356 winchester

[EG73]

Hey guys, come across a 356 winnie in a gunshop.

Serial number is AE174**

I sort of wanted it but it doesn’t have the rear sight and I’m not a fan of the raised comb on the stock. Personally would rather a .375W anyway but the 356 is an interested cartridge.

[TedH]

If the price is right I would buy it. You can always add the 375 later. You just don't come across a 356 very often.

[EG73]

If the price is right I would buy it. You can always add the 375 later. You just don't come across a 356 very often.

It's $1350 AUD ($906.50USD)

Thinking of putting the money towards thermal gear but yeah, this is the first .356 i've come across.

[RIDERED350r]

If the price is right I would buy it. You can always add the 375 later. You just don't come across a 356 very often.

Very much agree with this!

And I agree on the raised comb, I really don't like it on a 94.

Does the 356 in question have a crossbolt safety? If not, buy it YESTERDAY. Even if it does, the price is very fair given the current market.

I have a fairly early 94 Big Bore in 375, made in appx 1980. It's a top ejector and pre-safety. I would love to add a pre-safety 356

IMG_20211123_090921826_HDR.jpg

[BenT]

I didn't like looks of the raised comb of my 356, but once you put a scope on it makes sense and you will embrace it. I have a 2X7 on mine and it one of my favorites. It knocks down Wisconsin Whitetails better than any other cartridge I have. It has racked up the most dead in it's track kills for me. It's a Gem that is hard to find. You can always buy thermo gear.

The Speer 180gr FP and Hornady 200gr RN work great. I have some 200 Interlocks that I bought for the 35 Winchester and am going to try those in the 356. I just need to make a cannelure in a different spot and shave the exposed lead tip flat.

[FLINT]

I agree, you should definitely get it. Those guns are super cool and super super rare. I had a 375BB that I foolishly sold because I needed money. BenT is right, you can always get thermal gear - though I'm not sure why you would need it in Australia

[Rockrat]

I had a Marlin 30-30 XLR converted to 356 Win. No deer/elk has been stupid enough to cross my path when I am carrying it. If I was after squirrels, it would be well bloodied. I counted 13 at one time, while I was on a stand, one morning.

[6pt-sika]

I had a pair of Marlin 336ER rifles in 356 WIN one was setup with jacketed the other with cast . Both clobbered deer nuff said . Had the same deal with Marlin 375’s a jacketed only gun and a cast only gun . And once again both clobbered deer nuff said .

[RIDERED350r]

I didn't like looks of the raised comb of my 356, but once you put a scope on it makes sense and you will embrace it. I have a 2X7 on mine and it one of my favorites. It knocks down Wisconsin Whitetails better than any other cartridge I have. It has racked up the most dead in it's track kills for me. It's a Gem that is hard to find. You can always buy thermo gear.

The Speer 180gr FP and Hornady 200gr RN work great. I have some 200 Interlocks that I bought for the 35 Winchester and am going to try those in the 356. I just need to make a cannelure in a different spot and shave the exposed lead tip flat.

Yessir, I can understand the function of it for mounting an optic. No contest from me on that aspect. At that time, Winchester had finally come up with a couple of mods that allowed for mounting a scope on top rather than side saddle as one had to do with top ejectors. The raised comb makes absolute sense in that context.

I haven't yet scoped any of my lever rifles. Don't plan to until I have to. No problem with those who do though. Best to scope them and keep those levers doing the job than to retire them if ones eyesight doesn't allow for effective use of irons.

[RIDERED350r]

I had a pair of Marlin 336ER rifles in 356 WIN one was setup with jacketed the other with cast . Both clobbered deer nuff said . Had the same deal with Marlin 375’s a jacketed only gun and a cast only gun . And once again both clobbered deer nuff said .

My 375 has taken two white tails do date. I have zero complaints with it. I use Vollmer Precision 220gr JFNs pushed by H4198 that are clicking 2200fps over the chrony. Both were clean pass-throughs that destroyed heart and lung tissue on their way though. Neither went more than 50yds before piling up

[RIDERED350r]

I had a pair of Marlin 336ER rifles in 356 WIN one was setup with jacketed the other with cast . Both clobbered deer nuff said . Had the same deal with Marlin 375’s a jacketed only gun and a cast only gun . And once again both clobbered deer nuff said .

My 375 has taken two white tails do date. I have zero complaints with it. I use Vollmer Precision 220gr JFNs pushed by H4198 that are clocking 2200fps over the chrony. Both were clean pass-throughs that destroyed heart and lung tissue on their way though. Neither went more than 50yds before piling up

[hfcable]

356 marlin and moose two years ago:



have several winchester 356s as well. one of my favorite cartridges

[JBowen]

I agree with all above about the .356 Winchester. I have shot 2 whitetails so far with mine. One went about 20 yards and the other about 40 yrds.
Mine is the early pre-safety with the ugly butt stock and I have an old Redfield 4X from the same era on it. Works out well for me.
Get it if you can.

JBowen

[6pt-sika]

The 356 is a fine cartridge just I’ve never been a big 35 cal fan . I liked the 375 WIN more all be it not by much , but if push came to shove and I only had a single leveraction mine will be a 444 . Oh wait that’s exactly where I’m at right now . Down from at one time from 100+ levers to the single 444 .

