.358 Win battle rifle

[shadow9]

Is there a reason to rebarrel/rechamber a .308 based Battle rifle (PTR 91/FAL) to a .358?
In theory, the semi-auto function would help reduce the recoil of the .358, and you could use .38 Spl and .357 bullets with it.
Quite the thumper, if I'd say so...

Problems? Bolt thrust issues (too much?) Recoil? Sourcing?

 

[jerkface11]

Wouldn't a .308 AR be easier to do?

 

[DeMilled]

Is there a reason? YES!

That reason? Because you can. I think...


The FAL has been re chambered and the kinks worked out of it for the 7mm 08 cartridge. I tried to find it but my google foo is weak tonight, it's somewhere on the net.

Problems? Sure...

You may need to open up the gas port in the FALs gas block to handle the additional pressure.

A custom recoil spring will likely be in order but most likely sounds harder that it would be to actually find/source/make happen.

Will the cartridge fit into the magazine?


If you have enough money/skill I'm sure it can work.

 

[DeMilled]

Wouldn't a .308 AR be easier to do?

No. It would be easier to buy.

I believe shadow9 is asking about a custom rifle build, rather than buying something off the shelf.

Alan Rickman "Sounds like an experimental weapon..."
Tom Selleck "You might call it that."

 

[MErl]

A FAL would certainly be an easier conversion than a PTR.
The AR would probably be the most reliable way to go

more info on a FAL
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...&q=site:http://www.falfiles.com/forums+358win
http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=241981

 

[DeMilled]

Knew I had read about this being done....


Here is an important bit from the guy shooting bears with his 358 FAL.
"the load i'm using is 47 grns of IMR 4895 with the 225 grn nosler partition.
that would be WAAAAY over pressure for a .308, but the straighter-walled casing of the .358 creates LESS pressure, therefore you can load up your rounds hotter while still staying within the same pressure limits as a .308."

Here is a pretty good looking blank for your project.
http://shop.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/bergara-30-cal-barrel-blank.aspx?a=992249


I suggest you look for a FAL kit sans barrel, Dan Coonan receiver, Israeli Heavy Barrel Gas Block, and find yourself a gun smith that has done this sort of thing before.

Gas block is second item down. The Heavy Barrel gas block will let you keep the outer dimension of the barrel as thick and "Bull Barrel" in profile as is possible.
http://www.gunthings.com/israeli.htm

A nice muzzle brake wouldn't hurt either.


Wish you the best here, man.

 

[GCBurner]

I've seen an M1 Garand rebarreled in .35 Whelen, which looked pretty cool.

 

[barnbwt]

"the load i'm using is 47 grns of IMR 4895 with the 225 grn nosler partition.
that would be WAAAAY over pressure for a .308, but the straighter-walled casing of the .358 creates LESS pressure, therefore you can load up your rounds hotter while still staying within the same pressure limits as a .308."

Be really careful of this kind of thinking; bolt-thrust area matters just as much as case pressure. Not that the lockup of a FAL would be compromised by the load described (though I didn't run the numbers), but just something to keep in mind. Bolt thrust in pounds is the value likely to be the limiting factor in a rechambering (since chambers are always so overbuilt). I'm rechambering an M95 bolt action to 50 Alaskan, which is also based on the 358. It's cool to know there's semi auto options out there for one so inclined

TCB

 

[ExAgoradzo]

I have no idea! But I love the gumption! It sounds like something I would think of!!!

Wanna see some pics/reports!

Greg