I just found this short, medium weight blued barrel .358 in a small gunshop today. It has a cheap synthetic stock and a nice receiver sight attached to the action. Drilled and tapped for a scope. I don't remember if the bolt has been modified for a scope.The barrel and overall condition is good. It comes with some old box design RCBS dies and about 3 boxes of reloads. Its very light and I'm sure it kicks like a healthy mule.

It was priced at $285. Does anyone know if this is an average or better than average deal?

Sounds good to me...can't buy much for $300 anymore...I've got a 358 Norma...it's a dandy hammer!

Ed

I was thinking about buying it and putting a good stock and a 300 H & H barrel on it. Possibly selling/trading was also an option.

Well if you don't buy it let me know where it is and I sure will.

Id be cautious . Possible feeding issues , receiver make ? Many reasons to avoid a old magnum converted Mausers . I would ask more questions , check the bolt face , make sure it was opened professionally , not with a dremel , check feed rails , they had to be modified and if too much was removed the rounds will pop out , either when fired or while loading .
The list continues . Pm me

WY,

If it feeds and functions properly buy it. Since ammo for it comes with it all should be easy to check. Rather than rebarrel if it shoots good keep it as a 358 Norma. It will do anythign the 338 WM will do and make a little bigger hole. Sounds like a Heck of deal. FN Mausers are some of the best.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by WY:
I just found this short, medium weight blued barrel .358 in a small gunshop today. It has a cheap synthetic stock and a nice receiver sight attached to the action. Drilled and tapped for a scope. I don't remember if the bolt has been modified for a scope.The barrel and overall condition is good. It comes with some old box design RCBS dies and about 3 boxes of reloads. Its very light and I'm sure it kicks like a healthy mule.

It was priced at $285. Does anyone know if this is an average or better than average deal?

Good price if it's an FN military action (thumb slot and stripper clip slot) and a steal if it's an FN commercial action (no thumb or stripper clip slots).

A competent M98 Mauser gunsmith can fix any feeding issues as well as correcting the magazine stack if needed (generally the principle issue).

If the stock is ill fitting, order a B&C Medalist synthetic stock with a full length aluminum bedding block which will easily fit the barreled action AND can be ordered with custom LOP at a nominal additional cost.

Regarding current .358 Norma cartridge...
- converting to .300 H&H will cost quite a bit of money to correctly modify the action, the magazine, and the stock for the cartridge; you likely will not recover your money when re-selling.
- the .358 caliber is very good caliber with quite a following.
- if you decide sell it let the buyer rebarrel to his caliber if choice; better yet if you have no intent to keep the rifle just pass on it and allow someone else to own as us or modify to their personal desire.

If you must to have a .30 caliber then re-barreling to .300 Winchester Magnum shouldn't require more than a barrel change. Same if you wanted a .338 Win Mag. The .300 H&H is a long magnum and will require altering the action and magazine for the long cartridges.

What's wrong with keeping it .358 Norma?

If I stumbled onto a 358 Norma for $298. I wouldn't be leaving the shop without it !!!

Thanks to all of your replies. As usual here, excellent information.

I went over the hill to the shop with the rifle on Monday of this week to further check out and buy it and I was about 3 hours late.

Almost had it.

An excellent round for sure, it will do it all.

that's scary cheap! proceed with caution, but my guess is recoil was the main problem and that short tube? If its a 1935 FN the action is worth twice that at least. A regular FN action is worth the asking price unless its been buggered up..

1 well placed 280gr A-Frame out of my 358 Norma! This is just up the crik from our house.

Nice. Beautiful location too. Beginning of a lotta work tho.
Good lifestyle you have waterat

quote:

Originally posted by WY:
I went over the hill to the shop with the rifle on Monday of this week to further check out and buy it and I was about 3 hours late.

Almost had it.

Snooze, you lose. Happens to me a lot!

In war, over caution is often more dangerous than an aggressive style. Still, you will be primed the next time opportunity knocks.