Rebarrel action choice.

I couldn't agree more. That is why I want something big and slow. I'm not a fan of these modern whizz bang cartridges.
458x2" would be nice or one of the steyr bolt action 450 marlins. 20" barrel and a moddy sounds good. Whip the moddy off for something a little more compact.

Unfortunately, I just don't think I'd get it here. Even if I did, it'd mean everywhere I shoot (paid for stalks) being approved for .458 and that in itself is a big hurdle.
Firearms bods see the big calibre and panic.
Maybe I should just grow a set and smash it in! Worst they can do is say no and then I have the .358 win as a back up.

I take it the powers that be don't differentiate between say, a 458 WM and a 450 marlin or 45/70 ? Your regulations do seem to make things difficult . By the way Greener Jim check your messages .

AB
 
They do and they don't. It varies so much from force to force you just don't know until you try.
I've tried calling mine for advice but I just get "well send it in and we'll let you know", they won't actually say whether I'm likely to get it or not.
Such a pain applying for unusual stuff. Applying for .308/.243 or the like i'd have no snags but this requires them looking in books and working out what can do what and then they decide whether it is suitable. Problem is, with the usual calibres being suitable they struggle to see why I'd want anything different to the norm.
 
Do they not understand that a .358 Win is built on the same case as a .243, that it has no more real energy than a .308, just delivers it via heavier bullet at lower speed?

And suitable for what? Can you just tell them you are planning a trip to hunt wild boar in Poland or something like that, and want a more suitable rifle than you have? If they were ever on the ground at dusk with a 400 pound boar or a bear or big cat they would be redefining suitable.
 
They do and they don't. It varies so much from force to force you just don't know until you try.
I've tried calling mine for advice but I just get "well send it in and we'll let you know", they won't actually say whether I'm likely to get it or not.
Such a pain applying for unusual stuff. Applying for .308/.243 or the like i'd have no snags but this requires them looking in books and working out what can do what and then they decide whether it is suitable. Problem is, with the usual calibres being suitable they struggle to see why I'd want anything different to the norm.

Don't they understand "I want one!"??

If the 9.3 x 62 is too big, how about a 9.3X57? Very similar to the 358 in power and they might be familiar with it. I love mine but need to make brass. You might not have that problem. I have a Husqvarna 146 and it is one of the most amazingly accurate "mid bores" I have ever shot. Clusters at 50M with open sights.~Muir
 
Do they not understand that a .358 Win is built on the same case as a .243, that it has no more real energy than a .308, just delivers it via heavier bullet at lower speed?

And suitable for what? Can you just tell them you are planning a trip to hunt wild boar in Poland or something like that, and want a more suitable rifle than you have? If they were ever on the ground at dusk with a 400 pound boar or a bear or big cat they would be redefining suitable.

They will allow pretty much anything for target use so long as you have access to a range that is approved for the muzzle energy.
BUT....they won't give you permission for expanding ammunition for use on game outside of the UK.
So I could get it for target, work up a nice cast load and go foreign with that but I couldn't just use nosler partitions for example.
 
Greener Jim,

Sounds an interesting project. My take would be to go as you suggested for a .308W based round such as the .338 Federal or .358W and lots of choice in .308 brass to size up

I'm guessing you will probably have to reload for both in the UK. There are some factory loads out there for .338 Federal (mostly from Federal and American Eagle but whether you can get them in the UK is another story...) 358 Winchester is similarly scarce with mostly US custom manufacturers producing it (again, finding them here might be tough). Also, I'm not sure how much choice you have in terms of centrefire rifle bullets for the .358 (I know you can get hunting rounds for your .357Mag lever action but I don't think they are heavy enough or would stand up to "proper" rifle pressures / velocities - I'd be willing be corrected on that though).

