Rechamber SB2 Handi 357 Mag to 356 Winchester?

[H&R BANG]

Has anyone done this? I have a new 357 mag barrel just back from NEF - it took all summer! I am in the early stages of planning a HandiRifle safari (we can all dream right?) and need a "medium" rifle to go with the 45-70. The 356 should shoot the excellent 220 grain Speer bullets to 2350 fps or so.

Any opinions? (I can take the bad with the good!)

[quickdtoo]

Shouldn't be a problem, a couple of us have had them rechambered to 35 Remington, they shoot up to 250gr bullets just fine, even considering the slow 1:18¾" twist.

Tim

[Smokin Joe]

I've done the conversion to .356 in one of my barrels. If you can find a reamer, it's no problem; when I did the rechamber, I had to use a .358 and then do a rim cut on the lathe.
 Mine handles 220 Speers very well. The twist is a bit too slow for the 250's, but I'll bet a 250 round nose would work. The Speer 180's are  murder on hogs.

[handirifle]

For the money, it might be just as easy and close to the price, to rebore a 308 Win to 358 Win, plus brass would be easier to find since most neck up the 308 brass.  Then you could have what ever twist you want.

But if you already have the 357 barrel and it was for this project, then have at it.   reports please.

[quickdtoo]

358 or 356 brass is readily available, a rebore would cost a minimum of $275-$325, the problem with the 356 is no one rents a reamer for it, same problem I'm having with the 460S&W, so you'd have to buy one which adds about $100 to the rechamber, the 358 would be a better choice in that respect as the reamer is available for rent for about $40.

Tim

[Graybeard]

All ya need to do is use a .358 Winchester reamer and then cut a rim rebate not a biggie for anyone with the right equipment but likely not a home job.

[Smokin Joe]

H&R, check your PM