Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Building new rifle - need chamber input

I have an extra Zenith 1.1-4x24, which is one of my favorite scopes for hunting in the woods. I also have an extra SS 700 short action and one piece PTG bolt...so I think it is time for another build. I currently don't have any short action woods rifles either, so that will be the goal of this build. The barrel will be somewhere in the 20-21" nrange.

I am torn between 338 Federal with a 210 partition or 358 Winchester with a 225 partition. I faced a similar decision with the long action variant and ended up building both...I can't do that again. Does anyone have strong feelings for either cartridge? Convince me one way or another.

.358 Win. My reason why,just because.

Do you prefer your brass have the appropriate head stamps?

I'd go 308, but I'm a 308aholic.

I'd go 358 for nostalgia sake. I love the round and pretty much everything about it. I can't get excited about the 338 Fed for some reason.

Just wondering why not move away from the large calibers considering your long actions more than fit that role.

A nice lightweight 6.5 creedmoor or 243AI would kick ass.

Best

Not one bit.



I have several 6.5 creedmoors, 260, 243, and 6x47. Great chamberings, but I prefer to hunt with something of larger caliber. Besides, I own 63 acres of pine forest, most of my hunting rifles should be tailored to that considering I rarely hunt elsewhere.

Then either is a great option. Though I think if you were to tire of your choice, the .358 would move in a heartbeat whereas the 338 Fed would be met with much less fanfare.

You've only got to please you and maybe you let it come down to the flip of a coin.

Ah I see you've got your bases covered, just wondering!

Of the two, I would go 358, but I am a 35 cal loon.

Have you considered a 450 Bushmaster?

I am a big fan of the 358 win.,,,,the 338 fed. will do the job, but the 'old school' 358 Winchester is still walking the woods since about 1955....nothing wrong with that.

Or, you could go 8mm-08

338 federal

Investigate other actions.

The 700's lack CRF, safeties that control the firing pin and bolts that have handles that are not brazed on.

The Kimber 84's are light, handy and already made!

Savage 99 what is your fascination with CRF? The man's post clearly states he has a 700 action. Why constantly post the same crap?

350 Rem Mag.

Can always load the 350 down to the 358, but can't load the 358 up to the 350.

You didn't specify bolt face size. If you are set on the .308 size bolt face, I would prefer the .338 Federal. Better sectional densities, great bullet selection. If you want to go with the bigger bolt face, consider the .338 RCM for your short action.

Short Action?

Look at the .284 Winchester. Not the 7mm standard version, look at the case capacity and go .338 or .358 wildcat! The case has identical capacity to .30-06; so you got .338-06 or Whelen in your short action. Probably go with the .358 because bullet length is more favorable to your SA receiver.

There is also the potential for .366 and .375 bullet diameters. .375 might just be the ticket for game getting; more bullet choices.

There is also the possibility of going magnum. Not sure that the .375/.416 Ruger case is a SA fit in rem 700 world, but...
there is a potential there, especially if neck-down to .338 and stay with the 225/230gr bullets as a maximum; again, due to oal and seating depth.

Think if I were to go with a .308win variant, I wouldn't. Too many good premium .308 bullets. Go up to 200gr and keep your velocity potentials. Maybe go with an AI'd case and load 200gr premiums. The AI case really delivers when you get 200gr weight or better.

I did the AI'd .308win in a 700LA with match barrel. Shot great with 180gr matchkings. No feeding problems and would still take 5 in the magazine. Lots to like if shooting heavy 30cal bullets.

338 Federal. Bullet selection is the reason why. I love 35 caliber rifles, but I think you have more choices with the 338.

I'm in the 358 Win camp. Compared it to the 35 Whelen and figured for the loss of some 150-200 fps, I liked the 'older' cartridge. For me, the 338 offered little more than what was available in the 358. Not to mention, as stated earlier, the 358 would most likely be the easiest to move if you ever decided to do that.