Rebarrel 338 federal or 358 win ?

[Suther]

Only deer I’ve seen hit with a core-lokt was 30-06 180gr factory loaded. Had an exit hole so small it required 3 sets of eyes doing a triple check to find it. Under 20 yards, broadside, far back under spine, above guts. I’ve seen similar hit with a 100g tsx from 257bee that left a golf ball sized exit hole. My guess, the corelokt is loaded too mild to expand when no resistance is met.

No personal experience yet with 24cal, but 95 NBT wound channels and exit holes would probably have much better results.

My experience was similar with corelokts. 130gr 270win, under 50 yards, broadside on a black bear. The bear only went about 30 or 40 yards, but that was enough to get into the trees. Very little blood trail to follow.

Compare that to the bear I shot with the same rifle using 130gr Interbond handloads. Left a blood trail a blind man could have followed, and the bear didn't go 15m.

 

[mahony1977]

Only deer I’ve seen hit with a core-lokt was 30-06 180gr factory loaded. Had an exit hole so small it required 3 sets of eyes doing a triple check to find it. Under 20 yards, broadside, far back under spine, above guts. I’ve seen similar hit with a 100g tsx from 257bee that left a golf ball sized exit hole. My guess, the corelokt is loaded too mild to expand when no resistance is met.

No personal experience yet with 24cal, but 95 NBT wound channels and exit holes would probably have much better results.

I got this guy with an 06 with 180 core lokt this year , massive blood trail but I have to agree the exit hole wasn’t as impressive as I would have thought

 

[mahony1977]

358 for me. This is exactly what it will look like. My 77 358 tang safety in an ultralight stock

Beautiful !! mine is not tang safety but would otherwise be as seen in you pic

 

[emerson]

358. Unless you are obsessed with longer range, it’s a great stopper without magnumitus issues.

 

[Simpson302]

I was in the same scenario, have a Rem 600 308 that needed a barrel/rebuild. Didn't want to just go 308 again so started looking at 338 fed or 358 win. Was leaning towards 338 fed when I found a 20" 338 fed Douglas barrel.
Think it will make a nice short range moose gun. Just collecting all the parts now and going to start piecing it together. Both should work well for you, 338 gives you a little more range but there is the cool factor of the 358 as well.

 

[mahony1977]

I was in the same scenario, have a Rem 600 308 that needed a barrel/rebuild. Didn't want to just go 308 again so started looking at 338 fed or 358 win. Was leaning towards 338 fed when I found a 20" 338 fed Douglas barrel.
Think it will make a nice short range moose gun. Just collecting all the parts now and going to start piecing it together. Both should work well for you, 338 gives you a little more range but there is the cool factor of the 358 as well.

Nice �� both are cool calibers ,I don’t really shoot beyond 150yrd or I’d be partial to the 338 I’m still pondering but vids like this 348 expansion test witch would be very similar to the 358 are keeping me on the fence ��
https://youtu.be/ZDIpz-B4Oc4

 

[babine_lake]

If your primary concern is the dramatic exit wound/terminal performance I would seriously consider trying some different loads, especially if you handload. When I was a kid I shot a lot of white tails with my dad’s 6mm Rem and they all dropped like they were hit by lightening with exit wounds the size of oranges. I don’t think one ever took a step after a hit to the boiler room, all between 50-150 yards. Generally I would see muzzle flash through my scope and the deer would disappear in the tall alfalfa because they would hit the ground before I could see. I can’t remember his load but he only loaded Hornady Interlock bullets. On the other hand, your idea sounds like a lot of fun, regardless of weather or not it improves performance. You have me thinking now… After decades of buying/trading/selling rifles and developing loads and trying cooler calibers, nothing has ever dropped deer like that 6mm.

 

[just having some fun]

I would do 358 win ... great for cast and Jacketed bullets

 

[remington jim]

Yes 90 to 310 grains for 358…..what a poor selection of bullet weights

LOL ! Bla bla bla ! 10 times more avail off the store floors in 338 cal ! ,lol. RJ

 

[Simpson302]

Cool video, haven't seen that one.
I think a 77 in 338 or 358 would be a great match up. My only 77 is in 257 bob and its a great gun to carry/shoot. One of my go to deer guns

Here is some interesting info if you haven't seen it already.
https://thebiggamehuntingblog.com/338-federal-vs-308-winchester-vs-358-winchester/

 

[Suther]

I would do 358 win ... great for cast and Jacketed bullets

This is a major reason I want a 358 win or 35whelen. The ability to shoot cheap pistol bullets at lower velocities for cheap low recoil practice/plinking.

 

[mahony1977]

This is a major reason I want a 358 win or 35whelen. The ability to shoot cheap pistol bullets at lower velocities for cheap low recoil practice/plinking.

Kind of swaying my decision too ... lead cast bullets for cheap at moderate velocities, check out some of levergun50 vids on YouTube he shoots some cast loads in 38-55 and 348 that have incredible expansion and weight retention ...

 

[Suther]

Kind of swaying my decision too ... lead cast bullets for cheap at moderate velocities, check out some of levergun50 vids on YouTube he shoots some cast loads in 38-55 and 348 that have incredible expansion and weight retention ...

