Most powerfull cartridge option.

[MountainWalk]

Let's say you have a long action bolt rifle. Standard bolt face of a 30'06. What is the most powerful cartridge you could rebarrel to without altering the bolt face?

[MountainWalk]

For ease, let's not discuss wildcat's.  So far, I'm thinking 35 Whelen. Would like to think I could have more options than that.

[Gutpile]

338-06 or 35 Whelen would be my choices.

[MountainWalk]

Yes, true. But what ELSE can you do?

[MountainWalk]

Besides, I don't think you can buy 338'06 ammo at the store. Guess you could online.

[BOWHUNTER45]

35 Whelen is a mean cal . A friend of mine had one for years and I watched him roll a couple bear and elk with his ..if you like bigger cal. guns I would recommend the 35 ...plus it shoots awesome too ... I think he had a Remington model 700   

[MountainWalk]

Was a huge 338 WM fan for the longest time, still am. How does the Whelen stack up to it? I think the local gun store only has 200 grain bullets for it. Would like 250's. There such a thing as 250 gr. factory loads?

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I would look at your reloading manuals and compare apples to apples at the data provided there. Straight facts is what i would base my decision on!

[Gutpile]

I think 35 whelen is it. I have a 350 rem mag which is balistically identical and I love it. It's a bear killin MF!! I have a 30-06 my dad gave me many years ago that someday I may rebarrel and i've been pondering this question myself. I'll probably go 338-06 because I have the 350.

As far as factory ammo, I have no idea. I havent bought factory ammo in years.

[AWS]

In factory cartridges the 9.3x62 would be the most powerful, if you could find brass the 11.2x72 Schuler/Mauser at 5300 fp of energy would be tops it is a magnum case with a rebated rim so feed rails and everything but the bolt face would have to be openned.

Wildcats a 375 Whelen Improved or something like it on the 9.3x62 case would be about tops.

[724wd]

there's always the 400 Whelen if the 35 is too wimpy for ya!

[JimmyHoffa]

I think 35 Whelen is the most powerful for what you can get brass somewhat easily.

[bobcat]

Stay with the 30-06, especially if you want the option of buying loaded ammunition. If you want a heavy bullet you can get up to 220 grain. If you hand load there is a good 240 grain bullet available.

With the right bullet the 30-06 will do anything the 338/06 and 35 Whelen will do.

[brokenvet]

The most powerful would be the 338 Scovill, however it is a wild cat.  This cartridge bridges the gap between the 338-06 and 338 win mag. 

Looking at the reloading manual they are:
338 Scovill
338-06
35Whelen
9.3X62

Unless you reload I would stay with the bottom three I listed

[brokenvet]

MidwayUSA sell them for $69 to $84.99 for a box of 20
Maybe Cabelas carries them?

Besides, I don't think you can buy 338'06 ammo at the store. Guess you could online.