It looks like there's a .358Win in my future.

[Chuck R.]

I Finally, won a bid on a Rem 7600 in decent shape at a reasonable cost (to me at least). After loosing multiple auctions, and taking a trip to PA, I finally found one.

I've been looking for a project rifle for a while now, so, Chuck's version of the "ultimate big woods rifle" is about to commence. It will be re-bored by JES to .358Win (currently a .243Win), the barrel will be cut down to either 20" or 19", and Cerakoated. Next I'll find a synthetic stock set and a Leupold 1.5-5X.

I thought about .338Federal, but I've now got a decent stockage of .358 Horn Interlocks that I've been using in my .350RM. This is a strictly a "cross the meadow rifle", higher BCs and SDs be damned.. I will put .70 cal holes through deer! I can load it down to mimic a .35Rem without worrying about where my next piece of brass is coming from.. I'll shoot them running AND through brush

Next comes the red plaid cruiser... I might even move to Maine or at least somewhere with more snow, maybe start smoking a pipe.

 

[LoonWulf]

That sounds like itll be a really neat rifle! Looking forward to updates as you work on it.

 

[WisBorn]

Congratulations @Chuck R. With your find
Can't wait for the pictures and range report!!!

 

[9x56MS]

You do know in PA they won't sell you a 7600 unless you own a red & black checkered cruiser. Preferably one made by Woolrich.

 

[.308 Norma]

maybe start smoking a pipe.

Don't do that. I gave up my pipe in 2005 while struggling with pneumonia, and I still miss it occasionally. Life on Earth doesn't get any better than sitting by the campfire with a hot cup of coffee and pulling a burning pine bough from the fire to light a pipe full of good tobacco. If I'd never done that though, I wouldn't still be lamenting about how much I miss it.

 

[JmacD]

I Finally, won a bid on a Rem 7600 in decent shape at a reasonable cost (to me at least). After loosing multiple auctions, and taking a trip to PA, I finally found one.

I've been looking for a project rifle for a while now, so, Chuck's version of the "ultimate big woods rifle" is about to commence. It will be re-bored by JES to .358Win (currently a .243Win), the barrel will be cut down to either 20" or 19", and Cerakoated. Next I'll find a synthetic stock set and a Leupold 1.5-5X.

I thought about .338Federal, but I've now got a decent stockage of .358 Horn Interlocks that I've been using in my .350RM. This is a strictly a "cross the meadow rifle", higher BCs and SDs be damned.. I will put .70 cal holes through deer! I can load it down to mimic a .35Rem without worrying about where my next piece of brass is coming from.. I'll shoot them running AND through brush

Next comes the red plaid cruiser... I might even move to Maine or at least somewhere with more snow, maybe start smoking a pipe.

I think with the cerekote and synthetic you probably can get a pass on the woolrich duds. Lol. If not, I can vouch for the fact they can be a bit itchy. Lol.
The 7600 is a rifle that I am fascinated with. It has it’s shortcomings, and I’m first to say so, but I still keep coming back to them. Lol. Don’t own one, but I probably will someday… when I go back to green rubber pac boots, red plaid cruiser, grey pants and black suspenders (or perhaps the “ruler”look ones) with a K-bar tor a dressing knife… haha I shot one deer with one when I was living in PA… if I recall it was when I had about 15 stitches in my trigger finger and couldn’t work the bolt on gramps model 70… so one of my uncles used that and I used his 7600… it was chambered in 270 win… as I recall, the doe stopped very suddenly… one shot…
I’ll definitely be following this one. One of the ideas I’ve had tumbling around in my head…

 

[Ru4real]

Nice!

I shot my 358 Win bolt gun yesterday at 100y. Comparing CFE223 to Vihtavouri N135 using Hornady 200 grain SP bullet. Turns out both powders are pretty equal for me at 2650 fps, POI and group size.

 

[45/30-06OKIE]

Nice!

I shot my 358 Win bolt gun yesterday at 100y. Comparing CFE223 to Vihtavouri N135 using Hornady 200 grain SP bullet. Turns out both powders are pretty equal for me at 2650 fps, POI and group size.

Very interesting! 200gr at 2650 sounds a lot like a hot 30-06 load. I loaded some 208gr ELD-Ms and they are about 2400ish. Should be great for Elk!! 358 Win is a 308 based cartridge right?

