Author Topic: Which .358 would you rather have and why ? (Read 1729 times)

Country Boy · « **on:** December 03, 2008, 02:36:09 PM »

A browning blr81 or a new Ruger Hawkeye. The Hawkeye's 22" bbl length might give me a little more vel.

nomosendero · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2008, 03:16:01 PM »

I had a Browning years ago, if I had a 358 now it would be a Browning.

dpe.ahoy · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2008, 03:53:22 PM »

I have a BLR in 7mm-08 and let a 358 slip thru my hands 2 weeks ago. Nice BLR settin' on the used rack, told myself I didn't need another gun.

I swear my wife plays a recording of that while I sleep

, anyway when I came to my senses and called to have them pull it and put my name on it, it was gone.

Just one more of the blunders I've done on nice guns. DP

Sweetwater · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2008, 05:12:43 PM »

Browning...always wanted one. Always other priorities.

Regards,
Sweetwater

rickt300 · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2008, 07:19:00 PM »

I'd build one on a Remington model 7 action as light as possible with a 19 inch barrel, scope it with a 4x Leupold and be happy with it. A friend put one together on a short Savage action and after handling it I think it would be just fine too.

Country Boy · « **Reply #5 on:** December 04, 2008, 08:16:22 AM »

I may be crazy but here is what I did. I called Buds Guns in Paris Ky and asked if they would exchange the Hawkeye .358 for a .308, they said yes ! ( I think the .308 is a great deer round un most all cirxcumstances)all I'm out is shipping. I also have a Blr with steel reciever in .358, I found some new reloads in a mag that gave 2400 with TAC powder and .250 grn bullets. I loaded up a few and coronographed them I got 2370 with the 250 grn speer in the BLR pretty good I think. So now Iv'e got a .308 Hawkeye on the way and cleaned up my blr .358 (killed 20 bears with it) Now I have two rifles to sell or trade A win. 88 and win 100. I'm going to get a 20 gage shotgun and a Bersa .380
Before Obamma gets us I should have what I need for my hunting. I also have a Ml,.243 and crossbow,I'm handicapped so legal in Mo.
Thanks for your imput, I was leaning toward keeping the blr .358 as it has been a very good hunting rifle for me.

Sweetwater · « **Reply #6 on:** December 04, 2008, 07:18:53 PM »

I bought my Ruger Bisley SS 41mag from Bud's Guns. They were great to deal with. He had it listed on Gunbroker.com a few years back when I was living in California. It was an experience wading though the paperwork and taking a test - yes, I had to take a test on handgun use and safety. The FFL in Santee, CA was a great help and guided me through it all very patiently.

I think you made a great choice on which 358 to keep!

I have a work associate who wants an 88 in .308 and I believe a 100 in .308, also, but that may be in some different caliber, don't quite remember. I do believe it will be spring before he does anything about his 'wants'. I have another friend who has an 88carbine in .308 and he wants to make it a 338Federal. I keep trying to talk him out of altering it as it is collector quality.

Good luck in your quest.

Regards,
Sweetwater

gl411 · « **Reply #7 on:** December 05, 2008, 06:08:08 AM »

I have two .358 one is an 18.5 which carries like a hand gun but looks like a flame thrower-it does take a big hit in velocity compared to my Weatherbye vanguard with a 22" barrell -- so I gues sthe Blr is in between in mv-- I would keep it unles the action and some more mv has you in a death grip -- btw I am the on who sent you the loads for a 250 --still like H335 and H322 -- for any weight--current deer load 200 SPCL h335 @ 2600+

Country Boy · « **Reply #8 on:** December 05, 2008, 06:26:56 AM »

I remember those loads. I've had a number of .358's and tried a lot of different powder in them. I got these new loads with TAC from a gun magazine and they are what the article says. I've had best luck with 748,30-31,AA 2015 and AA2520. Since I only hunt black bear over bait or wild hogs with the 3.58 it really does a numbeer on them and the Blr is very handy in a tree stand or in saddle scabard and I seldom shoot more than 200 yds. I appreciate your help and encouragement in my choice. As to the .308, I've also hunted with a few and a better deer round is hard to find. I made my longest shots on deer,and antelope with one.

Country Boy · « **Reply #9 on:** December 05, 2008, 06:30:40 AM »

Forgot, 48 grns of TAC will give a 200 grn Hornady sp 2750 with a 22" bbl Haven'T TRIED IT IN MY BLR YET BUT 2650 SHOULDN"T BE A STREACH.

