more difficult).

Following is a recently updated loading data table for the .358 Hoosier. Be sure to read ALL of the WARNING paragraph at the bottom of the table before loading ammo for this cartridge. All handloading and shooting involves inherent risks beyond the control of the author. Therefore, the author assumes no liability whatsoever for use of the data.

I recently chronographed loads with two additional powders and Barnes 200 grain TTSX BT bullets. Sufficient data were obtained for an addendum to the loading data table posted above. Here is a summary of the new data not yet added to the original table:

Barnes 200 gr. TTSX BT (B.C. = 0.367) …. C.O.L. = 2.73 inches

Accurate 2230…...41.5 gr = 2445 ft/sec…..43.5 gr = 2520 ft/sec (Maximum load)
Hodgdon H322…...39.5 gr = 2440 ft/sec…..41.5 gr = 2550 ft/sec (Maximum load)

[The usual warning and disclaimer notice contained in the original loading data table applies.]

Question. Can the 358 Hoosier cartridge be safely fired in the 358 Win. chamber? I have a Marlin X7 in 243 that I would like to convert to 358 using the Shaw Savage barrel kit. Could the Shaw barrel in 358 Win be rechambered for the Hoosier cartridge? Or can a Savage or Marlin barrel be purchased in the Hoosier chambering?
Thanks,
Jim

Jim920, do NOT fire a .358 Hoosier round in a rifle chambered for the .358 Winchester. There would be way too much headspace. And, there exists the possibility of a ruptured cartridge and/or damage to the rifle and/or the shooter from gas leakage.

The Marlin X7 short action in 243 is a good choice to rebarrel to .358 Hoosier. The first rifle chambered for the Hoosier wildcat is my Marlin XS7 that originally sported a .308 Winchester barrel. Of course, the rifle had a new barrel chambered and installed by a gunsmith. It is possible to have an existing barrel that is currently chambered for the .358 Winchester shortened and rechambered for the .358 Hoosier. However, you may just as well start off with a barrel chambered for the .358 Hoosier. You would probably be money ahead, possibly avoid a lot of frustration, and possibly not be satisfied with the fit of the modified Shaw barrel in your existing stock.

Please check with one or more of the sources of .358 Hoosier “stuff” (reamers, rifles, barrels, ammo, etc.) listed in an earlier post (dated April 03, 2013). Some of those sources could better answer your last question than I. Good luck with your project.

Douglas Barrels, Inc. has been added as a source of custom barrels (and installation on customer’s actions) for bolt action rifles. Also, Profire Arms and Supply has been added as a source of loaded ammo as well as formed cases. See updated list several posts above this.

BARRELS (bolt action)
Douglas Barrels, Inc. (Stan Taylor) www.douglasbarrels.net
5504 Big Tyler Road
Charleston, WV 25313-1398
Phone: 304-776-1341

AMMUNITION & FORMED CASES
Profire Arms and Supply www.profiresupply.com
7341 Rockville Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46214
Phone: 317-757-8132

Please note a new source of loaded ammo. Jim prefers initial contacts by email.

Jim Waldrip
Ammo Manufacturer
Email: mkb42h8kurtz@gmail.com