Gunsmith on Garden,AKA Pensacola lock and gunAsk Rick Rankin , he loves the 358 W . He did a Win 70 SA for me .
Definitely be setting up as a closer range gunBOLT FACE ?? ... EXTRACTOR ?? SAME ... SAME ...
But a simple rebarrel should do it. Same with the 338Fed.
Will this be a closer range gun ?? Really not sure if you will produce more power than a well loaded '06 but in the short action would be better for the cloaer range deer,bear,hogs,IMO.
338Fed for longish (>300yd) range elk,caribou,moose,etc.
Just my opinion. Have no expierance with the 338 or 358. ---- SAWMAN
Brass for days with the 308 base, and oddly of late I've been finding decent amounts of the 358 rifle bulletsCalled - -> "A PROJECT". No problem with that. Do it all the time.
A formal word for "to tinker".
Given range,the 358 would be my choice but remember you will be running a short action cartridge in a long action. Feed,extract problems ??
Was talking to JJ about this awhile back. Highly do'able.
Availability of bullets and brass ?? ---- SAWMAN
I always appreciate the experience and input sawman. Between you and oneshot I truly think yall need to write a book.Research necking up .308" to satisf your needs. What tools will you need ??
Can you do it in one step or will it require multiple dies ??
Proper neck tension ??
Resize to proper OAL for your gun ??
Longivity of brass once the neck and shoulder have been worked ??
Your project ..... just a few things to consider. --- SAWMAN
From what it looks like with the barrel length I have the Whelen would be a lot overkill.I consider the 358W a 200yd cartridge with right bullets . For close in woods / timber for large furry beast lt does pretty well as does its cousin the 35 Whelen based on the 30-06 case necked up . Whelen brings another 10% more energy to the table plus increased range . If you like heavy for caliber & / or mono-metal bullets added MV of Whelen would be of serious consideration .
All that said , around here both cartridges are overkill in the extreme . However both are cast bullet friendly & more sedate loads with them are both accurate & effective enough for any game around here . Again bullet choice is key .
18" or less 358 personallyA 92 action with a 18" bbl,chambered in 358 would be perfect for me.
Loved my 16" 454Casull. NEVER should have sold it.
Another thought - - -> for your purposes - - -> which would be better FOR YOU - - -> A 24" 35Whelan or a 18" 358 ??
Factor in everything. --- SAWMAN
From mild ( 357 pistol bullets depending on feeding) to fairly wild.Darn right sir.
Too bad your donor gun is not a short action. Picture a 16.5 -18" 358 with a 12.75-13.25" LOP in a short action gun.
Would most likely give you a OAL of around 33 inches. Compact,light,quick to shoulder. Just a kick ass little gun. --- SAWMAN
ADDED: Projects like this get you EXACTLY what you want,and you learn along the way.
Tinker away.