Looking to put together a 358 win “truck gun”.
Would like to purchase a sporter that I can just swap a barrel onto. What Mauser action would be best suited for this? Just looking for an action without rust or pitting.

I'd suggest starting with one already chamber in .243 or .308. Possibly one of the newer Zastavas in 7mm-08.

Otherwise, be prepared to invest some time trying to sort out feeding issues.

Too bad the 9X57mm is such an obscure cartridge.

I would suggest spending just a few more bucks by getting a Model 70 classic Short action. Everything already done for you. Nice 3 position safety, good trigger, controlled feed, good bolt handle, etc. And that short action is the perfect size for the .358.

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:
I'd suggest starting with one already chamber in .243 or .308. Possibly one of the newer Zastavas in 7mm-08.

Otherwise, be prepared to invest some time trying to sort out feeding issues.

Mike speaks from experience... listen to his advise, you’ll be glad you did.

quote:

Originally posted by Uncle Grinch:

quote:

Originally posted by z1r:
I'd suggest starting with one already chamber in .243 or .308. Possibly one of the newer Zastavas in 7mm-08.

Otherwise, be prepared to invest some time trying to sort out feeding issues.

Mike speaks from experience... listen to his advise, you’ll be glad you did.

Yes, far cheaper than the conversion costs of a standard length or intermediate length military M98 action/rifle.

FWIW and standard mil-surp or Russian Capture 8x57S will downrange where it matters with European specification factory ammunition (or handloads) outperform where it matter any .358 Winchester. Why? Because it is a better bullet sectional density.

Also if you ar going to use a full lengh Mausre action I would suggest that .35 Whelen might be better. You've got to stroke that bolt the same distance anyway so why not the longer cartridge?

Last, if you handload, there's maybe the good old wildcat 8mm-06? Again that will out perform the .358 Winchester. And it's a simple reamer job using a .30-06 reamer as far as I understand.

The answer is; it don't matter as long as you can manage everything associated with a military action. If not, get any modern commercial action; they are easy to make feed anything as the feed lips are in the sheet metal mag box instead of in solid iron. And can do all the mods yourself. Or, yes, go with 8mm; nothing wrong with it; just not sexy any more. It never was, but was always capable.

Also DPCD the advantage of the 8mm is that you can then handload and hunt with all those "exotic" TIG and TUG and capped and hair-cutting and etc. European bullets that go far beyond anything "Made in USA" by the bullet makers.

I had mine built with an Interarms Mark X action with a Douglas bbl. It wouldn't feed for CHIT until the block in the magazine box was removed. After that it feed great with any bullet I tried jacketed or lead.

Hip

quote:

Originally posted by Hipshoot:
I had mine built with an Interarms Mark X action with a Douglas bbl. It wouldn't feed for SHIT until the block in the magazine box was removed. After that it feed great with any bullet I tried jacketed or lead.

Hip

There...fixed it for you...;-)

For what the prices of "good" Mauser actions are going for in the last few months...at least the one's I've looked at...I would forget Mauser and go for a modern "almost any rifle"...Win XPRs are going for less than $400 with a 100 dollar rebate til the 31st...SOME WITH VORTEX SCOPES FOR THE SAME PRICE AND WALNUT STOCKS...how about a Winchester for LESS than 300 bucks...you can't even begin to do a Mauser for that price even the raunchy ones..not if you start doing barrel replacements the you need to wave a hack saw at the wood...I mean DAYUM!!!

I'm about the cheapest bastid you'll find and I stopped looking at Mauser's a long time ago...TOO MUCH WORK and COST...Went to Savage's, MUCH easier to do and produce a very accurate rifle.

I'm ordering a Magnum and WSM WIN XPR just to have the actions for future projects...my present Savage receivers are over loaded in barrels.

IF you can find a CHEAP 8x57 Mauser...go with that...not much difference between the .308, .323, .338 and .358 or capabilities in the smaller cases.

Check out Bud's Discount guns...bet you will find a bargain that can be done cheaply.

Good Hunting

I just picked up a high condition Husqvarna 30/06 with a '98 action for less than $400.

That's a lot of rifle for the $$$!

