358 JDJ Rechamber

[mkee]

I'm interested in having a 35 Rem rechambered to 358 JDJ.  The barrel is a great shooter, but it misfires constantly.  This is a S14, and I think I would like to add a break to it.  I hoped to get some feedback from you guys on how you like the 358 JDJ, whether or not to get the brake, and the quality of a rechamber as opposed to a custom barrel.  I currently own a 6.5 and 375 JDJ and also a 300 whisper all made by JD.  I've been very pleased with all of them so far.

[Graybeard]

I had SSK rechamber a 14" .35 Rem barrel long ago. Like yours mine misfired often but was very accurate. When I got it back it was super accurate and as a .358 JDJ no more misfires.

Recoil to me was vicious. I was pushing Nosler 225s to 2250-2300 fps with less than a maximum recommended charge of AA2520 powder and under MOA accuracy. It came up and back and to the left violently tho. Was hurting my wrists which have arthritis pretty badly.

So I returned it for the SSK Arrestor Muzzle Brake. Unbelieveable. Absolutely no lift off the bag and no twisting at all. BUT it had redirected all of the recoil straight back into the web of my hand. Now normally that's what I prefer as I like double action revolvers better than single action because that's how they deliver the recoil. BUT in this case the recoil was so intense it was too much for me again.

The reason is I have a bone spur or calcium deposit or something of the nature at the base of my right thumb. The grip even a Pachmayr rubber one coming back that hard was just too much for the hand.

So how you'll like the recoil I cannot say I have aggravating factors that prevented me from dealing with it both with and without the brake that most folks do not have. If you have arthritis you'll have to have the brake. With it most folks would likely figure the recoil to be pretty tame. I would have too except for the problem at the base of my right thumb.

Turn around time was fast and the barrel was super accurate.

[Ravenwolf]

I concur with GB.  I've had my rehcambered SSK 358 JDJ for about 18 yrs now.  The only thing I had done additonally was have a muzzlebrake added.  My barrel was a S-14, but with the MB it is now just under 16".  I originally had it rechambered to eliminate the misfires, but the rechamber took care of this, gave me the ability to increase foot pounds and was also more accurate.  This barrel has accounted for over 20 whitetail deer and is one of my favorite cartridges.  I don't have wrist problems, but be aware that adding a MB will change the recoil to straight back into your hand.  I usually use a glove but after 50 rds or so it is at the limit of what I want to shoot.  Like GB I get 2250-2300 with 225 grain bullets and 2400+ with 200s.  All and all a worth while rechamber.  The only thing I'll add is I got an adapter for the barrel from MCA Sports that allows me to shoot 38 Specials in it.  With a little experimentation I got a load that will shoot 225 grain nosler BTs 3" high at 100 yards and 148 DEWC 38 specials spot on at 25 yards.  A dandy rig....RW

[jhalcott]

Like GB& RW, I had misfires in my s14 35 rem barrel. SSK rechambered it to 358JDJ and solved the problem.BUT they created a MONSTER. The recoil was awful to me!. Shot several animals with it with NO complaints from me. It IS ground hog accurate. Finally had a Vais break installed($$$) and solved the recoil problem. I would definetly put a break on a 358jdj, mine recoiled worse than my 45-70 barrel before the Vais break.

[Johnly]

I think there are a couple other options as well. One could have a rim groove cut into the barrel and form rimmed 35 Rem cases from 30-40 Krag brass. Advantages to this are that a custom dies set isn't needed and in a pinch one could re-install a 35 Rem and fire factory rounds.

I've also recut 35 Rem chambers with 40 degree shoulder to improve headspacing. One can use modified 35 Rem Lee Collet dies to size the cases.

Chambering the barrel 356 Winchester is also an option. It might be prudent to short chamber it .020" or so to prevent factory rounds from being fired in the barrel.  Standard 358 winchester reloading dies can be used to size the fired cases.

If you're going to use this barrel for hunting I would not opt for the break. While having one would greatly reduce the recoil, the muzzle blast will leave your ears buzzing for hours. Been there, done that.

[mkee]

Would you guys suggest a 6 hole scope mount?

[karbo]

I've got a 350 Rem Mag with a muzzle brake, and always wear ear protection at the range, but not when hunting.  I was surprised that my ears didn't ring when I shot my elk.  Yet I won't shoot a 22 rf for target practice without ear protection cause it hurts my ears.

