Talk to me about the .358 win. I found a Mauser chambered in this caliber at a very good price and not sure if I need to jump on it. My biggest caliber right now is a 30/06, so it could fill a void.

Thoughts?

Its a great round. It is based on the 308 Win necked up to .358" bullets. You can get some really heavy 358 bullets for deep penetration with it. The 200 and 220 grain weights are fairly common in it. It's a good short action round with a heavy bullet. If you needed brass, you neck up some Lapua, or something similar with a fairly thick neck.

And another thing, you can down load it some and shoot the bullets designed for the 38 Special and 357 Mag. A 158 grain XTP would be a great plinking load, and make a good hunting load also.

It's not a bad round, and if you like it, want it and can afford it, then go for it. But your 30-06 will do everything it can do and with more authority. This really wouldn't fill a void. To do that you'd need to go to a .338WM or something similar.

Great round. I have one in a rebarreled Model 7 and one custom Mauser. You can find, occasionally, factory loads from WW or Federal- usually seasonal runs. Plenty of knockdown power for deer and, unlike your 30-06, in a short action.
Here's my custom.

Have one myself built on a Mauser action. Love it, fun to shoot hogs with.

Good article on the 358 here:
358 Win

Good thumper round. It is best if you reload for it these days since it is on the seasonal production list for ammo manufactures and that opens up a lot of bullet choices that never were available in factory loaded ammo.

Since no one has said it and it kinda helps with perspective, it is to the .35 Whelen what the .308 is to the .30-06 Springfield.

I have one and they can be shooters. Easy to reload for and not only do Remington and Winchester make factory fodder but Hornady does as well. It's a good, hard-hitting round out to 250 or so if you do your part. 200's and 225's are your huckleberry in this caliber.
As Chad stated, with the 158 gr pistol bullets you can load enough to really get to know your rifle. Brass is readily available simply by picking up 308 cases and running them through the sizer to neck up to the 358 caliber. Plenty of powders to choose from and ammo CAN be found.

My rifle likes the 200 gr Hornady Interlocks at 2475-2500 fps. Puts them in a .6" 3 shot group.

For me, it filled the void of a 'larger' caliber than my 30-06 without getting my bum shoulder beat to death. It would be a great addition to pretty much anyone's stable. And the Mauser action is no slouch (it's what mine is built on). Grab it, load for it, shoot it and then come back and show pictures of the rifle and your groups.

I love the .358 WIN. But it's with great sadness that I wait to inherit the beauty below: my grandfather's Savage M99 that he's owned since new. He's probably in his last months fighting dementia.

My condolences, kry. My mom is fighting the same demon.

Same to you, sir. Thanks.

My condolences as well, kry. Sucks to get a gun in that manner. On the positive side, every time you open the safe and see it, every time you take out in the field, you'll have your memories. Pass it on and pay it forward.

Exactly, sir. That's the plan. Thanks!