One caliber away from contentment... who else?

[ftrovato]

After the kids went off to college, I downsized considerably from the big rambling house they had grown up in. So my collection of calibers and rifles is pretty small since I don't have a lot of space any more. For the hunting I currently do, I really have everything I need which unfortunately is not synonymous with everything I want. At the moment, I'm currently in the process of cobbling together a 35 Whelen because I always wanted one of those which will bring my chambering count to an even dozen.

The problem I have is at the left end of the lineup below. There's a 55-grain 22-250 and then a significant jump to a 140-grain 6.5x55 SE. I need an 80~115 grain bullet to fill that gap because it's messing up the feng shui of my gun safe having that hole. The question is "What do I put there?": 243 Win? 257 Roberts? 25-06?

The struggle is real...

View attachment 643385
22-250, 6.5x55, 275 Rigby, 300 HAM'R, 303 British, 30-06, 9.3x74r, 375 H&H, 405 Winchester, 44 Mag, 458 Win Mag

I vote 243. You have a great range of calibers but are missing a few on the smaller end. a 22 Win Mag & a 243 Win would help to fill those gaps if I were spending your money.

 

[odonata]

I vote 243. You have a great range of calibers but are missing a few on the smaller end. a 22 Win Mag & a 243 Win would help to fill those gaps if I were spending your money.

The 243 Win does have a lot going for it. It is one of the chamberings that is possible to find in left-handed rifles (e.g. Sako 90, Bergara B-14, Tikka T3x, etc.). But no decision is final until I spend way too much time over-thinking it. I have a lot of traditional wood & blued steel rifles but the thing that's giving me pause is the thought of possibly going lightweight, carbon, stainless & suppressed on what could be a "final" (ha!) purchase. As I'm filling the last few slots left in my safe, I'm being overly picky about it being something unique.

I listed my centerfire calibers earlier. I do have a LH Browning T-Bolt in 22LR & another varmint model with a heavy barrel in 17 HMR that are super accurate & a lot of fun to shoot.

 

[KCSafari]

I’m there with you. Not sure I need anything else but for some reason I look through GB every week.
.22
.222
.223
.243
.25-06
.270
7x57 x2
7mm Rem Mag
30-30
.308
300 Win Mag
35 Whelen
9.3x62 x2
375 Dakota
375 H&H
416 Rigby
404 Jeff
500 NE

Itching for a 6.5x55 since everyone speaks so highly of it.

 

[odonata]

I’m there with you. Not sure I need anything else but for some reason I look through GB every week.
...
Itching for a 6.5x55 since everyone speaks so highly of it.

A kindred spirit & a nice assortment of chamberings! My rifle purchasing has tapered off considerably since I hunt with everything I own & I don't have enough time to shoot them all as it is. But I can't break myself of the habit of continually scavenger hunting for that one special item at a great price...

Last season I was at a friend's farm in Mississippi & he asked me if I would mind taking some of the does he had on his property. I said no problem at all. My venison brat supply in the freezer was getting low so hunting for some food sounded like a good way to spend the weekend. My Ruger No. 1A in 6.5x55 shooting 140gr Nosler Partitions did an excellent job on the two that I took. Both of them dropped in their tracks at around 125 meters. It is a pleasant & effective round to shoot. I absolutely positively do not need another 6.5x55 rifle. But if Sako makes a LH Bavarian 90 in that chambering, I might crack. A LH Steyr SM12 would do the trick as well.

 

[Bandera]

Let’s see
22 Short
22LR
223
243
25-06
6.8 SPC
7 Mag
30-30
30-06
375 Ruger
38-40 WCF
450-400
45-70
I thought I was there and then while visiting the LGS Larry’s Pistol and Pawn West, the manager walks by, knowing my love for Ruger No. 1’s, with a 458 Win Mag Ruger No.1.

 

[odonata]

I thought I was there and then while visiting the LGS Larry’s Pistol and Pawn West, the manager walks by, knowing my love for Ruger No. 1’s, with a 458 Win Mag Ruger No.1.

As a right-handed person who shoots left, I have a real fondness for ambidextrous rifles so I have four 1885's and four Ruger No. 1's that I hunt with a lot. It's nice to open one of the safes & have the option of a falling block or a falling block or another falling block...

But when it came time to add a 458 Win Mag to the lineup, I opted for a LH Ruger MkII in 7mm Rem Mag & then I made a project out of putting in crossbolts, pillars and a stainless rod through the grip to reinforce it for a 23" McGowen barrel. I really enjoy shooting this particular round a lot:

 

[ftrovato]

As a right-handed person who shoots left, I have a real fondness for ambidextrous rifles so I have four 1885's and four Ruger No. 1's that I hunt with a lot. It's nice to open one of the safes & have the option of a falling block or a falling block or another falling block...

View attachment 643388

But when it came time to add a 458 Win Mag to the lineup, I opted for a LH Ruger MkII in 7mm Rem Mag & then I made a project out of putting in crossbolts, pillars and a stainless rod through the grip to reinforce it for a 23" McGowen barrel. I really enjoy shooting this particular round a lot:

View attachment 643387

Beautiful lineup!

