Converting a Remington 700 SPS 308 into .358 Winchester?

[NelsErik]

Can a Remington 700 rifle be converted to .358 Winchester? What is involved? Do I need a new barrel, or can my current barrel be opened up? What about rifling?

I acquired two Remington 700 SPS TACT AAC-SD 308's in trade for a '27 Ford body that I had no use for. I already own a AAC-SD 308 though and was wondering what it take to convert one to .358 Winchester. I just bought a Browning BLR in .358 Winchester for hunting here in Arizona, mostly Elk and Mule Deer. I figured the BLR would be a better hunting gun since it is considerably lighter than my AAC-SD .308 with the bipod attached. I shoot my AAC-SD long range and didn't want to change the setup. I also wanted more knock-down power and have tons of .308 brass.

I am no where near close to the accuracy in BLR that I am in my AAC-SD in .308. At three hundred yards my groupings are within an inch from the .308, in the BLR they are all over the place and I am lucky to keep them on the 16" gong. I really like the .358 Winchester round though, but would like to be more accurate with it.

Can I rebarrel or rebore one of my new AAC-SD .308's up to .358 Winchester? I already have a lightweight Bell & Carson stock that I would swap out the Hogue stock for. I don't know anything about headspacing, chambering, or anything else like that. Can this conversion be done? How much will it cost me? If I do all the tricks to the new .358 Winchester gun, like I did with my .308 (bedding, truing, etc..) can I get the accuracy that I want at 300 yards from .358? I doubt I will ever shoot an animal at 300 yards or more, but would still like the accuracy.

I have access to a full machine shop, including lathes and mills (CNC and hand crank). I bedded, squared and trued, and cut the barrel on my .308 myself.

 

[MtnCreek]

A new barrel and the tools/skill to finish the barrel are all you need. If it were me, I would let a smith install the barrel. If you wanted to do it yourself, reamers are available at midway and similar sites.

Good luck.

 

[NelsErik]

Can my current barrel be rebored and rifled?

Since .358 Winchester is just necked up .308, am I correct that the current action and AI magazines will work? What are the downsides to this conversion?

 

[rcmodel]

http://www.35caliber.com/2.html

rc

 

[lefteyedom]

Reboring a Remington barrel may not be a cost effected, given the possible risk in process of reboring.

Unlike rifles that require numerous machining procedures to produce a replacement barrel, Remington 700 barrels are cost effect to replace.

If there is a problem with new barrel the manufacturer would have options in correcting it.

The resell value would be higher if the rifle has been rebarreled as opposed to rebore.

Another option would be to have the rifle converted to a quick change multi-barrel rifle.

What ever you do a 358 would make a good hunting rifle.

 

[NelsErik]

Thanks everyone.

Does anything need to be done to the action to make it work? Does it need to be reamed or something after I get a new barrel? What head spacing and other such stuff that I don't know about? Who should I get to make the barrel? I want it to be about 20", fat and stiff. One of the those carbon fiber wrapped barrels would be awesome. What else do I need to know? I basically know nothing about doing a conversion. I have decided to just save the old barrel and buy a new one.

 

[rcmodel]

No modifications to the action, bolt face, or magazine would be necessary to change a .308 to a .358.
A .358 Win is just a necked up .308 Win case.

The gunsmith who installs the barrel will set the headspace when he finish reams the chamber.

E.R. Shaw is about the least expensive place.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=646572

They don't sell carbon fiber barrels though.
In fact, I don't know who does anymore, except Christensen Arms completed custom rifles for $5,000 a copy.

rc

 

[NelsErik]

Wow! I don't have the $5,000 for that...

I have an old Acculite barrel on a 10/22 and it is amazing. It is identical to this one:



Have one in .358 Winchester would be great.

Thanks RC!