357 mag on a Carcano rifle

[coxa2]

Looking at converting a carcano rifle to a 357mag bolt gun. My question is for those that have converted carcano rifles what barrels do you use? I have been looking around and can't seem to find anything that would work. I am a very picture oriented learner so photos would help tremendously.

Andy

[bgmkithaca]

To each his on but you will likely find that a conversion like you want will cost more than what the rifle is worth to begin with.The barrel will quite likely have to be a custom order which runs up the bill fast. The bolt face may be too large as well and feeding such a short cartridge might be an adventure as also. As these actions go I don't find them desirable for custom work.

[Der Gebirgsjager]

Ditto to bgmkithaca. And, the Carcano feeds with a Mannlicher clip. Rigging it to feed a .357 Mag. sounds like a nightmare.

[coxa2]

Bolt face works for a 357 mag. Just trying to find out what the guys who have converted them have used for barrels.

[JeffinNZ]

If you want a .35cal Carcano you could go .35 Remington. It has the right head size and would work in the clips.

[Good Cheer]

Well Andy, I don't think they want you to be making no .357 Carcano.
:rolleyes:

[Isaac]

You may want to check ER Shaw. They are located near Washington, Pa. I do not know if they would do anything for a Carcano, but they do make barrels for many bolt guns and in many calibers. I have a couple of their barrels and have no problems with either. Very good folks to work with as well.

If you do this converstion, please keep us posted.

Isaac

[justashooter]

Looking at converting a carcano rifle to a 357mag bolt gun. My question is for those that have converted carcano rifles what barrels do you use? I have been looking around and can't seem to find anything that would work. I am a very picture oriented learner so photos would help tremendously.

Andy

you can make a single shot stalking rifle in 357 mag or even 357 max with an old junker carcano, but making a repeater is not feasible in 357. the short/rimmed case just wouldn't feed well. I have done a few in 7.62X39 and 35 rem, and am in the process of doing one in 45 ACP with a standard 1911 magazine. I am also thinking about doing one in 444 rimless (444-06).
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?133427-converting-a-carcano-to-7-62X39
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?75056-convert-a-Carcano-to-7-62X39
http://www.falfiles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=271055

the trouble with carcano rifles is that they are barrel threaded with an odd diameter and pitch that is not easily repeatable.

here is a cheap 357 mag barrel that is already chambered. you could match drill a cut off stub to it for a slight press fit and add a cross-pin to hold the barrel in place, like an AK-47. by "cut off stub" I mean the original donor rifle barrel cut off in front of the receiver ring and drilled out. this is the way most carcanos are "re-barreled".
https://www.gunpartscorp.com/ad/958240.htm

[roverboy]

A .357 mag. on a Carcano has had me interested for a while too. I've wanted to kick my butt for about 3 years for not buying a Carcano 38 in 7.35x52, that was at a gunshow and had been bubbaed. It would've been a great donor.