I just found a very nice 1909 DWM Argie action (still has the crest even) and now the terms 'Duane Wiebe' and 'old fashioned cartridge' are running through my head.

For the same reasons that I don't do brain surgery or nuclear physics I am not going to become a handloader. So I'll want a cartridge I can buy, either factory or as loaded by John LaSala at Safari Arms.

I really think even though it would be the least convenient, the .350 Rigby would make for a nice and unique rifle.

I currently have Mausers in .280 Rem, .318 AE, .416 Rigby, .404 Jeffery, and .500 Jeffery, so I'm thinking of a medium bore.

Potential use would be plains game if I ever get the privilege of going back to Africa.

Thanks,

Question:
Which cartridge would you recommend?

Choices:
.300 H&H
.350 Rigby Magnum
.35 Whelen
9.3 x 62
.375 H&H
Other

 

The .350Rigby Magnum would be a great choice..I don`t anybody in here has done that caliber in a customrifle in here yet..

9.3X62 was my choice when I built mine. The .350 sounds cool but I've lost all interest in cartridges with hard to obtain or expensive components.

Terry

9.3 x 62

The fact that you have a wide range and weightsof bullets available - and brass and I don't think you can say the same about the 350 or any of the 35's.

.

I can understand your choice of the .350. It would be a classic round and rifle. I think you would find the .300 H&H and the 9.3 very useful also.

I only have one Semi-Custom rifle; of course a 9.3x62 on a L/H Mauser (Zastava) action.

Duane Wiebe - you got my blessing; go for it!

I'd go for the 300 H & H as it seems that you've a "gap" between the 280 and the 318 for something that launches a 180 grain bullet with authority and velocity.

You've already covered the bases for 160 grain with the 280...it's a fine calibre in that weight - I have one too...but it can't really "do" 180 grains with authority and velocity.

Personally, too I'd even actually consider a 300 Winchester Magnum...instead of the 300 H & H!

Why?

Having handled a Holland & Holland Mauser in 300 H & H (and most are made on 1909 Argentine actions) I can tell you that the extra length of the case is a PITA.

Especially if you want to "top up" with the odd round in the field...and doubly especially if you've a 'scope mounted.

With a one piece mount I think it'd be almost impossible. Remember that Holland's use a "flying" side mount so nothing on that front receiver ring.

You have to have a silly bloody round half-moon cut out in the front receiver ring.

+1 for the .300 H&H, you've got the up close and personal covered with the .404, .416 and .500 but there is a gap in the .300 range.
IMHO

quote:

Originally posted by Magnum Hunter1:
..... I think you would find the .300 H&H and the 9.3 very useful also.

I vote 9,3x62 - But the 300 H&H would have been my 2nd choice!

9.3x62 easily available quality factory ammo.

A lot of the calibers you mention (.300 H&H, .375 H&H etc) are on the long side for that action. The 9.3x62 could probably sensibly be put into the action, as could the 8x68S suggested above.

To me, the classic choice for that action would be something like a .257 Roberts or a .275 Rigby (a.k.a. 7x57). That is the cartridge length the action was built for. If you want a bigger bore, make it an 8x57IS. Ammo and components are readily available, and plains game won't like it at all....

- mike

The 280 will do just about anything that you'll want a 300 H&H to do. Is seams that you don't really have a medium-medium, and no cartridge of German provinance. The 9.3x62 is becoming more and more readily available in the USA, and is a true standard in other parts of the world. It does what a three-seven-five does with less recoil and Beats the 350 Rigby and Whelen by a strong pinch. The 9.3x62 was introduced specifically for the mauser action in 1905 by a German, and was intended for use in Africa. This round pre-dates all of your other current chamberings, and might be considered as perhaps the most "Classic" of your mauser chamberings. My second vote (A very, very close second) would be for the 375 H&H. It is the ubiquitous, "one rifle for the world," of record, and is the true African standard among medium bores. (Sorry for the diarhia of the mouth).

