My thought for the week is to have a bolt action rifle built in .358WIN in a fairly short barrel (20-21") configuration. May or may not happen, but it's fun to brainstorm! My first thought was that I could use a pre-64 M70 action that I already have, but then realized... Why put a short action cartridge in a std. length action? Even though I know the factory did just that with all kinds of short action cartridges (including the .358WIN), it doesn't seem like the most efficient way to go. Then I thought I would pick up a military Mauser action and have it sporterized, but again my understanding is that most of these actions are long enough for a std. length cartridge. I've thought about a short action M70 Classic action or an old Ruger short action, but in my mind these would be a compromise to some degree. And, to me, neither would have the "character" of an older action.
What do you think? Forget about the length of the pre-64 M70 or Mauser and go with one of these as they are? Use the pre-64 M70 or Mauser, but have it shortened? By the way, how much would this add to the cost of the metal work? Or stop being an old gun snob and use the M70 Classic or Ruger (I won't like this option, but feel free to put me in my place!)?
I had a 358 built some time ago on a 700 SA, seemed to work fine. I (too) would stay with a true SA for SA round. I sold that 358, and instead have a shorter barreled 8x57 that I use in its stead.
I have four .358 Wins at the moment. That cartridge can fit into almost any action so it's the rifle that you end up with that will matter. If you choose a long or short action it will not really matter that much handling, operating or weight wise. But all of the standard actions that you mention will end up as seven pound rifles unless some unusual factor is introduced such as a titanium action or a Ultra Light stock. Somehow I don't think you want to go there.
The 358's are a M70 Featherweight, Ruger 77-1 (this is a friends rifle here for load development) and two 99F's. I prefer the 99's by far for handling and operation as a woods rifle.
If I did not have the above rifles and knowing what I know now about custom work etc. I would call Kimber and see if they will take an order for a 84M in that cartridge. If they suggest a heavier barrel contour and say 21" or shorter so much the better.
There are some nice Sako actions out there if they appeal to you. I prefer the Kimbers to all others at the moment.
I had mine built on a Winchester 70 short action. It started life as a 308 stainless. I chose the 70 action over the Remington because the Winchester is a little longer than the Remington. It worked out well. Shilen barreled the action and I put a Bell and Carlson stock on it. I've only used it to kill two deer so far. One using the 225 grain Sierra and the other a 225 grain Nosler Ballistic tip. Both did the job well.
Bob257
Posts: 434 | Location: Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: 22 November 2002
One of the Mauser 98 large ring-short actions would be perfect. They are the FN-24 or the Yugo M-48.
On that same note, I found a lot or .358 Winchester Silvertip ammo in the safe. 5 boxes of 250 gr and 1 box of 200 gr. Boxes are worn, but cartridges are pristine. E-mail me at stutzenrifles@aol.com if anyone is interested.
Is that 358 M70 a pre '64 or a new custom job? If it's an old one, how's the recoil? I've held those before, and I can hardly believe that they managed to get a 35 caliber hole in such a skinny little barrel - looks like a 410 barrel. They are unbelievably light, and with a steel buttplate... ugh! Anyway, how does it shoot?
The best action for a .358 in my (admittedly prejudiced) opinion would be a Sako L571. You can pick up a "beater" Sako in .243 or .308 for about the price of anyone's new action. If you are a CRF devote', then the Montana short action would fill the bill, and probably for less than the price of a salvage Winchester.
Posts: 13264 | Location: Henly, TX, USA | Registered: 04 April 2001
Since your using a short round, I would suggest using a short action to go with your short barrel. I used a Sako AII action for my 358 Winnie. Either the earlier L579 or the later AII action would be a great choice. Mine started life as a Hunter 243. The stock and action was perfect, but the barrel had a couple rust spots - got it for a song. I absolutely love it. Lou
Posts: 3316 | Location: USA | Registered: 15 November 2001
I have ordered one of the Montana Rifle short actions, stainless, in .358 Win, to be barreled by them with a 21-inch stainless barrel. I look forward to receiving it any day now. I got in on the "charter" issue price.
