.358 winchester

[Aggie01]

I traded into a 454 lever gun. Rossi 92 with a 20" barrel.
I thought that it would be a neat piece.
Everything I think that it would be good to do with this one, I keep coming to the conclusion that I would better served by a BLR in .358.
Not scoped - Not really a huge benefit over a heavy caliber revolver under 100 yards (or 50 yards, as out of practice as I am with open sight rifles)
Scoped - the 92 really isn't made to be easily scoped. The .454 may not run out of steam, but it will sure drop a lot faster than a .358 200-250gn spitzer at 100-250 yds.
I have a 7mm-08 BLR I cut back to 16", and scoped I like the way it packs and points more than the Rossi.
Can anyone tell why I shouldn't get rid of the 92 and go get a .358 BLR?

Who has experience with the .358? Seems like it would be a great performer ins a short barreled lever gun.

[brionic]

I love my .358 BLR. You already know the virtues of the platform, and I think it really shines with the .358.
If you haven't read Jeff Quinn's rundown on gunblast.com, take a look. Good points.

What I love in particular about the combination are friendliness of handling and flexibility of the cartridge, from practice and small game loads to general purpose and powerhouse loads. One could say the same thing about plenty of cartridges, but the prevalence of .36 handgun bullets is really neat for cast bullet shooting.

On the other hand, .35 rifle bullets tend to be a mail order proposition. I stocked up last month when Grafs had one of their oddballs sale and bought ~500 255 and 250 gr. Hornady and Sierra bullets at significant discount. I REALLY like the triple-shock 200 gr. for deer hunting.

Only hiccups I've run into are based on my older, steel-framed '81 BLR's needing to be refreshed or upgraded. The fore end does seem to bear on the barrel, no matter what I've tried. For shooting groups, it's a pain in the butt; however, for field shooting, it is less of a problem and I should just forget about it. Also, I finally busted the rear sight blade and I'm considering an ap rear, or possibly mounting a red dot sight of some sort, to be determined. Zero to low (3x) magnification, probably. I haven't considered shortening the barrel, because the rifle balances so nicely as is, and I don't mind the extra velocity. Further study is always of interest, however.

Comparing my BLR to my .357 92 and .44 (Marlin) 94 rifles, I agree with your assessment. The proper rifle caliber is far more effective at medium and longer range. However, I'm keeping my oldies, because a) my boys love 'em, b) off the shelf ammo is far easier to locate, and c) I think they make superior "throw and go" weapons for traveling. Michael Bane did a number on a BLR of his, which bears looking into if you're interested in an "ultimate" type BLR. For the kind of dough he spent on MPI stocks etc, it would warrant tracking down the one or two BLR gunsmiths. Then again, mine is stock, and I'm happy with what it and how I shoot it.

[Thunderjet]

I have a BLR is .358. It is accurate and easy to carry. Action is very smooth. Sent it off for a trigger job and like it even more. Never used it on game yet but I wouldn't hesitate to shoot anything in north America with it.

[jimtx]

I don't own a BLR, but I built a 358 rifle years ago, I used to get new 308 brass and run through a for die into 358. Love the caliber especially for deer/bear in NY, but ultimately I went back to my 350 rem mag, it can do all the 358 can and much more. But still a great woods gun 200yds or less was my preference. Use 180 or better yet 220gr speer flat nose jacketed, or 180/200 barnes x can't beat it.

[needsmostuff]

My 358 is not a lever gun but oohhhhh, I want one. Mine is an old Ishapore 2A1 simply rebarreled for 358 with a receiver sight on it. A cool little 20" bolt action carbine with a 12 round magazine. A plenty fun gun but a lever would be more fun. But, as I never see 358 chambered guns of any flavor available I have taken to regularly email nagging Henry rifles . Their new LONG RANGE rifle series is based on the .308 family and NEEDS to be expanded to include .338 fed and .358 win.
The more voices the better.

[boxhead]

I started with a BLR many years ago. These days it's a custom pre-64 M70. We took it to Africa in 2012 and whacked a pile of game with it. Ramshot TAC is the powder to use. We used the 200 gr TTSX with perfect performance. Here's a pig I dumped at 240 yards.

[Encore64]

I've got a Ruger Hawkeye chambered in 358 Win 358 Winchester. Also a custom Contender 14" that chambers 358 or 356 Winchester. The extractor works fine for both.

[rjm52]

Have had a couple but now just have a Ruger 77MKII Frontier...just a great hunting rifle.

A friend needed a discreet rifle to pack in his plane for an adventure to Alaska...










BLR .358 Takedown... Shoots 250 grain Hornady RN for bear defense...

Bob

[woody]

I had plans of building a .358 on a Ruger Gunsite .308. I was going to have it rebored and Use the peep sight, use flush fit magazine. I wanted it for my still hunting/driving gun for deer. I think I will do it this winter.