Author Topic: re-bore or re-barrel an 88 to .358 Winchester? (Read 3441 times)

shotgunner · « **on:** January 06, 2007, 12:14:54 PM »

I built a .358 on a 700 action two years ago. I am so pleased with it that I want to try a repeater, an 88 Winchester or maybe a 99 Savage. Once again I am just looking to make up a hunting rifle without going completely broke. If I can come up with an 88 at the right price, yes I know it will be hard to do, should I have it re-bored? Who might I go to for such a job and if not who might fit a new barrel. ER Shaw did my last one and as far as I know only does bolt actions. Shotgunner

Mikey · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2007, 03:36:04 AM »

shotgunner: The Montana Rifleman rebarrels lever actions and does a great job. Their barrels and work are of excellent quality. Visit their website - I have no doubt they can rebarrrel an 88 without problem. HTH. Mikey.

jeff · « **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2007, 04:20:16 AM »

Ok, I know this is a very late response to the question. But.

Why rebore? I am under the impression that reboring is primarily done when you want the outside to look like original. I recall that the reboring is done in conjunction with relining and the caliber essentially stays the same. The barrel still needs to be removed to do the work and then there's the rechambering that still needs to be done.

Here's a link to someone offering reboring. Price information and conditions, etc.

http://www.deltagunshop.com/Clearwater/CW_services.html

Your money.. Your choice..

shotgunner · « **Reply #3 on:** February 05, 2007, 08:10:28 AM »

Jeff

I guess I thought of reboring because of a gun a friend had done. He had a Savage 99 in 300 rebarreled to 358. The forarm hanger didn't end up in the correct place. The gun would not feed or shoot very well. Perhaps it didn't feed because the 358 is longer then the 300, I had a 300 that was rechambered to 308 and it would never feed when deer were running, only at the bench, and that was with deep seated handloads. I figured that, on a 99 at least, the original barrel was already fit and bedded. It might not be worth the expence. Shotgunner

gunnut69 · « **Reply #4 on:** February 05, 2007, 09:32:24 AM »

The 99 fed poorly because it was a 300 hen you started. The 99 was altered at a later date to feed the 308 reliably. One of those would likely feed just fine if made a 358.. There would be a few changes still to be made of course..

Kivaari · « **Reply #5 on:** February 10, 2007, 11:26:17 AM »

As 88s are collector's pieces now, I'd rebarrel and keep the old barrel.

shotgunner · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2007, 08:08:44 AM »

I wouldn't mess up a good 88. I almost bid on one with a name and social security # engraved in the reciever on Gunbroker. There are enough of them around that finding one that has already been altered isn't too hard to do. I don't expect to end up with a show piece, only a hunting gun. I passed one a year ago that had a little rust, it wasn't that bad and the price was right. The good ones are too expencive for my budget. I have a beautiful Fox 20 gauge side by side, choked mod and full, it would make a great grouse gun with open chokes, but it will not be me that does it. I use it a little on doves. Shotgunner

Rangr44 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2007, 03:14:38 PM »

Collectability issues aside, I don't see why not.

A hunting partner of mine did so, in the early 70's, to a Winchester Model 100 Carbine, that was originally a .243.

He sent it to P.O. Ackley, I believe, who rebored it from .243 to .358 & did something to the gas port.

My friend never had any trouble with it, but he only used factory ammo - to the best of my knowledge.

iiranger · « **Reply #8 on:** March 09, 2007, 08:32:39 AM »

Quote from: shotgunner on January 06, 2007, 12:14:54 PM

I built a .358 on a 700 action two years ago. I am so pleased with it that I want to try a repeater, an 88 Winchester or maybe a 99 Savage. Once again I am just looking to make up a hunting rifle without going completely broke. If I can come up with an 88 at the right price, yes I know it will be hard to do, should I have it re-bored? Who might I go to for such a job and if not who might fit a new barrel. ER Shaw did my last one and as far as I know only does bolt actions. Shotgunner

I don't understand the fascination with rebore or rebarrel to .358. It is a factory cartridge and both these guns were, per catalogue anyway, made in this caliber. "88 at the right price?" Keep looking and just find one in .358. I would guess the 99's are much more available. Haven't looked in years. Still made. ??