GradyL41 · « **Reply #10 on:** December 06, 2008, 11:01:25 AM »

wow-- I have got to get me some of dat---boy that is fast for a .358 - how does it do with the heavier bullets?

Savage_99 · « **Reply #11 on:** December 06, 2008, 11:09:12 AM »

Country Boy,

I have four .358 Winchesters and its been my favorite woods cartridge since I got my first one in 1966. I would get the Ruger its a superb gun.

Here is the latest .358 that I got, a full stock Mannlicher carbine.

adirondacker · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2008, 12:08:28 PM »

i have the new hawkeye in all-weather.burris fullfeild 2,shoots 3 round 1 hole groups at 100 yds.with my handloads.i do wish it was a little shorter lighter,maybe gonna have to get a frontier.i looked at the browning,just more fond of traditional lever guns,nice rifle just don't like the way the action travels.i think marlin needs to chamber the guide series in 358,my 2 cents,adker

GradyL41 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 06, 2008, 02:08:44 PM »

I have two, the same 2 I got in the 70s

BBF · « **Reply #14 on:** December 06, 2008, 05:59:02 PM »

Ruger for me, I don't like straight stocks.

Country Boy · « **Reply #15 on:** December 07, 2008, 08:07:23 AM »

Grady, I got the loads from the August 08 issue of Handloader magazine p.74 I didn"t believe the vel either. So I loaded up a few of each and coronographed them my self. It's true You can get those vel. from the .358 with a 22 " bbl. I have hunted black bear every year since 1968 used and saw used many different rifles. For me the .358 with .250 speer is the one. in my blr I get 2370 which is very good. I've taken many black bear,plus a moose and elk with that rifle. no tracking required.I have 3 B&C black bear over 500 lbs and the last one was was a record for a non-resident in Manitoba. I will be headed out again this Spring with my .358
I think the new Hawkeye is a great rifle slim ,easy to handle and a .22 inch bbl which gives a little more vel. I may get another in SS/Sy in the future.

gl411 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 08, 2008, 05:01:57 AM »

Country Boy-- I have never hunted anything larger than a 200# Whitetail --I did shoot a 9pt with a Hor 250 RN at 60 yards and I saw no difference between it and my other .358 kills - now if I was hunting largre game that would be different--have you tried the Hornady 250 Rn on Bear and what do you do with the critters after death. If I were to decided to get rid of my 250 Speers and Hor would you want them? If....I shoot 200 and 225 in my weatherbye and 200 and 220 in the 18.5-- Last year was the first time I have loaded any of them in years --decades-- any way if--I will look up stuff on that TAC powder

Country Boy · « **Reply #17 on:** December 08, 2008, 08:17:40 AM »

Thank you for the offer on the bullets but I have plenty. The .358 is a fine deer rifle with 180 grn speer and 200 grn hornadys. There is no published data on Tac except in that mag article which I confirmed with my coronograph. But, 748 will do the same if your not afraid to fill 1/2 the case neck. I quit using the .358 on deer, it's more than necessary. So I use a .308 with various 150 grn bullets or cheap factory loads.(Federal Hi-shock)

GradyL41 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 08, 2008, 12:58:13 PM »

i agree it is hard on deer but Ican live with it they can not

BBF · « **Reply #19 on:** December 09, 2008, 06:43:50 AM »

Grady:
Since you reload, why not slow the bullets down if they are to hard on deer. You ought to be able to reduce to 35 Rem velocities.

Country Boy · « **Reply #20 on:** December 09, 2008, 10:17:58 AM »

Actually Grady I don"t care how hard it is on deer. I don't like to track any farther than necessary. I've never had to track anything shot with the .358. Also, at the risk of being booed off the site, There isn"t much meat from the shoulder forward. except in the neck which I grind for burger. I got out the 3 .358's I have last night and fooled around with them, in my mind the .358 should be in a lever gun. I kept the blr(it will be buried with me) and my model 88 which I had rebored from .308 to .358 . I told you I swaped the Hawkeye for a .308. I'm going to sell or swap my model 100 .308 and buy my brother a Bersa handgun. He doesn"t hunt or shoot but wants one to put in the glove compartment. My brother is 78 and drives different places to play golf ugh ! I like to play around with rifles and in my 68 yrs have had a bunch and done some crazy things. I even have given away some to those in need. A 405 win. 95 a original 45-70 springfield saddle ring carbine a couple of 99 savages and numerious bolts. Some custom made like a .257 AI I'm not a rich guy by any means but some time something gets ahold of me and I feel generious.