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Author Topic: IS IT POSSIBLE? .... to rebore a .308W to .338/06?  (Read 489 times)

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Offline Couger

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IS IT POSSIBLE? .... to rebore a .308W to .338/06?
« on: November 04, 2005, 05:42:34 PM »
Can someone tell me please, can Handi (Survivor) barrel be rebored to .338/06 or .35 Whelen?  I think the answer is probably "no!", as it appears to do so would leave a sloppy loose chamber.

I came to this conclusion after carefully studying the dimensions of each cartridge (.338/06).  The .308 Winnie is just a couple thousandths of an inch larger in diameter around the base and rim-area of it's case compared to the '06 family of rounds, but enough to make any rebore attempt "sloppy."  Does anyone agree?

I think if I want to modify my .308 Survivor barrel I'd do better to opt for a rebore to .358 Winchester.  Any comments please?

Thanks in advance for your response.   8)
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Offline handirifle

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IS IT POSSIBLE? .... to rebore a .308W to .
« Reply #1 on: November 04, 2005, 06:20:44 PM »
cougar
I agree with your end answer, but not because of your reasons.  Your measurements are a little off.  The '06 rim and 308 rim are the same size.  The 308 case dia is also the same as the '06.

The problem comes with the shoulder dia of the 308 being .454 and the shoulder of the 30-06 and 338-06 being smaller, but 1/2" farther out.  The cases MIGHT be the same dia at the same point as the 308 shoulder (1.560") but am not sure.  If my suspicions are correct, this would leave you with a small ridge in the chamber.  Not a good thing, especially when you consider the Handi's reputation for ejection problems.

The 358 is a good alternative, or even the less heard of 338-08.

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Offline quickdtoo

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IS IT POSSIBLE? .... to rebore a .308W to .
« Reply #2 on: November 04, 2005, 07:05:09 PM »
Can't be done, closest option would be 338-06AI and PITA fire forming, or as Handi suggested, .358 or .338-08. Here's a previous thread exploring possibilities....

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=73682
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Offline Couger

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Thanks .....
« Reply #3 on: November 04, 2005, 09:09:27 PM »
Thanks for the replies ......

Tried to respond prior to this, but maybe this one will post and not get lost in the electronics! .....

I studied the reloading manuals before starting this thread and I think its a horse race was which family of cases (.308 versus .30/06) tapers more quickly, but I'd forgotten about the .338/06 AI.  I wondered if a ridge might be left in the chamber, which ruin cases if not shorten case-life.

I've contemplated for several years whether to build an elk rifle based on the .338 WM (and reduce my handloads, but also have the feature i could shoot factory ammo if necessary), or to build a custom rifle in .35 Whelen or .338/06 (a.k.a. - the .338 O.K.H. - O'Neil, Keith, and Hopkins).

Elmer Keith helped develop that round, but originally based on the .333 caliber.  And as mentioned, as good as the .358 Winnie is, many shooters also love it for shooting cast bullets.   8)
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Offline JPH45

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IS IT POSSIBLE? .... to rebore a .308W to .
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2005, 02:55:58 AM »
Since you mention the 35 Whelen, why not order then rechamber a 357 Mag barrel? Many complain that the 1:18 twist is to slow for heavier bullets in this caliber, but my 357 Max stabilizes 250's just fine even at a sedate 900 fps. The 2400 fps + of the Whelen will only make the situation better. As it goes, the only people I see actually shooting 35 caliber 270-300 grain bullets are casters. If my hearts desire was to shoot 300 grain bullets I would opt for the 375/06 as there are a good many more bullet choices available than are for the 35. As it goes, a 250 grain 35 caliber bullet at 2500 fps will kill anything you point it at and any differences between the killing ability of calibers 338 through 375 are gunrag fuel anyway. Out to 250 yards, the real differences ain't worth argueing over.
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Offline Couger

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!!!
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2005, 07:25:12 AM »
Has NEF started making .35 caliber barrels again?  Whether in .357 Mag?  .35 Remington?  Or even the Whelen itself?
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Offline Mac11700

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IS IT POSSIBLE? .... to rebore a .308W to .
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2005, 07:54:32 AM »
If your starting from scratch...meaning you don't have a suitable barrel for the conversion you really want...might I suggest buying either a used or new 25-06 barrel and having rebored to 338-06...I'm having a ball with mine and Quickdtoo is also.It will out preform any of the 35 calibers you will make in the Handi..unless you want to shoot pistol bullets...this was my latest outing with it shooting the 180 grain Accubonds...http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=74795
Factory ammo is available...bullet selection is great(160 grain to 300 grain) reloading dies aren't an arm & a leg for it...Wayne York of Oregunsmithing does outstanding work and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him...

The velocities I'm getting is great...the accuracy is outstanding...the recoil...well...it isn't a 223...but it isn't as bad as my 2400 fps 300 grain 45-70 load either..and it will get the Limbsaver treatment after deer season...I have one of the grind to fit ones waiting on the shelf for it...When I go on my first elk hunting trip...this one will be going...



Mac[/url]
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: !!!
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2005, 08:35:17 AM »
Quote from: Couger
Has NEF started making .35 caliber barrels again?  Whether in .357 Mag?  .35 Remington?  Or even the Whelen itself?


No on the 35 whelen and they've never made the .35 rem....yet....to the dismay of many here.! But, they did make a run of .357 Mag the beginning of this year and there's a good chance they have some left if you wanta sent a frame in for one, I'd give em a call or email to find out, if you really want one. Standard twist rate for the .35 rem is 1:16", for the whelen 1:16" or 1:14" depending on the Mfr. The 1:18¾" twist rate of the .357 mag barrel doesn't make it an ideal donor, but it should work great depending on your bullet choice. I have a 35 whelen RMEF Ultra now, so I don't need to rechamber my .357 Max to whelen, but I'm sure lookin at a rechamber to .35 Rem, one of our members is doing exactly that, we're looking forward to his report.

(978) 630-8220

hr1871@hr1871.com
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Offline quickdtoo

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Re: Thanks .....
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2005, 08:39:59 AM »
Quote from: Couger
Tried to respond prior to this, but maybe this one will post and not get lost in the electronics! .....


To avoid the loss of a post to cyber space, once you're typed your response, before you hit the submit button, left click and hold the botton down and drag the cursor over your text to highlight it, then right click the highlighted text and choose copy, the text will be copied the clip board and available if your post disappears into cyber space. If it does, just open the reply/post window and paste the response and hit submit again. Saves a lot of heart ache!
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Offline JPH45

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IS IT POSSIBLE? .... to rebore a .308W to .
« Reply #9 on: November 06, 2005, 02:15:53 AM »
Quick, I've found that clicking on preview works for that too. I lost a few long posts before I discovered that.
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Offline quickdtoo

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IS IT POSSIBLE? .... to rebore a .308W to .
« Reply #10 on: November 06, 2005, 06:41:32 AM »
Does preview copy to the clipboard? If it doesn't save the text on your PC, then it's still gone after ya hit the submit button and ya get the infamous "page not found" page. I use the preview all the time, please tell me what I'm missing, unless ya open it in a new window.

thx
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Offline Mac11700

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IS IT POSSIBLE? .... to rebore a .308W to .
« Reply #11 on: November 06, 2005, 06:56:56 AM »
It just keeps it from timing out...and you can type longer..

Mac
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