T/C 358 JDJ - Is anyone else out there hunting with a Contender 358JDJ?

Since 1981 my #1 hunting rig has been a scoped SSK Contender in 358JDJ. I have killed 20+ Whitetail and Pronghorns with this setup. It is a solid and reliable rig that has served me well in all types of weather. For the past 15+ years it has sported a 4x B&L scope in a 3 ring TSOB base from SSK. I use Pachmayer neoprene grips and forend. I carry it on a strap mounted with SSK swivel studs. My favorite load is a 220gr FP Speer bullet over 48.0 gr IMR-4895. I know this load is old school but after several 1000 rounds and quite a pile of burger meat I just never got around to working up a new load. I would love to hear about other's pet loads.

BillA, I had one and it is now a barrel that I sorely miss-sort of? I used the same load in it as you and I also used the Speer 250's over a stiff charge of 4064. Both killed deer like lightning! I used the 220 Speer to turn a squirrel into a red and gray sock once by shooting it end-on. Funny looking sock nor was it edible! I sold mine to move up to the SSK 375JDJ (they're expensive) in the Contender and use my 338-06 in the Encore a lot too. I play with the 375H&H and 416 Rigby in custom barrels, but have not killed anything with them yet other than logs and railroad ties. The 350 Barnes TSX at 2350fps from the Rigby is a handfull, but it is fun! The only 35cal barrel I have left is my original 357 Herrett barrel.

Please enlighten me to more pros and the cons of the 358JDJ.
I have a 35 remington that I enjoy shooting, but would like something with a little more power for 200+ yard shots on Elk size animals.
What is the recoil like? I am not recoil sensative, but don't want to start a flinching habit either. I know that flinching is mostly mental. However, when the web of your hand starts to hurt, bad habits start.
Trying to determine if spending the money in the future on having the 35 re-chambered tot he 358 is worth it.
Thanks for the answers and insight.
Happy holidays.
Rick

My perspective on the practical advantages of the 358JDJ over the 35 Rem in a Contender are as follows:

#1- More Power - at least 400fps more than a 35Rem (I get 2100+fps with a 220gr flat point) You also get more top end with heavier bullets. That's a significant boost. The largest animal I have killed is a 200+lb Whitetail 140 6/8 B&C pionts. (#1 Whitetail in the HHI big buck contest in 1984. Probably before some of you boys were even hunting!)
I have never recovered a bullet. ALL kills have been full penetration. I once shot a 140lb+ buck in the chest and the bullet exited 1" left of the tail (1" diameter exit wound) I think that is enough penetration for an Elk!

#2- Flatter tragectory (see #1) I killed a Wyoming Antelope at 350 yards (4x scope) with a full penetration broadside shot with a 250gr Hornady spire point.

#3- Accuracy - We can argue this one all day if you like but I get MOA with a 4x scope.

#4- Rimmed case - easier extraction, they just fall out on their own if you tip the gun up when you open it. Faster reload. With a wristband on my gun hand I can keep up with a bolt action rifle.

#5- easy reload - long case life. I have cases that have been reloaded 20+ times. I do not think full house loaded 35Rem cases last that long.

Recoil is very managable. I do not have any muzzle brake or Mag-Na-Porting. With a scope and the Pachmyer forend / grips it is about the same as a heavy load in a 6" S&W 29. Maybe a bit sharper. In my younger days I shot several 40 round silhouette matches with an iron sighted super 14... just to see the chickens fly and the rams do a 180 as they jumped off of the rail. I am now 46 and can still handle the recoil fine. In fact I like it. It's not for newbies but I have allowed many shooters try it and I have never met anyone that didn't accept the 2nd round when I offered it to them.

If I were you I would be on the phone with JD today getting the pricing info for the chamber job, a TSOB scope base (3 scope rings & 6 screws in the gun), and a set of dies. I would also suggest that you get the benchrest style muzzle recrown. Sell your 30-30, 7-30, or any other barrels that you consider good for Deer and use the money for the 358JDJ. Let me know what you deceide to do.

Thanks for the information. I will have to do some talking and checking.

Rick, If I can help further, please let me know.
I would be interested in hearing from other 358JDJ users out there.

Thank you. I too would like to hear from current or previous owners of the 358JDJ.