 

[ftrovato]

As a right-handed person who shoots left, I have a real fondness for ambidextrous rifles so I have four 1885's and four Ruger No. 1's that I hunt with a lot. It's nice to open one of the safes & have the option of a falling block or a falling block or another falling block...

View attachment 643388

But when it came time to add a 458 Win Mag to the lineup, I opted for a LH Ruger MkII in 7mm Rem Mag & then I made a project out of putting in crossbolts, pillars and a stainless rod through the grip to reinforce it for a 23" McGowen barrel. I really enjoy shooting this particular round a lot:

View attachment 643387

What is the falling block in the pic with the stainless action and ebony fore end tip? Let's see some more pics of her! ;-)

 

[odonata]

What is the falling block in the pic with the stainless action and ebony fore end tip? Let's see some more pics of her! ;-)

That's an Uberti "Courteney" Stalking Rifle in 303 British with a case-hardened receiver. Here's another picture of it below with my Ruger No. 1 RSI in 275 Rigby. I shot my first deer with a 303 British so I have a nostalgic fondness for the caliber. I also like rimmed cartridges in a falling block so that's a plus too.

In the original photo above that prompted your question, the rifles in the safe are a 405 Winchester 1885 Traditional Hunter, a Winchester 1885 Safari Octagon in 375 H&H, the Uberti in 303 British, a Ruger 1A in 6.5x55, a Ruger 1A in 303 British & a Ruger 1S in 9.3x74r.

 

[ftrovato]

That's an Uberti "Courteney" Stalking Rifle in 303 British with a case-hardened receiver. Here's another picture of it below with my Ruger No. 1 RSI in 275 Rigby. I shot my first deer with a 303 British so I have a nostalgic fondness for the caliber. I also like rimmed cartridges in a falling block so that's a plus too.

View attachment 642786

In the original photo above that prompted your question, the rifles in the safe are a 405 Winchester 1885 Traditional Hunter, a Winchester 1885 Safari Octagon in 375 H&H, the Uberti in 303 British, a Ruger 1A in 6.5x55, a Ruger 1A in 303 British & a Ruger 1S in 9.3x74r.

Gorgeous Rifle(s)!

 

[odonata]

Gorgeous Rifle(s)!

Thanks! They're both very slender. To me, they both feel great in my hands & I really enjoy being in the woods with them. I pulled the factory Weaver quarter rib off of the Uberti & replaced it with the optional solid iron sights only rib instead. The Leupold 3x20mm Big Bore on the RSI got moved to my 458 Win Mag so the RSI now has a Redfield 2-7x33 that works even better for it.

 

[MS 9x56]

After the kids went off to college, I downsized considerably from the big rambling house they had grown up in. So my collection of calibers and rifles is pretty small since I don't have a lot of space any more. For the hunting I currently do, I really have everything I need which unfortunately is not synonymous with everything I want. At the moment, I'm currently in the process of cobbling together a 35 Whelen because I always wanted one of those which will bring my chambering count to an even dozen.

The problem I have is at the left end of the lineup below. There's a 55-grain 22-250 and then a significant jump to a 140-grain 6.5x55 SE. I need an 80~115 grain bullet to fill that gap because it's messing up the feng shui of my gun safe having that hole. The question is "What do I put there?": 243 Win? 257 Roberts? 25-06?

The struggle is real...


22-250, 6.5x55, 275 Rigby, 300 HAM'R, 303 British, 30-06, 9.3x74r, 375 H&H, 405 Winchester, 44 Mag, 458 Win Mag

My recommendation would be foe a 250-3000 savage.

 

[odonata]

My recommendation would be foe a 250-3000 savage.

I had looked at this cartridge a long time ago & I have to admit that it had fallen off my radar screen probably because I've never known someone who shot it. As someone who is fond of classic cartridges and older designs, I appreciate you reminding me of it. I shoot left-handed and generally have a preference for rifles that don't eject to the right which the Savage 99 does so that's probably another reason why I didn't gravitate towards it earlier. But it's an interesting option that I'll need to reevaluate again.

 

[Northern Shooter]

I have

22LR
223/5.56
38/357
9mm
6.5x55
6.8 Western
7.62x39
308
30-06
338 WM
375HH
416 Rigby
45-70
458 WM
470 NE
500 NE

I think I’m done….for now.

 

[Ridge Runner]

The other consideration I contend with is the availability of left-handed rifles in the chambering I want. The 257 Roberts was never made in a factory rifle as far as I know. That's the reason I'm currently having to build my 35 Whelen. It's still fun to ponder the possibilities though & having something unique is not a bad thing!

For any serious hunting you have the correct calibers for any big game critters. I've never heard of nor seen a lefty lever action rifle, so maybe a revolver in 25-20, but that caliber wouldn't make the 80~115 bullet grain weight.