 

[Chuck R.]

Very interesting! 200gr at 2650 sounds a lot like a hot 30-06 load. I loaded some 208gr ELD-Ms and they are about 2400ish. Should be great for Elk!! 358 Win is a 308 based cartridge right?

It's based on the .308 Win.

From what I've read it was developed to sort of mimic the .348Win in performance. Due to the whole expansion ratio thing, it will get higher MVs that the smaller bores with equal bullet weights.

Nice!

I shot my 358 Win bolt gun yesterday at 100y. Comparing CFE223 to Vihtavouri N135 using Hornady 200 grain SP bullet. Turns out both powders are pretty equal for me at 2650 fps, POI and group size.

Have you tried TAC??

I'm working up a load now for my .350RM (mostly cause some clown decided to discontinue IMR4320) and it does show increased MVs.

Last year I shot a big doe and a sow with the Hornady 200 SP (2830FPS) and was pretty impressed. It penetrated the sow completely after passing through the shoulder and neck. Blew a chunk of vertebrae out the back side. The doe was quartering towards me and I hit her just behind the front shoulder and it exited just in front of the rear leg on the off-side.

You do know in PA they won't sell you a 7600 unless you own a red & black checkered cruiser. Preferably one made by Woolrich.

Probably explains why I couldn't find one, they hid them when I walked in. I must have hit 20 gunshops while I was there for work. Nary a 760 or 7600 on the used rack, the one I did see was well worn and they were asking $1100 for it.

 

[Armored farmer]

Next comes the red plaid cruiser...

You may have to pay more for a Woolrich Cruiser than you did for the rifle!

ETA....I did a quick Gunbroker search and found those rifles are bringing a premium!
Some beautiful maple stocks available too.
Congrats @Chuck R.
I look forward to seeing the pics of the finished product!

 

[Chuck R.]

You may have to pay more for a Woolrich Cruiser than you did for the rifle!

ETA....I did a quick Gunbroker search and found those rifles are bringing a premium!
Some beautiful maple stocks available too.
Congrats @Chuck R.
I look forward to seeing the pics of the finished product!

That's what shocked me about them! I couldn't justify the expense of making it the way I wanted on top of what they were getting for them.

It will be a little while.. 1st stop is re-boring and that may take a month or so.

My hope is to have it at least functional by the time our late doe season rolls around as that's when we start doing our "drives". Once it's done I'll post a follow-up range report.

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

Next comes the red plaid cruiser...

I can loan ya mine Chuck.

 

[Chuck R.]

I was kinda counting on that..

Anita tells me I'm now broke (again)!

 

[JmacD]

Next comes the red plaid cruiser... I might even move to Maine or at least somewhere with more snow, maybe start smoking a pipe.

You do know in PA they won't sell you a 7600 unless you own a red & black checkered cruiser. Preferably one made by Woolrich.

You may have to pay more for a Woolrich Cruiser than you did for the rifle!

As a PSA, Filson is/was making an “okayish” one. And Lengandary Whitetails advertises one from time to time. If one is desperate for the “classic” ensemble.

 

[sage5907]

JES does a good job with a rebore and he is really good to deal with. He did a 338-06 for me and the accuracy is really good. A 358 Winchester would be good but a 338 Federal would also be good. I would lean toward the Federal because I have a lot of experience with the 180 grain Nosler AccuBond in my 338-06. Hope you post pictures of your project when you are finished.

 

[9x56MS]

As a PSA, Filson is/was making an “okayish” one. And Lengandary Whitetails advertises one from time to time. If one is desperate for the “classic” ensemble.

I am good. I am still using my grandfathers hand me down, is it heavey? Yes is it thick and itchy? Yes. Is it warm yes, even when wet (try that with any other material.) Does it have enough pocket storage? Oh hell yes, button down chest pockets and waist pockets as well as hand warmer mid coat pockets and an actual game bag pocket. Also an inside the coat pocket perfect for a cell phone. The matching Pants have elastic sleeves on the cuffs to keep snow and seeds out of your boots. They are definitely a classic and for good reasons. Until global warming makes deer season too warm for wool I will continue to wear my Fudd hunting uniform. By the number of deer I have taken while wearing them the camo effect seems to make me invisible the the deer. Try all that Kuiu.

