Advice sought (.358); I think I know the answer...

[Tundra Tiger]

It's the stainless/matte gray...

 

[hoytcanon]

It's the stainless/matte gray...

Ruger calls that finish, "Target Grey." I have several Target Grey Mark II's, it is a great finish... I say again, grab that rifle, you will not be disappointed.

 

[Alaska Luke]

The challenge is finding projectiles for it if you are picky. I pretty much only wanted 225 Nolser Partitions or Swift A Frames. They were hard to find for a while. Not a bad round but something to consider. Also I tried resized 308 brass and it always came up a bit short and didn't seem to headspace right. I fiddled with it for a while then spent money on 358 brass. Worked better but another thing.
Those are the negatives. On the other hand it's a very effective round without a ton of recoil. My Scout rifle wears a traditional scope so it's actually fairly similar to what you are considering (just not .358). I like the rifle a lot. It handles like a 30-30 but with way more range.

 

[hoytcanon]

The challenge is finding projectiles for it if you are picky. I pretty much only wanted 225 Nolser Partitions or Swift A Frames. They were hard to find for a while. Not a bad round but something to consider. Also I tried resized 308 brass and it always came up a bit short and didn't seem to headspace right. I fiddled with it for a while then spent money on 358 brass. Worked better but another thing.
Those are the negatives. On the other hand it's a very effective round without a ton of recoil. My Scout rifle wears a traditional scope so it's actually fairly similar to what you are considering (just not .358). I like the rifle a lot. It handles like a 30-30 but with way more range.

I have been shooting .358's for more than 3 decades and have never had any trouble loading it to the gills... bullets and brass a plenty... I have resized .308 brass easily by annealing and one pass through the .358 expander... but I prefer properly headstamped brass and have no trouble finding it. If you limit yourself to one bullet option, you might have temporary issues, but why do that? At .358 speeds, common Cup & Core bullets are BETTER than premium bullets. The Speer Hot-Cors are great as is the Sierra 225 SP and the Hornady 200 and 250 SP.. I generally only go to Partitions with hot loads for big bears. IMO reloading supplies should not enter the equation when considering a .358 Win.

 

[Rez Exelon]

A local wants to sell a Ruger MKII Frontier in .358 Winchester. It comes with 300 bullets, 150 pieces of brass, and 130 rounds. Asking price: $1400. I do not have the specifics on the ammo or components. I know the person. I am awaiting photos, but believe it's probably in pristine condition. He is a church member of ours and takes good care of stuff.

I probably need to jump on this, eh? It is a caliber I have always wanted.

Also: for where I live, shipping and FFL saves me 100-110...

What say ye AH brethren?

 

[mdwest]

The challenge is finding projectiles for it if you are picky. I pretty much only wanted 225 Nolser Partitions or Swift A Frames. They were hard to find for a while. Not a bad round but something to consider. Also I tried resized 308 brass and it always came up a bit short and didn't seem to headspace right. I fiddled with it for a while then spent money on 358 brass. Worked better but another thing.
Those are the negatives. On the other hand it's a very effective round without a ton of recoil. My Scout rifle wears a traditional scope so it's actually fairly similar to what you are considering (just not .358). I like the rifle a lot. It handles like a 30-30 but with way more range.

@Mark Biggerstaff @R&M FIREARMS hooked me up with a good deal on properly head stamped hornady brass for mine as well as some hornady bullets… I did have a bit of a challenge finding premium bullets for it for a little while but ultimately found some Barnes 225gr that flew really well in my rifle..

 

[AZDAVE]

That is a very fair price. I would say buy it.

 

[Papa72]

Spend it. More will come.

 

[flying sailor]

To be fair, I will spin the Wheel of Decision, the one that only works for purchasing new or used firearms. Wait... it's still spinning, slowing down now... Wow! It just landed on Buy it Now! You are most fortunate, now go pick it up and enjoy it the rest of your life, I know I would!

 

[MS 9x56]

There are 3 kinds of hunters. Those that have a 358 rifle, those that want a 358, and those that are afraid of the recoil. If you don't buy it you will always wonder why.

 

[hoytcanon]

There are 3 kinds of hunters. Those that have a 358 rifle, those that want a 358, and those that are afraid of the recoil. If you don't buy it you will always wonder why.