So, looks like hand loading. My bet is that you will have a lot of bullet choice in .338 in terms of both expanding and solids than the .358 (though the thought of being able to develop a 358 plinking load that uses pistol bullets is quite appealing)

If possible, I would look at getting a relatively long throated chamber so you don't impinge on the case more than you have to when seating.

Both look interesting as are a larger round and would probably good for closer hunting and do let us know how you get on!

ATB,

Scrummy
 
Cheers scrummy.
338 federal is a great little cartridge and would definitely be on the list. MidwayUK stock a fair amount of .358 stuff but there is more .338 you are right.
Whichever calibre I go for it'll be for heavy bullets so the longer throat is something which will help and, as you said, allow me to make use of all the case capacity.
Handloading is fine by me, if anything it's preferable!
 
But in truth, how much of a selection do you need in bullets? The 358 is a pure hunting rifle and I'm guessing that the first decent bullets you'd run through it will be winners. Tho they can be very accurate, it is not the nature of these rifles to be one-hole target rifles so that quest -and the desire to try better and better bullets- can be set aside immediately. If the accuracy is good, the hole diameter and the power will do the rest. You won't be searching around for different bullets.

I am building a 358 because of the availability of cheap cast bullets for practice or game, lighter weight jacketed bullets if they suit the need, and the ability to make brass from my stock piles of 308 brass.~Muir
 
Muir probably has a point... He's just miffed I didn't have to send him my 9.3x62 FN Commercial...:roll:

But serious Greener Jim, I just got a 9.3x62 for Boar + ALOQ with out land restrictions so I can talk you through the case I made if that would be of assistance.

ATB,

Scrummy
 
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Muir probably has a point... He's just miffed I didn't have to send him my 9.3x62 FN Commercial...:roll:

But serious Greener Jim, I just got a 9.3x62 for Boar + ALOQ with out land restrictions so I can talk you through the case I made if that would be of assistance




I got a slot on my fac for any 9.3mm calibre rifle for deer,fox,pest and vermin about 18 months ago without any questions from the FLO. I have a .444m with the same conditions/uses as well.
I went for a 9.3x74r in the end as left handed 9.3mm bolt action rifles are like rocking horse p00 at a price I could afford.
My Flo said if I had a good reason then I could have one end of story when I asked about getting a large calibre rifle

Bob
 
Muir probably has a point... He's just miffed I didn't have to send him my 9.3x62 FN Commercial...:roll:

But serious Greener Jim, I just got a 9.3x62 for Boar + ALOQ with out land restrictions so I can talk you through the case I made if that would be of assistance




I got a slot on my fac for any 9.3mm calibre rifle for deer,fox,pest and vermin about 18 months ago without any questions from the FLO. I have a .444m with the same conditions/uses as well.
I went for a 9.3x74r in the end as left handed 9.3mm bolt action rifles are like rocking horse p00 at a price I could afford.
My Flo said if I had a good reason then I could have one end of story when I asked about getting a large calibre rifle

Bob

Am sure you have a condition that you need a responsible adult with you at all times - was that your FEO or your Mrs? Chris XXXX
 
I've an enfield p14 here you can have for next to nothing if it's any use, PM me it's sitting doing nothing. Meant to say it's a 7.62.
 
Muir probably has a point... He's just miffed I didn't have to send him my 9.3x62 FN Commercial...:roll:

But serious Greener Jim, I just got a 9.3x62 for Boar + ALOQ with out land restrictions so I can talk you through the case I made if that would be of assistance.

ATB,

Scrummy

Your recent gift doesn't mean I am not in front of Muit in the 9.3 queue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tell him to get in line. :D

David.
 
Why not a Zastava ? A famous gunsmith in Belgium once told me that they are made on the machines, sold by FN, on wich they made ( their no longer available) FN commercial mauser.
 
I've been in line since the day he picked it up. Don't crowd me now.....;) ~Muir

Been in line since the day he first saw the thing of beauty! Also I have had my mitts on it already and so have practiced grabbing it!!! :lol:

David.
 
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