The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Guns, Politics, Gunsmithing & Reloading Reloading What caliber would you get?Go | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
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| <William E. Tibbe> |
Monyhunter: First off you should consult with the gunsmith who will do your conversion. Find out just what Mauser you have. You may run into a pack of trouble trying to convert to long Magnum cases with big heads and belt. Then take a look at the new "short", beltless magnums. They are getting really good ratings from some of the people who typically test new calibers. Things to look for are your bolt face/extractor compatability with the new case head; magazine width and adequacy; suitability and strength of your action. In other words is your action big enouth to handle the new case. You could easily end up spending more money in conversions than the cost of a new rifle. Economics will probably determine what case you ultimately decide to go with. The short magnums use less powder, generate less pressure but perform as well as larger more powerful cartridges. I am going for a 7MM. Kendall Dace | ||
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| one of us |
Hey monyhunter, Sounds like a fine project "as long as" you do not think you will regret giving up a rifle with a whole lot of personal family history. Also agree that going back with the same 30-06 caliber would be a close duplicate of your 7mmRemMag, but it would be quite a nice gesture to return it to pristine condition and let your Father enjoy his old rifle once again. BUT, I'd recommend a 35Whelen or the 338-06 you mentioned. Either is simply a barrel change and you don't have to mess with recutting the bolt face or changing the feed rails. Some Gunsmiths are good at changing both and some are not. I'd pick the 35Whe over the 338-06 because you mentioned you are just getting into Reloading. It is really best to wait on a cartridge like the 338-06 until you have a few years of Reloading behind you. Not so much because of "Case Forming" but because of having some experience at being able to read the "Pressure Indications". A-Square standardized the 338-06 and Weatherby is chambering rifles for it, so the other Manufacturers may begin producing them too. If they do then a lot of factory ammo and good well tested reloading information from the actual Component Manufacturers will be as available for the 338-06 as it is for the 35Whe. When that time comes, I'd say to get the rifle rechambered for either cartridge. ------------------ | |||
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one of us |
monyhunter, Why not stay with a 30 06? You already have one of the finest calibres ever made, just get a new barrel if it needs it. Sure you can tinker with all those puffed up super magnum velocity cartridges but the 30 06 takes some beating, and it would complement the calibres you already have. If it were me I would also consider a 7x57, or maybe a 9x64 if I wanted a big hitter. Regards | |||
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| <monyhunter> |
Deerdogs, what is the 7x57 and the 9x64? Is there a web site that has more info on these two? Hotcore, I have also been playing with the idea of a .35 wheelen or a .338-06. I'm also going to take the gun to the gunsmith tomorrow to see what they say. | ||
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| one of us |
Hi, Monyhunter. I think you'll have problems with almost all of your caliber suggestions, except the 338/06. But that does not means, that it can't be done!! If you want something with with a bigger bore, i'd look at the 9,3x62!! This is a very good cartridge on that type of animal. If you want more power, you go for the 9,3x64. You can also go all the way up to 416 Taylor or 458 Win. But first, have someone to look at the action. They can tell you what's possible, and what condition it's in. ------------------ Arild. | |||
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one of us |
First have a gunsmith check to see if the action is safe.I have a 338-06 and it is a simple case of running 30-06 brass through a die and your ready to reload.Lots of good advise here.Good Luck | |||
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| one of us |
Well, since you already have a 7mm Mag, you do not need what I think is a hell of a wildcat, the 280 Ackley Improved. Based on what type of action you have and your intended use (on elk) I would very much suggest a 338-06. I shoot a .338 Win Mag a lot. I have shot three nice wild hogs with it in the last 6 weeks or so. I am about half tempted to buy one of the new Weatherby Ultalight rifles in the 338-06. If I wanted an elk rifle built on a Mauser action, that would be the caliber, no doubt. Really, a plain Jane 30-06 or the wildcat 338-06 will do just fine. R F | |||
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| <JoeM> |
Hello, A couple things. Why not go with the 30-06 Ackley? Forming is easy, you stick in regualar 06 cartridges and they pop out in the Ackley configuration. Also what if you lose your Ammo? Do that in 338-06, and unless there is a REALLY well stocked gun store nearby, your hunt is over. Dont laugh, it has happened many, many times. Everybody carries '06 though. And the Ackley configuration will get you into the 300 mag range without the bolt problems. But have you double checked what all this will cost? in the end, and a minium, you will want your trigger replaced, receiver trued and lugs lapped in, and probably a bedding job. You could go out and buy a new rifle for what this is going to cost. And just leave Dad's old relic above the fireplace and remember all the fun you had with it. You have to remember, you are basically dealing with a 100 year old gun, even after the work. ------------------ | ||
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| <Gary Rihn> |
quote: Of your choices, the 338-06 would be by far the easiest, and cheapest, way to go. Less gunsmith work equates directly into lower cost. All of the reasons have been given above. Myself, I'd go 338-06, but like others have said, you may just want to rebarrel in 30-06 again. Simpler, easier, factory ammo, etc. | ||
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| <monyhunter> |
I am really looking at the .338-06, but ballistically how does it compare to the 7mm rem mag? I don't know if it is possible, but throughout the day I have been thinking a cool round would be a .338-06 ackley improved. Just a though. | ||
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| <monyhunter> |