Shoot a .458 Lott or .500 with fullnpower loads for awhile, any .358 ever made will feel like a .22 LR... anyone afraid of a .358 needs to eat a potroast.

 

[ActionBob]

A local wants to sell a Ruger MKII Frontier in .358 Winchester. It comes with 300 bullets, 150 pieces of brass, and 130 rounds. Asking price: $1400. I do not have the specifics on the ammo or components. I know the person. I am awaiting photos, but believe it's probably in pristine condition. He is a church member of ours and takes good care of stuff.

I probably need to jump on this, eh? It is a caliber I have always wanted.

Also: for where I live, shipping and FFL saves me 100-110...

What say ye AH brethren?

Did you buy it yet? If you are not going to buy it, please pass on the info and I'll buy it

I've got one in a smaller caliber so obviously need one in .358

 

[cajunchefray]

anyone afraid of a .358 needs to eat a potroast.

I laughed a lot at that! But so true.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

The challenge is finding projectiles for it if you are picky. I pretty much only wanted 225 Nolser Partitions or Swift A Frames. They were hard to find for a while. Not a bad round but something to consider. Also I tried resized 308 brass and it always came up a bit short and didn't seem to headspace right. I fiddled with it for a while then spent money on 358 brass. Worked better but another thing.
Those are the negatives. On the other hand it's a very effective round without a ton of recoil. My Scout rifle wears a traditional scope so it's actually fairly similar to what you are considering (just not .358). I like the rifle a lot. It handles like a 30-30 but with way more range.

@Alaska Luke
That's the beauty of the baby Whelen aka 358 win at the velocities it launches big bullets up to 250 gn you don't really need swifts or partitions it's quite happy with cup and core. The Woodleigh 225gn rnsp would make a fine medium range bullets and the stubby sierra 225gn game king would be fine for longer ranges
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

@Mark Biggerstaff @R&M FIREARMS hooked me up with a good deal on properly head stamped hornady brass for mine as well as some hornady bullets… I did have a bit of a challenge finding premium bullets for it for a little while but ultimately found some Barnes 225gr that flew really well in my rifle..

@mdwest
Why is y'all wasting money in Barnes. The speeds the 358 does is in the ideal range for the old cup and core bullets. If'n you want premium for the little power house the 225 gn Woodleigh PPSP or rnsp would give good velocities and penetration. The 250 gn Hornady or speer would give a lot of thump for a little cartridge. Cheaper bullets that work equals more shooting. Win win
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

There are 3 kinds of hunters. Those that have a 358 rifle, those that want a 358, and those that are afraid of the recoil. If you don't buy it you will always wonder why.

@MS 9x56
My bean pole daughter had never fired a bigger rifle than a 22lr but wanted to shoot my Whelen.
Even she found the recoil of full power 225 grainers not bad. Full power 259s at 2,700fps off the bench were at her upper limit. So recoil doesn't come into it .
If'n he don't buy it he will regret it for the rest of his life. I can see a few rifles becoming safe queens when he gets it he will love it that much
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Shoot a .458 Lott or .500 with fullnpower loads for awhile, any .358 ever made will feel like a .22 LR... anyone afraid of a .358 needs to eat a potroast.

@hoytcanon
Recoil doesn't really bother me up to a certain point but I also love a good pot roast with mashed potatoes to sop up the gravy
Bob

 

[MS 9x56]

Once you go to a 35 caliber, others just don't measure up anymore.

 

[rwp315]

@hoytcanon
The good thing about the baby Whelen aka 358win is if you can't find brass a single pass with a 358 tapered expander in a 308 case ad you have cheap 358 brass
Bob

A local wants to sell a Ruger MKII Frontier in .358 Winchester. It comes with 300 bullets, 150 pieces of brass, and 130 rounds. Asking price: $1400. I do not have the specifics on the ammo or components. I know the person. I am awaiting photos, but believe it's probably in pristine condition. He is a church member of ours and takes good care of stuff.

I probably need to jump on this, eh? It is a caliber I have always wanted.

Also: for where I live, shipping and FFL saves me 100-110...

What say ye AH brethren?

Buy it! I had one M77 with factory sights and sold it. 10 years ago and have regretted it ever since.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Buy it! I had one M77 with factory sights and sold it. 10 years ago and have regretted it ever since.

@rwp315
Easy fixes. BUY ANOTHER ONE. That way regrets will be gone
Bob