For work, you have to make a decision. If you can find a local machinist... a gunsmith is only a machinist with an FFL (Federal Firearms License). Any machine shop can do the work... You find a basement hobbiest and it can be cheap AND QUICK. Otherwise, directory in back of Gun Digest Annual. You have to call or write. And benchrest.com has the tip top 'smiths listed. Plan on a long wait. Price will not be gentle either. LUCK.

shotgunner · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2007, 05:17:19 AM »

Iranger

Savage has not made a 99 in several years and has not made a .358 since the 70s. There are some 88s available in .358 and are selling for $1.200 - $2.500. If you find one for $500 I will take it. I am pretty sure that I can put one together for half of what an orinigal costs. I would not want to really hunt with one that was worth over two grand. I have a Savage 99K ( factory engraved) is .250 savage, worth more that these others, and it only goes out when the weather in fair and the brush not too think. Shotgunner

deltecs · « **Reply #10 on:** June 16, 2007, 10:37:48 AM »

I have a pre 64 Win 88 in .308 and have been tossing the idea of rebarreling to .358 also. I considered reboring but then thought of the balance after the metal removal. Since then I've considered rebarreling only and have the blank turned to fit the factory original. It is much more expensive but the finish product is worth more too. Not maybe what it cost but a definite increase over the rebore cost. There are several makers of barrels that can be fit to the 88 and most gunsmiths don't have a problem doing the job. Let us know when you complete it.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 17, 2007, 01:46:21 AM »

[ I considered reboring but then thought of the balance after the metal removal. ]

I spoke to a rebore man, about just that concern, last year.

He told me he had no probs, reboring a bbl to .358, as long as the muzzle O.D. was .600 (or greater) and it wasn't originally button-rifled or had a chromed bore - since those two preconditions usually gave him issues with problem spots during the rebore.

I couldn't proceed, because the rifle I was considering was a newer M70 FW Classic, with a much smaller muzzle O.D.

Brithunter · « **Reply #12 on:** June 17, 2007, 03:47:31 AM »

Quote

For work, you have to make a decision. If you can find a local machinist... a gunsmith is only a machinist with an FFL (Federal Firearms License).

I beg to differ. Gunsmithing ............................................ proper gunsmithing tht is is way more than being a machinist. I AM a machinst and worked at it for many years however I am NOT a GUnsmith even though I will work on and repair my own unless it's a classic Side by side shotgun. These require specialist knowledge and often special tools as well.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #13 on:** June 18, 2007, 02:03:45 PM »

Yeah - Gunsmith = Machinist, but Machinist = Gunsmith - NOT !

Prebanpaul · « **Reply #14 on:** July 01, 2007, 05:06:31 PM »

or you could go to gunbroker and misspell the word Winchester like this Winchseter and get your self an 88 in 358 like I did for a whopping $700 dollars

paul

Boxhead · « **Reply #15 on:** July 21, 2007, 01:44:49 PM »

I would go with a rebore with a proper restamp of the caliber. I have a number of rebores, 338-06 (a lightweight Rem 700), 35 Whelen (a pre-war J.P. Sauer Mauser), 9,3x62 (an FN Mauser) and, most recently a 38WCF on an old Ruger Flattop. I have not yet received the Ruger but the rest are fantastic shooters and look factory original. The rifles were done by since retired Cliff LaBounty who was likely the premier rebore specialist. He sold his business to:

http://www.deltagunshop.com

I have read that Dan Pederson also does fine rifle work.

http://www.cutrifle.com/index.html

The Ruger was done by Al Siegrist (sp) and came highly recommended by Dave Clements, a premier "sixgun-smith".

When done right, a rebore is every bit a custom match grade barrel, I know as I have both.

jbmi · « **Reply #16 on:** September 27, 2007, 02:57:37 PM »

I had my 88 rebored to a 338-08 about 7 years ago. I now have it forsale on Gunbrokers if you'd like to see it.

It was easy todo and is very accurate. Selling it to get funds for another project. I had Dick Nickles do it but Cliff LaBounty had to finish it after Dicks' death. Reboring is a way to get what you want without the high cost of finding an original.

deltecs · « **Reply #17 on:** September 27, 2007, 04:20:07 PM »

Quote from: jbmi on September 27, 2007, 02:57:37 PM

I had my 88 rebored to a 338-08 about 7 years ago. I now have it forsale on Gunbrokers if you'd like to see it.

It was easy todo and is very accurate. Selling it to get funds for another project. I had Dick Nickles do it but Cliff LaBounty had to finish it after Dicks' death. Reboring is a way to get what you want without the high cost of finding an original.

Does the .338-08 rebore on your 88 have the same chamber dimensions as the new .338 Federal and can you use them?

jbmi · « **Reply #18 on:** September 28, 2007, 06:49:30 AM »

I've shot about half a box of the 338 Federal through it, (180gr. Accrubonds). They were OK, but I got a little better accuracy with my handloads.
My handloads are 200gr. Ballistic Tips, so a heavier 338 Federal might do better.

shotgunner · « **Reply #19 on:** September 28, 2007, 08:50:26 AM »

What did the re-bore cost, 7 years ago? Shotgunner

jbmi · « **Reply #20 on:** September 28, 2007, 02:10:25 PM »

Dick Nickles quoted me $180, he just about finished it before he died unexpectedly. It was then shipped to Cliff LaBounty who finished the chamber, crown and stamped the barrel. He charged me an additional $85. These prices were back in Jan, 01

mogwai · « **Reply #21 on:** November 29, 2007, 03:12:19 PM »

A brand new BLR 358 is probably cheaper, and just as handy as either a 99 or 88 rebadged. Just thinking out loud.