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
- .307 Winchester
- Primary use
- Hunting
- Status
- Active
- Introduced
- 1982
- Type
- Rifle
- Origin
- United States
- Inventor
- Winchester
- Manufacturer
- Winchester Ammunition
- Standard
- SAAMI
- Status
- Active
- Availability
- Limited
- Case capacity
- 55 gr H₂O
- Twist (typical)
- 1:12
- Primer
- Large Rifle
- Case type
- Semi-Rimmed
- Max pressure
- 52,000 CUP, SAAMI crusher
- Eff. range
- 200 yd
- Max range
- 3100 yd
- Recoil
- 20–28 ft·lb
Introduced by Winchester Ammunition
Ballistics
Published velocity/energy data isn't available for .356 Winchester. Parent case: .307 Winchester.
Performance
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
Being verified
Advertised FPS, energy, and BC are withheld until loads clear verification.
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
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 .307 Winchester case.
- What are the best powders for .356 Winchester?
- Reloading powders commonly listed for .356 Winchester include IMR 3031.
Sources & provenance
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299 — Cartridge & Chamber Drawings archived
- Standard SAAMI (Sporting Arms and Ammunition Manufacturers' Institute) — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4 – 2015 (Centerfire Rifle) — Velocity & Pressure / Cartridge & Chamber Drawings · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Standard SAAMI — ANSI/SAAMI Z299.4-2025 — Centerfire Rifle Velocity & Pressure Data · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
- Manufacturer Buffalo Arms — 356 Winchester Ammo, 200 Grain Jacketed RN (AMO356WIN) · grain_ballistics, representative_gun
- Manufacturer Winchester Ammunition — Winchester Ballistics Calculator data service — Super-X 356 Winchester 200 gr Power-Point (symbol X3561) · representative_gun, grain_ballistics
- Manufacturer Winchester Ammunition — 356 Winchester, 200 Grain — Super X (X3561) product page · representative_gun, grain_ballistics archived
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 →
