Your input appreciated on this custom Ruger please.

[Trent]

Guys, his location says he lives in Detroit.

That actually might not be a BAD home defense gun, all things considered...

A little overkill for zombies though. And a little heavy to pack around.



HOWEVER, we need to remember that here on the High Road, we will not knock someone else's purchase or choice of firearm, when they are proud of it, and happy with it, for no other good reason than to make ourselves feel superior.

Heck I have bought quite a few guns over the years with absolutely zero practical purpose. Want to rag on me about it? What good would that do? YOU aren't the ones that bought it. There's a REASON we have so many types and varieties of firearms and calibers.

358 Winchester is actually a pretty good cartridge for any game you'll find in North America; those big fat slugs let a lot of air in and a lot of blood out. Plus, you can take shots through the shoulder without worry. That round is going to carry a lot of power.. clean through whatever you shoot, and beyond.

Not a good home defense gun .. if you value your eardrums or eyesight.

To add a bit of constructive advice, look in to raising your comb height if you are going to run a scope that high up. I know you had a clearance issue on the objective to worry about - but you need to get a good cheek weld on it and with that comb height you are running, you aren't going to. There's probably aftermarket bolt-on's or slip-on's you can look at, if you want to keep the existing stock.

Anyway, that'll help get a good positive cheek weld in the right spot, AND center your eyeball more reliably in the scope, helping you with parallax issues if your scope doesn't have a good adjustment for that built in.

 

[hso]

want to have the best toys.

That's probably the best explanation right there and should be good for anyone.

GAMEOVER44,

You asked for opinions so you'll get opinions. You won't like all of them, though. Some of those you won't like will be based on technical knowledge and some on personal experience. Some will be based on things you say that are red flags for many (e.g. zombie, tactical, home defense, ...). Don't be defensive about them, but you should listen to them and evaluate whether you might learn something from each one (or not).

Having done building materials penetration tests on a wide range of handgun, carbine, rifle, shotgun ammunition I assure you that your .358 is too much gun for home defense unless you're following MrBorland's advice of downloaded ammunition. Your standard .358 will penetrate many standard frame structure walls so if you actually might grab the gun for defense inside your house (although I wouldn't risk such a fine rifle being ruined in police evidence awaiting release during an investigation) be sure you're running the very lightest spitzer bullet possible to maximize the potential for yaw and breakup upon contacting the first barrier to its path. To do otherwise would be grossly irresponsible if you live in an apartment or subdivision.

 

[H&Hhunter]

I've been a .358 fan for a long time and have killed a good number of feral hogs with both of mine. They hit pretty hard no doubt. They have noticeably less thump than a .375H&H on big game but they do seem to offer a slight edge over a .308 win or a .30-06 when it comes to knocking big hogs down. You'll generally get full length penetration on a 200+ lb(ish) hog with a 225 gr TSX. My take on the .358 is that it is a superior round for jump shooting game in the thick stuff at closer range. It is not the superior to the .308 past about 200 yards.

A .358 Win with ANY sporting type load and bullet will sail through a human sized target with ease and it will sail through any normal housing material like drywall or 2x4's. The .358 would is very good big game round. It is a massively over powered home defense weapon. Not only would I expect a sporting type round from a .358 to exit a room after exiting a man. I'd expect it to then exit an exterior wall and possibly hit an innocent party outside or in the house next door. It definitely would not be my choice for home defense.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

swixt im about to engineer all that myself, dont you know? Im from Detroit we manufacture stuff.

 

[WV Mountaineer]

You need to realize when you ask a question based on an opinionated answer, by request, you are going to get everyone's opinion. I hear a young man who is proud of his rifle but, not certain he made the right deal. No offense meant or given. Just my observation.

It has been said many times in this thread by almost everyone, If you like it, that's all that matters. Experienced shooters, hunters, and all around gun owners have stated their opinions on your gun. Yet, instead of taking into account what you have indeed asked for, you have tried to talk them out of their experience. It ain't gonna to happen.

Experience is better spoken and conveyed in common sense remarks rather than by trying to convince everyone of your pedigree. That gun so far, is a bench warmer as far as the action it's seen in hunting, the home defense, tactical, or whatever you want or have said it was to be used for. And if you don't set it up correctly for your intended use, it will leave your possession by choice, before it's over with due to your non satisfaction with it. Regardless of barrel type or custom attributes. Which seem to matter to you more then the obvious variables negatively affecting the function of this firearm to be used as you say you intend to use it.

You take that gun hunting with that scope set up high like that and see how well you get on game in a situation that calls for quick shooting. Take it hunting and carry the thing for 5 or 6 miles with that "Magazine" digging into your ribs. In essence, you have a food plot, shooting house weapon in a caliber designed for something entirely different. As far as home defense, if that is what floats your boat than sobeit. Roll with Detroit style.

I really do hope you like your rifle. I'd like to have it for sure as it is a really nice rifle. And, it is in a great caliber for what I'd use it for. You gotta love those 35 caliber guns putting it down range at the velocities the 358 does. That's representin'. God bless bro.

 

[Apple a Day]

Need pics of targets with holes in them and group measurements! How does it actually shoot?

 

[CaliCoastie]

nice gun, not exactly my choice in caliber. did you have input on it? i like the .358 but me ive been hankering for a 350 rem mag. and i like some odd balls. im with the others on the scope, 2.5-10 is what i like for that sort of rifle. looks like fun, have fun with it and get some reloading gear.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

WV Mountaineer. I have taken into account all opinions and am not changing beliefs just speaking. Thanks for the rest of your comment though.

Thanks for the input everyone.

 

[CraigC]

You must not be aware that the factory versions are available.

Yeah, how many factory Scout rifles has Ruger produced in .358Winchester?

My factory rifles are plenty accurate for hunting, match barrels not necessary. Are you saying factory rifles without match barrels are not adequate for deer hunting? Sounds like it...

Not at all. Why are you going to so much effort to be offended by those who see the value in a premium barrel on a sporting rifle??? Did you not read everything I wrote or did you just pick through and find what you wanted to be offended by? Fact is, a Shilen barrel will shoot like a dream with virtually any load. Load development will be a breeze. Factory Rugers, not so much.

 

[GAMEOVER44]

Sorry but Craig C is right Shilens Match Grade barrel BLOWS AWAY the factory barrel and they dont offer the gunsite scout in the AWESOME 358 Winchester which kills with Authority! Time to make some cavities!

 

[MrBorland]

Why are you going to so much effort to be offended by those who see the value in a premium barrel on a sporting rifle???

I'll take a whack: First, it simply raises some eyebrows when readers get the impression the OP blurrs the distinction between a match-grade barrel and a match-grade target rifle. I've no doubt it'll be an excellent and accurate hunting rifle, but it's just not configured for actual match shooting.

Also, some just don't see the need for a match-grade barrel on a hunting rifle, especially when the rifle's not chambered in a round not known for it's long-range utility. Fair enough. I, like you, happen to think if you're going to the trouble of re-barreling, you might as well put a good one on. Fair enough, too, methinks.

 

[Sam1911]

Ok, enough fussin' with each other. Interesting choice in a rifle. If you're happy, that's all that really matters. Good luck with it.