Well I took the gun to the gunsmith this morning to see what options I had with it. The gunsmith said it was a great action and called it a P-11 or US enfield. I am not going to have them start on it for a few months but here is what I am going to have them do. New barrel chambered in .338-06 improved The gunsmith did not know how much all of this would cost until I am ready to give the go-ahead, but he said it should be around $400. I think that is about all. For now I am going to keep the stock the same. I might work on it myself. Doesn�t seem too hard to sand and refinish a piece of wood. I appreciate all the input that has been given here on the boards. I have thought long and hard about what caliber to get. I decided on the .338-06 improved because it is very close to the .338 but without having to do anything to the bolt face. It will be a very good elk gun. I can�t wait to get it done and be shooting this new gun on my elk hunt next year. | ||
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| <10point> |
This is an easy one. The .338 win is the most versatile caliber on the planet. I think its the Premiere Elk getter, tho I only say that because the round fits my personal philosophy. If you already have an '06 then the .338 is a natural, common sense, and lethal step up. If you can shoot heavy loads in a 3006 then a .338 will be no problem. I start with 180 grn B-tip's, which are so accurate in my rifle its scarey. They make for a fabulous deer and 'lope load. The 210grn .338 Nosler Partition is a bullet and load that has been getting a lot of press here lately. Ive never personaly used them but, based on the experience of our guy's here who are vouching for them, I wouldnt hesitate to load them up for Elk, bear, deer...ect A .338 swift A-frame DEFINES lethality. I have clobbered, with the 225&217 grn a-frame, about every big non-DG animal you can think of. The .338 A-frame has blown thru them like so much smoke, including Elk, moose, Kudu, Caribou, zebra, oryx, Blesbok, and other's. Some of these kill's have been at close range thru bone. Its just a fabulous caliber and the A-frame just has no peer. The "finisher" on this Elk came at fairly long range and the .338/225grn A-frame combo generated and transfered so much energy that the big animal just crumpled. I never saw an animal fold like that, it was just that impressive. The .338 Win generates the kind of controllable power that just plain turns hunting into a joy. It will simply turn a Africa trip into "Fabulous" on the spot. It knocks elk down with astounding beauty, energy, and authority...good shooting........10 | ||
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| one of us |
By your last post, it sounds like a P-17 Enfield -- does it have a dogleg shaped bolt handle, and a safety right behind the bolt handle with a club-like lever? In my opinion, THE classic minimalist modification to the P-17 is to rechamber to 308 Norma. You can keep the barrel, etc., just need to open up the bolt face/extractor and (I'm sure) some rail work to make it feed. I'm biased, my dad has P-17 308 Norma that I love. FYI, I believe A-square's big rifles, including Saeed's monster, are P-17/P-14 actions? Someone correct me if I'm mistaken on this. Best, Todd | |||
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| <1LoneWolf> |
For the Elk hunter: One of three: 8mm-06 Not much more could be asked for from a rifle with a reasonable amount of recoil as from the list above. The 35, I'm not positive in this, but I think it falls behind the 338 for retaining energy down range at not too great a distance. However, I think the 35 has done its fair share of game taking with its large frontal mass. Can't really kill an Elk any deader than these calibers will. But the RUMs and things do show off the speed. I just don't need it. ------------------ | ||
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| <8mmJon> |
Have a gunsmith check out the rifle first. You said it's an old Mauser (my favorite)so the condition might equate to the level of safety. The Mauser action is very strong but other factors might decide the issue of converting to magnums. For deer hunting the .308 Win is hard to beat. For a good historical link, what about 8mm (7.92 x 57)? The 8mm mauser is very close to 30.06 specs. Have fun but be safe. | ||
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| one of us |
Todd, you are right. The P-17s and P-14s have been made into everything up to 585 T. Rex. The action takes a lot of work if you want anything above a standard length case. I have several large calibers and the biggest problem is finding a gunsmith that can and will do all the work that needs to be done. They can be made into a excellent rifle, however. Good Hunting ------------------ | |||
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| one of us |
I vote ( again ) for 9.3x62. It�s ( nearly? ) the same case head, so no bolt face work. Perhaps a little work on the sides of the magazine, as the case is somewhat "improved". Though it gets good press at these forums, I bet its still scarcer than .338-06 or .35 Whelen in the US, although its superior and elder than these two. Good shooting! H ------------------ | |||
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| one of us |
If it is an Enfield action, then the sky is the limit. You can have as much gun as you can handle. I am working on a Turk version of a 98 Mauser that i am converting to 35 Whelen, which is what i would recommend if it is a Mauser. Or go all out and rebarrel it to 458 Win Mag. My thoughts. Good luck and good shooting. | |||
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one of us |
Well, for what it's worth, the plain Jane 30-no-6 will be hard to beat. The bigger the bore the more you pay in BC. If your looking for more lead in a good bullet, the Nosler Partition in the 220 gr. will fit the the ticket. Throwing it down range at 2600 fps. Sometimes you have what you need right in front you. CK | |||
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Moderator |
If you have a P17 action, I'd either keep it in '06 or else have it reworked to 375 H&H, another classic caliber that works on elk and most anything else on the continent. | |||
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| one of us |
9.3mm or .338 or .358 hmmmmm.... tough call, how about an ultra rare .358, like .358 norma mag or .350 remington mag...or we could go with the good old 9.3x62 like aHunter suggested. 9.3's a nice round, it doesn't kill on both ends...well, too much...and of course you get show off rights. Then again, if you like .338, then there are enough 338s out there, 338/06, 338/308, and of course the super zoomer rounds from weatherby...best bet, 338/06 or some order of a .35. 9.3 is good but, bullets are steep. ok, it's 12:45am, i'm tired and i'm done with my sermon | |||
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