I am still quite young and definitely do not have the gun collection I want. In other words I don't what to build this new gun with a caliber that will duplicate what I already have. (which is not much)

Right now I have a 7mm rem mag, .243, 10/22, and .54 muzzleloader. So building off a 30-06 action, what caliber should I get? I am thinking either a bigger bore size like .338, or a varmint round like 22-250. I don�t think a short case will work in this action though.

I was thinking of getting the ultimate elk caliber. I also do not mind making this a wildcat of some kind as I am really getting into the reloading. I wouldn't mind the extra work for a wildcat.

So what would you recommend? Here are some thoughts.

300 win mag
.300 RUM
.338-06
.338 win mag
.338 RUM

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

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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Good hunting and clean 1-shot kills, Hot Core

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

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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Shoot well, and hit hard.

Arild.

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

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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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

quote:

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Originally posted by monyhunter:
300 win mag
.300 RUM
.338-06
.338 win mag
.338 RUM

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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.

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.

New barrel chambered in .338-06 improved
Timney trigger installed
Bolt handle cut and straightened
He is also going to something to the bolt so it is not so hard to close.
Hinged floor plate installed

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.

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

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

One of three:

8mm-06
338-06
35 Whelen

Not much more could be asked for from a rifle with a reasonable amount of recoil as from the list above.

The 8 will do it all, and allows a light bullet like a 175 to be used for hunting a smaller species.

The 338, does it still need to be sold to anyone who knows?

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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Live Free! Madison, Jefferson and all the boys paid for it, and so did our very own fathers.

They can be made into a excellent rifle, however.

Good Hunting
Steve

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Every man dies, but not every man really lives!!

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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CK

ok, it's 12:45am, i'm tired and i'm done with my sermon