Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats 358 WSM

Thinking about building one. Anyone shoot one Tell me about it. Loads, velocities etc. powdr

I was looking at one developed by VA Silent Arsenal. Looks impressive, 250gr @ ~2700 @ 18 bl if I remember right. It is enough motivate me to write them to inquire conversion costs, limitations, powder suggestions. But I would probably just cut down a 325 since I already have one with 24" barrel. There is also the "35 Sambar". I don't know if these two are identical.

I also seen one somewhat frequent user on this forum that may have built one- BigStick or something like that, maybe ask him. Kind of impatient and haughty persona but maybe he would have done one... the guy seems to like building stuff and appears to know a bit.

How much will you gain over a std 358?

There is a cool factor with a 358 WSM.

Originally called the 35 Sambar after being developed in Australia. 250s at 2700. Ooommmppphhhhh.

So who might have a reamer or even build me a 358 wsm barrel for a montana action i have laying around, emailed VA silent arsenal and that was a no go. I have a Montana 1999 that was destined to be a short mag of some kind now needing a barrel.

I just did it. Just picked it up from my rifle builder a couple of days ago. I'll be necking up some 325 WSM brass and developing loads. I took a Win model 70 stainless classic in 270 WSM and rebarreled it.

Specs are M70 stainless classic action
Lilja stainless modified Winchester contour barrel in 12 twist.
Put it in a factory featherweight super grade stock.
Topping it off with a silver Leupold 4.5-14x40 VX3 in dual dove tails.

I have a few finishing touches to do to it yet, but I should be shooting it soon. I'll post my results when I do because it was difficult to get solid info. Some guys gave me solid advice but what they were shooting wasn't exactly what I want to try so, it will be tricky. I did a bunch of research on here and other forums so in the mean time I'll do some digging and post links to my threads so you can see what info I have.

What are your plans so far??

Some info here.

https://www.24hourcampfire.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php/topics/15934342/358-loads#Post15934342

bobinpa who built your rifle/barrel?

Sent you a PM

What did you decide? Are you building one?

Yes, working on a reamer, love to find a reamer but looked all around and they seem to be scarce, so I will have a reamer for rent LOL, still working the reamer deal if someone has one and sees this.

Seeing this, still looking for a reamer or a smith that might have one and wants some work, no hurry to get it done.

might have to have one built??

This can also be made into a 9.3 WSM.
Charlie

Any live pilot WSM reamer (except the 7WSM) can be bushed up and used. I bushed up and used my 6.5 WSM reamer, then neck and throat reamed. I used a Savage action and a Green Mountain barrel. It is still at 26", I just don't know what to cut it to, I'm liking 22" for handyness and reducing the weight. I had a guy in Iowa modify a set of 325 WSM dies for bushings and made me 35 cal bushings for the sizer die. It was cheaper than having custom dies made. I have only tried RL17, but in this day and age use any powder you can find in that range. The thump is a shove rather than a smack - about the same as my 358 Norma and much less that a 300 Win/Wby

It's a lot like a 350 Remington Magnum

I love my .358 win, but if the 358 wsm can really make a 250 grain bullet travel 2700 FPS out of an 18” barrel !?!?! That would be cool!

Might also need a spark arrestor on the end of the barrel to keep from setting the Forrest on fire. 18” barrel ought to be interesting.