I currently have a Zastava actioned custom rifle in 300WINMAG that I am probably going to rebarrel. Disclaimer - my thoughts on what cartridge to use go outside of the parameters of this subforum, but I am interested to hear opinions from guys who post predominantly on this forum

I COULD just rebarrel to 300WM, but of course I am thinking about other possible calibres because new barrel can easily equal new cartridge. Considerations for me in making a decision include:

1) Although I like the 300WM a lot, I already have another 300WM, so no burning need to rebarrel to that cartridge again.

2) If I go to a different cartridge, I want to use something "classic". Not interested in anything invented within the last 20 or so years, and idealy something pre 1950.

3) Am happy to look at options 30 cal up to 45 cal. I really dont have anything that I consider an obvious gap in my existing line-up, as I already have several 30 cals, a 338 Edge, a 9.3x62, 9.3x66 & 9,3x64, a 416 Rem, a 500 A2 and I am currently in the process of building a 458WM for my son.

Right now, my son is keen on making it a 300 H&H and that has some appeal. Some will probably see the missing 375 and suggest going that direction. I have had a 375 H&H in the past, but really dont see the "need" given my 9.3s. But then again, there really is not need/gap. Its probably going to be more a matter of what appeals to me the most. I could go to a smaller bore such as a 7RM, but I am much more inclined to go bigger rather than smaller.

40 Newton
Use Ruger Basic or 416 Ruger brass to form
Classic AND stylish
Guaranteed that you won’t find another one at the range.

http://www.cartridgecollector.net/40-newton

8x68s

Yes, another 40 cal or,,,, is there a .458 Win Mag in your gun safe?

quote:

Originally posted by boom stick:
40 Newton

http://www.cartridgecollector.net/40-newton

Thanks - taking a look now

quote:

Originally posted by ozark hunter:
8x68s

I did consider this, but the bolt face is not a great match. I think it would be better to open up a standard bolt than start with a magnum bolt.

quote:

Originally posted by crshelton:
Yes, another 40 cal or,,,, is there a .458 Win Mag in your gun safe?

I have a 458WM build going for my 15yo son at the moment, so kinda.

The Newton brass is within tolerance of the Ruger brass. Original Western brass that I have is .528” while Ruger brass is .529”. It is not a mismatch at all if you use the Ruger brass.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana_500:
... Some will probably see the missing 375 and suggest going that direction. I have had a 375 H&H in the past, but really dont see the "need" given my 9.3s. But then again, there really is not need/gap. Its probably going to be more a matter of what appeals to me the most. I could go to a smaller bore such as a 7RM, but I am much more inclined to go bigger rather than smaller.

About that Zastava .300 WIN, I must fulfill your prophesy.
Have you considered the .375 Weatherby Magnum of circa 1945, but with the new CIP throat homologated in 2002 after Weatherby re-designed it for 2001 ?
Roy was building them on customers' actions right after WWII, 1945.
They were built on FN Mausers from 1949-1963 at South Gate, CA,
Deluxe LH on Mathieu actions from 1955-1959,
first Mark V version started up in 1958, RH and LH,
discontinued about 1973,
too good to die,
resurrected in 2001 in the latest Mark V DGR.

Fire standard .375 H&H ammo to excellent effect,
just in case you run out of your handloads that will duplicate Saeed's .375/404 with ease.

With your son's .458 WIN and your .375 Wby you have the most effective 2-rifle battery imaginable,
both capable of +5000 ft-lbs at the muzzle,
able to find shootable ammo anywhere.
My first "custom rifle" was a Whitworth (Zastava) Mauser .375 H&H re-chambered to.375 Wby with the 1945 throat.
It was a heck of a Kodiak deer rifle, comforting on moonless nights in the tent,
practically cut deer in half for easy packing out of the ravines.
Still have it, sentimental attachment.
My newer ones with the 2001 throat are a little faster and more accurate with the factory ammo.
I have a Winchester M70 Classic Stainless and a CZ 550 Magnum, both simple re-chamber jobs with the 2001 throat.
I have one 9.3x62mm, so I am your converse.
You need at least one .375 Wby.
The factory ammo in the new throat with 26" barrel will do an honest 2800 fps with 300-gr Nosler partition.

Rip ...

You have no need left..only want..

I think your son is spot on, a good 300 H&H is a fun gun and handloaded its the best of the 30s IMO..leaks nostalgia, and oh how I love nostalgia, and feel pity for those who do not!!
then there is always the 425 Wesley Richards, a lovely caliber to hunt and play with on the dark continent..

Thanks everyone for their suggestions. Still thinking it through.

What the world needs is a 405-425 WR
Use .411” bullets instead of the .435” bullet using RUM brass.

quote:

Originally posted by Atkinson:
You have no need left..only want..

I think your son is spot on, a good 300 H&H is a fun gun and handloaded its the best of the 30s IMO..leaks nostalgia, and oh how I love nostalgia, and feel pity for those who do not!!
then there is always the 425 Wesley Richards, a lovely caliber to hunt and play with on the dark continent..

quote:

What the world needs

Is our 416 HE, got lots of brass, got barrels,

475 gr at 3000 a moderate load shoots accurate..

Or 375 HE..Ed.

300 HH is a good round .. so is the 300winmag

might i humbly suggest a 458 or 470 Accrel in my signature?
j

Look, if you want something really spiffy, the noise of which will bring shooters from other benches to see what you've got, may I recommend the 50.80 Webley-Vickers? It's part of the stuff that dreams are made of.

404 Jeffery

350Rigby