Josh
Well-Known Member
This is the problem, I've narrowed my rifles down to the ones that do everything. Now that I've got an action I've got to find something to do with it.
What Chamber for 1903 Action
- Thread starter Josh
- Start date
todd
Well-Known Member
it sounds to me like you NEED a larger caliber. either a 375 Whelen or 9.3x62 or one of my favorites, a 9.3x57.
well, i guess it is alright..........
, but no more Ackleys!!!!
well, i guess it is alright..........
, but no more Ackleys!!!!
Glaciers
Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
338-06 improved, the 338 A Squared or the:
All three are same peas in the 06 pod with minor differences.
I have a beautiful customized 1917 Enfield that I rebarreled to the 338-06 improved years ago. Started to resize 30-06 cases got about 100 done when life interrupted and the project went into the back of the safe. Then the 35 Whelen became standardized since I already had a 35 Whelen on a nice Mauser action and a Winchester Featherweight rebore in the Whelen getting proper head stamped brass has always appealed to me.
So I also thought it’s easier to reduce 35 Whelen to the 338-06 improved the bring 30-06 up, okay.
The 338-06 was still in the back of the box but gaining traction in my mind. Somewhere along the time line Weatherby came out with the 338-06 magnum. Life just kept getting easier and cleaner for the 1917 Enfield, which now has moved to the front of the safe.
And last night while going through Ken Waters “Pet Loads” found his article from 1987 on the 338-06 Improved. Then this morning I opened up Art & Science and see this thread. Go figure.
So my vote is 35 Whelen or the 338 A Squared, 338-06 improved. Both are great cartridges, the 338 has slightly better ballistic bullets for reaching out further, but inside 200 not any real difference.
But as your a caster I can’t help myself so here:
The Lyman cast at .339 and 256 grains
The NEI .340 - .341 and 303 grains.
And more, 3 - 35 caliber old NEI molds, top 200 grain SSK, a 220 grain RN and a 300 grain. All NEI molds are 40 years old or so and if the NEI 308-220 is any indication they are all nice shooters.
My concentration with rifles has been 30 caliber on the light side and 45 caliber on the heavy side. Haven’t played much in between. That’s changing.
All three are same peas in the 06 pod with minor differences.
I have a beautiful customized 1917 Enfield that I rebarreled to the 338-06 improved years ago. Started to resize 30-06 cases got about 100 done when life interrupted and the project went into the back of the safe. Then the 35 Whelen became standardized since I already had a 35 Whelen on a nice Mauser action and a Winchester Featherweight rebore in the Whelen getting proper head stamped brass has always appealed to me.
So I also thought it’s easier to reduce 35 Whelen to the 338-06 improved the bring 30-06 up, okay.
The 338-06 was still in the back of the box but gaining traction in my mind. Somewhere along the time line Weatherby came out with the 338-06 magnum. Life just kept getting easier and cleaner for the 1917 Enfield, which now has moved to the front of the safe.
And last night while going through Ken Waters “Pet Loads” found his article from 1987 on the 338-06 Improved. Then this morning I opened up Art & Science and see this thread. Go figure.
So my vote is 35 Whelen or the 338 A Squared, 338-06 improved. Both are great cartridges, the 338 has slightly better ballistic bullets for reaching out further, but inside 200 not any real difference.
But as your a caster I can’t help myself so here:
The Lyman cast at .339 and 256 grains
The NEI .340 - .341 and 303 grains.
And more, 3 - 35 caliber old NEI molds, top 200 grain SSK, a 220 grain RN and a 300 grain. All NEI molds are 40 years old or so and if the NEI 308-220 is any indication they are all nice shooters.
My concentration with rifles has been 30 caliber on the light side and 45 caliber on the heavy side. Haven’t played much in between. That’s changing.
fiver
Well-Known Member
14-06 has a ring to it... LOL
if your gonna go weird and mght wanna do cast in the future look at the 30 USA.
it's basically the 7X57 case necked to 30.
or if your looking at the 7 version go to the ICL case and by-pass the smaller volume Ackley round.
neck size/anneal and just toss the cases when they need re-sized, you can load the round with a set of win SM dies no problemo, and your right there with the WSSM round only with 10grs. less powder, or you can shoot cast with normal loads, or you can match the regular 7 mauser.
it leaves you all sorts of options.
if your gonna go weird and mght wanna do cast in the future look at the 30 USA.
it's basically the 7X57 case necked to 30.
or if your looking at the 7 version go to the ICL case and by-pass the smaller volume Ackley round.
neck size/anneal and just toss the cases when they need re-sized, you can load the round with a set of win SM dies no problemo, and your right there with the WSSM round only with 10grs. less powder, or you can shoot cast with normal loads, or you can match the regular 7 mauser.
it leaves you all sorts of options.
Really and truly, we should be asking what variety '03 is it? Springfield Armory, Rock Island, Remington? If not Remington, assuming '03 and not 03A3, is it a low number? Has it been re-arsenaled and have the "Hatcher hole"?, what variety bolt?
