So we've got a neat old user-grade 7mm-08 M788 Remington with the 18.5" spout and I'm considering a rebore to .358Win. Partly considering it because my father and I have always wanted to try the .358, partly because the 788 magazine allows a longer OAL than a 700, and partly because the 7mm-08 hurts my ears too dang much when barrel lengths get below 20". I've got two 7mm-08 20" carbines and that's as short as I want to go. I know that my experience has pointed toward expansion ratio making a difference in how abusive a shorter barrel can be. A 22" .338WM seems fine, as compared to a 24" 7mmRM with the same case capacity. A 20" .308Win seems okay, while a 20" 243Win seems rather barky. Would it make much difference to the ear, going from .284 bore to .358 on this old 788?

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