Suggestions for a "big and slow" caliber?
- Thread starter Suther
- Start date
have you dabbled with cast projectiles mate?
whats ya thoughts for hunting with them an the 9.3
the 320 gr rn was of the best penetrator in my water milk jugs test ... im thinking about it for bison ...
My 270 or even my 303 will kill moose too. That's totally not the point though. I want something that spits heavier, wider bullets. Period.
- Location
- Southern Vancouver Island
Why not give a 12 bore a go for the biggies in close? I fitted a Hastings rifled tube on me Rem 870 & I'm just finishing initial setup on a Savage 212 I got recently. I'll be tossing 825 gr cast boolits at around 1050 fps using Federal 3" hulls. The penetration & bone busting power of boolits like these are dandy for any critter in our parts, plus they are a howl fer fun shootin'.
Shoot 'em in tight & place the shot right.
Attachments
Well allow me to make that "easier" ..
My grandfather's Winchester M92, bought in 1908, chambered in .44-40 ... 200 gr bullet at about 1200 ft/sec
*smiles and waits for 1st prize in best definition catagory*
-Dennis
mate i would Tackle a Bison with me 375 Winchester and hard cast!
ive decked a Angus Bull with it here on the Farm LOL i figure yu get fairly close to the Bison also (from what ive seen) and my "Little Mans 45" would be a dandy------ lets face it, the 38-55 Smoked a Tonne of Bison in its day..... an i mean years worth of Bisons were shot with it
can i once again just chip in with a little concept.... Marlin, 375 Winchester, Hard Cast...... all of the Above.
open sight then Model 94 is an option...
can i once again just chip in with a little concept.... Marlin, 375 Winchester, Hard Cast...... all of the Above.
open sight then Model 94 is an option...
460 weatherby
600gr bullet .458" @ 2450fps lol. Just over 8000 pounds of energy. So should be ok for white tail
Out of your list id choose one of the tradeex 9.3x62's
Or one of the 375 h&h from tradeex for 799$
600gr bullet .458" @ 2450fps lol. Just over 8000 pounds of energy. So should be ok for white tail
Out of your list id choose one of the tradeex 9.3x62's
Or one of the 375 h&h from tradeex for 799$
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I have not read the whole thread, but my Grandfather spoke well of his .38-55, the 375 Winchester is an upgraded version of the .38-55.
I always thought the .444 Marlin was a good compromise for Big and slow; almost bought one 40 years ago; and regret that I did not to this day. Marlin makes a nice leaver-action.
.308 on left, .444 in the middle, .45-70 on right.
I always thought the .444 Marlin was a good compromise for Big and slow; almost bought one 40 years ago; and regret that I did not to this day. Marlin makes a nice leaver-action.
.308 on left, .444 in the middle, .45-70 on right.
I'm thinking you will be surprised at what this cartridge/rifle combo can do I most definitely was I have a 16" barreled Ruger American in 450 Bushmaster and I'm likinig it more and more as I play with it.
With my 250gr FTX reloads I would not hesitate to shoot out to 250 yards on deer/elk/moose I have a Leupold VX2 2-7x33mm LR reticle scope installed I am zeroed @ 200 yards.
Some of my loads
I set up my LabRadar doppler radar unit to read ranges at muzzle - 25 yards and 50 yards.
225gr Hornady FTX with 41grs Lilgun
2453 2303 2160fps
2451 2301 2160fps
2441 2293 2151fps
I put together a reduced recoil load for my wife to shoot still more recoil than she would like
225gr Hornady FTX with 34grs AA#9
2123 1984 1857fps
2029 1894 1770fps
2090 1955 1827fps
240gr XTP-Mag 40grs Lilgun
2396 2224 2064fps
2462 2283 2123fps
2373 2203 2051fps
300gr XTP-Mag 41grs AA1680 1670 1580 1504fps
1745 1649 1561fps
2295 2130 1995fps wow what happened?
1789 1689 1605fps
355gr WLNGC's 31grs Lilgun
1852 1738 1638fps
1844 1740 1648fps
1827 1723 1626fps
I just tried another reduced recoil load perfect for my wife to use as a camp gun but normal loads are a bit hot for her I haven't checked velocity yet but its crazy accurate shoots to point of aim at 40 yards = 34gr LilGun with 200gr FTX bullets.
Friends of mine have a certified organic cattle ranch during the calf weening week 2 weeks ago a couple cows/calves got out onto the dirt road a vehicle hit one heifer broke its lower front leg they called me to come up and deal with it I shot it with my 355gr WLNGC load listed below 1" above and center between eyes at 40 yards angled the shot so it passed thru the neck missing the body saw the dust from the bullet hitting the ground cow DRT'ed faster than I could imagine.
If your a reloader this is a very cool light - fast - accurate rifle/cartridge combo that surprisingly fits everything you are looking for from muzzle to 300 yards and I do not class it in with revolver cartridges.
I'm into single shot T/C Contender carbines one frame allows the use of multiple barrels my factory tapered 21" barrel in 375JDJ comes to mind for this thread 260gr Accubonds @ 2300fps will do the job out to 300 yards.
My newest venture is with super short 14" barrels I have 4 that fit this thread in 338JDJ#2, 375JDJ, 45 Colt and 45-70 I also have 21" barrels in 35 Rem and 375 Win.
hav you shot much game with the 375 winnie barrel? interested to hear some more on this.
Only deer and a 6' black bear with the 21" 375JDJ barrel = it works with authority.
