Kimber 358 win

[varmint22man]

I am thinking about buying a Kimber Montana with the intention of turning it into a 358 win. That is about all I know. I have questions that I hope some of you can answer. First off, I need to know if I re-barrel using a #2 or #3 contour, is there enough meat on the Kimber stock to hog out the barrel channel and have it full length bedded? Anybody got a barrel recommendation? What length? I want to end up with a fairly light weight quick handling multiple purpose rifle that is slightly muzzle heavy for better off hand shooting for use in any weather. That's not too much to ask for is it?
Any and all info, advice, opinions, or other options are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Savage99]

I have hunted with my .358 Win's for half a century and I have a number of Montana's.

I shoot at the range every week and hunt often.

I could have got all of the game with a 308 as well as the 358. Of course the 358 is cool and was more fun.

I would not bother to change a Kimber 84M Montana to 358. Buy one in 308 or 338 Fed if they chamber that and just hunt with it.

Meanwhile if you still 'must' have a 358 look for one and when a good one comes along snag it.

But we don't need it, just want it!

 

[Float Pilot]

Hmm, that would be a VERY NICE rifle in 358 Win.
Particularly up here....

 

[varmint22man]

Want

Yes, a 308 will do everything I will ever need. I have or had 222,223,243,25-06,30-06,444,45/70 and some I forgot. I just WANT the 358.

 

[jmr40]

Are you talking wood or synthetic? I think it would work with the wood stock. I'm not sure about the synthetic. The better synthetics use fiberglass cloth glued in layers around the edges of the stock with a foam filler in the hollow middle. If you remove enough material to get through the layer of fiberglass, you may severely weaken the stock. There is some room to work with, but I'm not sure there is enough for this.

Swapping out a 308 to a 358 would be a step backwards in my opinion. But there is no reason all of our choices have to be practical.

 

[Float Pilot]

Swapping out a 308 to a 358 would be a step backwards in my opinion

A 358win can drive a 225 grain bullet at 2350 fps from a 20 to 22 inch barrel, a 250 grain slug about 100 fps slower and a 200 grain bullet around 2550 fps. ( based on my loads from a 20 inch Browning carbine)

In certain areas, like mine, moving a larger diameter & heavier bullet is a good thing within 300 yards.