I want a .358 winchester in a Handi.

[STUMPJMPR]

What do you think about re-boring a .308 hand to .358 winchester?  It would make a great primitive weapon here in MS.

[Swampman]

Wouldn't it be easier to rechamber a .357 Mag barrel?  Personally I don't think it would be as good as a .444 or a .45-70 but that's just my 2 cents.

[STUMPJMPR]

The twist rate is wrong for a .357/38.  I like my 45-70 but the .358 is a flatter shooting cartridge with a little less recoil.

[Swampman]

I'd go with the .356 Winchester or the .358 JDJ to get the rim.

[Mac11700]

What do you think about re-boring a .308 hand to .358 winchester?  It would make a great primitive weapon here in MS.

Sounds like a nice plan..and certainly is doable...You planning on reloading for it ?

You always have the option for doing a 35 Whelen on a 25-06 barrel too..

Mac

[quickdtoo]

The twist rate is wrong for a .357/38.  I like my 45-70 but the .358 is a flatter shooting cartridge with a little less recoil.

I think you'll find many H&R 357mag barrels are 1:15½" which is a bit faster twist than many 35 Whelens at 1:16" which work fine, my RMEF Whelen does great with 250gr spitzers, both of my 357mags are 15½" twist, the older(pre-2004 cuz that's when I got it used) one works great as a 35 Remington with 240gr cast at 2000fps.  I'd rechamber one and give it a try before spending the money on a rebore.

Tim

[STUMPJMPR]

I read some very old threads that said the twist was like 1:18 or something like that.  The 1:15 1/2 should work good like you said.  I may just pursue that and use a .357 barrel and rent a reamer.  I assume a .358 reamer would clean up a .357 chamber?

[quickdtoo]

Someone just happened to check and found 1:15½", evidently H&R changed it sometime and no one knew. 

358Win will easily clean up the 357mag, all you have to due is swap out the extractor/ejector claw for a 30-06 family claw, if ejector, you'll have to do the rimless conversion in the FAQs.

Tim