Sir,
Very true on the quality of the bullet and the rig, I've found them to be absolutely consitant in terms of accuracy, and the 358 has been working for me long before my hawkeye days. With the hawkeye, I managed right at 2400 + fps with the 225 Sierra using a charge of H4895, I think about 47 grains, but I'd have to check that. The accuracy was just as good with a few other powders, but it wasn't quite as fast, so this one does the best for me with the 225s.
Soft body hits, this is an excellent combination. One the biggest to date, lung tissue was pulled out of a half dollar sized exit hole so it looked like a 6-8" snake skin. He made it a good pull and a half and done. Several other trials with similar results.
I do beleive that the Sierra, as a boat tail, does have a different tipping point, on where it wants to shed its jacket, right at about midway through expansion. The season before last, I shot one in the chest forward facing, at an expected impact velocity of about 2200 or so, considering the range. Dropped it, and did manage three feet of straight line penetration, but the recovered bullet did shed its jacket just to the north of the tail, after expanding about half way. Flat based bullets recovered from my 358s and 350 Rem Mags have expanded all the way to the base before shedding, so I expect its a center of gravity thing.
At any rate, I know that this bullet is well suited to your purposes, but hard body hits ought to be approached with a certain realistic expectation. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot one through the shoulders, spine etc. These bullets fly like.....well.....Sierras.
Good luck to you Sir.
Steve