Okay. Here's the challenge. Or more precisely, the problem.

And please understand that the solution must involve a new rifle in a new caliber. Answers that don't involve that solution are not acceptable.

Let's assume that you have a Modelo Argentino 1909 DWM Mauser in great condition. And you want to use the action to build a custom rifle.

Let's also assume that you have rifles in these calibers (and in some cases, multiple rifles in each caliber):

.223 Rem.
.25-06 Rem.
6.5x54mm MS
.270 WSM
7x57mmR, a/k/a .275 Rigby Flanged
7mm Rem. Mag.
.30-40 Krag
.308 Win.
.30-06 Spfld.
.300 RUM
8x57mmJS
.338 Win. Mag.
9.3x62mm
.375 H&H Mag.
.416 Rem. Mag.
.416 Rigby
.45-70 Gov't
.577/450 M-H
.458 Lott
.450 Rigby
.470 NE
.500 A-Square

And let's further assume that you don't want or need a true varmint rifle or another big bore.

Where's the gap?

What do you need?

Or what do you want?

Thanks!

A 375H&H begs to fill that gap.

It is neither a big bore nor a varmint rifle.

But it can be both.

You are very welcome.

Oh, and it is ideal in an '09 action. I have a 375H&H and a 470Capstick (slowly) being built on the '09.

7x57 in a mannlicher stock. I know I broke the rule in this game.

7x64 Brennnnnekkkkkeeee if it fits in an 09' with an octagon barrel and an Austro/Germanic stock.

or a 6.5 creedmoor

.280 Remington...

There are no gaps, therefore you need a
.318 WR
.338-06
.416 Taylor
.257 Roberts
.358 Norma

In no particular order

I am not familiar with the dimensions of the rifle you have, but I would imagine one of the above beauty's would work.

.404 jerffrey.

.257 weatherby.

9.3x64

Admittedly I am way over my head, but in my heart I'm a dreamer.

Looks like you need a .243 Win or 6mm Creedmoor
I don't see any 6mm's on your list, so there's the obvious gap.

It would be a sweet build on your 1909 Arge

Wispy 24" barrel with a trim little Rigby style stock. Pure joy

400 H&H - with what you already have, it's the most (il)logical but different choice! :-)

Actually, the above-mentioned 358 Norma would be an excellent choice.

quote:

Originally posted by Colin Masters:
.404 jerffrey.

X2

7-08

I don't see a 270 Winchester on your list. That action would be perfect.

6.5x68

You don't have a .243/6mm. I say .240 Weatherby.

6mm Rem AI
.257 Roberts
6.5x57 or 6.5x55 or 6.5x68
8x68S
358 Norma
9.3x64

All glaring and massive holes in that battery!

257 Ackley Improved, had one, sold it,it was my favorite.

.204 Ruger

308 Norma Mag.

6.5-06 would be my choice.

7.65 Argentine. The action is already set up for it so you won't have cycling problems. Add a custom barrel to clear up any throating issues and you'll have the equivalent of a 308.


Okie John

I confess to being a bit prejudiced, since I am having one of each built, but the 6,5x68 and 8x68 S would give you magnum performance in those two calibers to go with the comparative pipsqueaks you listed. Both on 1909's.

quote:

Originally posted by AFRICAN LEADWOOD:

.257 Roberts
6.5x57

All glaring and massive holes in that battery!

These two based on your requirements of no large bore or varmint.

One other glaring omission is the standard 7x57, you have rimmed but everyone needs a standard 7x57.

Barring the above, 35 Whelen.

.280 Ackley . I've built several and they are incredibly accurate and easy to get accurate.

257 Roberts
318 Westley Richards
35 Whelan

6.5-284. Very little work needed to make it feed with factory bottom metal.

Another vote for the 7x64

I'll put one in for the .318 Express(W.R.). A great traditional cartridge, Hornady and Woodleigh make bullets. Cases available from Quality Cartridge or easily made from 30/06. I have two, with a third under construction by Winston Elrod on a 1909 action. What's not to like?

Another vote for the .257 Bob... a classic. Also like the .300 H&H but would need too much work.

6mm and .257 Bob are both a bit of a gap. But, with the 25–06, I have never felt any sort of need in that category.

And in every other category, I already have it covered, or don't need it.

But a hot 6.5 might be just the ticket. I am tempted . . .

Still, I am now thinking .318.

Too eccentric perhaps.

But in life, I have learned, the hardest one to please is oneself.

And I am old school, after all.

I went to the school they tore down where they built the old school.

The 1909 is a very nice action and deserves to be built into something special. The 1909 can handle longer cartridges just fine, so anything in the 308 family just doesn't take full advantage of the action. You said you don't need another big bore sooo.

Are you planning to build an open sight express rifle in the British style ? Everyone needs at least one open sight rifle . If so something in the middle of the road like a 338-06/ 35 whelen would work well. Bullets and brass are easy to find and cheaper than the oddball stuff. More traditional rounds like a 318 Westley Richards, 333 Jeffery, or 350 Rigby would be classy but components are expensive.

Maybe you plan on a nice scoped rifle. If it's gonna have a scope, might as well be something thats fun to do some longer range target shooting with. You have a good many long range/high velocity cartridges already. However the 6.5x55 Swede is missing. Very nice cartridge and a classic combination with a Mauser action. Also the 300 H&H would be a great choice. Its one of the sexiest looking cartridges ever made .

Best of luck!

The .333 Jeffery is intriguing. Sort of a gap, since there's always room for a classic English caliber, right?

It would be easier to swage .338 bullets down to .333 than .330 (for the .318 WR).

Also, although I'm not positive, I think, with a bit of work, readily available .404 cases could be used for the .333.

Pretty sure, too, that Kynoch still loads ammunition for it, although availability can be an issue with Kynoch. But not sure about the brass quality - Bertram? - or whether it's Boxer primed.

And the .333, with its large case capacity and modern powders, could definitely be souped up to near .338 Win. Mag. performance.

Of course, I'd have to find someone who could get or make a barrel of odd bore diameter, and reamers, too.

And getting good metal work would be key, as well as stock work aimed at keeping the rifle trim, strictly along English lines.

A lot of work, but intriguing.

Has anyone gone down this road lately?

8x68 or 300 H&H

#2 barrel on them. 26" on the 8x68, 25" on the 300 H&H.

If you really like British calibers you could have the magazine angled for rimmed cases and build a .303 British rifle like this one from Rigby.

.256 Newton is the correct answer to your question. More oats than a 6.5 Creedmoor, long neck, plenty of power with modest recoil. Lots of class and no one on your block will own one.

350 Rigby was my first thought.
Keep it classy.

.280

Seems like you need some 35s (35 Whelen, 358 Winchester?)

quote:

Originally posted by craigster:
.280 Remington...

Obviously the most obvious choice!

Mrlexma,
Another obvious choice is anything in a Blaser! Sell that old beat up action and go "modern"!