What would the classic rebarrel caliber be? a caliber applicable to all european game from finnish moose to roe deer in germany. Caliber that gets the job done without excessive recoil. must fit in a 3.4 inch action. any information and replys will be much appreciated.

Rock

9,3x62

I am sure you are going to get a lot of posts,
but you can't go wrong with the 9.3 x 62, but for classic European calibers, for game as large as moose, take your pick:

6.5 x 55, 7 x 57, 8 x 57. All three have been doing a good job for a long time on large game.

I am redoing a Mauser, but I am picking the 6 mm Remington with a heavy bull barrel with a 1 in 7.5 inch twist. Will be shooting 115 grain Bergers in it for long rangering!

Another vote for the 9.3x62 unless the action is military, then you might consider a 9.3x57. Ask around on the European Hunting board. Some of the 9.3 fiends over there are even worse than we are. Okie John.

Rock, for me the definite classical caliber would be the 7x57 Mauser or the 7x64 Brenneke. I have an M98 myself with a worn barrel chambered in 6.5x55 that I will have rebarreled in due time.

My choice of calibers is one of those two or the 270Win which is to me a very desirable caliber.

Regards

The first thing to pop into my mind, after just reading the title, was ... 7x57.

Absolutely no doubt here: LEAVE IT ALONE! So that means either the 7x57 (My first choice) or the 8x57. For my use, the 9.3x62 is a tad too much gun for use as listed. Fine caliber but a bit much.
Regards,

Hey Rock,

I would say either the 9.3x62 Mauser or 9.3x64 Brenneke. The 9.3x64 being a bit more powerfull for the larger beasts. The Brenneke will get an additional 300 fps for any bullet and is equal to the 375 H&H as far as energy is concerned.

Both catridges were developed in Germany during the early 20th century

BigBullet

What's wrong with calibre it's in?

If its just for Europe, I would stay away from the 9.3x64. It's way more powerful than necessary. I would go with the 9.3x62, plenty of power for all european game.

Most classic military M-98 is a no brainer, 8X57. Most classic M-98 sporter is open for debate but 9.3X62 or 7X57 top my list as the most popular. Personally I would like on in a 9X57.

Rock8296
European options:
6,5X55
6,5X57
6,5X65
6,5X68
7X57
7X64
8X57IS
8X64S
8X68S
9,3X57
9,3X62
9,3X64

Personal choice would be 7X64 or 8X68S, both are pretty common in Europe and will handle both types of game even if the distance get a bit long. Both are typical European rounds. Manny hunter claims the 8X68s to be a very effective round that will handle anything. The 7X64 is for me a better choice than the classic 7X57 since it offers a wider selection of ammo.

/ JOHAN

[ 07-11-2003, 22:30: Message edited by: JOHAN ]

My vote(s): 7x57, 8x57, and 9.3x62 - in that order.

7 X 57

I agree with most that 7x57 or 8x57 is the logical choice. Seafire's recommendation of the 6.5x55 would also be toward the top of my possibles list.

My M98s were chambered in .338 WinMag, .270Win, and .220 Swift. Those old war horses were not as old then as now. Have a gunsmith ensure the integrity of the action before going to a high intensity cartridge like these.

9.3x62.

7X57 goes with a Mauser just like an '06 goes with a Springfield.

I knew there was a reason I had a 9.3x62 and a 7x57 mauser.....

I concur with seafire. The 8X57 is the oldest of the Mauser rimless cartridges, so I'd go with that, but in the 8X57JS caliber, rather than the original 8X57J.

How about 30-06? How much more 'classic' can one get?

Another idea is 35 Whelen, although it may be considered more 'classic' in a Springfield action.

Oops, my colors are showing.

Live well.

The '06 is a classic, all right, but not a MAUSER classic.

8x57JS and 200 grain Partition/Barnes X/Orxy pushed at 2500 fps will anchor anything you are likely to meet in Europe IMO.

I rebarrelled my '43 action to 358 Norma

Deerdogs

Absolutely! And damn near anyplace else, too!!

7X64.

So many obvious choices.
8X68 S- Awesome cartridge, basically the same as a 338 win, more than what your asking for.
9.3x62- Another good one, about the same as a 35 whelen, again probably more than you need.
Best choices probably 8x57, 7x57, or 6.5x55. All great choices, my favorite by far is the 6.5x55. I have used it with great success on whitetails, feral pigs, turkey and would not hesitate to hunt ANYTHING in US with it.

