What to do with a WSM?

[Steve O]

I have a Model 70 in 300 WSM that I don’t use. I’d like to turn it into a legal deer rifle for Soutbern Michigan, Iowa, Indiana. I believe there is a 358 WSSM that fits the bill but would it be possible to turn this piece into a 450 Bushmaster or 350 Legend?

 

[bbell]

I can’t help you caliber wise, but I would contact JES reboring. He did a 30/06 to 35 Whelen for me and it shoots lights out. He should be able to give you some options to do. Good luck!

 

[Spoonbill]

I have a Model 70 in 300 WSM that I don’t use. I’d like to turn it into a legal deer rifle for Soutbern Michigan, Iowa, Indiana. I believe there is a 358 WSSM that fits the bill but would it be possible to turn this piece into a 450 Bushmaster or 350 Legend?

If memory serves the 450 bushmaster is based on the 284 case, so the case won’t work. Not sure the details of your game laws but you may be able to turn it in to a 450 marlin. Also a 358wsm/wssm would be an easy rebarrel.

 

[42769vette]

I built a caliber called the 358 BFG for indiana hunting years ago. If I recall, my rifle started life as model 70 223 WSSM. Its a very simple rebarrel.

 

[tt_johnsclist]

I’m working through something similar now for the same reason, mines a 222Rem to 350 legend. To answer your question, no, the 450 BM and 350 L have different bolt face sizes than your WSM. You will either have to get a new bolt and barrel, or pick a straight wall cartridge with the same bolt face size as a WSM. I am not aware of any cartridges that will work for you, but I am not familiar with the 358 cartridges mentioned by others.

 

[42769vette]

There are a lot of different versions of the 358 he is talking about.

358 BFG
358 IDC
358 hoosier
358 WSSM 1.6
358 WSSM 1.8

All come to mind. The BFG, and WSSM's all are based on the WSM head. I make my 358 BFG brass out of 25 WSSM brass. The problem has become is every smith used a different reamer, and now a lot of people have a 358 IDC gun and 358 BFG dies.

 

[wildwilderness]

What are the different laws? Based on what I know it has to be 35 cal or bigger, or straight walled?

If that’s the case I would make one of these thumpers 35 wsm. As mentioned JES rebore super easy to make it from that rifle. It’s also called a 35 Sambar

 

[42769vette]

What are the different laws? Based on what I know it has to be 35 cal or bigger, or straight walled?

If that’s the case I would make one of these thumpers 35 wsm. As mentioned JES rebore super easy to make it from that rifle. It’s also called a 35 Sambar

I cant speak for all states, but in Indiana, there is no mentionof straightwall. I have not looked them up in a couple years, but 35 cal minimum, and case length south of 1.8. A few years ago it had to be south of 1.625, but they changed it to 1.8

 

[Elkhntr08]

I cant speak for all states, but in Indiana, there is no mentionof straightwall. I have not looked them up in a couple years, but 35 cal minimum, and case length south of 1.8. A few years ago it had to be south of 1.625, but they changed it to 1.8

On public ground, on private I can use my 300 Weatherby. Go figure.
Son built me a 458 SOCOM upper for Indiana and then they changed the law.

 

[wildwilderness]

if its 1.8 then those are out .

Looks like you will need to rebarrel to one one of the wssm variants.
Or just sell it and buy a rifle in 350 or 450 if that's what you want to shoot.

 

[False_Cast]

Relevant excerpt for southern Michigan: “A .35 caliber or larger rifle loaded with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches.”

So for Michigan, at least, you need to take the above parameters and also narrow it to fit your WSM bolt face.

 

[False_Cast]

So you’ll probably be shopping for a new bolt, barrel, and magazine box & follower. I.e., neither cost effective, nor close to it.

 

[Steve O]

Thanks guys. Looks like that is not going to be an easy project. I’ll save that WSM action for another project.

 

[rootacres]

Coming from a southern MI hunter, the re-barreling part would be relatively easy. The only issue I could see would be getting a new bolt. The 450 bushmaster and 350 Legend are the same bolt face size as a .223.