I was seriously considering a .358JDJ but then was told to look at the .338JDJ#2...2300fps w/ 225's and 2500fps w/ 180's. It has better bullets w/ better BC's...which means flatter trajectory and better downrange energy.

Not knocking the .358...but man the .338 is a hammer also!! The .338 is not an option for rechamber...there are no factory .338" bore T/C Contender barrel.

i think i seen on the nosler forum that they are discontinuing 180gr n maybe 200gr balistic tips in .338 dan
might check into that. they did start with a more expensive acubond i believe though.

i'd still be tempted to go .358x444. if for no other reason, the ability to crossover bullet use between 35cal barrels.

http://www.noslerreloading.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=1343

looks like it to me

I say sale your contender and your barrels and step-up to an XP-100 chambered in .350 Rem Mag 200 grainers @ about 2500fps

Looks like I need to stock up on the 338 180 BTs while I can. As far as the 358JDJ, I have a 358x444 Imp. While it is nice it is no better than the 338JDJ #2 or the 375 JDJ. Even with Nosler decreasing their bullet selection for the 338, there still are more available for it than the 35.

Quote:

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Even with Nosler decreasing their bullet selection for the 338, there still are more available for it than the 35.

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i've heard that stated more than once over time. i'm constantly browsing mail order catalogs for bullets available. 35 caliber bullets are pretty much as abundant as .338 from what i see.
a couple makers do offer a couple extra choices in .338 than .358.....but if yer into target/plinkin with yer big gun, then the .358 wins hands down on bullet availability. there are lottsa pistol bullets available by all the bullet makers, remington in bulk, and cast options also.

it's much easier to have a multi purpose gun in 35cal, with a few cheaper bullet options than .338 imo.
as far as balistic coefficients compared between the two.......it would never matter on ranges i'd personally intend to use them at....250yds n less.

that said......i've always dreamed of having a .338 also. but when it came down to it now......not sure if i could pry my mind away from the advantages of .358's.

When I made the 350 yard Antelope shot I was sighted in at 300 yards. I went prepared to shoot out to 400yards. At that time I was shooting International production & revolver class in IHMSA silhouette... probably burning 200-300 long range target rounds a week. In 1986 there were no laser rangefinders. Also a 4x pistol scope was considered a long range scope by many shooters. I had a split image Ranging 1000 in my pack that we used for checking rocks etc. when we would set up on stand. We were old school marksman. We shot alot and we knew our gear. I am not advocating the 358 JDJ Contender for looong range shooting. It's what I had and what I used. If I were planning to shoot 300+ today I would probably go .260 or a 6.5mm wildcat. My point is that the 358 JDJ is a very good choice for big game out to 200+ in a Contender.

I think all Contender owners will agree that ANY of the JDJ series cartridges based on the 444 Marlin case are adequate to kill deer & elk sized game at 200+ yds., if the shooter can handle it. The 358 JDJ is probably the best choice for economical upgrade to a handcannon via rechambering.

Now that is a statement that I agreee with. However, the 309 JDJ makes a mighty fine handcannon too and just as easy to rechamber.

Years ago I rechambered a 14" 357 Herrett to the 358 JDJ. I used it on boar and a moose in AK. The moose took two shots but never traveled more then 10 yards. It was a great round and wonderful to form and load. I used 357 pistol bullets for practice and rifle bullets for game.

I tired of big boomers and heavy recoil so the bbl went off to another hunter who has used it with good success.

While I have no desire to get another, it is a great round and an obvious choice for someone wanting more down range energy and cheap practice bullets. More practice equals better hits.

Bill in OR

I am getting my 358JDJ Contender (SSK Industries) ready for my South Africa safari in June 2014. I will be shooting the Hornady 250 gr spire point over 48 grains of IMR-4895. Velocity about 1950 to 2000fps. My scope is a Bushnell 3200 2x-6x. I have had mine since 1981 and it has accounted for quite a few Whitetails and a few Pronghorns. Hopefully a good Kudu will be next along with an Impala, Springbok, and Blesbuck.
It's been awhile since I posted to this thread and I wanted to see if there are any other 358JDJ shooters out there.

This is still one of my favorite barrels. Still shoot it all the time. Im working up loads with Barnes 200gr. at the moment.

I really like the 358. Here's a pick of the best group I shot at 200 yds. 1.175" center to center.

I'd say you got her dialed in.

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