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Author Topic: .308 vs .358  (Read 2154 times)

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Offline redfox33

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.308 vs .358
« on: December 06, 2007, 04:24:09 AM »
Christmas is coming up and I have a short action BLR on my list to Santa.  As for caliber.....308 or .358????  Now, I don't reload and I know ammo availability for the .358 is sparse to say the least.  I do have a couple of friends that can get it at a discounted price though.  I was just wondering if there were any advantages of owning a .358 over a .308 when it comes to hunting deer/bear/hogs.  I like the .308 in a lever action but there's something about the .358 that intrigues me.

Thanks
redfox33
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Offline Rangr44

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Re: .308 vs .358
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2007, 05:26:10 AM »
I like the .358 better than the .308, but it will pencil smaller deer, unless it's handloaded for them.
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Offline Will_C

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Re: .308 vs .358
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2007, 06:43:15 AM »
I have had the desire for a BLR for a while. I also am fascinated by the .358. I do hand load. I think that the cost for .358 ammo would be too high if you did not reload, if you planned on doing any amount of shooting.
Will
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Offline pagris

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Re: .308 vs .358
« Reply #3 on: December 09, 2007, 06:44:31 AM »
redfox 33:  As much as l enjoy the .358 - I own two BLRs in .358 - I would have to say that if you don't reload, I would probably have to recommend the .308.  Not only is factory .358 ammo hard to find and expensive when you do find it, the only factory offering is the 200 grain Silvertip - a good bullet but probably not the best for whitetail.  The other consideration is one has to wonder if Winchester will ever discontinue .358 production in the future.

Of course you can do what I did - use the limited choice of the .358 factory loading as an excuse to take up reloading  - besides, the .308 is just too blasted ordinary  ;D.

pagris

1977 .358 BLR
1980 .358 BLR - original owner
1987 .243 '81 BLR
1991 7mm-08 '81 BLR
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Offline Cheesehead

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Re: .308 vs .358
« Reply #4 on: December 09, 2007, 07:37:38 AM »
The 358 is very interesting but, There are over 100 different factory loadings for the 308, not to mention military surplus at discounted prices.

Cheese
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Offline Gregory

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Re: .308 vs .358
« Reply #5 on: December 09, 2007, 10:50:04 AM »
redfox

Is this your only centerfire rifle?  If so, get the 308 for ammo availability.  If you already have a rifle in a more common caliber, get the 358 to have something different.   You can always find ammo online and buy in bulk.

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Offline NYH1

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Re: .308 vs .358
« Reply #6 on: December 10, 2007, 06:58:38 AM »
Quote from: Gregory on December 09, 2007, 10:50:04 AM
redfox

Is this your only centerfire rifle?  If so, get the 308 for ammo availability.  If you already have a rifle in a more common caliber, get the 358 to have something different.   You can always find ammo online and buy in bulk.


I agree. 
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Offline 1sourdough

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Re: .308 vs .358
« Reply #7 on: December 10, 2007, 11:59:31 PM »
 I vote 308 for above reasons.
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Offline Country Boy

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Re: .308 vs .358
« Reply #8 on: December 24, 2007, 07:58:27 AM »
I have both in a blr. I use the .358 for bear,moose,wild hogs,sometimes elk.  The .308 takes up where the .308 stops. Unless you are a handloader, buy the .308. As to the rifle, they fit in a saddle scabard ,4x4,tree stand ect.quit well.
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Offline tanoose

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Re: .308 vs .358
« Reply #9 on: February 03, 2008, 07:24:10 AM »
Winchester isn't your only option for factory ammo Custom cartridge company sells boxes of 20 from $40-$70 and conley has some great ammo from $35-$50 If these prices dont bother you the 358 is a great round. I chose the 358 in the BLR last year but then again i already had a savage 99 in 308. I also reload my own  However for deer black bear and hogs the 308 will do just fine plus you find 308 ammo anywhere in the country , not so with the 358 . Later Tanoose
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