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Posted By: BlackFrog 358 auto loader? - 11/30/09
I love my 358 rifles. I also like the 7400/750's I've had for quick shooting.

I think the combination of the two, having a 358 autoloader would be fantastic. Remington makes their 750 in 308 and 35 Whelen. I really don't need the power of the Whelen for the hunting I do but want the 35 bullet diameter. Plus, all my guns are based off the 308 case (260, 7mm-08, 308, 358), so I'd like to stay with the 308 brass.

Could you take a 308 and have the barrel bored up to 358? Is there enough "meat" on the barrel for something like this to be done?

When Rem makes thier guns do they make the barrel bore first, and then lathe out the case sizing? Or is it the other way around?
Posted By: old_willys Re: 358 auto loader? - 11/30/09
Remington builds a 750 35 Whelen so why not?
Call JES reboring in Oregon, he rebored a Tikka 270 to 35 Whelen this year for me and it is a great shooter.
Posted By: BlackFrog Re: 358 auto loader? - 11/30/09
Does Rem use the same barrel blank (outer diameter) for all their 750 caliber offerings? That's what I didn't know.

How much does it 'ballpark' cost to have a rebore job done?
Posted By: BlackFrog Re: 358 auto loader? - 11/30/09
Wow, thanks for that lead on reboring. That JES place:
Quote
www.35Caliber.com Home Site for reboring by J E S. 541-942-1342
We specialize in the reboring of Lever Action, Single Shot, Pump,
Bolt and selected Semi Auto rifles. 38-55, 35 Whelen, 358 Winchester.


$225 includes shipping. I think they will be getting a call from me today.
Posted By: old_willys Re: 358 auto loader? - 11/30/09
I was told the muzzle dia. needed to be .550 or bigger, my Tikka 270 was .648...if you check a Remington 740 or 750 I bet it is at least as big.

As I mentioned my gun was rebored this past Sept. and it shoots great!

[Linked Image]

First 5 shot group at 100 with cheapest 35 Whelen factory ammo after JES rebored it....

And it shoots better now!
Posted By: safariman Re: 358 auto loader? - 11/30/09
Look for a used model 100 Winny. I have its lever action twin in 358 and find it to be a most useful and handy woods rifle.
Posted By: BlackFrog Re: 358 auto loader? - 11/30/09
Originally Posted by safariman
Look for a used model 100 Winny. I have its lever action twin in 358 and find it to be a most useful and handy woods rifle.


I've seen the Model 88's in 358 for sale (and the Savage 99's). I've never seen a Win Model 100 in 358 for sale. I've read that they did chamber it in that caliber, but have yet to see one posted for sale. Plus, I don't believe the 100 ever came with a high-comb stock (?), I really like that on the Rem 7400/750 for nice eye-to-scope alignment.
Posted By: the_gman Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/02/09
Go FAL. Just did one. Easy as pie.
Posted By: 260Remguy Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/02/09
Winchester never cataloged the 100 in 358, but the barrel contours are the same, so you might be able to have a Winchester 100 barrel in 243 or 308 rebored to 358. That said, I doubt there is much that needs doing outside of big bears that a 180 grain .308" bullet of the proper construction can't handle.

I have scopes on my Winchester 100s in 308 and don't find the stock design to be a problem.

Jeff
Posted By: safariman Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/02/09
My model 88 so chambered works great with the 1.75-5 scope I have on it. Would be pretty easy to have a 308 version re-bored.

AR-10's can be had in this caliber. A semi auto AR type 358 with a 20 round clip or three full of full power 358 rounds would be quite the package, eh? smile
Posted By: safariman Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/02/09
If you are going to stay in the Remmy semi auto format, just go 35 Whelen. Can be loaded down to 358 speeds and still work if you wanted it to. Just use a faster burning powder than would normally be optimal for the Whelen. I have been tempted to get a Remmy 35 Whelen myself.
Posted By: BlackFrog Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/02/09
I just like the 358. I have everything off the 308 case family- like to keep it that way. Plus, having a 358 autoloader would be cool. Very safe bet that no one else in camp would have one! I still may get a Rem Whelen, but that won't impact if I do this project or not. Can't have too many fun guns, and the 35's are way underrated.

