Author Topic: .358 Win. Handi! (Read 1478 times)

woody1071 · « **on:** February 14, 2013, 07:07:01 AM »

I sent a Handi .357 mag barrel to Wayne York @ Oregunsmithing to have him re-chamber it for .358. I just got it back 2 days ago and had an opportunity to shoot it with .358 Hornady 200 gr FTX yesterday for about 15 minutes. I got it adjusted in fairly close in four shots. This was not off a rest but with just my fore-end supported. No bag, no rest, no bench. I am really happy with it so far. I didn't have much time to spend with it yesterday but I was itching to shoot it. The extractor works really well too.

I can't wait to trim some cases to 1.8 (to be legal for Indiana deer firearms) and make some loads up and shoot! I don't have a chronograph or know anyone that does so I won't be able to give those kind of results. I will let you guys know how it groups and what kind of range I have with it. It will probably be a couple of weeks before I can spend a lot of time with it.

Just thought I would check in and let you guys know that someone else is going to give this a go!

petemi · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2013, 08:46:10 AM »

Dinny, cwlongshot, myself, and perhaps others did theirs to .356. That gives a rim cut to make .356 possible and allows .358 to head space on the shoulder. Is that what Wayne did? Shoot it and enjoy it. It's a great rifle and one of my favorites. It's right in the middle between the .45-70 and the .30-30. Much quicker than both.

Pete

woody1071 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2013, 09:14:54 AM »

I did talk to Dinny on the phone about going to .356. Two reasons that I didn't... Not that they are good reasons. Wayne did not act confident that he could make the extractor work when I mentioned doing this. Another is that just days after I sent it out someone on here posted about an ejector or extractor on a barrel that Wayne did not working. Wayne was confident that he could do the extractor for the .358 so I went with that.

As I understand it, it would not be terribly difficult to add this rimcut at a later date if I so desire. I do have access to machines at work and at least one really good machinist that could pull it off. But that would leave me with having to tinker with the extractor to make it work.

I am really satisfied at this point with what I have and where I'm heading with it. I am really excited to shoot/experiment with it and get it ready for deer season next year. I mainly archery hunt so I don't remember looking forward to a firearms season as much as I am this one next fall.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:00:50 AM »

The 358 is a excellent cartridage and you will do very well with it. Truth be told, for the most part, we are loading out 356 to 358 ballistics.

I prefer a rim for this kind of action, they simply work better. Being able to fire a 358 is a bonus. Mine shoots GREAT, its one of my best shooting Handis.

I also have a 308 that I have had a rim cut so I can fire 307 & 308 getting the best of both worlds.

CW

petemi · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:05:20 AM »

I'm surprised at Wayne not doing the .356 because of the extractor. Mine was done by a member here and cw did his own. Neither are professional gunsmiths, and they had no problem with it.

Pete

Dinny · « **Reply #5 on:** February 14, 2013, 10:07:35 AM »

Woody,
It's great to see another 356/358 convert. Now you're hooked!

Thanks, Dinny

gunther66 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:49:55 PM »

I am surprised Wayne didn't recommend doing the 356 winny. He did this very thing for me several years ago and it shoots and extracts just fine. It is one of my favorites.
Does your rifle have a short chamber? G66

Spanky · « **Reply #7 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:51:36 PM »

Just so happens I've got a brand spankin' new unfired 357 mag Handi.
You fella's suppose I could make a good 356 out of it??

Spanky

quickdtoo · « **Reply #8 on:** February 14, 2013, 01:54:20 PM »

Quote from: Spanky on February 14, 2013, 01:51:36 PM

Just so happens I've got a brand spankin' new unfired 357 mag Handi.
You fella's suppose I could make a good 356 out of it??

Spanky

If'n the barrel is on an SB2 frame, and you have a lathe or friend/smithy with a lathe, not good to be try by hand .

woody1071 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2013, 02:22:42 PM »

Well, when I asked Wayne about doing it he didn't sound like it was something he wanted to do. He said something to the effect that they are basically the same thing and couldn't think of any advantages to doing it. I was not in front of a computer when I was talking to him to read to him what I have read here. I also couldn't recall anything off of the top of my head.

I'm not worried about it at all. My interest in it is for deer hunting and it will work great as a .358.

I have bought everything for reloading that I need except for powder and primers so far. I will also be loading for my .357 max as well. I plan on doing a lot of shooting and having fun with this. It's really a new adventure for me. Now I am looking for a .357 mag revolver to carry for the short range shots.

Spanky · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2013, 02:29:42 PM »

Quote from: quickdtoo on February 14, 2013, 01:54:20 PM

Quote from: Spanky on February 14, 2013, 01:51:36 PM
Just so happens I've got a brand spankin' new unfired 357 mag Handi.
You fella's suppose I could make a good 356 out of it??

Spanky

If'n the barrel is on an SB2 frame, and you have a lathe or friend/smithy with a lathe, not good to be try by hand .