[tnwill]

My 358JDJ is a rechambered 357 Max. It is a super 14" with a factory T/C brake that has been added, making the total length 15 1/8". I can't get the velocity that GB mentioned, a 225BT@2200 is tops from my barrel, but the accuracy is great.  As for the 6-screw base, I would highly recommend it. When I first bought my barrel, I mounted a Burris 2.5x7 scope on it, after 20-30 rounds, the AO assembly came out of the scope and the 4 screw base came loose. I sent it back to SSK and had a T'SOB base installed, mounted a 2x6 B&L Elite and have not had any problems since.  Personally, I don't think the recoil is that bad, but you will have to determine that for yourself.

[STLContender]

Like many of the other fellas..my 358 JDJ was a 14" 35 Rem..i had misfire toubles like the rest... a SSK rechamber job took care of that. I love my 358 JDJ..would never sell it. Mine is Magna ported...recoil is heavy but very not painful. My top velocity with 225's is only about 2200-2225 FPS, but thats plenty. The Nosler B-Tip is a very good bullet in this caliber...every deer i have shot with it (7 or has gone a max of 10 steps..and often right down. 200 gr bullets in my barrel get about 2300-2350...180s get very close to 2400.

[Johnly]

Would you guys suggest a 6 hole scope mount?

It wouldn't hurt. I have 4 hole mounts on 375 JDJ and 444 Marlin barrels and haven't had the proble of scopes flying off the barrel. Torque the screws tightly and apply blue locktite and you should be OK.

[EdK]

1. Solve the misfire problem?
2. Step up in power?
3. Both?

Each of these issues has been addressed nicely in previously posted replys. I already had a 375 before getting my 35 Rem. I did not want what was basically a duplicate cartridge situation. I really wanted a 35 Rem-level of power. As I was having a custom barrel made it was a simple matter to cut the Krag rim. It works great. Two extractors were supplied so I could also shoot factory ammo.

Remember: the Krag rim does not really solve the problem. It simply provides you with a nice big rim for your Contender. If you oversize with the Krag brass you will not get misfires but you will get a head separation soon enough. Almost all 35 Rem misfires issued can be traced back to setting up your size die. Of course if not reloading and your chamber is large for factory ammo them you will still get the misfires and there's not too much that can be done about that.

[HHI-7420]

mkee, it seems that everyone agrees on one thing- they love their 358jdj. Me too! I bought my 35rem bbl to have it rechambered and never fired a  round in it. It was a 14" TC Hunter(12-3/4" actual bbl. less the brake). It has a LONG throat which allows me to seat bullits further out for more powder(vel.) and less pressure. I get 2175fps w/ 225bt and 2350fps w/ 200remclrn(remember, 12-3/4" bbl.). Accuracy is 1"to 1-1/4" @ 100yds and 2-1/2" to 3" @ 200yds. Recoil has been pretty well covered-straight back(with brake) and fairly hefty, but only the deer feel it and they won't go far with 200gr. remclrn. What more can I say.  Pat

[Pinkerton]

HHI 7420

I did the same, Got a 21" 35 rem barrel with 4 port magna port to have rechambered. I love the round but don't like it as a carbine, recoil is beyond wicked compaired to my M70 in 300 weatherby or 444 Marlin, want to have it cut down to 13" I think I'd much prefer this as a handgun.

[handirifle]

pinkerton
Let me get this straight.  You have a 35 Rem in carbine and that recoil is harsh compared to the 444 Marlin and 300 Wthby?  Is that what you're saying?  Or is it in the 358 JDJ?

I had a Marlin 336 in 35 rem and it was like a 30-30.  A pussy cat.

[Pinkerton]

handirifle

sorry, I didn't clerify that very well.

Like HHI 7420, I bought my 35 rem barrel for rechambering and did w/o firing a round in it before rechambering to 358JDJ. And yes it kicks worse than the rifles I mentioned. Straight back slam. Remember this is a T/C carbine with a boyd's laminate stock (same profile as the T/C factory stock) maybe weighs 6.5 lbs at the most.  It probably would have been a much more pleasant carbine as a 35 Rem.

[mkee]

Well, I sent two barrels off to SSK Tuesday, called to confirm that they'd arrived today, Thursday.  Lady said it would take about 10 days for the rechamber.  When they come back I'll have a blued S14 and a SS S14 w/brake.  I'm curious to see what kind of velocity differences I get between the two barrels considering the shorter rifling of the braked barrel.  I'm sure they'll both be great shooters, just can't wait to get them back.