 

[Chuck R.]

JES does a good job with a rebore and he is really good to deal with. He did a 338-06 for me and the accuracy is really good. A 358 Winchester would be good but a 338 Federal would also be good. I would lean toward the Federal because I have a lot of experience with the 180 grain Nosler AccuBond in my 338-06. Hope you post pictures of your project when you are finished.

That's good to hear! I've read nothing but positive reviews on multiple forums concerning his work.

His site is a little lacking. I've placed multiple phone calls and are playing message tag now. Which groove/twist did you go with?? I'm thinking of going with another 3 groove, but am open for suggestions. Definitely going to stick with the .358 as that's one less bullet I've got to stock.

I managed to order a NOS Remington synthetic forearm and butt-stock complete with Hardware that should be here shortly. Last night I discussed the rest of it; Cerakote and lopping the barrel with my smith, so it's just a question of getting the re-boring done 1st.

I'll post pics and range report when it's together.

 

[9x56MS]

JES does a good job with a rebore and he is really good to deal with. He did a 338-06 for me and the accuracy is really good. A 358 Winchester would be good but a 338 Federal would also be good. I would lean toward the Federal because I have a lot of experience with the 180 grain Nosler AccuBond in my 338-06. Hope you post pictures of your project when you are finished.

A 338 is good a 358 is great. Easy choice.

 

[Chuck R.]

A 338 is good a 358 is great. Easy choice.

and never discount the ability to use cheap(er) pistol bullets for plinking/practice..

 

[Hookeye]

Sat on the side of a hill opening day last yr w a 760 pump in .35 rem, wearing a red/black wool coat.
Little 6 pt came by along creek, 35 yards.

Snow had come down for a while, heavy. Was plenty warm. Classic little hunt.

Couldnt shoot that little.buck, even w the snow, wool and pump rifle.

 

[sage5907]

His site is a little lacking. I've placed multiple phone calls and are playing message tag now. Which groove/twist did you go with?? I'm thinking of going with another 3 groove, but am open for suggestions. Definitely going to stick with the .358 as that's one less bullet I've got to stock.

When I dealt with JES I remember that he did not use eMail, only the telephone and I doubt if he would use a text. If he's like me he only has a flip phone and they don't work good with a text. When I talked to him three years ago about twist he said he normally does a three groove but I asked for a five groove with a 1:10 twist and he did that for me. I don't remember that he did a six groove. Once he received my barrel the turn around time was about three weeks. The other 338-06 that I have is a 6 groove rebore with a 1:10 twist and it will almost shoot into the same hole. The five groove barrel likes Reloader 15 or Viht N 150 and the six groove barrel likes Reloader 17 the best for accuracy.

 

[lightman]

Thats an interesting cartridge! I hope you will post more about it as you make progress on this project.

 

[Legionnaire]

Great project. Wish I'd have thought of that a few years ago before I sold a 760 Carbine in .308.

 

[Chuck R.]

When I dealt with JES I remember that he did not use eMail, only the telephone and I doubt if he would use a text. If he's like me he only has a flip phone and they don't work good with a text. When I talked to him three years ago about twist he said he normally does a three groove but I asked for a five groove with a 1:10 twist and he did that for me. I don't remember that he did a six groove. Once he received my barrel the turn around time was about three weeks. The other 338-06 that I have is a 6 groove rebore with a 1:10 twist and it will almost shoot into the same hole. The five groove barrel likes Reloader 15 or Viht N 150 and the six groove barrel likes Reloader 17 the best for accuracy.

Well through our phone message tag game I'm sending him the barrel and a check this week, we'll see how it goes. I'll split the difference and go with a 5 groove.

I've start sorting .308 brass, I'll clean a bunch of it and anneal this weekend prior to forming.

Great project. Wish I'd have thought of that a few years ago before I sold a 760 Carbine in .308.

I saw something similar at a gunshow out in WA when I was stationed there. Someone had cut down a 760, added synthetic furniture, had it bored out to 35Whelen and had it hard chromed. Basically the perfect Pacific North Wet timber rifle.

Unfortunately I had just ordered my M7 in .350RM from the custom shop. That 760 has haunted me ever since..

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I was kinda counting on that..

Anita tells me I'm now broke (again)!

Oh, and I have a matching Stormy Kromer hat too...