Need help choosing big bore caliber...

15 November 2001, 16:31

Dr. Lou

Being the capricious person that I am, I want to rebarrel a Sako AV in 300 Win mag to a different caliber, just because. I don't have a specific use in mind, I just want to build a custom rifle for fun.

Currently, I have Sakos in .338 WM, .375 H&H, and .416 Rem. Calibers that I am considering, but not limited to are the .257 WBY,.264 WM,6.5-300WM, 6.5 STW, .358 Norma, .358 STA, all of the Taylor rounds, .460 G&A, etc. Any suggestions would be great. If you had a spare magnum length action, what would you chamber it in?

15 November 2001, 17:18

<Bill Tompkins>

Doctor Lou,

Don't forget to include:
6.5x68S
8x68S
9.3x68S / 9.3x64
10.75x68S
Any of the Remington Ultra Mags.
.470 Capstick
Plus a bunch of Wildcats.
Bill

15 November 2001, 18:00

DB Bill

The .458 Lott!

15 November 2001, 18:03

Curtis_Lemay

How about a nice 416 Rigby, Howell of Ultra Mag...or become really inventive and do 416WSM or 458WSM

15 November 2001, 18:23

<Sooner>

I think DB Bill has it right.

16 November 2001, 20:54

<kwagga>

Hi Doctor Lou,

I love this videos - so why not go for a .577 T-Rex?

No? O.K. - .416 Rigby is also a nice size!

Cheerio

Kwagga

16 November 2001, 22:41

<AKI>

Doctor. If you want the ultimate big bore for yourself it must be a 50+. .458 just wonï¿½t do it, belive me. Otherwise, 458 Lott is a good one. The Sako might handle it without large jobs on the action. AKI

17 November 2001, 05:10

DB Bill

Curtis_Lemay.....the .416WSM might work but the .458 won't as there wouldn't be enough shoulder to set headspace and there isn't a belt. Lazzeroni has a .416 on the short-Patriot case called the Maverick and John tells me he gets 2400fps with a 400gr bullet. The WSM should approach that pretty closely.

17 November 2001, 06:35

If I was in your position it would have to be either a .416 Rigby or .450 Rigby without a doubt. Where is old sarge to back me up on the .450? HA HA HA!!!

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JR

17 November 2001, 06:36

Dr. Lou

Yeah, but will they fit in a Sako AV action without much modification?

17 November 2001, 13:00

Oldsarge

I don't know how long the AV action is, but it you can fit the beast in, go .450 Rigby. Picking up one of those gives a feeling of near divine peace and brings to mind the '60's poster I saw in the Haight a long time ago: "Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no Evil . . . for I am the baddest Sonofabitch in the Valley!"
Sarge

20 November 2001, 06:21

Paul H

quote:
Originally posted by Oldsarge:
brings to mind the '60's poster I saw in the Haight a long time ago: "Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no Evil . . . for I am the baddest Sonofabitch in the Valley!"
Sarge

Shouldn't that be, "Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death I will fear no Evil . . . for I am sooooo stoned . . .

20 November 2001, 13:34

Oldsarge

Certainly there were many that feared no evil because they could barely see but the poster I saw was as quoted. I was a young GI at the time and it appealed to me because I thought it referred to me!

20 November 2001, 16:01

<BigBores>

Dr. Lou,

If you're gonna go, go big. Let's see another .577 Tyrrannasaur or even better, a 700 nitro express, or...one of the 20mm Vulcan bolt actions! Just make sure someone has a video!

------------------
"A strong body makes a strong mind. As to the species of exercise, I advise
the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness,
enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and
others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character
on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks."
Thomas Jefferson

21 November 2001, 06:08

Atkinson

You've got the whole spectrum covered, I'd sell the action....but if your adament then why not a 500 Jefferys or 505 Gibbs, it's a step up in Killing Power over what you have.

------------------
Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

21 November 2001, 13:57

Ku-dude

I gotta agree with Ray, but I'd go for the low end and suggest the 257Wby. Actually, if you are a handloader, I'd go for the 257/7RemMag. It will shoot as fast as the bullets can hold up. Very flat shooting. Ku-dude

22 November 2001, 07:41

<matchless>

Hi:

I think that with your action a .458 Win would be nice. It may seem un-original but it is possible to buy cheap, off the shelf ammo (If you look around) in this caliber. The overall cartridge length would be about the same as your present .300 Win, so your the .458 rounds would fit your magazine lengthwise. It would also feed well because the .300 Win and the .458 Win are based on the same cartridge case, so the cases are the same diameter. The .458 Win would also fit your present bolt face and extractor because for the same reason that the cases are essentially the same. All you would need to do is to have the rifle rebarreled. The action in other words, already fits. With 500 grain bullets this cartridge has substantial recoil. Down the road, you may want to put on a thicker recoil pad and maybe cross-bolt the stock at the front at the front recoil lug, just to ensure that the stock doesn't start to crack. Sick bastard that I am, I think recoil is fun, especially when I have friends shoot it!

22 November 2001, 13:34

<matchless>

Hi:

Me again. While I like the .458 Win, you may have some other ideas. If you hand load, there are some interesting wildcats out there, such as some of those based on the 8 x 68s case. like the 9.3 x 68 or the .375 x 68. The .375 can almost be loaded to duplicate the ballistics of the 375 Ultra while still having good case life due to the high quality of RWS and Hirtenberger brass. However, both of these are longer and may not fit your action. I don't know how long your action is, but if it will accept cartridges with an overall length of 3.44" it will work with one of these wildcats. The 8 x 68s case would also require you to alter the bolt face and extractor slightly. It would feed well because the base of the case diameter is about the same as the belt diameter of your present 300 Win .

23 November 2001, 00:34

LoneEagle

One of the easiest options if you want an over .40 is the .416 Taylor. But, if you are looking to outclass that .338 WM go with the .358 Norma Mag. Then you can rebarrel that .338 to .416. Sean

23 November 2001, 08:39

RCHAPURA

I converted my 300 Winnie to .416 Taylor and also have a .358 Norma. You can not go wrong with either of them. The Norma will give you the power of a 375 HH with the trajectory of a 270 Win. The Taylor will give 2350+ fps with 400 gr bullets and 350 Speers to 2550+ fps. One will do all arround the North American continant, the other all arround the world.