 

[Ridge Runner]

I have

22LR
223/5.56
38/357
9mm
6.5x55
6.8 Western
7.62x39
308
30-06
338 WM
375HH
416 Rigby
45-70
458 WM
470 NE
500 NE

I think I’m done….for now.

Not Yet....Your missing: 45 ACP, 44 spl/mag, 25-06, 35 Whelen, a 7mm variety, and I'm sure other members are willing to find more calibers you need.

 

[VertigoBE]

In hunting rifles, I'm at:
.22 LR (CZ457)
.223 Rem (Mauser M03 barrel)
.270 Win (Ruger N°1)
7x64 (Dumoulin)
7x65r (Heym 88b)
.300 WM (Mauser M03 barrel)
.375 H&H (Mauser M03 barrel + Heym 88b)
.416 Rigby (Vereecke)
.500 NE (Belgian Guild sxs rifle)

I think a 6.5x54 MS, a .22 Hornet, a 9.3x62 bolt action, and a .338WM are still missing in the line up. Anything else?

 

[Ridge Runner]

In hunting rifles, I'm at:
.22 LR (CZ457)
.223 Rem (Mauser M03 barrel)
.270 Win (Ruger N°1)
7x64 (Dumoulin)
7x65r (Heym 88b)
.300 WM (Mauser M03 barrel)
.375 H&H (Mauser M03 barrel + Heym 88b)
.416 Rigby (Vereecke)
.500 NE (Belgian Guild sxs rifle)

I think a 6.5x54 MS, a .22 Hornet, a 9.3x62 bolt action, and a .338WM are still missing in the line up. Anything else?

Let's see.........

30-06, 35 Whelen, 458WM, 25-06, 7mm Rem Mag, a 6.8 variety, lever guns and/or Ruger #1's in 45-70, 38/357, 44spl/mag, 405, 30-30, 45 Colt, semi auto's, if legal, 9mm, 45 ACP,......that should be a good start to fill in some gaps.

 

[BeeMaa]

I am Mr Contentment; with a 450/400 Heym double for buff, a 30-06 Ruger No1 for PG and an FX 0.22 PCP for doves I have it all. Honestly, I know, it is boring, but I want for nothing.

And with my Series 1 Landy, a Falcon boat on Kariba, a stainless Rolex the kids gave me and my Courteneys life is complete!

I'm with you. It doesn't take much to be able to hunt the world. 375H&H, 300WM, 22lr...all Blaser's.

Add in my trusted Omega PO and my bride along with me...it's all I need.

 

[odonata]

For any serious hunting you have the correct calibers for any big game critters. I've never heard of nor seen a lefty lever action rifle, so maybe a revolver in 25-20, but that caliber wouldn't make the 80~115 bullet grain weight.

The great thing about playing "what if" is that it doesn't cost anything. If I do it long enough, I've always landed on a choice that I'm really happy with and I generally know a lot more about the other chamberings in that class of cartridges because shooters are always glad to tout the pros of their favorite. It's always educational to bounce ideas off the wall.

I had a really good experience working with McGowen Barrels when I built my 458 Win Mag. Now that I own some of the readily-available leftie calibers, it's requiring a bit more effort on my part to fill in the gaps which has been a lot of fun. For the 80~115 grain weight I was considering & using McGowen's list of offerings as potential prospects, here's their 6mm & 250 caliber chamberings:

For a left-handed shooter, the 243 Winchester is far & away the smartest choice: I can get traditional wood & blued steel or stainless & synthetic from Sako or Tikka. An ambidextrous straight-pull Beretta BRX1 is an interesting option (if they offered more interchangeable barrel/chambering options it would be better). A Begara B-14 Timber (700 clone) is available for $999.

Every now & then a LH 25-06 will appear. I have let both a Ruger 77 and a beautiful Husqvarna slip through my fingers. I have seen a Sako option but I really would like a 24" / 600mm barrel with that chambering so I've balked at 22" / 560mm offerings mainly because I'm patient & there's no urgency for this acquisition.

I saw a LH Cooper Model 22 in 6mm-284 that intrigued but the twist rate was so slow on it that every bullet weight I plugged into a calculator returned a stability rating that didn't inspire enough confidence for me to take a chance on it. My 22-250 is a Cooper & I really like it. Cooper Rifles of Arkansas shows signs of life after their transition from Montana so I could always ask the local guys to build me a 25-06 or a 257 Bob.

The final wildcard in this process is to cobble together my own modern custom from parts. I've toyed with the idea of getting a WOOX Furiosa in LH 700 Short Action:

Dropping an American Rifle Company Coup de Grâce action into it:

Add a 700 trigger, some bottom metal & one of the McGowen barrels listed above & I have an interesting left-handed rifle. Maybe a one-of-a-kind.

Like I said at the beginning of this reply, playing "What if?" is free & anything is possible. It's nice to have options even if I have to work for some of them.

I am Mr Contentment...

Me too! I just need ONE...MORE...RIFLE!