Model 7 rebore to 338 Fed or 358 Win

[orchemo]

I have a model 7 in 243 sitting in the back of the safe. Thinking this spring that I might drop
it off at JES's for a rebore. Going back and forth between either a 338 Fed or a 358 Win. Don't need a "magnum". Already have 35 Whelens and 338 Fed rifles and many other.

Wanting a 0 - 250 yd. black bear rifle. Ballistically I know there is no real difference at that range. I already reload for 338 Fed, but the 358 Win seems to be something different to try. Could should pistol cast bullets etc.

Have another M7 in 7mm-08 so this would be a big brother to that.

Give me your thoughts.

 

[Blkram]

Either is a great choice! And neither would be wrong.
I have both in lever actions and really like the performance of these cartridges on game. Currently looking to do a lh bolt action in 338 Federal. But also want a lh bolt action in 358 Win! Just a bigger fan of the 338.

You already have other 338's Federal's, so you wouldn't be out looking for new dies...just duplicating a cartridge...which you obviously like
You already have bigger 35's, so you you wouldn't be looking for other 358 cal bullets...unless you are shooting 250gr or heavier...and it fills a hole in your battery
Which caliber size and characteristics do you prefer, or have an affinity for? 338 or 358?

You can always build the other later!

 

[DrMike]

I definitely like either of those cartridges. I've owned several .358 Winchesters, and they've always performed well for me; I currently own only one .338 Federal. The .338 Federal is a highly underrated cartridge. Gil has done a great job of assessing the pros for either cartridge in your case. I don't see a downside to either cartridge.

 

[coop22250]

This is my plan also, to do both.


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[orchemo]

There newer M7, all camo models have a heavier contour barrel that seems prime for Reboring. They are also very affordable (sub $400 easy)

 

[gbflyer]

This is your huckleberry if you want to do something different, provided there’s enough meat on the barrel:

http://www.375raptor.com/375RAPTOR/

 

[gbflyer]

Double post

 

[coop22250]

Dang GB, now you are costing me money!


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[Blkram]

The multi barrel BLR TD is a neat idea...
I already have a 338 Federal lever action!!! Ahhh, what the hell...I want another one!!!
And that 375 Raptor has COOL written all over it!
Was actually perusing the net for a steel receiver BLR today with thoughts of rebarreling to a 250 Savage...may have to do a switch barrel TD with a 250 Savage, a 338 Fed and a 375 Raptor!

 

[gbflyer]

The multi barrel BLR TD is a neat idea...
I already have a 338 Federal lever action!!! Ahhh, what the hell...I want another one!!!
And that 375 Raptor has COOL written all over it!
Was actually perusing the net for a steel receiver BLR today with thoughts of rebarreling to a 250 Savage...may have to do a switch barrel TD with a 250 Savage, a 338 Fed and a 375 Raptor!

Now your talkin’!

 

[orchemo]

The 375 sounds cool, but leaning towards a little more conventional 358 right now

 

[coop22250]

Yeah, I agree. If someone started selling brass for the 375 that would be a sweet deal. 308, 338, 358, 375 in model 7 would pretty much cover it all.




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[Blkram]

The 358 Win is a lot of fun!
My pre-81 BLR has been on many adventures with me over the past 15 years, and has taken its fair share of game (moose, elk, bear). While it does have the worst triggerof any rifle I have, I do know it well and can produce 1" groups with it with its favourite load of 50.0 gr of W748 and the 220 gr Speer HotCor bullets (Chronied at 2209 fps in my 20" barrel). It will also do 1.1" groups with 35.5 gr of Re-7 and the 225 gr NP, and 49.0 gr of IMR4064 and the 225 gr Barnes TSX (all in Win bras and WLR primers).
My rifle is zeroed for 200 yards, and I can still hold on fist sized rocks at 250 and bust them.

 

[gerry]

Don't have any experience with the 338 Federal but I'm sure it great. I have had my little BLR in 358 Win only a year now but it is a fun gun to shoot. It's a very versatile round too. For some reason it has shown a preference for flat base RN bullets over boat tail spitzers.

 

[SJB358]

Don't have any experience with the 338 Federal but I'm sure it great. I have had my little BLR in 358 Win only a year now but it is a fun gun to shoot. It's a very versatile round too. For some reason it has shown a preference for flat base RN bullets over boat tail spitzers.

The word is a 200 grain TTSX and RL10X will make 2600-2700 in most 358 Winchesters.. I have some stuff prepped and should get to it soon, but I wouldn't mind carrying that rifle in the timber country I am likely to be tromping around in this fall.

 

[Blkram]

You would have to double check with DrMike, but I know that he had a load with the 200 gr TSX for the 358 that Gerry now has, that would print groups in the 1/3" range. Most accurate load I have ever seen in a BLR 358 Win!

 

[DrMike]

Scotty,

The loads Gil referenced include:

200 grain TSX charged with 47.0 grains of IMR3031
200 grain TSX charged with 42.5 grains of 10X
200 grain Sierra SPRN charged with 53.0 grains of TAC

All these provided surprising accuracy in two separate BLRs. I tote a Hawkeye now, and it produces some great accuracy with the 225 grain PT.

 

[SJB358]

Scotty,

The loads Gil referenced include:

200 grain TSX charged with 47.0 grains of IMR3031
200 grain TSX charged with 42.5 grains of 10X
200 grain Sierra SPRN charged with 53.0 grains of TAC

All these provided surprising accuracy in two separate BLRs. I tote a Hawkeye now, and it produces some great accuracy with the 225 grain PT.

Thank you Mike. I had thought you had some 10X loads. I need to get the old BLR out a bit this year. I used it a bunch for awhile and moved on to some others that needed field time. 748/225 Partitions worked wonderful for me.

 

[DrMike]

Yes, 225 grain pills worked well for me as well.

225 grain TSX and 42.0 grains A2015
225 grain TSX and 52.0 grains of W748
225 grain AB and 47.0 grains of Varget
225 grain PT and 47.5 grains of @748
225 grain PT and 45.5 grains of A2495
225 grain Sierra SBT and 42.5 grains of A2015
225 grain Sierra SBT and 45.0 grains of BL-C(2)
225 grain Sierra SBT and 43.5 grains of 10X
225 grain Sierra SBT and 45.0 grains of TAC

All produced sub-MOA groups. They could put a smile on my face.

 

[gerry]

Scotty,

The loads Gil referenced include:

200 grain TSX charged with 47.0 grains of IMR3031
200 grain TSX charged with 42.5 grains of 10X
200 grain Sierra SPRN charged with 53.0 grains of TAC

All these provided surprising accuracy in two separate BLRs. I tote a Hawkeye now, and it produces some great accuracy with the 225 grain PT.

I don't have access to the 10X or TAC locally but not surprisingly this gun has shown a preference for IMR 3031 just like when you had it. Around 47 gr has also been the sweet spot with 200 gr RN bullets. I have high hopes for the 180 gr Speer and IMR 3031, will find out next time out shooting I hope.