Barrel Change ??

[parson48]

I usually hang out on the H&R page, but I have a Savage question.

I have a 110 .243 that I'm thinking about putting a .358 Win. barrel on. Would this be a pretty straightforward proposition, or would there be considerations other than just the barrel??

Thanks.

[Slowpoke Slim]

It's about as straight forward as it gets, from one 308 based cartridge to another. All you'll need is the barrel, tools to remove and install, and a headspace gauge.

That's it.

If you decide to do it, and have questions on the "nuts and bolts" part of it, PM me. I've done several barrel swaps on Savages and it is very easy to do.

[parson48]

Hey, thanks for your quick response and generous offer.

Here's the deal: I'm trying to determine if  trimming the .358 case to 1.8" is viable. I live in Indiana, and beginning next year, that will be the maximum allowable case length for a rifle, with .357 being the minimum caliber allowed. I know that this has been discussed, but I haven't seen anything definitive.

There are several wildcats, but they are pretty pricey. If the .358 will work in this fashion, I'll likely go that route.

[Slowpoke Slim]

Hmmm,

I don't have a cartridge drawing handy for 358 win, but I think the parent 308 case, the base of the neck is 2.010" or there abouts. So with a case length of 1.8", you would be deep into the shoulder area, or even the base of the shoulder. That's a bunch of brass work, and a custom chamber.

[parson48]

It would actually leave a neck of .15". Not much, but the 357-44 Bain and Davis has about the same length neck, and is fired from revolvers without any problems. I wouldn't mind loading it single shot if there would be a problem of a short neck allowing bullet pull in the box mag.

[Lon371]

It would actually leave a neck of .15". Not much, but the 357-44 Bain and Davis has about the same length neck, and is fired from revolvers without any problems. I wouldn't mind loading it single shot if there would be a problem of a short neck allowing bullet pull in the box mag.

 I have no idea, thats why I am asking. Could you possibly bump the shoulder back a hair to encrease the neck length?
 
Lonny

[Slowpoke Slim]

Parson,

You had me doubting my sanity (not hard), so I dug my Sierra manual out of the freezer (garage), and yup, you're right. The base of the neck on the 358 is 1.651".

I sit corrected.

[parson48]

Lonny

There's a ."358 Hoosier" that does that, but it would require a chamber for that round since it spaces on the shoulder. It would also require custom dies. You may have seen it on the HI site.

I am concerned about the shortness of remaining neck. I don't know if it would provide enough tension for good ignition. I might experiment with my .308 by trimming the neck down.

Slim, if you hang out around here than your sanity must be intact.

Appreciate all the input.

[LaOtto222]

I hang around in both the Savage area and the H&R areas amoung a few others. Why don't you get either a 44 mag or 357 Handi and ream them to 445 or 357 Max. If you want some thing different or get a 44 mag and leave it stock. Either one would be a great deer rifle. The 445 Super mag or even a S&W 500 will knock a deer into the next day.
Good Luck and Good Shooting

[Lon371]

 LaOtto222
 
  The idea is to get a 200 yard or close gun and still be under Indiana's new deer regs for 2012.  357 diameter or bigger, 1.16" to 1.8" case length. Does not have to be a pistol caliber anymore. Many folks just want something a little begger . DNR has already said a trimmed case is ok.
 
Lonny

[parson48]

I have both 357 max and 44 mag, and have taken deer with both calibers. Just seems that I'm never satisfied. Always on a quest for something that will reach out there a little farther.

[LaOtto222]

LaOtto222
 
  The idea is to get a 200 yard or close gun and still be under Indiana's new deer regs for 2012.  357 diameter or bigger, 1.16" to 1.8" case length. Does not have to be a pistol caliber anymore. Many folks just want something a little begger . DNR has already said a trimmed case is ok.
 
Lonny

I am well aware of the Indiana laws, born here and lived here ever since - 60 years worth. I remember the first deer season in Indiana, when it was a 12 - 16 - 20 gauge only affair. No muzzle loaders, no pistols I do not think any bow either. Ithaca deer slayers ruled the woods back in the 60's.

The 357 Maximum is a 200 yard round. 2200 fps with a Hornady 357 SSP is 4.2" high at 100 yards with a 200 yard zero and it will still be traveling at 1600 fps with 1031 ft-lb of energy. It is a legitimate 200 yard round.

If that is not enough then get a 357 Handi and ream it to 357 Herrett; 30-30 case trimmed to 1.750" and blown out to .357. 180 grain bullets = 1900 fps out of a 12" barrel. a 22" barrel should get 2400 fps, maybe more.

You can have a special 357 made up, if that is what you desire of course, but I seriously doubt if the range is going to be over 300 yards and more than likely 250 yards.

I know you can do any thing you want, and if you want a 300 yard gun, go for it, but you are going to pay some bucks for that privilege.

Good Luck and Good Shooting
 

[parson48]

LaOtto222,

I remember those shotgun only days too. And, rifled barrels were a no-no. Smooth bore only.

Weren't many deer in Indiana in those days either. I remember one time, in the Terre Haute area, when people were actually stopping along the highway to watch and photograph a couple of deer that were standing at the edge of a wooded area.

(Man! I sound like an old guy!)