I have all the stuff to build a m700 short action custom. I'm thinking about 358win or 338 federal. Is there any reason to go 1 way or the other?? I have both a 338'06,338winhag, & 35 whelen.

358 win will always be around and can be reloaded to factory velocities...cant say the same for a cart that needs factory super powder not released to the public to get the velocities. if you are addicted to factory ammo and dont mind reloading to sub factory velocities and then rechambering to a new round in a couple years when ammo is scarce...338 fed is your cup o tea

358Win, just because you can .

I know this is off-topic from your specific question, and I apologize for that. Just trying to help you think a little beyond those two options.

As you already have both a .338 WM and a .35 Whelen, I don't think I would neccessarily go with either if I was you. I might either go with the .375 NE rimless (9.5x57 Mauser), or trade my stuff for a long action & stock, and make myself either a .376 Steyr or .375 Ruger....probably the Steyr if I wanted a step down from (an understudy of) the .375 H&H.

If I didn't HAVE a .375 H&H, I'd probably go with the .375 Ruger instead.

It is really up to you. If you reload, it is more of a "which one floats your boat?" question. What one does the other will too.

For factory ammo, I'd say the 338F is easier to find right now. The future of the round is unknown but with it being Federal's first round, they will want to keep it alive as long as possible. 358WIN ammo is hard to find and it is not on a big comeback either.

I went with the 338-08 (just before Federal made it legitimate) and have been happy. I get within 75fps with book loads and I'm using a 21" barrel. Both are great little rounds so you can't go wrong.

RH

It depends on the use I would think. Me, Im a 338guy so I would go 338-08 & make it up in a 7# max. scoped & ready to hunt weight.

Either one will be fine, and don't worry about velocity from either one, since both are very similar ballistically. If you want to shoot faster .338-06 ammo, then you can buy factory ammo from Federal, but if you want to handload your own, then you will be achieving similar velocities for both cartridges. The .338-08 has been around for a long time, and there are a huge number of bullets for it if you reload.

With that much overlap ... I'd be looking for something completely different that fits into the lightweight rifle mould. Interesting would be a 375/284 or 411/284, and with a boltface/rails massage 35SAUM or WSM ... heck even a 458x2"American.
Of the original options, if your a reloader 358Win, if not then a 338Federal.
Cheers...
Con

I like all the cartriges , but on a short action , I still think the most usfull round is the good old .308.
But the .338 fed and .358 win are good too,
But to me if I am going to shoot bullets bigger than 30 cal, I want a bigger case.
It seems you like big bullets and thats fine, but a I would love a .257 Roberts on a remington or ruger short action.
...tj3006
...tj3006

Since Tom has longer range, long action choices already, it sounds like he wants something for closer ranges, perhaps a handier rifle.

Either round Tom will do fine, yes the 358 has been around, but the current backing by industry is with the 338 Federal and I would not be afraid to go with it. Alot of 358 deer hunters use the 200gr bullets, that said, a 338/08 aka Federal with 200gr offers higher BC and SD and may penetrate more, which is a plus to me. Also, wider choice of factory ammo makes the decision if I were doing it opt for the 338F. IF you like to plink and want the option to load cheap pistol bullets, a 358 can use bulk 140/158gr etc handgun bullets, but be honest when considering if or how much you would use them, and if that amounts to any real savings in reloading expense. OH, it seems if you reform cases for either out of 308, going to 33 bore is easier than up to 35, less work. Just a thought. Let us know what you build and how it turns out, you will have a nice rifle either way I am sure.

I picked the 358. There are so many good bullets out there in standard form and round nose designed for deer and black bear and no confusion with bullets designed for velocities the 338F can't achieve that the 358 is just better. Plus you get the extra frontal area as a plus.

.358 win. period !

If forced to pick between those two.
I personally would choose a 338 due to a slight advantage on paper because of the bullets. Better ballistics, although this effect will be negligible in the field.

You won't go wrong with either.

I feel that 338 and up calibers need more powder than the 308 case can hold.

quote:

Originally posted by rickt300:
I picked the 358. There are so many good bullets out there in standard form and round nose designed for deer and black bear and no confusion with bullets designed for velocities the 338F can't achieve that the 358 is just better. Plus you get the extra frontal area as a plus.

ding! ding! ding!...we have a winner...

right on!

270 or 280 ?
7/08 or 260 ?

338F or 358W ?

All moot when the bullet hits a boiler room!

Mental masturbati... as a friend once called it!

Personally, if you need pistol bullets, or the heaviest slugs for coastal brown bears, do the 358, if not, the 338F offers slighter better trajectory with same bullet weight, higher bc offsets slight difference in velocity.....must look 'downrange' not just mv. In addition, a 180-210gr in 338F fired will be more pleasant in recoil than the 225 or 250 in 358.

