OT a Little The .358 Winchester Bolt

[Bigahh]

Got kind of a neat story for anyone I can get to listen so I thought i would try you guys out, here goes. Our Deer camp of 5 guys got lucky enough this year to fill up early on our 11 day vacation. We frequented the local Restaurants for Breakfast, and Coffee every morning. I met a 71 year Old gentleman there named Jim who is actually a neighbor 10 miles down the road from my place who happened to know my Grandfather, and father fairly well. He asked us to his cabin for breakfast the next day. We arrived, and he had the neatest place I ever had coffee in. Wish I had pictures. He had no power, and used a Generator. He cooked with an Antique Wood cook stove his Mother used back in the day. He was making Pumpkin Pies in the oven of the stove when we arrived! From the Mounts on his wall I knew he was a serious Hunter. When someone with the experience Jim has talks I listen. He showed me his rifle he bought new the year he built the cabin in 1963. It was a Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .358 Winchester. It was on the shelf for awhile before he bought it I guess, so im not sure of the year.He said he has shot many Bucks throughout the years, I could see there were some big ones, and stated that with that Caliber not much Tracking is needed! He has most of our Guys completely talked into getting a .358 . We are headed up early in the Spring as he is going to show us how to make Maple Syrup as he has 160 acres of mostly Maples. He has all the equipment to make it, but he says he now found what he needs most, some young guys willing to haul the sap to the cabin from the trees. Cant wait till spring. He Loads shells for his rifles then also, and he says he has a good load for that .358 he wants to show us. He shoots the Hornady 200 grain out of it. Maybe I can learn something! What a Beautiful Rifle, and a rare caliber also!

[TedH]

That gentleman sounds like someone we'd all like to hang around with. Color me green.

[CEMENTHEAD]

It was a Pre 64 Winchester Model 70 Featherweight in .358 Winchester. What a Beautiful Rifle, and a rare caliber also!

+ 1

I agree !! The 3 rifles in my family that are chambered in 358 Winchester, one my cousin has, is that very model and vintage. The other 2 are Browning BLR's.

Jim sounds like a great person to hang around. Enjoy the Maple syrup !!

Thanks, Tom

[iceman]

You are preaching to the converted here when you tell me about the 35 caliber. Great caliber in any shape of case!! As for the maple syrup, get ready for some wet and sticky work when gathering sap if there is much snow on the ground. It is lots of fun but hard work. The end result is worth it though.

[JDL]

Bigahh, A caliber near and dear to my heart. Be sure to take notes but, really the .358 is very easy to load for and cast bullets are the ace. Did he mention wheather the Hornady was a round nose or spire point?
JDL

[Bigahh]

Bigahh, Did he mention wheather the Hornady was a round nose or spire point?
JDL

The shells he had on hand were Spire Points. I did not ask him if he used the RN at all, but I do prefer the RN, it just seems they hit harder!

[Les Staley]

try the hornady FTX 200 gr... spire point and is a hammer in my 99 Savage and my BLR... Les

[FWiedner]

Bigahh, you've stuck gold (and I don't mean the stuff that jingles in your pocket).

[.45colt]

What a Great story and You sure have struck Gold. .

[Phideaux]

Bigahh, be sure and take your camera along when you go back in the spring. Sounds like a place we would all love to see.

[bigbore45colt]

Great story!

I too hunt with a 358. Had it out for PA black bear and deer over the last few weeks. I load a 225 gr bullet (either Sierra or Barnes TSX, depending on the rifle). I actually have 4-5 rifles in that caliber. Great round.

Have fun in the Spring!!

BB45C

[brno602]

I think the .358 is the best of the mid cal's it can match the .348 and in a 88 or 99 do it with a scope too!
I don't know why the cal died, it is the perfect big game cal by big game I mean stuff bigger than deer.
Of course I got a soft spot for my 350 mag 600 Mohawk same diff.

[kimwcook]

Sounds like a great time. Don't know spit about the 358.

[Bullard4075]

Always wanted to rebarrel a Mohawk 600 to 358. It would be quite the hammer.

[Lastmohecken]

I like those 35 calibers also. I have a .348 Win and a Remington 700 Classic in the 350 Remington mag. My favorite bullet in the .350 is the 200gr Sierria roundnose. I used the same bullet in the 358 Win I used to have.

That 358 Win in the pre-64 model 70 would probably have to be a keeper for sure, if I was lucky enough to fine one, and I didn't already own my 350 mag.