Author Topic: Custom Rifle Question. (Read 14352 times)

Elk-aholic · « **on:** July 30, 2009, 04:55:52 PM »

Hello! I'm having a custom rifle built by my gunsmith in the next month or so but I can't decide what caliber I want the rifle chambered in. This rifle is going to be used for Elk primarily built on a model 700 action with a Dougles barrel and a Bell and Carlson stock. The action is standard long 30/06 from a model 700. My smith is pointing me to a 8mm-06 the ballistics look (OK) but I'm thinking maybe 358 Norma Mag or something diffrent. I own 300 mag and 7mm mags so I guess I'm looking for something a little diffrent I'm new to the whole wildcat concept I'm 27yrs old but my father would be reloading for whatever I decide to have put together. I'm asking what you guys would reccommend for a wildcat that will fit in my action. Anyone have any experiences using the 8mm-06 on Elk? I know it used to be more popular years ago in all the older German Mauser rifles guys brought back from WW2. Thanks!

Jamieb · « **Reply #1 on:** July 30, 2009, 05:20:28 PM »

I cant think of anything built off a 06 case thats going to be better for elk then you 330 mag or 7 mag. I'd be looking for another action, 7mm,338, or 375 but thats just me. If set on using that action and a chambering based off the 06 case then I like the .280AI but you already have the 7mag so probably a 338-06

Elk-aholic · « **Reply #2 on:** July 30, 2009, 05:27:21 PM »

I'm going to stick with this action It's a lefty 700 action I got for free. Ive got plenty of Elk boomers ranging from 30-06 to 300 Rum so I'm not in "need" of a Elk rifle just want to build one that's diffrent. Isn't the 8mm-06 the ballistic twin of the 338-06?

Jamieb · « **Reply #3 on:** July 30, 2009, 05:37:45 PM »

Yep, but theres more .338 bullets out there then 8mm.

Elk-aholic · « **Reply #4 on:** July 30, 2009, 05:56:01 PM »

Any other suggestions?

257 Wby Mag · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2009, 06:00:42 PM »

35 Whelen's a hellava grizz and bull gun..

Tony 270WSM · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2009, 06:01:05 PM »

Sounds like a nice custom you'll have. Honestly, I'd probably just do a plain 'ole 30-06. Should you sell it one day, more marketable than the wildcats. Plus the '06 fits between the 300 and 7mm mags you already have. Could use light or light magnum loads depending on the situation you want to use it in. The older I get, the better a 30-06 sounds to me.

Elk-aholic · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2009, 06:16:16 PM »

I hear ya on the 35 Whelen! It would make a nice rifle but I'm looking for something a little flatter shooting I guess the 8mm-06 shoots a little flatter than the old 30-06 because you have more powder capacity using the shorter 8mm bullets is this correct? The only ballistics for the 8mm-06 I can find are for the old German and Turkish rifles with old powders and 20-22 inch barrels. I'm putting either a Dougles or Krieger 24inch barrel on it and a strong new action so I can load up to higher pressures so the ballistics would be a little better I guess.

Straight Shooter · « **Reply #8 on:** July 30, 2009, 06:55:07 PM »

You already have a flat shooter (that would be more than adequate for anything in North America) in the .300 Win Mag. If you are dead-set on a "flat" shooting .32-.35 caliber, I'd personally scrap the custom build and look for a .338 Win Mag or .325 WSM. If not, I think the .35 Whelen is an excellent choice.

Elk-aholic · « **Reply #9 on:** July 30, 2009, 07:31:49 PM »

Well I'm not going to scrap the custom rifle idea, I can go buy a 338 or whatever other caliber I want anytime I feel like it, to be honest I own many rifles but this left handed action was given to me for free so I'm going to utilize it. I would think the 8mm-06 would be a better choice then the 35 Whelen because it seems like it has a little more range. I'm also going to run the 338-06 idea past my smith and see what he has to say about it. Any other suggestions out there?

G.R.K · « **Reply #10 on:** July 30, 2009, 07:55:34 PM »

6.5mm-06 or 375 Whelen.here's some info. http://www.reloadbench.com/cartw.html

Huntbear · « **Reply #11 on:** July 30, 2009, 07:59:23 PM »

The .338-06 or the .35 Whelen seem to be the most obvious. I think it really boils down to you and what you want.

norsepeak · « **Reply #12 on:** July 30, 2009, 08:02:25 PM »

you could go with one of a number of Allen Mags. He's got some awsome wildcats that are ballistically almost untouchable. I have the 270 A.M. shootin 169.5 grn pills with 840 b.c. at 3400 fps. Can reach out and touch somethings with it. It's a lot of fun to shoot. He makes A.M.s from 257 on up including 338 and bigger.

Straight Shooter · « **Reply #13 on:** July 30, 2009, 08:13:44 PM »

6.5-284

A 1000-yard cartridge...

http://www.6mmbr.com/SixFive284.html

bobcat · « **Reply #14 on:** July 30, 2009, 08:17:18 PM »

I'm with Tony, I'd just go with a 30-06. But if you want something different then the 338-06 would be a great choice. I like the 35 Whelen also but sounds like you want a smaller caliber. You could also go with a 270 Winchester. At least that would be something you don't already have.

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Author Topic: Custom Rifle Question. (Read 14352 times)

Elk-aholic

Custom Rifle Question.

Jamieb

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Elk-aholic

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Jamieb

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Elk-aholic

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257 Wby Mag

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Tony 270WSM

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Elk-aholic

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Straight Shooter

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Elk-aholic

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G.R.K

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Huntbear

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norsepeak

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Straight Shooter

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bobcat

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