I used to be practically obsessed with the Mauser action, then discovered the CZ 550.

Back when it was available, I bought a new action from Brownells, with the three position safety and the set trigger, which cost about as much as a good used whole rifle off Gunbroker at the time.

I had it barreled in 8x57, and haven't regretted it one little bit.

The 8x57 solves feeding issues. And what will a 358 Winchester do that the 8x57 won't?

The 358 is obsolete for a reason.

BTW, I have a 9.3x57 built on a FN Mauser action, and love it. Feeds perfectly, no gunsmithing required. 358 owners - be envious - very envious.

FYI, Pac Nor has a practically new reamer.

Just wanted to say that the neatest little 358 Winchester I've ever seen was custom built on an older Sako short action.


Here's two possible action for your build.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/794807927

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/794881825

Here's another. This one already sold, but these neat little Winchester push feed actions come up for sale at reasonable prices.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/793923309

If mauser, I would try to find a 1910 or 36 Mex action.

Can you say M96 and not go all wonky over no third locking/safety lug and/or HOW many other very strong and usable military/commercial receivers are floating around now CHEAPER than a Mauser.

Whats wrong with the 358 Win other than bad press, misunderstandings and mindlessness...I have a 336 Marlin 3 barrel switch barrel lever gun in 356 Win, 444 M and 458 American that I can also shoot 45-70's in. The 356 W is ever bit as "good" as all the "other" iterations available out there, and probably better due to the heavier available bullets.

Personally If I were to do another Mauser I would go with a larger cal...but having a commercially available cartridge is more reasonable and cheaper in the long run.

How about a 9 or 9.3 x 57 or a 405 Win using one of the Rimmed cartridge model Mauser/military rifles...now your getting somewhere. Be no more of a problem than converting to a 358 W and just leaving it as a .323/.356/.366 cal wouldn't entail ANY conversion...TOTALLY CHEAP AND DIRTY.

Besides I have several rimmed commercial cartridges I also use rimless case versions without any problems feeding or ejecting. VERY cheap 308 brass instead of VERY EXPENSIVE...when available...356 Win brass and 7-8x57 brass instead of 444 M for my 444 M and 375 JDJ, AKA 375x57, AKA 375x62, or cut down '06 for MANY wildcats etc.

Good Hunting

quote:

Originally posted by lindy2:
I would suggest spending just a few more bucks by getting a Model 70 classic Short action. Everything already done for you. Nice 3 position safety, good trigger, controlled feed, good bolt handle, etc. And that short action is the perfect size for the .358.

Agree 100%.

Each course of action has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. like everything else in life. I could do a staff study on it and lay it all out for you on a decision matrix, which would give you the answer in clear terms. There will be one right answer, for you, which no one else can make for you. All they can do is recommend courses of action, but with no facts, assumptions, advantages and disadvantages, and a dec mat, they are just confusing. That is how decisions are made in an organized manner. Unfortunately, most humans do not make decisions that way. They just jump into the water.....and see what happens.

Where'd Rusty go????

With all the good info presented, Rusty should have appeared at least with another question...maybe just the holidays interfering. I always want to hear back, one way or another, if the question was answered and what actually happened,

Decision matrix...staff study...haven't heard those terms in a long time, however true they may be. Yeah, humans are emotional creatures...fight or flight doesn't leave much time for making an "informed decision".


Good Hunting

quote:

Originally posted by NONAGONAGIN:
Where'd Rusty go????

With all the good info presented, Rusty should have appeared at least with another question...maybe just the holidays interfering. I always want to hear back, one way or another, if the question was answered and what actually happened,

Decision matrix...staff study...haven't heard those terms in a long time, however true they may be. Yeah, humans are emotional creatures...fight or flight doesn't leave much time for making an "informed decision".


Good Hunting

I notice that quite a lot on AR and wonder if it contributes to the various guns/ammo forums on AR being so slow.

The Political forum is just the opposite. It is almost 100% guaranteed the thread starter will reappear and many times

Rusty with all these EGG SPURTS here they will probably tell you what barrel length and twist rate you want in a caliber you didn't ask about. OH that's right they already started that. Packy