Author Topic: Strategy to create a .356 or .358 with 22 inch barrel? (Read 779 times)

Big Paulie · « **on:** January 12, 2006, 12:25:46 PM »

Dear Folks,

I would appreciate some brain-storming.

I would like to somehow have made or assembled for me a lever action Marlin (336 or other model), with a straight Texas-style grip (love them), with a 22 inch barrel, in either .356 Win. or .358 Win. (would prefer the .358).

Now, I know that this would require gunsmithing alterations (SSK Industries?) and lots of money, and finding the right existing rifle to convert or rechamber. I would sure appreciate any ideas on how to go about this.

By the way, I wonder whether a modern Marlin can even handle the pressure of the .358 Winchester (which I assume is in the 65,000 psi area, since it is based on the .308 Winchester)?? Don't worry, I wouldn't do the work! Only a qualified gunsmith.

Thanks for all ideas.

Big Paulie

Graybeard · « **Reply #1 on:** January 12, 2006, 12:35:49 PM »

Don't think you'll find a reputable gunsmith to convert one to .308 Win. as most factory ammo is not suitable for use in it. But .356 Win. is no problem and yes SSK Industries does this conversion.

The cheap and easy way is to have an existing .35 Remington rechambered but most won't have a 22" barrel, it will be only 20". If you just gotta have those extra 2" you need to either find an existing barrel in .35 Rem that long or be prepared to pay thru the teeth to have a new barrel and likely mag tube made. SSK can and I'm sure will but it ain't gonna be cheap.

Big Paulie · « **Reply #2 on:** January 13, 2006, 06:47:36 AM »

OK, how about this:

1. Buy a used model 336A (made from 1973 to 1980) in .35 Remington. These have a 24 inch barrel, but pistol grip stock and lever. They also have the short (cut-off) magazine.

2. Buy a used model 336T (made in the 1970s) in .35 Remington. These have a straight grip stock and lever.

3. Swap the butt stock and lever (and related parts) on the rifles, so that the model 336A ends up having a straight grip and lever, keeping the 24 inch barrel.

4. Sell the 336T rifle, reconfigured as a standard 336C configeration.

5. Send the modified 336A to to SSK, and have it converted into .356 Winchester, and either keep the whole 24 inches of barrel, or have the barrel shorted by 2 inches down to 22 inches. No need to shorten the magazine.

Doesn't this do it???

Big Paulie

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #3 on:** January 13, 2006, 07:53:44 AM »

Or you might want to check with Marlin if they have any spare .35 Rem. x 24" barrels and magazine tubes you can have a gunsmith install. Put that on the 336 Texan and you should be in business. It will still be spendy!

I e-mailed them a while back about new sights and barrel band for my 336C, and in the mail came a catalog which showed every part available for it, new and old. They might have the same available for the Texan model.

-WH-

realidahorock · « **Reply #4 on:** February 10, 2006, 09:00:51 PM »

I got to wonder why 308 brass is not suitable for the 358. Measurements of the 307-308-356-358 brass all have the same wall thickness and internal capacity. all are rated to the exact same Saami pressures and in the end you only have a rimed vr. rimless difference. I know that there are reputable gunsmiths, lever action specialists, that will make any of these conversions for you. It's a logistical thing not a ballistics concern factor. Take care, realidahorock

Graybeard · « **Reply #5 on:** February 11, 2006, 07:01:06 AM »

Not really. The .308 and .358 operate at higher pressures than the .307 and .356 do and the cases for the latter are somewhat thicker and thus have lower volume also.

No sane gunsmith would chamber a gun to a round that is not safe in that gun using factory ammo. In this case Marlin doesn't consider the gun safe for use at .308/.358 Win. pressures but do at .307/.356 pressures. Additionally the factory ammo for the .308 and .358 will have bullets that are unsafe in tube fed magazines. Perhaps this latter is more the REAL reason than any other why chambering to these rounds is not advisable. If you chamber it sooner or latter somone is gonna load up spitzer bullets and if in fact that is the danger many seem to think it is will have a detonation in the magizine.

CEJ1895 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 11, 2006, 12:44:21 PM »

Big Paulie - I think that Winter Hawk might be on to something but you may want to try Gun Parts for the 24" barrels if Marlin doesn't have them. Then ship it to SSK and you've got a new deer hammer! CEJ... :grin: