Anybody got any thoughts on using a 300 Winchester magnum rifle that has a bad barrel and placing a .35 caliber barrel on the action?

I just thought this would make a very good big game gun out to 300 or 350 yards on big game. I was reading a little on the Whelen last night and this thought just struck me as a worthwhile project to undertake. Now I would like to hear some of your thoughts and as well as views on the subject please.

Since your rifle has a magnum bolt face, you'll need to use a magnum cartridge. The 358 Norma would be a good candidate!

Hey Guys,

I'll second Idaho. With the .358 Norma, I can use anything from a 158 grain JHP designed for a .357 Mag revolver, through the 180-220 grain bullets designed for the .35 Rem to the 250-300 grain bullets for serious big game. A full house load is in the same league with the .375 H&H Mag.

Lobo in West Virginia

Anybody got any thoughts on using a 300 Winchester magnum rifle that has a bad barrel and placing a .35 caliber barrel on the action?

The .358 Norma is a natural; I have a Husqvarna featherweight in this caliber and it is an awesome smacker for our neck of the woods.

If you want something rare and unique, chamber it in .35 Newton. The ballistic twin of the Norma, minus the belt. Good luck finding cases, you'll have to make them - but you'll probably be the only guy on your block with one.

Thank you gentlemen, I appreciate your help and replys. ;)

I too will vouch for the attributes of the .358 Norma. A sadly overlooked cartridge, that American gun makers have ignored because of the Norma headstamp! It's powerful, flexible, versatile and efficient. What more could one ask from a cartridge.

Too, rather than rebarrel that rifle, you might consider just having it rebored/rifled. You won't have to re-bed the stock and barrel channel, and chances are it might just save some $$. Just a thought.

God Bless,

Marshall has a good point with the reboring rather than the rebarreling.

Another suggestion would be to up-bore to the .338 WM and be able to use the same brass you have now - just neck up on them.

Actually the bolt face can be TIG welded to add filler metal, then machined to desired specs. In other words, the bolt face can be modified without replacement. Typically, professional heat treating follows this process.

I'm not sure your barrel can be reamed safely to .358 as wall thickness is affected. But it can be reamed to 8mm then shortened at the chamber end. A cartridge you may investigate further is 8 X 57 PO Ackley Improved. Develops nearly same ballistics as 30-06 but opportunity to use much heavier bullets.
Good luck.
TR

Anybody got any thoughts on using a 300 Winchester magnum rifle that has a bad barrel and placing a .35 caliber barrel on the action?

I just thought this would make a very good big game gun out to 300 or 350 yards on big game. I was reading a little on the Whelen last night and this thought just struck me as a worthwhile project to undertake. Now I would like to hear some of your thoughts and as well as views on the subject please.
I like the .358 bullet dia. and your 300 win mag would make a good .358 STA. It's a 8MM mag case with 35 deg. shoulder and necked up to .358 makes a great elk rifle and will bring them to there knees no problem. Shoots about 3000 fps with a 225 gr. nosler BT and 89.5 grs. oF RL 19.I have one built on a rem 700 action with a 24 in. shilen barrel and it shoots great. I also have a .358/300 ultra mag on a 700 rem action with a 27 in. moly barrel that puts 250 gr. noslers across the sky screens at 3150 fps using 96.5 grs of RL 22 and it's great on big boys. hope this helps have fun.