I called JES and chatted a while about this project. He said that any 308-case based rifle could be a potential candidate for this. He mentioned looking for a used 243 or 308 7400, 742, etc. If you want to make a carbine, ballpark $30 to chop barrel and recrown. He can do whatever twist rate you want.

He hasn't worked on any 750 yet, maybe I'll be the first if I go that route.

What twist rates for 358 are generally considered to be the best? JES mentioned 1 in 14.
Posted By: Jeff_O Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/02/09
Surprised Browning didn't do a .358 Shorttrac; they've been keepin' the .358 flame alive...

I have an M1a Bush rifle that'd be bitchin in .358. Springfield did catalog them early on.

I like how you are thinking! Please post pics and details of your project.

Love my .358..... sure beats .223AI. wink
Posted By: NH K9 Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/05/09
Originally Posted by safariman
Look for a used model 100 Winny. I have its lever action twin in 358 and find it to be a most useful and handy woods rifle.


I'm going to make a call and look into this. The accuracy of my Model 100 in .308 has gone tits up. A local smith looked at it and said it's shot out. This could be the answer.

George
Posted By: 8mmwapiti Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/05/09
Another rebore option.

http://www.deltagunshop.com/


I have not used either and have no recommendation but thought that you might want the option.

8mmwapiti
Posted By: woofer Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/05/09
if i could spend under $250 for a win 100 in 358 i most certainly would smile

woofer
Posted By: Rangr44 Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/05/09
FWIW, I had the late P.O.Ackley rebore my .243 Winchester Model 100 Carbine ( 19" bbl, uncheckered stock w/barrel band forend) to .358" in the early 70's.
I was a bit miffed that he didn't remark the caliber, but didn't gripe, since he only charged me $35 IIRC.

He also told me he had to reblue it to correct the damage done to the bluing when the gas cylinder was hard soldered back on after the gas port work was done (sic).

It worked great, with the original mags, and no other alterations.

There was no mention of muzzle OD back then, but when I called several rebore gunsmiths two years ago for a Model 70 Featherweight rebore to .358", I was told the muzzle OD needed to be .600" - which my FW didn't make, with .500" @ 22".

I knew my rifle's muzzle OD would have probably made the minimum if I wanted to shorten the barrel - but I liked the issue 22" length, so dropped the project.

The newer reborers also had a couple more caveats, like "no chrome bores", and something about not reboring hammer forged rifling (or something along the line of rifling method)

If I were to want an autoloader today, I'd have a Model 100 bored to .338 Federal - which also has a .308 case as the parent case.

.
Posted By: Plateau Hunter Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/06/09
I would build a .358 on a AR10 with a DPMS or Armalite. I think DPMS markets a .338 Fed already. Plateau Hunter
Posted By: firearms44 Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/06/09
Remington 742 308 carbine a candidate. Now you got me thinking. Would be a quick done deal.

Ken
Posted By: Kay9Cop Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/06/09
.358 WSSM in an AR-15 from Mike at D-Tech.
Posted By: BlackFrog Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/07/09
Originally Posted by firearms44
Remington 742 308 carbine a candidate. Now you got me thinking. Would be a quick done deal.

Ken


My dad had one. Most accurate auto loader I've ever seen. Weird, I know- he must have got a good one. But you really had to let the bolt slam shut to get it closed all the way.

Since I really like the high comb stocks of the later 7400's for nice scope mounting, I'm thinking a 308 or 243 7400 might be the ticket for this project. Those didn't come in carbine length, so I could have the barrel cut on it as well.

But I see the prices going for used 7400's with the high comb stocks, I might just pony up for the new 750 308 carbine and do it right from the start. The matte finish, synthetic stock 750's can be found for a decent price.
Posted By: BlackFrog Re: 358 auto loader? - 12/07/09
Originally Posted by Rangr44

If I were to want an autoloader today, I'd have a Model 100 bored to .338 Federal - which also has a .308 case as the parent case.


Thanks for the info in your post! I have a Sako Greywolf in 338 Fed already. Everything off the 308 case just seems to work well- I'm a 260 and 7mm-08 fan also.

But something about the 358 just gets me. History, nostalgia, big thump in an older semi-forgotten (unfortunately) caliber.... The 'cool' factor for the 358 is pegging the meter. wink
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