358 Winchester custom rifle build

[CAV1/8]

Hello Gents,

I am a left handed shooter. I primarily hunt white tail in the north east big woods. I track and still hunt/stalk so I always put the miles in on my hunts. My goal is to keep the rifle/scope around weigh 7-7.5lbs.

I am looking to build a light, rugged, weather resistant, left handed bolt gun chambered in 358 Winchester.
Preferred to a claw extractor and 3-position safety.
so far I found the Defiance Deviant CRF which is $2,995; it comes with a 3-position safety, a trigger tech special and nitride all included. It also comes in a medium action which peaked my interest even more for handloading/COLE.


The only downside to the Deviant bolt carrier is that I will have to have a gunsmith cut the barrel to the action. The Deviant does not have a guaranteed headspace and will not accept pre-fit barrels.

I am thinking the barrel will be great around 18-20" max.

Is Defiance the way to go? Anyone have good experience with the make? Who make a quality 35 Cal barrel?

This is all up for discussion and suggestions. I am looking for some advice.

Thanks!

 

[CAV1/8]

To follow,


I am not sure if I like that swapping a barrel myself would be an issue. Also can these bolts run in snotty conditions? I.e rain, dirt, mud, snow, moon dust?

 

[Scoutfan]

No answers for you but good luck with your build. I am also a lefty and have a semi custom 35 whelen (Remington 700) that is 7 3/4 all up ready to hunt. My Smith is putting together an 18 1/2 inch 35 whelen (Remington 760) for me now.

 

[CJ_BG]

A few thoughts/questions

I'm not understanding the want for a custom gun to shoot deer at likely 30-70yds in the big woods
What kind of wound channels are you wanting?
Why did you settle on 358 win?
If you're spending 3k for an action, why would you not go blaser r8 for a hunting gun? Especially for this kind of hunting
Does your state allow semi autos?
Do you have a minimum caliber restriction?

 

[backcountry_hunter]

At that price you could go blaser


Or hit the easy button for 1/4 the cost and get a Kimber Montana in 338fed.

I doubt a NE Whitey would know the difference between being killed by that or a 358

 

[gbflyer]

I’ve read that Defiant doesn’t make that CRF action any more. Could be wrong thought.

I’m a lefty too. I have a couple Origins. To be honest, I like my Tikkas better. Could whip up a .358 easy. I have a .338 Federal.

 

[robtattoo]

Easy button. Literally ticks all your boxes
.
.
.

Ruger® Hawkeye® Hunter Bolt-Action Rifle Model 67107

ruger.com

 

[robtattoo]

Hang on, no it doesn't. No cack-handers.

 

[CAV1/8]

Easy button. Literally ticks all your boxes
.
.
.

https://ruger.com/products/

[QUOTE="robtattoo, post: 4435655, member: 6964"] HawkeyeHunter/specSheets/67107.html [/QUOTE]

A few thoughts/questions

I'm not understanding the want for a custom gun to shoot deer at likely 30-70yds in the big woods
What kind of wound channels are you wanting?
Why did you settle on 358 win?
If you're spending 3k for an action, why would you not go blaser r8 for a hunting gun? Especially for this kind of hunting
Does your state allow semi autos?
Do you have a minimum caliber restriction?

Well,
I’d like to build this gun out so I can travel with it.
My theory is why I have 10 guns when you could have one or two that do the job anywhere in the country.

I never heard of blazer that’s why I’m posting on here because I am new to building rifles.

I picked the 358 Winchester because it’s the underdog of the 35 caliber. It’s also making a comeback and I’m gonna get into hand loading.
Based upon my research, there’s room under the hood for that round.


I don’t think my state has restrictions on semi or minimal calipers.


Thank you for your response.

 

[CAV1/8]

Easy button. Literally ticks all your boxes
.
.
.

Ruger® Hawkeye® Hunter Bolt-Action Rifle Model 67107

ruger.com

Rob,

So funny that you posted that rifle because that is partially what has inspired me to build my own.

I was so disappointed that they didn’t build a left-handed configuration.
That is the only reason why I’m going outside of that rifle to build one.

 

[CAV1/8]

I’ve read that Defiant doesn’t make that CRF action any more. Could be wrong thought.

I’m a lefty too. I have a couple Origins. To be honest, I like my Tikkas better. Could whip up a .358 easy. I have a .338 Federal.

 

[fngTony]

When you mention traveling with it, are you talking about just in the northeast region or are you planning on coming out west too?

 

[CAV1/8]

Would a WSM be medium action for hand loading bigger bullets?

 

[Scoutfan]

Sadly us lefties get shorted on a lot of the good stuff! My pump whelen is getting a Douglass 1&13 twist.
I love 35 caliber stuff but if you aren't dead set on it the 8.6 blackout might not be a bad choice if you have any desire to run suppressed.

 

[CAV1/8]

You know honestly I was thinking about taking my 7600 308 Police edition barreling up to a 35.

 

[CAV1/8]

I don’t wanna be lugging around a suppressor in the woods.


And honestly, the 35cal is something I have my headset on.

 

[Scoutfan]

I ll let you know how it shoots. Won't be til after the first of the year. I had my 700 rebored and wasn't happy about a couple of things so this one is getting a new barrel. It's hard to beat a good pump for thick woods.

 

[WW2 Buff]

I don’t wanna be lugging around a suppressor in the woods.


And honestly, the 35cal is something I have my headset on.

I cut my Remington 7600 pump 30-06 to 18.5 inches and hunt suppressed and am beyond happy I did. Accuracy went way up plus I'm convinced you not only dont blow all of the game out of the area after shooting, a marginally hit animal is liable to bed much quicker. Good luck with your project!

 

[journeyman713]

I can only speak to that caliber, probably taken 100 deer with my 358.
Love that caliber, Very confident with it!

 

[Quandary]

I have a carbon Bartlein 1/12 twist spun up for my 35 Whelen. Excellent shooter, .7 10 shot groups on my break-in loads.