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model 88 winchester
cn1732
Member Posts: 17 ✭✭
I am going to rechamber and rebarrel a .308 winchester model 88 to .358 winchester either 18 or 20 inch barrel for use as a brush gun in thick cover while bear hunting with dogs in eastern N.C. Have several questions for guys familiar with .358 (also have ability to reload). I have been using .35 rem in 336 marlin but want to try something a little different.(Now have 2 grandsons so can't give .35 to both when time comes.) Am sold on.35 caliber. Would 18 inch barrel limit this cartridge. Does anyone suggest a company for rechamber and rebarrel work? Need high vis sights installed because of extremely thick (crawling)woods. Have killed 8 to 10 bears well over 600 lbs. (Reason to go to .358 over .35 Things happen very fast)!!! I know I can buy a blr cheaper but like 88.
Comments
When in dout double check your target.
The .358 Win. can be loaded efficiently when you set your mind to finding a good load for the bullet(s) that will work for your hunting. Heavier bullets like the 225's or 250's with faster burning powder should take care of the problem. Even the 275's from North Fork would work nicely. It should be a good combination for bears or anything else that walks or crawls on this continent in close quarters.
One thing that you might look into, especially for this rifle, would be to get the rifle barrel re-bored from .308 up to .358 diameter. This is a very viable process for rifles such as this and the Model 100's as well as a host of others. It has always been popular but it's gaining in popularity even more rapidly as the price of new barrels and installation rises.
Contact:
www.cutrifle.com
Best of luck!
J. Patrick Tatum