Quote: " Then I thought I would pick up a military Mauser action and have it sporterized," This is the way to go!!!!! 1.Long throat taking advantage of the extra 1/4" of action length. 2.Seat bullets no deeper than the junction of the shoulder to neck.( advantage of longer throat) 3. 19" thin, free floating barrel w/ fair sized compensator Don't let someone you like stand beside you when you fire it. 4. Forward mounted 2 1/2X pistol scope ( scout fashion) 5. Shootgun thick recoil pad. 6. Have some fun and carve up, lighten and use the original Mauser stock. The action and it have been mated for longer than you've been alive.If you are older than that maybe you should be thinkiing a .243 7. Do not bend bolt handle. It is easier to grab a straight one if you need that second and third shot.Also it's a lot more leverage if you happen to load one a little hot
This ain't gonna be pretty but it will be fast, easy to handle and deadly. With 270gr. bullets it'll be deadly on both ends without the compensator and recoil pad. You are going to love it.Roger Have a great 2004
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003
I bought this pre 64 M70 over thirty years ago. It came with a spectacular stock as far as the wood figure goes. For this reason I have never carried it in the field. The barrel has the same outside dimensions as other Featherweight barrels of that era and therefore has very thin walls. While I have not shot it this year it usually does group a few shots into 1 1/4" or so with hunting loads.
The recoil may be stiff but I always put a slip on pad on it and 200 grs is the heaviest bullet I use. These rifles as did others in that era had metal butt plates. The one on the Featherweights was aluminum. Late ones had plastic.
I don't think it would hurt any more than the 30-06 Featherweight that I have with the same butt plate. It's hard to imagine what we put up with then but that's all there was for buttplates back then. The Remington 721-2's had aluminum butts as I recall. Put a Decelrator pad on one of these and the recoil would be no big deal.
Your questions have prompted my to dig it out of the back of the safe. This rifle is sort of orginal except someone had put quick detach swivel studs in it and the action has been slicked. The serial number is about 350,000. It's not for sale at any price. Don't even ask. It weighs 7.75 lbs with the 4X Bearcub scope and Buehler two piece mounts.
I have done all my hunting with the 99F's I have in this caliber.
I go with KurtC. Get one of the many Yugo M48's or 24/47's out there and build your .358. On second thought, in order to cut down on feeding problems, how about a 9.3x57 instead?
Posts: 442 | Location: Way out west | Registered: 28 March 2001
"I don't think it would hurt any more than the 30-06 Featherweight that I have with the same butt plate. It's hard to imagine what we put up with then but that's all there was for buttplates" WE WERE YOUNG AND DIDN'T YET KNOW ANY BETTER. It was all" oH what fun."
Posts: 10226 | Location: Temple City CA | Registered: 29 April 2003
I built mine on a classic stainless sa mod 70 that started life as a 308 boss. With the short action winchester, you can load to a "long" col and use bullets like the 225gr BT. Great round - build one.
I put mine up on a stainless Ruger Mark ll (.308 Win) with a Shilen 22� .610� muzzle dia barrel and New England back-up iron sights. The barrel started life as a full #3 contour, and I have had it turned down twice to get a better balance/wt. ratio for my purposes. It currently sits in a Ruger factory-laminated stock and is scoped with a 4x Grand Slam, but probably will end up in a McMillan stock with a 2.5 x 8 Leupold scope. With a plentiful supply of factory ammo throughout the Inland Empire, I enjoy shooting it a lot. It is a mellow .35 that is fun to shoot. With horsepower to spare, I slaughtered a Texas hill country Whitetail with it about a month ago. CP.
Bob, I'd also like to cast my vote for the intermediate mauser 48 action or the mexican 98. They would allow you to use the longer bullets like the Nosler ballistic tip and seat them out where they belong. They're crf and stocks are available from several stock makers. Just my 2 cents. Paul.
Posts: 323 | Location: Northeastern, PA | Registered: 21 June 2002
Don't let someone you like stand beside you when you fire it. 