[RIDERED350r]

The 356 is a fine cartridge just I’ve never been a big 35 cal fan . I liked the 375 WIN more all be it not by much , but if push came to shove and I only had a single leveraction mine will be a 444 . Oh wait that’s exactly where I’m at right now . Down from at one time from 100+ levers to the single 444 .

From over 100 lever rifles to just one??!! Ouch!

[EG73]

If the price is right I would buy it. You can always add the 375 later. You just don't come across a 356 very often.

Very much agree with this!

And I agree on the raised comb, I really don't like it on a 94.

Does the 356 in question have a crossbolt safety? If not, buy it YESTERDAY. Even if it does, the price is very fair given the current market.

I have a fairly early 94 Big Bore in 375, made in appx 1980. It's a top ejector and pre-safety. I would love to add a pre-safety 356

No safety on it.

Any idea what year it was made?

[RIDERED350r]

If the price is right I would buy it. You can always add the 375 later. You just don't come across a 356 very often.

Very much agree with this!

And I agree on the raised comb, I really don't like it on a 94.

Does the 356 in question have a crossbolt safety? If not, buy it YESTERDAY. Even if it does, the price is very fair given the current market.

I have a fairly early 94 Big Bore in 375, made in appx 1980. It's a top ejector and pre-safety. I would love to add a pre-safety 356

No safety on it.

Any idea what year it was made?
[/quot


Angle eject came out in 1983, crossbolt safety came out in 1992.
That rifle would fall between those years.

[6pt-sika]

The 356 is a fine cartridge just I’ve never been a big 35 cal fan . I liked the 375 WIN more all be it not by much , but if push came to shove and I only had a single leveraction mine will be a 444 . Oh wait that’s exactly where I’m at right now . Down from at one time from 100+ levers to the single 444 .

From over 100 lever rifles to just one??!! Ouch!

I dare say if I “had” everything I’ve possessed over the years I’d be better stocked than some of the large gun shops . Lever actions don’t have the appeal they had for me in years earlier . Parker double barrels are my driving force at the present and as to rifles Mannlicher Schoenauer carbines and custom barreled 700’s are what I use 98% of the time .

[RIHMFIRE]

BUY THAT THUMPER!!!
BUT GOOD LUCK FINDING AMMO, OR BRASS

[Rockrat]

I have singly loaded rounds made from 308 win brass and they eject just fine. You could probably make 356 from 444 marlin if thats all you could find.

[Malamute]

I believe thats correct, brass can be made from 444. Its also been in stock with Starline pretty regularly.

The butt stock is pretty minor, one screw and you can swap it out for another one, which can be had online from various sources like parts outfits or ebay. Any post-war butt stock should fit it. I sure wouldnt let a fine and unusual rifle get away over something minor like a butt stock.

[RIDERED350r]

I believe thats correct, brass can be made from 444. Its also been in stock with Starline pretty regularly.

The butt stock is pretty minor, one screw and you can swap it out for another one, which can be had online from various sources like parts outfits or ebay. Any post-war butt stock should fit it. I sure wouldnt let a fine and unusual rifle get away over something minor like a butt stock.

Very much agree

Now I've never done it because I don't have a 307 or a 356, but I've seen reports of owners of them on other forums that stated some 94 Big Bores would actually cycle and function fine with 307 and 356 loaded using 308 Win brass. And really, a 356 owner could look for both 356 and 307 brass and form the 307 into 356. I've actually seen it come up from time to time.

I'm no stranger to scouring for hard to source brass. When I got my 375 about 8 years ago, Starline wasn't making that brass yet and Captech Intl (Jamieson) was about the only source for new 375 brass. I also have a 45-90 I load for. There's almost always a way to feed these less common but rewarding rifle chamberings. But it usually involves a little patience and sometimes spending a little more than you would really like to. But it's kind of a one time expense if you can get yourself a stash of 100 pieces or so. Also check LGS's. Just a couple weeks ago a scored a 75 pieces of virgin Ten-X 45-90 brass in a zip lock bag, and at $0.50/each! Starlines bulk price for that brass is about $0.99/each and you won't find it cheaper commercially.

[RIDERED350r]

I believe thats correct, brass can be made from 444. Its also been in stock with Starline pretty regularly.

The butt stock is pretty minor, one screw and you can swap it out for another one, which can be had online from various sources like parts outfits or ebay. Any post-war butt stock should fit it. I sure wouldnt let a fine and unusual rifle get away over something minor like a butt stock.

Very much agree

Now I've never done it because I don't have a 307 or a 356, but I've seen reports of owners of them on other forums that stated some 94 Big Bores would actually cycle and function fine with 307 and 356 loaded using 308 Win brass. And really, a 356 owner could look for both 356 and 307 brass and form the 307 into 356. I've actually seen both come up from time to time on social media buy/sell/trade groups and other venues from time to time

I'm no stranger to scouring for hard to source brass. When I got my 375 about 8 years ago, Starline wasn't making that brass yet and Captech Intl (Jamieson) was about the only source for new 375 brass. I also have a 45-90 I load for. There's almost always a way to feed these less common but rewarding rifle chamberings. But it usually involves a little patience and sometimes spending a little more than you would really like to. But it's kind of a one time expense if you can get yourself a stash of 100 pieces or so. Also check LGS's. Just a couple weeks ago a scored a 75 pieces of virgin Ten-X 45-90 brass in a zip lock bag, and at $0.50/each! Starlines bulk price for that brass is about $0.99/each and you won't find it cheaper commercially.