Low numbers can make good, low pressure cast bullet guns, and particularly if they have later, double heat treat or nickel steel bolts. The Hatcher hole allowed gas from punctured primers to exit through the bolt and out the left side of the receiver.
Low numbers can make good, low pressure cast bullet guns, and particularly if they have later, double heat treat or nickel steel bolts. The Hatcher hole allowed gas from punctured primers to exit through the bolt and out the left side of the receiver.
richhodg66
Well-Known Member
I would think .35 Whelen rebored by JES.
It's kinda hard for me to visualize and 03 in anything but .30-06. If you choose to rebarrel rather than rechamber/rebore, I'd go with .30-06.
It's kinda hard for me to visualize and 03 in anything but .30-06. If you choose to rebarrel rather than rechamber/rebore, I'd go with .30-06.
Glaciers
Alaska Land of the Midnight Sun
RicinYakima
High Steppes of Eastern Washington
Don't make any decision now!!! Wait and something will get you excited.
Uncle Grinch
Active Member
Some good suggestions here. If mine, and I like odd or “different” calibers, I’d get JES to rebore to 9.3x62. It’s pretty much the same profile as the ‘06 and is cast friendly. Had one on a nice Turk action until I was offered too much money for it. Got a 9.3x57 now on a Husqvarna action now.
Spindrift
Well-Known Member
Another vote for the .35 Whelen!
Why?
- getting brass will never be a problem
- reloading dies are widely available, at normal prices
- many useful jacketed or copper bullets available
- you can load cheap handgun bullets
- really wide selection of moulds, including designs that will make the rifle a really big- game capable cast bullet hunting rifle
It is just a tremendously practical and versatile cartridge for the bullet caster.
Why?
- getting brass will never be a problem
- reloading dies are widely available, at normal prices
- many useful jacketed or copper bullets available
- you can load cheap handgun bullets
- really wide selection of moulds, including designs that will make the rifle a really big- game capable cast bullet hunting rifle
It is just a tremendously practical and versatile cartridge for the bullet caster.
Mowgli Terry
Active Member
I built up an 03-A3 in 338-06 years ago. The arrangement worked great with no alteration to the action. The action was from a salvaged drill rifle. I am assuming we are talking about a high number action in this thread. I'm not sure if a case much shorter than O6 may have some feeding problems.
CWLONGSHOT
Well-Known Member
8mm /06 always intrigued me. It aint praticle as there just aint many 8mm bullets today and probably more dropped. Winchester tried to revive it as did Remington back in the day but both have failed. So not viable option but cool just the same.
In the back of my head always thought a 325 WSM would be the bomb!!!
I still say 35 Whelen!!!! With mr2000 powder it hits velocities you WOULD NOT BELIEVE!!!
CW
In the back of my head always thought a 325 WSM would be the bomb!!!
I still say 35 Whelen!!!! With mr2000 powder it hits velocities you WOULD NOT BELIEVE!!!
CW
Josh
Well-Known Member
I've got to admit, this thought crossed my mind. The 8x57 is in my top 5 favorite cartridges ever.
I'm really thinking about something with a case length of 57mm. Be it a 6mm, 25, 6.5, 7mm or possibly 8mm.
Josh
Well-Known Member
I thought about the various 9.3's, but I'd need new moulds and don't want to go that route. Plus I've got a 350 Rem Mag and 350 Legend that does anything I need done in 35 cal.
I've really been thinking, a practical wildcat sounds fun, but fireforming doesn't. I've thought about a 284 Winchester or 6-284, but am not sure if the reduced capacity and possible feeding issues are worth it.
Rick has good advice, wait and see what hits me. I thought cheap, but, JES costs $300 now days and new barrels are $400. Keep the ideas coming, I like them and am getting ideas!
I've really been thinking, a practical wildcat sounds fun, but fireforming doesn't. I've thought about a 284 Winchester or 6-284, but am not sure if the reduced capacity and possible feeding issues are worth it.
Rick has good advice, wait and see what hits me. I thought cheap, but, JES costs $300 now days and new barrels are $400. Keep the ideas coming, I like them and am getting ideas!
RBHarter
West Central AR
I have a 06' Savage take off around here somewhere . Might not have enough shank dia though .
Might have a 7mm off a Gew 98, but it needs to have at least an inch cut back for a 280 Rem it is a heavy barrel . It has a little throat erosion like a .301 will slip fit a fired and chamber but it's only about 3/4 in to .277×.284 . Shank may be an issue .
I also have a GM gunsmith special raw blank in .451 I could part with. It's 1.125 dia OD and 25" .
Might have a 7mm off a Gew 98, but it needs to have at least an inch cut back for a 280 Rem it is a heavy barrel . It has a little throat erosion like a .301 will slip fit a fired and chamber but it's only about 3/4 in to .277×.284 . Shank may be an issue .
I also have a GM gunsmith special raw blank in .451 I could part with. It's 1.125 dia OD and 25" .