Just picked up a stainless m70 classic in 300 win mag. Barrel is a boss missing the boss. My plan is to have It shortened 2" and get JES to rebore it to 358 Norma mag. Anyone have experience with the Norma? Any other options I should be considering?

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Can't help on the rebore part but I did have a 358 Norma Mag for a while. It's a powerful gun and you could do a lot worse in a bigger rifle than the big Norma. I used Big Game with the 200 gr TTSX for over 3000 fps and the same powder with the 250 gr Speer clocked 2750 fps easily. The barrel was 22" long and actually I still have it in the drawer, lol. A 300 Win Mag will need to be set back for a 358 Norma but you probably knew that already.

If your open to it, JES can rent a 35 Newton reamer. I had him rechamber and rebore my old 338 Win Mag Classic to 35 Newton and I couldn't be happier.

Mines got a 21" barrel as I had the BOSS lopped off as well.

Case forming is pretty easy, 375 Ruger case through a 35 Newton FL die, trim the cases and your done.

Mine runs 250's at 2840 and 225's around 2950. It's a hammer.

The real high side is mine functions like it was made for that rifle and the brass is incredibly tough.

Unless the bore is burned out I don't see the point...

The 300 Win will do just about anything a rifle needs to do at longer ranges than most folks want to do them, and with more better bullet choices than one needs to do them with.

35 Cal is a big step down from that pinnacle with more compromises than I'd care to make. At some point you have to buy bullets, and terminal performance is more about the bullet than the bore size.

Even if the bore is shot I'd re-barrel to 300 Win, but that stock looks clean and most guys don't shoot these magnums enough to burn them out anyway.

I'd clean up the muzzle end a little, a new stock, and shoot the rifle as is, but if you want a shorter barrel there's nothing wrong with a 22" 300 Win.

If you're not recoil sensitive the 300W is a great all-around do everything rifle and long range hitter with a good LR bullet.

All the years I only had one rifle that's what I had...that and a RockChucker.

A 300 Win is longer in the body than the 358 Norma so the barrel will need setting back as well

How much work is setting back? I have not called JES to get a quote yet. Could have it recrowned and keep it a 300, barrel looks fine. Want something medium bore though.

Some people consider a 30 with heavy bullets as the start of the medium bore range. With the 200 grain bullets I would say it comes close. I had always wanted a 358 NM but now owning a .375 I don't feel the want so much.

The 358 would be the ultimate N American medium but with the cartridge restrictions in Africa the 375 is more versatile. Still if you want an Elk,Bear,Moose thumper with few pears do it.

Barrel setback shouldn't be a problem but will require glassing in the barrel channel gap and re-bedding the shank.

Check the price as the re-bore is reasonable but with barrel set back too it will come close to the cost of a new custom barrel job. Also I wouldn't want to go much shorter than 21" or so with any medium magnum. Unless it is a dedicated for heavy cover only use I would be happier with 23" or more barrel length.

I had a 358 Norma built on a Rem 700. 24" tube. It shot 250 Hornadys around 2800 and 225 Accubonds at 2900 fps plus. I'd say go for it.

The big swede cartridge is easy enough to make brass for with 338 win, it will be a little short but works good. The .358 cartridges are generally easy to get to shoot good.

What if I rebored to .375 ruger any issue there? Still have to set the barrel back?