I wouldn't hunt with cast bullets at moderate velocity, not big game at least. But having a few in your pocket for a grouse or rabbit you happen upon while big game hunting? Or just for cheap plinking, or for introducing new shooters... I can think of a few reasons to run cast loads...

 

[BlackRam]

I have rifles in both the 338 Federal and the 358 Win. And I like them both, now having two rifles in each cartridge.

My first was the Browning BLR in 358 Win. I acquired it about 22 years ago and have taken a fair number of animals, mostly elk, with it with great results, using its preferred handload of th 220 gr Speer Hot Cor bullet at 2209 fps out its 20" barrel. It will produce 1" groups at 100 yards despite its creepy trigger. I have used it as my main camp rifle, and back up rifle for guiding, archery hunting, and horseback and atv hunting rifle. One hunter also used it to finish of his moose when he ran out of ammo for his rifle. My daughter used it to take her first big game animal (mule deer). I also used it to back up my mentor on his grizzly hunt in 2004 (he used the ballistic twin 356 Win in a Win 94 Big Bore on that 6'10" bear at 140 yards).
I also have a custom LH Rem 700 being finished as we speak that has a 22" McGowan barrel so that I can develop 200-225 gr spitzer loads for it.

In the 338 Federal, my first rifle is a Winchester Model 88 that I had rebarreled to 338 Federal with a 20" Krieger barrel that shoots the Federal Premium 210 gr Nosler Partition ammo into sub-MOA groups at 100 yards. It has been used on a caribou to date with great success.
My second rifle is a LH Sako 85 Finnlight II that has been rebarreled to 338 Federal with a 22" Wilson carbon fibre barrel. It will produce groups of just under 1/2" at 200 yards with Federal blue box 200 gr Hot Cor ammo. It has taken caribou and moose so far, with great success. Will be working up a load with the 200 gr Nosler AccuBond for it.

The link provided above gives a great break down of these two cartridges in comparison with the 308.
Each has its pros and cons, and only you can decide which will suit your needs best (animals to be hunted, terrain they will be hunted in, and typical distances at which you plan to shoot).

In the 338 Federal, I like its extras of velocity and retained at longer distances, should it be required...and I am a big fan of the 338 caliber, having the 2 Federals, and a 338-06, and having owned a couple of 338 Win Mags over the years and having taken game with all of them, including my own grizzly with the 338 Win Mag.
In the 358 Win, I like the larger diameter and its little extra impact that larger frontal area provides on big game. It is also a proven performer on big bears, and we have plenty of grizzlies in my area, should I need to defend myself.
I like and have both for what they are, and what they can do. For longer shots, I would carry the 338 Federal instead of the 358 Win, but otherwise have no issue grabbing the rifle that is calling to me to be used on any other hunt, on that given day, unless it is cold and wet, or could be, then the synthetic stocked Sako in 338 Federal will get the nod, as the other 3 are wood stocked.

Ammo availability may make the choice for you, if you don't handload.
Should note that the article missed listing HSM ammo for the 358 Win (225 gr SGK).

If you love your rifle, rebarreling it to either cartridge is a great idea...just keep in mind the barrel contour and length so that the change will not alter the rifle's handling characteristics so that it no longer handles as it does now. (This is why the gunsmith recommended the 22" Wilson carbon fibre barrel for my Sako, and it has turned out very well - not saying you need a carbon fibre barrel instead of a light contoured regular steel barrel - just something to consider for overall weight and balance for your build). I don't think you'll be unhappy with either decision - they are both good choices!
Best of luck and hope you have many grand adventures with your new build!

 

[mahony1977]

I have rifles in both the 338 Federal and the 358 Win. And I like them both, now having two rifles in each cartridge.

My first was the Browning BLR in 358 Win. I acquired it about 22 years ago and have taken a fair number of animals, mostly elk, with it with great results, using its preferred handload of th 220 gr Speer Hot Cor bullet at 2209 fps out its 20" barrel. It will produce 1" groups at 100 yards despite its creepy trigger. I have used it as my main camp rifle, and back up rifle for guiding, archery hunting, and horseback and atv hunting rifle. One hunter also used it to finish of his moose when he ran out of ammo for his rifle. My daughter used it to take her first big game animal (mule deer). I also used it to back up my mentor on his grizzly hunt in 2004 (he used the ballistic twin 356 Win in a Win 94 Big Bore on that 6'10" bear at 140 yards).
I also have a custom LH Rem 700 being finished as we speak that has a 22" McGowan barrel so that I can develop 200-225 gr spitzer loads for it.

In the 338 Federal, my first rifle is a Winchester Model 88 that I had rebarreled to 338 Federal with a 20" Krieger barrel that shoots the Federal Premium 210 gr Nosler Partition ammo into sub-MOA groups at 100 yards. It has been used on a caribou to date with great success.
My second rifle is a LH Sako 85 Finnlight II that has been rebarreled to 338 Federal with a 22" Wilson carbon fibre barrel. It will produce groups of just under 1/2" at 200 yards with Federal blue box 200 gr Hot Cor ammo. It has taken caribou and moose so far, with great success. Will be working up a load with the 200 gr Nosler AccuBond for it.