Again for rabbits/grouse, etc w/pistol bullets or Brown bear loads, I would opt for 35 bore, but the 338F IMHO will drop deer, elk, black bear, and moose as well with shot placement and proper bullets w/in ranges both should be used, 300yds or less which is where the bulk of game is killed/hunted. I think most hunters using either are using them for deer and black bear/elk in timber, not planning for ridge to ridge.

quote:

Mental masturbati... as a friend once called it!

if it were not enjoyed it would not be hap'nin

I've got both and like both cals. As it's been stated earlier, there aint much difference. I prefer the 358 simply due to nostalgia, but I think the federal shoots a little straighter and has less drop. Both are good, but I don't know how long the federal will make it in terms of factory ammo. It's basically hole size v. sectional density.

I love my 358win. Very accurate!

505ED

quote:

Originally posted by 505ED:
I love my 358win. Very accurate!

505ED

I have heard/seen groups from 358's, let me guess, the 225 BTSP is one of the more accurate bullets? Don't think sub moa would be hard in a 35, even better in 33.

I currently have five rifles chambered to the .358 Winchester. I currently have no rifles chambered to the .338 Federal nor do I plan on getting one. Nuff said?
For some reason, with the exception of the pissant .35 Remington, .35 caliber rifles get little or no respect from most shooters. At least they don't until they try one on game.
Paul B.

Paul, I would not recommend anyone selling one to go to the other, I'd be having a hard time choosing between 5 guns in the same cartridge! Let me guess, one's a lever, or two, then some bolts......

Hey, I like the 35's, had a new 77 in 350RM but my buddy had to have it, and he took 2 deer and a hog last year so I know how they kill DRT. 35's don't draw deserved respect and until I read enough info, over enough years I never had the interest, but that changed.

I do love my lil 1894 Marlin in 357. Sucker amazes me, acts like a MUCH stronger brother than the same round in a handgun. Loads of fun shooting it open sighted blowing up water jugs up to 150 yds offhand. Mild recoil and blast, a 358 will do the same downloaded if wished.

Still, if I build a rifle, or buy one my next will be 338F, but I will not say that I won't also someday try/own a 358. Liked the 350, but it was a tad much for what I do. I think the 358W vs 350RM may be the better way if one does not need the extra 50 yds or so range. Get 1 extra round in the mag also.

Love to hear about those 5 guns, sounds like 1 or 2 may be custom.

I don't have much of a problem choosing a rifle from the five. One is built on a mauser action, two are Ruger 77s tang safeties from the very first limited run, the two levers are an original Browning BLR and a Savage 99.
I've been mostly playing with the Mauser lately, but it seriously needs a trigger job. It still has the military trigger. Oh well, $200 at a gun show so I'm not into a hell of a lot of money on that one. The Rugers and the Mauser have that ridiculous 1 in 16" twist rate in the barrels and the two levers the proper 1 in 12" twist. Not too surprising then that the two lever actions are more accurate that the bolt action rifles. I like them though as they're not so heavy that they break my back at 7,000 to 9,000 feet MSL.
Paul B.

While they're both excellent choices that do pretty much the same thing, I like the 358 in this case. If you reload, there are WAY more bullets out there if you include the variety of 358 pistol bullets. They make good plinkers and light deer loads, and you can step up to the rifle bullets when needed.

Paul, the BLR is always in the back of my mind.....never a bad word heard about them, usually owners refer to them as gems.

Yeah, saw a mex. mauser 358 years ago locally, at a gun show, astronomical price.

I hear the NEW mfg Rugers have the preferred 12 twist. Perhaps you may want to sell yours to a collector and 'upgrade', OR you possibly could ask Ruger if they would 'upgrade' your older model rifles with new bbls. Worth a letter or phone call perhaps. Thanks.

From what I understand, Ruger is not very cooperative along those lines. I collect and shoot ruger 31s quite a bit and I absolutely hate that fat forearm on the "B" models. I prefer the slimmer Alex Henry forearms. I wrote Ruger about changing my rifles over and they said "NO!" Yet, they did it for Ken Waters on his "B" model .280 Remington. Guess gun writers get privildges us great unwashed don't. on Ruger.
Paul B.

Geez, you mean some get 'privileges?' Ha. I guess when you have stroke as the saying goes......

Too bad Ruger won't accomadate your request. They fear you being a buyer of 2 more rifles I guess.

Hypothetically, if your barrels were shot out, then what would they do? Nothing? Or is there a supply of old stock from the era?

Tough call, both are on the light side for the bullet weights, but I think the 358 Win is a better choice. I like the 338-06 and the 35 whelen better, but that doesn't help with your short action. The 350 Rem Mag is an awesome hog, black bear dropper, but that doesn't help with the bolt you have. Yeah, looking back, pick the 358 win!


John

35-284 win for the bolt you have. almost the awesome 35 whelen in performance

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
35-284 win for the bolt you have. almost the awesome 35 whelen in performance

One option, a friend took a 6mm Rem 600, opened face and installed Sako extractor, now in 350 RM. Much easier, sell action, buy a new rifle in that chamber.

No brass forming.