Gents,

A while back I snagged a Husqvarna 7000 lightweight 243 in the classifieds. I'm considering having JES rebore to a 358. Would anyone happen to know if the barrel contour on this particular rifle has ample thickness? Any major pros or cons of the 358?

Added: 338 Fed seems like the other reasonable option?

Jes can tell you for sure. The .358 is a particular favorite of mine and it will be hard to find fault with it.

I had JES rebore a Winchester Ranger .243 (featherweight barrel contour) to .358. He said no problem on the phone but the barrel was D&T for sights and he had to cut it back to behind front sight holes. Considered the .338 Fed but he said same problem.....not enough meat under the screw holes. After he cut it back the muzzle diameter is .580" at 19". As suggested give him a call, good guy to talk to.

Good to know, Mitch. He did a 35 Whelen for me a few years ago. Super nice guy.

If I remember correctly, you need about a tenth of an inch barrel walls. I have had him do a 338 federal, a 338-06 and a 9.3x62.
They all turned out great.

I believe he requires .1" per side, so .358 would need .558

Do it. 20" is the sweet spot for .358 bbl length in my opinion. Jes did my old Western Field Sako L57: .243 -> .358.
OD at the muzzle is .580"

I'll measure the muzzle tomorrow. It's still got sights attached front and rear... would prefer to keep them.

How is the recoil in a relatively light rifle compared to say a 300WM?

Don't know if you have a good way to measure front sight hole depth but that will play into it. I ended up putting a banded front ramp on my Winchester.

Per the digital calipers, I've got .588 at the muzzle. But no good way to gauge the front sight.