The link provided above gives a great break down of these two cartridges in comparison with the 308.
Each has its pros and cons, and only you can decide which will suit your needs best (animals to be hunted, terrain they will be hunted in, and typical distances at which you plan to shoot).

In the 338 Federal, I like its extras of velocity and retained at longer distances, should it be required...and I am a big fan of the 338 caliber, having the 2 Federals, and a 338-06, and having owned a couple of 338 Win Mags over the years and having taken game with all of them, including my own grizzly with the 338 Win Mag.
In the 358 Win, I like the larger diameter and its little extra impact that larger frontal area provides on big game. It is also a proven performer on big bears, and we have plenty of grizzlies in my area, should I need to defend myself.
I like and have both for what they are, and what they can do. For longer shots, I would carry the 338 Federal instead of the 358 Win, but otherwise have no issue grabbing the rifle that is calling to me to be used on any other hunt, on that given day, unless it is cold and wet, or could be, then the synthetic stocked Sako in 338 Federal will get the nod, as the other 3 are wood stocked.

Ammo availability may make the choice for you, if you don't handload.
Should note that the article missed listing HSM ammo for the 358 Win (225 gr SGK).

If you love your rifle, rebarreling it to either cartridge is a great idea...just keep in mind the barrel contour and length so that the change will not alter the rifle's handling characteristics so that it no longer handles as it does now. (This is why the gunsmith recommended the 22" Wilson carbon fibre barrel for my Sako, and it has turned out very well - not saying you need a carbon fibre barrel instead of a light contoured regular steel barrel - just something to consider for overall weight and balance for your build). I don't think you'll be unhappy with either decision - they are both good choices!
Best of luck and hope you have many grand adventures with your new build!

I’ve never owned a 35 cal so that’s making me lean towards the 358. Are used to reload and Horse trade quite a bit but not so much in recent years , I will definitely get back in reloading if I go with either caliber. Even traditional calibres don’t seem to be stocked on the shelves much , I literally had to hunt down 30-06 this year ��

 

[BlackRam]

I reload, but also like to have a minimum of 100 rounds of the rifles preferred factory ammunition on hand all the time, for back up, or if I run out of the rifle's preferred handloads, and for practice and/or hunting when wanting to use a particular bullet that I do not have handloaded.

Not always easy to procure, but with time, patience, and constant looking online, or in various gun stores as I travel, I have always been able to find ammunition, including over the past few years during COVID and the shortages we have been experiencing.
As a matter of fact, I have bought more ammunition and components over the past year (mostly in the off-season), than I have in the past 5 years. This has been for replenishing my supplies where I was running low or out of, and/or adding ammo for newly acquired firearms (e.g., 338 Marlin Express, 444 Marlin, 218 Bee), and new ammunition options such as Hornady's 9.3x62 International ammo with the 250 gr ECX bullet.
In fact some has been some of the ammo that Winchester has produced limited runs of for the first time in many years, such as 375 Win, 358 Win, or other manufacturers such as HSM has started to produce when others were not. Hornady has been another manufacturer that has brought some cartridges back, introduced or provided new alternatives for.

 

[anglia2]

This is a major reason I want a 358 win or 35whelen. The ability to shoot cheap pistol bullets at lower velocities for cheap low recoil practice/plinking.

That is why I kept my 358 over my 338 Federal . They're both great cartridges , but the 358 suited my needs .

 

[Sun_and_Steel_77]

This is a major reason I want a 358 win or 35whelen. The ability to shoot cheap pistol bullets at lower velocities for cheap low recoil practice/plinking.

Don’t forget how much fun it is to shoot 125gr XTP’s at rifle velocities!
I had an M77 Mark II Stainless in 350 rem mag that would feed nearly any pistol bullet buttery smooth from the magazine…nothing makes you grin ear to ear like popping a milk jug at 25yds with an XTP doing 3000fps plus!

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Don’t forget how much fun it is to shoot 125gr XTP’s at rifle velocities!
I had an M77 Mark II Stainless in 350 rem mag that would feed nearly any pistol bullet buttery smooth from the magazine…nothing makes you grin ear to ear like popping a milk jug at 25yds with an XTP doing 3000fps plus!

It sure is fun to whack stuff with the light pistol bullets in the 358 cal rifles. Me favorite bullet to explode melons, water filled paint cans plus small to medium pest critters with was the Speer 110 gr HP driven to speeds from 2500 to 3000 fps. At those speeds, the 110 Speers act like contact explosive out to 80 yds or so.

An amigo of mine also ran a Ruger M77 in 350 Rem mag with the 110 gr Speers pushed at 3300 fps which made cool little dust rings at about the 50 yd mark on the way to the 100 yd target. Can only push the light pills so much before they come apart, but it's fun to see.

That be the reason fer me to go 358 Win over the 338 Fed. Lots more options for cast boolits than 338's.

 

[alpining]

As above, If you're shooting anything other than paper, I think it's mostly about what bullets you have available. It's hard to find 338 bullets that will expand at velocities you can attain with that cartridge.