As is correctly pointed out, H&Hs and possibly the Rigby round are a bit on the long side for the action, though it can absolutely be done by an expert. For a cartridge suggestion not in your poll, I would like to suggest one of the greatest classics for African plains game. Here in Norway, it abounds, due to a quirk of history. In 1945 we had about 350 000 German troops here in Norway, and most of the had issued Mausers. That spring they saw the error of their ways and returned home without the Mausers, which were subsequently converted to the Defence Forces cartridge of choice, and mine too. These Mausers, after being sold to the public, continue to provide sterling service to hunters to this day. The cartridge? 30-06 Springfield.

If you didn't have a 280 already, I would have suggested a 7x64 but of the ones on the list, I'd give the nod to the 9.3x62.

i voted othr, even reading you have a 280 ... 7x64, get hornady ammo from grafs.. the end ..


or reload.. its not hard to stay between the ditchs, with PROPER training and education... that is to say, listen to NOTHING a salesperson in a bigbox store says to you, ever

6.5 X 55. roger

Trade that receiver for krugerrands. Buy a good 30.06 with the change. FN Win m70, like that.

No, really. I'm serious.

Paul, I'd go for a 300 H&H. It is positioned between the 30-06 and the 300 Win Mag, and would easily handle Plains Game without unnecessary recoil. It is so slick-feeding and classic. I'm having one built at Bijou Creek on a VZ-24 action and Luxus wood. That'll be a keeper.

quote:

Originally posted by mauser93:
Trade that receiver for krugerrands. Buy a good 30.06 with the change. FN Win m70, like that.

No, really. I'm serious.

The 1909 Argentine is about the best action there is for a classic express rifle.
I voted for the 350Rigby just because I dig them, but it may be as much of a stretch to fit the action as the .300 & .375 H&H.
So, the 9.3X62 is probably the logical way to go. Or, the 10.75X68 which can share bullets with your 404 and be your light medium rifle.

I love my just completed 9.3X62.
Butch

Since you will not be reloading, 9.3X62 is the obvious choice with a standard length cartridge. A simple re-barrel will give you a great caliber in a nice rifle. If you see the thread on "build or buy a 9.3X62" you can see some nice rifles.

Good luck.

My recommendation is to rid yourself of the 1909 ASAP, buy a CZ 550 in 9.3x62 for $600 - $700, have it properly bedded, and use the money saved for airfare, accomodations, etc.

I just can't understand the appeal of the 1909, and throwing maybe 10 times the money at one, when the CZ 550 is a better rifle right out of the box, than any 1909 can be transformed into by the best of gunsmiths, IMO. If it's a classic, then it's a classic in discetionary money, and how to waste it.

KB

quote:

Originally posted by bartsche:
6.5 X 55. roger

+1
The bolt face of that Mauser you have is right for the 6.5x55, and it is not right for the H&H Mags. Being a small caliber guy, I do LOVE the one Roger suggests.

"Old Fashioned Cartridges" suitable for the 1909, IMO, include those like the 6.5x55, 7x57, 7.65x53, 8x57, 9.3x62.

Upon inspection, if the action is already showing evidence of lug set-back, then that makes it clear what needs to be done, and still use the action. The set-back will need to be corrected, and the receiver, and maybe the bolt, hardened.

If no set-back is already evident, then maybe that's better, but unless the plan is to use the mildest of loads, the receiver will probably need to be heat treated for hardness.

By the time the action is ready to receive a barrel, the money and time invested will be well in excess of the price of a CZ 550, ready to go hunting. If the cartridge of choice is not an original Mauser cartridge, especially a long magnum, then the cost for modifications is much higher, and may fail to feed properly - ever.

Another option is to buy just the 550 action, and use the barrel and stock of choice. There are several up-grade options, trigger & safety, etc.

These pictures are of the heavy safari rifle, but AHR also works on the medium action (30-06 & 300 mag size) Scroll down - I think the last one at the bottom is a medium action. It's chambered in 9.3x62, and I don't think that cartridge will work in the safari action.

http://www.hunting-rifles.com/CZ/CZowners.htm
KB