One action left, what to build?

[Accidental Villain]

Have you ever considered the 8x64S?

Is't like a 8x57IS on steroids...

Power is a little bit more than a .30-06, and this is not bad at all.

You have to be a reloader to feed it, but it is unique in any way.



HWL

Well,,the obvious 8x57 on steroids is 8x68 isn't it ?
I`m over 2600 fps with careful handloaded 200 grain bullets in mine (26" barrel), a 8x64 is in the 2700 + area depending on a lot of factors.
In my opinion that's not worth the trouble. 2500 - 2600 fps is great impact speed for a good SD 8mm bullet on heavy boned animals and that's what 8x57 delivers.
I know some guys using 8mm-06. Sure, great cartridge, but I`ve never seen any significant difference.

 

[Nkawu]

6.5x57!

 

[bruce moulds]

something a little less boring would include the 9.3x64 brenneke.
a good journey with a good destination.
bruce.

 

[YancyW]

I would do a 35 Whelen.

 

[ian-bradley]

Well boys I know 9.3x62 sounds like an obvious pick however my mind is drifting toward something lighter...I don’t own a 3006 currently or a 300 h&h, the 318 Westley Richards sounds super cool and I’ve also thought about a 257 Roberts...this debate could go on forever but know I’ve appreciated all of y’alls input, the search continues..

 

[bruce moulds]

the 318 is a ballistic twin to the 338/06 in diameter and bullet wt.
338/06 brass is obtainable, even if you have to neck up 06 brass.
I routinely tokk 06 straight up to 35 in one pass, so 338 would be easy.
bruce.

 

[WAB]

But the .318 is infinitely cooler!

 

[sambarhunter]

.358 Norma Magnum

 

[bruce moulds]

But the .318 is infinitely cooler!

cool is is as cool does.
the 338/06 does that and does it easier.
bruce.

 

[bruce moulds]

here's a thought re 318 strange diameter bullets.
can you get decent bullets like swift, barnes, or northfork in that calibre, 0.330" 0r 0.333" or whatever?
I don't think so.
338 bullets all systems go.
bruce.

 

[HWL]

Well,,the obvious 8x57 on steroids is 8x68 isn't it ?

You are right...

The 8x6S is the powerhouse, but the 8x64S also has some advantages.

There has nothing to be changed at the action and in the magazine of a Mauser M98.

You can keep the barrel, just ream the chamber.

It still contains 5 +1 rounds

...and nobody else has one....



HWL

 

[Accidental Villain]

The 8x6S is the powerhouse

You are absolutely right on that one. 8x68S is a whopper.

 

[HWL]

You are absolutely right on that one. 8x68S is a whopper.

And some are good looking....

FN M98 Action, octagon barrel, Zeiss on claw mounts...

http://www.egun.de/market/item.php?id=7472897#img


HWL

 

[ian-bradley]

338/06 is sounding more and more like a solid idea, oddly enough so does something in .270win

 

[Wyatt Smith]

It’s kind of boring, but my favorite centerfire. I say 30-06

 

[fourfive8]

338/06 is sounding more and more like a solid idea, oddly enough so does something in .270win

Seems like the 270 Win would be too close to the 7x57?? The 338-06 is a very straight forward, easy to reload cartridge that, IMO, would nicely fill the void between the 7x57 and the 375 Rug. It would also do the same between the 7x57 and the 416 Rem... the 416 Rem, by the way, I believe is a superior cartridge in its category.

There are no surprises with the 338-06. Headstamped brass is available if needed or it's simple enough to size or fire form brass to 338. There are a great number of premium, readily available 338 bullets for the choosing. Additionally, the 338-06 has a large enough shoulder for positive head spacing... something the 35 Whelen, at times, suffers from a lack of. Advisable, IMO, in the 338-06 to cut a chamber with adequate throat/freebore length for longer bullets! Mine is my go-to for most PG hunting with the exception of eland where I'm more comfortable with a 375 or 416.

 

[Scrumbag]

I'm changing my mind. You have "Brush guns" and a Ruger 375 so you probably have the 9.3x62 niche covered.

So, perhaps you should go for something that shoots faster and flatter if you ever decide to go and hunt somewhere a bit more open.

My vote would be .257 Roberts. Nice x57mm length for the action and will shoot fast and flat if you need. Plus is just cool.

Or of you like 7mm bullets, got 7x64 as it's all those lovely sleek, well penetrating bullets delivered a bit faster and flatter than your 7x57 will

Whatever you choose, enjoy your shooting!

(It's a lovely "problem" you have)

Scrummy

 

[mdwest]

this thread is killing me..

I built a 7x57 (SR Mauser), 35 Whelen, 270 Win, 416 Taylor, and a .30-06 (all LR Mauser) over the past couple of years..

I've been telling myself "its time to stop.. it costs more to build than to buy.. and you already have 20 "deer" rifles in the safe..."..

then I start reading threads like this and start thinking "yeah.. but.. I've always thought .338-06 is cool.. and I cant really buy one of those very easily..."... .or "man I wish I had a 9.3x62.. I know its really not that different than the 35 whelen in the safe.. but.. it says "Africa" much better..."...

I caught myself surfing gunbroker last night looking for a decent LR Mauser action.. with no particular build in mind at all lol...

 

[nztimb]

The 6.5x57 is a superb game cartridge with the 140gn bullet at 2800fps or the 120gn right on 3000fps it has all that is needed to reach out and tag game at all respectable hunting distances in a light, easy to carry rifle.

 

[nztimb]

this thread is killing me..

I built a 7x57 (SR Mauser), 35 Whelen, 270 Win, 416 Taylor, and a .30-06 (all LR Mauser) over the past couple of years..

I've been telling myself "its time to stop.. it costs more to build than to buy.. and you already have 20 "deer" rifles in the safe..."..

then I start reading threads like this and start thinking "yeah.. but.. I've always thought .338-06 is cool.. and I cant really buy one of those very easily..."... .or "man I wish I had a 9.3x62.. I know its really not that different than the 35 whelen in the safe.. but.. it says "Africa" much better..."...

I caught myself surfing gunbroker last night looking for a decent LR Mauser action.. with no particular build in mind at all lol...

Like you I have built a number of rifle from the miniture 20 VarTarg (RemXR 100) my own wildcat 6.5 Grendel (mini mauser) through the 6.5x57 (SR 98) 7x57 (LR 98) .numerous 303's on LE and Martini actions to 400 LS (LE) 404Jeffery LR 98 and 577-450 Martini, and have come to two conclusions with one being that the actual building of these rifles is the reward for obsessions about them and two that the 6.5x57 is about the optimum for all hunting needs up to the medium heavy PG class of animals