Log In
Members
Home
Add Reply
Add Topic
Hello all,
Here’s one of my more interesting finds. At first glance, it just looks like an ordinary if somewhat boring Winchester 100, it’s not until you stare at the huge hole at the muzzle end that the rifle becomes slightly more interesting, because this 100 is chambered for the .358 Winchester cartridge.
I know that Winchester supposedly didn’t chamber 100’s in .358, but I’ve also read that they may have experimented with it somewhat by reboring .308 barrels and over-stamping the “0” with a “5”. A close look at the caliber stamp does certainly support the over-stamp theory. On the other hand, I’ve also read that the few that pop up from time to time could have been made up by independent gunsmiths (albeit very talented ones).
I’ll defer to all your expert knowledge and let the community weigh in on this one, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Thanks, Alex R.
Cut and paste the link above into a browser if you want to see a hi-def photo stitch of multiple angles of the rifle, but you may have to click on it to make it full size.
Below is a link to the closeup of the serial number, again, cut and paste into a browser for best results.
https://camarillotraders.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/photos/DSC_7458_close.jpg
99.9% likely to be a “gunsmith” special. Winchester was never in the habit of “over stamping” factory markings.
Bert
WACA Historian & Board of Director Member #6571L
Really not hard to do. Reboring from .308 to .358 is a common rebore. No action changes needed. I believe with the M88, the .308 and .358 magazines were the same. The only other thing you need is a “5” stamp to stamp over the. “0”. I’m surprised we don’t see more of these given the .358 is a great cartridge.
From what I have learned about habits and practices within the New Haven factory, there would have been little to no reason for Winchester to experiment with a finished Model 100 to see whether a .358 WCF would “work” — they already knew it would from their experience developing and producing the Model 88. What they also knew was the .358 was a poor selling caliber in the 88 because the recoil was stiffer than Joe Average liked. Hard kicking moderate velocity cartridges were in the toilet when the Model 100 was developed.
I personally like the .358 WCF and own an early Browning BLR in that caliber. I’ve owned Winchester pre64 Models 88 and 100, both in .308, and took a nice buck Whietail with the 88. Both are fairly light rifles and the recoil attenuation provided by the gas action of the 100 was very significant. I’ve always thought a Model 100 chambered in 358 would make a lot of sense, particularly if they’d take the trouble to include a last-shot hold-open device, the absence of which was annoying. Gun store commandos say the 88 and 100 have lousy triggers that can’t be cured. I never found them all that bad, a little mushy but consistent and predictable.
You have a nice pre64 Model 100 in what appears to be high condition, now chambered for a cartridge that is just about ideal for Whitetail deer, Black bear and hogs. Not just at close range either. It will do everything the .348 WCF can do and do it at a hundred yards further out. I think the rifle itself is quite handsome, one of Winchester’s best modern efforts. It’s a little barrel-light to try for game at 250 yards offhand and un-rested. But in 358 with a full magazine, it would be a great comfort to a man jumped by an unexpected Grizzly.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Zebulon said
From what I have learned about habits and practices within the New Haven factory, there would have been little to no reason for Winchester to experiment with a finished Model 100 to see whether a .358 WCF would “work” — they already knew it would from their experience developing and producing the Model 88. What they also knew was the .358 was a poor selling caliber in the 88 because the recoil was stiffer than Joe Average liked. Hard kicking moderate velocity cartridges were in the toilet when the Model 100 was developed.I personally like the .358 WCF and own an early Browning BLR in that caliber. I’ve owned Winchester pre64 Models 88 and 100, both in .308, and took a nice buck Whietail with the 88. Both are fairly light rifles and the recoil attenuation provided by the gas action of the 100 was very significant. I’ve always thought a Model 100 chambered in 358 would make a lot of sense, particularly if they’d take the trouble to include a last-shot hold-open device, the absence of which was annoying. Gun store commandos say the 88 and 100 have lousy triggers that can’t be cured. I never found them all that bad, a little mushy but consistent and predictable.
You have a nice pre64 Model 100 in what appears to be high condition, now chambered for a cartridge that is just about ideal for Whitetail deer, Black bear and hogs. Not just at close range either. It will do everything the .348 WCF can do and do it at a hundred yards further out. I think the rifle itself is quite handsome, one of Winchester’s best modern efforts. It’s a little barrel-light to try for game at 250 yards offhand and un-rested. But in 358 with a full magazine, it would be a great comfort to a man jumped by an unexpected Grizzly.
My Dad bought a M100 in .308 brand new (with the impressed checkering). He used it many years and it was a jammer. If I had one and was using it in a tight spot, I would be very intent on making that first shot count – because I wouldn’t have great confidence there would be a next shot.
I’ve always liked the .358. I never owned one in a M88 or M70, but did have one in a BLR. My favorite was one I had build on a Mauser action. Very fine cartridge. I haven’t owned a .358 for several years but I do have a .35 Whelen Improved – a very fine cartridge.
November 7, 2015
Offline
As a fan of the 35 (R word) and Winchesters I’ve naturally been interested in the 358 Winchester. In either iteration it’s a thumper and has done great work on feral piggies, even the occasional disagreeable one. I agree with Zeb’s logic and furthermore figure if Winchester wanted a M100 in 358 they could certainly make a 358 barrel without resorting to reboring an existing barrel. I always wanted an 88 in 358 but I’m not as angry at piggies as I used to be. Meat market just down the road has great pork chops on sale at least twice a month and their Italian sausage is nearly as good as mine.