Lots of European calibres here but no mention of those two British classics- 300H&H and 318WR. Both are still good killers of everything European, and most things African too.

quote:

Originally posted by JOHAN:
Rock8296<br />European options: <br />6,5X55<br />6,5X57<br />6,5X65<br />6,5X68<br />7X57<br />7X64<br />8X57IS<br />8X64S<br />8X68S<br />9,3X57<br />9,3X62<br />9,3X64<br /><br />Personal choice would be 7X64 or 8X68S, both are pretty common in Europe and will handle both types of game even if the distance get a bit long. Both are typical European rounds. Manny hunter claims the 8X68s to be a very effective round that will handle anything. The 7X64 is for me a better choice than the classic 7X57 since it offers a wider selection of ammo.<br /><br />/ JOHAN<br /> <br /> <small>[ 07-11-2003, 22:30: Message edited by: JOHAN ]</small>

For by calibres European you also have calibre them according to whom one very good:
8 x 57 mm J.R.S
6 x 70 mm
7 x 57 mm R (Mauser)
10.75 X 57 mm
Sound of the calibre scooping out 8 x especially 57 mm J.R.S is 10.75 x 57 mm

Actually I can't really think of a better cartridge than the 8 X 57 for that task!!!!!

Except that if France is high on the hunting list, an 8x 57 is a PIA to bring in. I was thinking of something modern but still classic like the 8 x 60.

In general7mmMauser, but Cause your talking Moose,9.3x62 .......

On the recoil calculator: 250gn bullet,2550fps,60gn powder,9lb rifle=28 ft/lb recoil
Does not sound or feel excessive to me.
If you go to the Nosler manual, its talks of the 9.3x62 as the pick for Europe if hunting "Roe to Reds" with a bit of boar,bear and Moose thrown in. with something like a 250gnNF, your confidently set for everything in Eu.
If your want to go a little high tech, you could try the GSCustom230gn HV. I dont quible about the price of such pills, especially if a one gun hunter.Its still much cheaper than buying another gun by far, less gear to transport,and makes the 9.3 an even greater more verastile round than it has been for well over 100yrs now. If you take as much game as you hope to, the price becomes even more insignificant for the results obtained.
It amazes me how some people spend several hundred or thousands of Dollars per day to go hunting,then are concerned about a premium bulet that may cost a buck or two. The bullet is the last place to try and save a dollar. If you go to all the time,money effort to give yourself an oportunity to take a shot at something,and you have put your best effort in,then why not give the better bullets their chance to perform as well to complement and finish what you started.
and if someone is fortunate enough they can hunt game for free, then that allows them a large suplus of $$$ to buy the best pills. Either way, dont leave home without them. Standing in the middle of the forrest or up high in the alps, and frowning at the money in your wallet,dont help you.
In fact if the Gsc230HV shot well in the rig, I would not bother with anything else, it will slam everthing in Eu, near or far,with very effective authority.
Some helpful data for you;
http://gsgroup.co.za/9362.html

http://gsgroup.co.za/lindgren.html

http://www.biggameinfo.com/Images/HVWetpack.jpg

6.5X55
7X57
7X64
8X57
8X68
9.3X62

There are others, but these would be the ones I would consider.

Terry

9.3x62 if you're looking for a big game rifle. This is one hell of a good cartridge, great accuracy and hits hard. If it's loaded to near 2500 fps, the only difference between it and a factory .375 round is 14 grains of bullet weight. I can't see that as a major difference. Also, for some reason, I don't feel silly shooting deer, etc. with the 9.3x62 while I feel like a fool popping one with a .375. Of course I have used the .375 and .416 on whitetails, just for practice and to hear that big bullet whack.

Rebarrel to 8x57. It's a fine round. Reload and find that sweet load, and impress all your game with this ancient, obsolete slayer.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana-be:
Rebarrel to 8x57. It's a fine round. Reload and find that sweet load, and impress all your game with this ancient, obsolete slayer.

...Bwana is right...but to go all the way for the classic style the 8x57 must be the .318 cal . Yes....it does require some guts

9.3x62 -it´s a very versatile caliber and a classic.

if you want an all around 9.3x62 if you are certain you will tackle moose.

of course the 7X and 8X are fine if you are a good shot and don't plan long shots. I shot a moose with my 30-06. But prefer my father's 300 win mag.

if you plan to refrain from long shots on Moose and want to be able shoot Roe deer leave it alone. Then again with a 9.3 you can go to Africa. not with an 7x or 8x

keep in mind Big holes =animal falls down small hole = animal runs off

quote:

Originally posted by rockhead:
Then again with a 9.3 you can go to Africa. not with an 7x or 8x

That's not true. You certainly can take a 7x57 or 8x57 to Africa. In most cases, they are legal to use on the same game the 9,3 is legal for. Only certain countries allow the 9,3x62 on DG.

I have all the aforementioned chamberings built on 98's Build whichever floats your boat.

9.3X62 would be my choice out of the ones mentioned. Light game could be shot with the 232 gr, medium the 250 gr and the 286 or 310 and 320 gr are good. You can get soft, solid, and other specialty bullets. Good luck on your choice.