This is just hypothetical, just something I was kicking around the ol'noggin inspired by a discussion I hadwith my dad, but lets say that further down the line, I decide I need a .358Win( I have alway thought this was a neat, and very underrated cartridge). As long as it is on an SB2 reciever, could a .357Mag Handi-Barrel be rechambered to that cartridge?
Hello. Are you new here? If so, WELCOME!
And do a search on your topic! Building a .358 Handi-barrel is a topic thats be knocked around extensively here! Even to spilling over to discussing the finer points of using [rimmed] .356 Winchester brass in the singleshooter Handi-Rifles instead of always resorting to .358 brass. I agree the .358/.356 Winchesters are great game-getters in the .35 caliber, based on the .308 case. I have thought I might want one of those myself!
If I did want to search for a .356/.358 Handi-barrel, I would do precisely what you're asking about and plan a "build" for myself!
Starting with a recently manufactured .357 Magnum barrel (with a 1-16" twist hopefully, vs an older barrel that might have a 1-18 3/4" twist).
When building a .358 rifle of any kind, my research has shown the bbl needs to have a 1-12", 1-14" or 1-16" twist for what I'd want to do with the bullets I'd want to shoot! Whether in the .358W type rounds, or stepping up to Whelen class, too using 250 grainers.
At present methinks I would be satisfied with a .357 Mag bbl, or .357 Maxi - or both! (and "if both" - would have a longer 22" handi bbl reamed to a Maxi chamber, while leaving a .357 Mag Talo length bbl in that 18 3/4" specification for its compactness and portability.
I agree the .358 and Whelen type rounds deserve more interest, but if I'd barked up one tree I not long ago considered, would have pursued a .338/06 in a boltgun while also owning .358-type Handi barrel.
But presently methinks I could be quite satisfied with either a .308 or .30-30 Handi [whitetail barrel] for hunting from tree stands with a .30 caliber, or just use a .357 Maxi at those short-medium ranges!
I live in the Western states and would use the .280 in a Handi or Encore for LR work.
