New .358 Winchester Encore Barrel.

Couple months ago, I picked up another Encore pistol action. At the same time, I ordered another .358 Winchester barrel from Match Grade Machine. This time, for a pistol.



.358 Winchester
12" Stainless Full Bull Barrel w/ 1-14T
MGM 6-Hole Base
Leupold Rifleman Rings
2.5-8x Weaver Pistol Scope

I handload the 200gr Hornady FTX bullet for my .358 Win rifle barrel. So, for this gun, I wanted to use the 200gr Hornady RN bullet. I had sent MGM a dummy round with an FTX bullet as well as the Round Nose. Both seated to the same Base to Ogive Length (BTO). Went to the range early this morning to test out my various loads.



And the winner is...............



The EXACT same load as used in my rifle barrel. Except...........with a different bullet. Same brass, primer, powder, charge, seat depth...........everything. Ain't that kinda weird? Sure keeps things simple.

That ought to work on a hog or two. Sweet that the loads worked out so well for both guns.

That is just cool. Talk about the KISS principle

You have such nice toys. I mean handguns.

Thanks. Taken a few years. Plus.........ya'll are such a bad influence.

;-)

We try. Its a hard job but somebody's gotta do it.
Honerairy Enablers younamus

Thats a nice looking rig, it shoots good too!!!!

Thanks.

Looks good. I've pondered the .358 Winchester a few times.

You've been dancing all around that 338 Federal. Probably not much need for one now that you have a .358 short barrel.

I had a 356 Winchester MGM built Encore barrel for several years. I had best results with the 180 Hornady SSPB and the Speer 180 Hotcore over H4895

Mine was a heavy taper 14" +/-

I also had a rifle barrel 22" heavy taper done the same way.

Both were Shilen blank units and basically shot one hole groups at 100 yds.

I went with the 356 so I could get the rimmed case. I also got a 308 extractor with each barrel so I could use 358 brass if the 356 ever got scarce. I had some 356 cases with over 8 firings and they were still in good shape.

I traded this gun for a NIB XP-100 and replaced it with a Custom Shop XP in 35 Rem

Few links
http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3702

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3590

http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=3472&cat=522

This is an early one I had with the brake
http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=1558

I think total I did 4 356 /358 barrels in various configurations.

Yeah, I keep putting off the .338 Federal. Not sure why. I just prefer more powder under my .338 bullets.

Another fine Encore, Zee. Just curious, why a 12" barrel? Balance?

Have the 15" full bull barrel in .30-06 and it is a fine shooter, but heavy and unwieldy for mobile hunting. Then, I have the 14" full bull barrel in .460 S&W which is close to the same as the .'06 in size and maneuverability.

So, I wanted something different in this barrel. I wanted the look at a manilcher with the handiness of a shorter barrel.

By no means is it revolver handy. But, in terms of a SP...............it's right at home with weight to tame recoil, length to provide velocity, and able to pack around.

The 358 Winchester should be a Deer and Hog slayer.
I am a Big 35 fan. I have owned a 35 Bullberry for several years. It is a 375 Winchester case blown out and necked down to 35 caliber. A 35 Remington Rimmed for all practical purposes. My latest barrel is an MGM 357 Maximum. I went with a 13 Inch on it.

When I get around to upgrading to an Encore I will have a big decision to make between a 338 Federal and a 358 Winchester. The 358 has a lot more bullets, but you only need ONE that works well. One bullet that shoots well and will expand at the range you limit yourself to shoot is all you need.

MGM looks to be a very good choice on barrels at this time. I have barrels by Bullberry, JD Jones, as well as MGM. All are good from what I can tell, but MGM's prices are better.

Your build looks good, enjoy that 358.

Bob R

That's a great looking gun! I have been thinking of ordering a 358 win or a 350 rem mag rifle barrel for my encore. I have always liked the 35 rem. Here in the southern Missouri woods where shots are normally a 125yds and under its hard to beat. A 180-200gr 35cal bullet with flat lay down even the biggest whitetail. The 358win and 350 rem mag both look good but the 350 rem mag brass isn't as easy to find. I bet the Barnes TTSX 180gr bullets would work great.

Beauty of .358 Winchester is that I just neck up .308 Win brass that I have a pletho of.

That is a hog HAMMER!!!!!

Some good points were made above about brass. Ten years ago I would not have worried about building a 307 Win, 356 Win, any of the 444 Remington based Wildcats, 222 Magnum, any of the 225 Winchester based Wildcats, 375 Winchester or 375 Winchester based Wildcats. Lots of brass that was not a problem to buy 10 years ago is either discontinued, or just not made with any frequency.
The 338 Federal, and 358 Winchester can both be made from readily available 308 brass.
Today I would only do a 356 build if I had a lifetime supply of brass on hand first. Same with most everything mentioned above. It is a shame that we are having so much good Rimmed Brass go away.

The 358 Winchester is a great round, and will stay with us a long time because we can make the cases our self from 308 brass.

Bob