Tell ya the truth I haven't even taken it out of the box yet... I've got a few SB2 frames to try it on when the time comes though.

I would definitely send it out for the work... I don't have the equipment or the skills to do it myself.

Spanky

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #11 on:** February 15, 2013, 12:00:32 AM »

Quote from: petemi on February 14, 2013, 10:05:20 AM

I'm surprised at Wayne not doing the .356 because of the extractor. Mine was done by a member here and cw did his own. Neither are professional gunsmiths, and they had no problem with it.

Pete

It is a real easy re-chamber (With lathe) and the modification to a extractor takes only a few minuets if a 30-30 (used in Pete's) or 308 extractor is used.The 356 Win and 358 cases can both be used with reliable extraction.
Pete's barrel was a 357 to start with, I believe CW's was a 35 Rem.
Somewhere on my bucket list is a test of the rimmed verses rimless test on the 308 based cartridges .
With the 1.8 length law in Indiana a trimmed 356/358 makes for a very potent deer round.
Here in Texas it makes a great Armadillo round!
Lots of Luck
George
" nonprofessional gunsmith"

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #12 on:** February 15, 2013, 05:17:29 PM »

Quote from: cwlongshot on February 14, 2013, 10:00:50 AM

The 358 is a excellent cartridage and you will do very well with it. Truth be told, for the most part, we are loading out 356 to 358 ballistics.

I prefer a rim for this kind of action, they simply work better. Being able to fire a 358 is a bonus. Mine shoots GREAT, its one of my best shooting Handis.

I also have a 308 that I have had a rim cut so I can fire 307 & 308 getting the best of both worlds.

CW

as 307/356 Win cartridges are made from unobtainium up here, could you ream to accept the 444marlin shortened and necked down?
seems a no brainer to me, but then.... I have been accused of...

oh... nevermind

jeepmann1948 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2013, 01:01:38 AM »

There are several 35 caliber wildcats based on the 444 Marlin. Google 35-444 (I got over 3000 results)
Happy Trails
George

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2013, 02:35:13 PM »

I meant, to ream the rim recess for the 444, but have the chamber for the .358, and then just FL size the 444 brass, and trim to length....

the bases are the same.

Dinny · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2013, 02:38:45 PM »

Quote from: nanuk-O-dah-Nort on February 16, 2013, 02:35:13 PM

I meant, to ream the rim recess for the 444, but have the chamber for the .358, and then just FL size the 444 brass, and trim to length....
the bases are the same.

I'll save you the trouble and mail you .307 brass if you rechamber a barrel to 356 Win.

Thanks, Dinny

jburris2001 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 19, 2013, 02:45:35 PM »

I have a buddy that deer hunts here in indiana with a desert eagle .358win pistol. After I shot it I have been planning on converting a handi to the .358 just havent done it yet. Got a hold of a 45/70 plan on cutting the brass down for it to hunt with this year. hopefully the rule change next year will allow the 45/70 without cutting down.....

nanuk-O-dah-Nort · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2013, 03:56:20 PM »

Quote from: -Dinny on February 16, 2013, 02:38:45 PM

I'll save you the trouble and mail you .307 brass if you rechamber a barrel to 356 Win.

Thanks, Dinny

thanks for the offer.

it is very generous!

I do have a 357mag barrel.... was thinking of maxi'ing it, but the 356/8 sounds fun. I already have a couple Whelen's so was looking for something different.

thus my thoughts on the 35/303 round.

petemi · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2013, 09:58:40 PM »

Here's a good read for you guys on the .356/.358.

Pete

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/358_wcf.htm

Dinny · « **Reply #19 on:** February 20, 2013, 07:26:59 AM »

Quote from: petemi on February 19, 2013, 09:58:40 PM

Here's a good read for you guys on the .356/.358.
Pete
http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/358_wcf.htm

That's some good info from Paco. I would recommend starting low and working up to his published loads though. I followed some of his data for my 45LC Handi and couldn't reach his loads due to pressure signs.

Thanks, Dinny

cwlongshot · « **Reply #20 on:** February 20, 2013, 10:36:10 AM »

Just about all of PACO KELLY writings are a good read, he is quite a person and writes with a flair I very much enjoy!

CW

YRUpunting? · « **Reply #21 on:** February 20, 2013, 10:54:40 AM »

Quote from: jburris2001 on February 19, 2013, 02:45:35 PM

hopefully the rule change next year will allow the 45/70 without cutting down.....

What Indiana rule change?

giddens1972 · « **Reply #22 on:** February 20, 2013, 04:19:25 PM »

My 358 JDJ Handi is a real accurate one also. JD Jones did the rechamber for $90, and I had to do some grinding on the extractor, but it works great. Mine is a shorty, and I'm gettin 2700fps out of 180's and 2500fps out of 200's...and that is with SSK loads meant for a contender.