Mike
As a very young man I bought a Remington M08 .35 (circa 1906). It worked like gangbusters on big northwoods whitetail deer. A .358 wouldn’t have killed them any deader. It also never jammed on me 
By the way, I still have it.
November 7, 2015
Offline
steve004 said
As a very young man I bought a Remington M08 .35 (circa 1906). It worked like gangbusters on big northwoods whitetail deer. A .358 wouldn’t have killed them any deader. It also never jammed on meBy the way, I still have it.
A shooting buddy had 8’s and 81’s in 32, 35 and maybe 30. Until he scored a membership I would invite him out to the club just to watch those rifles’ actions work! Mine was a 336, I named it Scopekiller and sold it after I ruined several scopes and Redfield quit taking my calls or answering e-mails. I still have a Contender in 35R that will outshoot most rifles I own and thanks to a rather brutal integral muzzle brake will clear at least one shooting position on each side! It would certainly put meat in the freezer, one guide could never get over the time I flattened a big hog with it at about 125 yards.
Mike
OMG! Steve and Bill I can’t believe you both sold me down the river here!
.And I thought we were all on the same page with the 33 and 45-90.
TXGunNut said
steve004 said
As a very young man I bought a Remington M08 .35 (circa 1906). It worked like gangbusters on big northwoods whitetail deer. A .358 wouldn’t have killed them any deader. It also never jammed on me
By the way, I still have it.
A shooting buddy had 8’s and 81’s in 32, 35 and maybe 30. Until he scored a membership I would invite him out to the club just to watch those rifles’ actions work! Mine was a 336, I named it Scopekiller and sold it after I ruined several scopes and Redfield quit taking my calls or answering e-mails. I still have a Contender in 35R that will outshoot most rifles I own and thanks to a rather brutal integral muzzle brake will clear at least one shooting position on each side! It would certainly put meat in the freezer, one guide could never get over the time I flattened a big hog with it at about 125 yards.
Mike
In my history I also had a Contender “Super 14” in .35 with a low power scope on it. It was VERY accurate. I had many barrels with it – such as .45-70 and even had a .30-30 barrel rechambered to .30-40.
oldcrankyyankee said
OMG! Steve and Bill I can’t believe you both sold me down the river here!
Tom – my experiences with various firearms goes way back and I sampled many brands and chamberings. The .33 and .45-90 occupy the top of my list, but there are many on that list 
November 7, 2015
Offline
oldcrankyyankee said
OMG! Steve and Bill I can’t believe you both sold me down the river here!
I wish I could tell you what my favorite cartridge is. If I did tell you it would probably change within a day or two. If not sooner! I load and cast for about a dozen of the cartridges Winchester chambered firearms for and I’m very interested in at least a half-dozen more, including the 33. The 35Rem and 358Win have a dedicated following for good reason.
Mike
Tom, I would swap my Remington 141 35 and BLR 358 in an even trade for your deluxe 1886 45-90. I’ll even throw in die sets and brass. 
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
I have found that both the Model 100, and the Model 88 jam due to the magazine. The magazine lips need to be straighten after they have been used some. That will address the jamming problem.
Zebulon said
Tom, I would swap my Remington 141 35 and BLR 358 in an even trade for your deluxe 1886 45-90. I’ll even throw in die sets and brass.
Bill, that is a nice offer, but I think i failed to mention it has a matte barrel, checkered trigger, which all letter. And three R&R,s and is the only TD that I own the magazine lever is positioned exactly in the 6 o’clock position.
Bo Rich said
I have found that both the Model 100, and the Model 88 jam due to the magazine. The magazine lips need to be straighten after they have been used some. That will address the jamming problem.
My 88 was made about 1955 and the 100 in the first year they were offered. Although I bought them from the consignment racks of dealers, I never had a jam with either of them. However, their respective 4 sheet metal magazines (1 in the gun and a spare, each) were in almost-new condition and kept clean and wiped sparingly with BreakFree CLP.
Now, both rifles were used as hunting rifles and were carried a lot more than shot, although the magazines were inserted and removed quite a bit during use over several years. I never observed any distortion or visible abrasion of the feed lips. Perhaps not everyone is as careful as I tend to be in handling magazines. Slamming them home, carrying them in a pocket with keys, dropping or tossing them onto hard surfaces as if they were impervious, etc might well eventually cause trouble.
Because I like old out-of-print rifles, if they require detachable magazines, I make a point of buying spares, in new or mint condition preferably, before they become rare and as costly as Faberge eggs. Sometimes I have to bite the bullet and pay more than I’d like but have learned they never get cheaper. Accordingly, I don’t treat them like a tire tool.
- Bill
WACA # 65205; life member, NRA; member, TGCA; member, TSRA; amateur preservationist
"I have seen wicked men and fools, a great many of both, and I believe they both get paid in the end, but the fools first." -- David Balfour, narrator and protagonist of the novel, Kidnapped, by Robert Louis Stevenson.
1 Guest(s)
