rechamber a 358 win encore

[northern hunter]

Hi guys,I have a 24" custom shop encore barrel that is in 358 winchester.I want to rechamber it to either a 35 whelen Ackley Improved,or 350 remington mag,have both reamers already and dies are no problem.So what do you all think would be better?Performance wise.i will use it for moose, deer and bear out to 250 to 300 yards max.I like the 225 gr.bullets,Barnes and Nosler.
Thanks for your time.
shoot once and carry a sharp knife

ps or should I go for something bigger in 35??

[handirifle]

I don't think there will be a noticable difference between the two.  But I do think there MIGHT be headspace/shoulder issues with the Whelen AI since there isn't much shoulder to start with.  If the 350 will clean up the chamber of the 358, I think that would be MY choice simply because brass doesn't have to be formed like on an AI round.

The only complaint I've read about the 350 is having to short seat the heavier bullets in order to fit in short action chambers, but that should be a non issue for a single shot, especially if you throat it to the bullets you want to shoot.

[northern hunter]

Hi guys,what about the 35 on the 300 wsm case...aka 35wsm.??In my encore barrel.
thanks.

[Swampman]

Be careful.

http://www.rugerhunting.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2469

[deltecs]

The rumor of the Whelen not having enough shoulder for head space is bunk.  If a handloader is sloppy with sizing, the shoulder is more easily moved farther back, thus creating a head space problem  That is not a reason to knock the design of the case and then propagate the rumor without firsthand knowledge that this is actually the situation.  The regular .35 whelen has no headspace problem and neither does the AI.  The AI does give it a bit more powder capacity but not enough to get excited about.  The difference between the .35 Whelen AI and .350 Rem Mag in performance is negligible.  You may have more gunsmithing with chamber conversion to .350 Rem Mag due to the extractor modifications.  The .35 Whelen and .358 Win have the same rim so no unnecessary smithing is required.
Geg
deltecs

[northern hunter]

The barrel is at the shop and when I get it back it will be a 350 Rem Mag ,throat-ed for a 225gr. Nosler.OAL will be 3.10"to make as much room in the case as I can,it should be fun.