Lindcott Armory Rifle · SAAMI
.356 Winchester
.35-caliber semi-rimmed lever-action cartridge for the Model 94 Big Bore.
- Caliber
- 0.358″ · 9.093 mm
- Introduced
- 1982
- Case
- Semi-Rimmed
- Parent
- .308 Winchester
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1982
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 46 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:12
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 52,000 psi
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 500 yd
- Recoil
- 20–28 ft·lb
Ballistics
- By real loads
- 1,790–2,460 fps · 23 loads
- Parent case
- .308 Winchester
Representative trajectory — modeled from a single velocity input (no published BC for this cartridge yet).
Performance
Buy links open .356 Winchester ammunition at Rivertown Munitions.
Dimensionscase measurements · scale drawing · size vs familiar rounds
Case dimensions — the scale drawing at the top of the page is built from these.
SAAMI · verified| Measure | mm | in | ✓ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bullet ⌀ | 9.09 | 0.358 | ✓ |
| Neck ⌀ | 9.86 | 0.388 | ✓ |
| Shoulder ⌀ | 11.53 | 0.454 | ✓ |
| Shoulder angle | 20° | — | ✓ |
| Base ⌀ | 11.95 | 0.470 | ✓ |
| Rim ⌀ | 12.85 | 0.506 | ✓ |
| Belt ⌀ | n/a | ||
| Rim thickness | 1.22 | 0.048 | ✓ |
| Neck length | 9.26 | 0.365 | ≈ |
| Case length | 51.18 | 2.015 | ✓ |
| Overall length | 65.02 | 2.560 | ✓ |
Size vs familiar rounds
Drawn at true 1:1 — every case is accurate relative to the others. Absolute size depends on your screen's pixel density, so measuring one against a real ruler may be off. .356 Winchester is highlighted below.
Factory loads
In production — 23 active loads across 14 brands. Top 15 shown · see all 23 →.
| Brand | Load | Grain | Bullet | FPS | ft·lb | BC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Remington | Express Core-Lokt SP | 200 | Core-Lokt SP | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X SP | 200 | SP | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X PP SP | 200 | Power-Point SP | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 200 | Jacketed Flat Nose | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X | 200 | Flex Tip | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Sellier & Bellot | SP | 200 | Soft Point | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Armscor | Standard | 200 | Soft Point | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Norma | Classic | 200 | Soft Point | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Wolf | FMJ | 200 | Soft Point | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Buffalo Arms | Custom | 200 | Soft Point | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| RWS | Classic | 200 | Soft Point | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| PPU | Standard | 200 | Soft Point | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Kynoch | Classic | 200 | Soft Point | 2,460 | 2,687 | — |
| Winchester | Super-X | 220 | Lead Flat Nose | 2,200 | 2,364 | — |
| Buffalo Bore | Heavy | 220 | Jacketed Flat Nose | 2,200 | 2,364 | — |
Velocities are manufacturer-stated (test-barrel). Discontinued loads dimmed.
Suitable powders
1 reloading powder listed for .356 Winchester, fastest to slowest. Cross-reference in the finder →
Reloading costestimate cost per round vs factory
Estimate your cost per round and how it compares to factory. Inputs are yours — nothing is stored.
Cost estimate only — not load data. Charge weight is your input; follow published manuals for safe charges.
Firearms chambered in .356 Winchester
1 model in the database chamber .356 Winchester. Browse all →
Lineage
Connected reference
History
Introduced with the .307 Winchester in 1982 for the Model 94 Big Bore. The .356 offered heavier bullet weights suited to large North American game. Like its siblings, it was commercially limited by the declining lever-action market. Factory ammunition from Winchester remains available. The combination of .356 Winchester power and lever-action speed made the Big Bore 94 popular in Alaska for bear country.
FAQs
- What twist rate does .356 Winchester use?
- .356 Winchester typically uses a 1:12 twist rate.
- What bullet diameter is .356 Winchester?
- .356 Winchester uses a 0.358″ (9.093 mm) diameter bullet.
- Is .356 Winchester still in production?
- .356 Winchester is active; typical availability is limited.
- What is .356 Winchester used for?
- .356 Winchester is primarily used for hunting.
- What is .356 Winchester based on?
- .356 Winchester is derived from the .308 Winchester case.
- What are the best powders for .356 Winchester?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .356 Winchester include IMR 3031.
Sources & provenance
Data & sources. Specs compiled from the Lindcott Armory reference; availability counted from 23 live factory loads; the trajectory is modeled (point-mass), not measured. See methodology. Spotted an error? Report it →