My 21" stainless barreled 375JDJ started life as a 375 Win after loading and shooting it for a while I decided I wanted more so I sent the barrel down to SSK Ind and had JD Jones rechamber it to 375JDJ.
Next I found the 14" stainless 375JDJ SSK Ind barrel my loads in this short barrel match exactly what the 21" 375 Win barrel gave me.
Last year I saw another 21" stainless 375 Win Contender barrel for sale on the EE I snapped it up bought dies and 38-55 brass for it installed iron sights and a scope base but have not shot or loaded for it yet.
My current favorite is the 14" stainless SSK Ind 338JDJ#2 these and the 375JDJ's use 444 Marlin brass as their parent case results is slightly larger case capacity than a 308 case but have to be loaded to lower pressures due to the max 45,000 psi the Contender frames can handle.
I'm loading 180gr Accubonds @ 2500fps in the 14" 338JDJ#2 barrel zeroed 2" high @ 100 yards I'm 1 1/2" low @ 200 yards and 13" low at 300 yards tip of the bottom reticle post is dead on @ 320 yards bonus with the 338 cal is I can also load 200gr - 225gr - 250gr my plinking closer in max 200 yards load are 200gr SST's @ 2350fps.
14" 338JDJ#2
165gr 30-06 left 180gr 338JDJ#2 right
14" 375JDJ
21" 375JDJ
If you want a standard cartridge to be big and slow here is my factory 28" Prohunter barrel shortened by Guntech to 22" chambered in 375H&H I'm thinking I messed up shortening it to only 22" I'm really wanting to shorten it to 18.5" and load 270gr - 300gr -350gr bullets. Have it zeroed with 250gr TTSX @ 2600fps now.
My 21" stainless barreled 375JDJ started life as a 375 Win after loading and shooting it for a while I decided I wanted more so I sent the barrel down to SSK Ind and had JD Jones rechamber it to 375JDJ.
Next I found the 14" stainless 375JDJ SSK Ind barrel my loads in this short barrel match exactly what the 21" 375 Win barrel gave me.
Last year I saw another 21" stainless 375 Win Contender barrel for sale on the EE I snapped it up bought dies and 38-55 brass for it installed iron sights and a scope base but have not shot or loaded for it yet.
My current favorite is the 14" stainless SSK Ind 338JDJ#2 these and the 375JDJ's use 444 Marlin brass as their parent case results is slightly larger case capacity than a 308 case but have to be loaded to lower pressures due to the max 45,000 psi the Contender frames can handle.
I'm loading 180gr Accubonds @ 2500fps in the 14" 338JDJ#2 barrel zeroed 2" high @ 100 yards I'm 1 1/2" low @ 200 yards and 13" low at 300 yards tip of the bottom reticle post is dead on @ 320 yards bonus with the 338 cal is I can also load 200gr - 225gr - 250gr my plinking closer in max 200 yards load are 200gr SST's @ 2350fps.
14" 338JDJ#2
165gr 30-06 left 180gr 338JDJ#2 right
14" 375JDJ
21" 375JDJ
If you want a standard cartridge to be big and slow here is my factory 28" Prohunter barrel shortened by Guntech to 22" chambered in 375H&H I'm thinking I messed up shortening it to only 22" I'm really wanting to shorten it to 18.5" and load 270gr - 300gr -350gr bullets. Have it zeroed with 250gr TTSX @ 2600fps now.
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30-06. It’s remained relevant for over one hundred years for a reason: the 30-06 is probably responsible for killing more big game in North America than any other single cartridge. Any establishment that sells rifle ammunition, the world over, will most likely have .30-06 ammo, often in several bullet types and weights. Some hunters question the long range capabilities of the 30-06, with some agreement and some opposition. With a 200-yard zero, the maximum point blank range of a .30-06 is nearly 300 yards. Who needs to shoot farther than that? Some may want to however lugging big game out even with power toys is so tiring! You shouldn’t, but if you do, simply mount a scope with a bullet drop compensating reticle on it, and you can shoot out past 500 yards IMHO.
How about a 375/338 Chatfield-Taylor. Uses a standard length magnum action (not the longer 375H&H). Uses less medium burning powder and gets say 100fps better velocity from a 22 inch barrel than 375H&H. Easy formed brass...Use 458WM brass and run it into the die and load. Mine does 300gr and 270gr well with IMR4064.
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Heck of an interesting thread!
I haven't any experience with the 9.3x57, but have ordered a LH Sako in 9.3x62. Cannot wait to finally get it!
Great performing cartirdge, and some ammo is reasonably priced.
The write up on the cartridge in Nosler Reloading Manual No 6 by John Barsness sums it up well. (the Cree guide mentioned is my Dad!)
The 338-06 and 35 Whelen are great cartridges and are of similar performance. I have a custom 338-06 that I really like and it does well with Weatherby ammunition and handloads. The Weatherby ammo supply is getting harder to locate. The Remington pump rifles are reasonably priced. No animal will know the difference in which they were shot with.
Same can be said of the 338 Federal and 358 Win. I have been using my BLR in 358 Win as my main guiding, horseback, atv and archery bck-up riflefor close to 20 years. It will shoot 1" groups with factory ammo and handloads. Hornady is making ammunition. Most BLR's are a little pricey today, but good deals can still be found. Lightand handy for hunting all day in the thick stuff. Triggers are not great, but I have used mine enough to know where the trigger breaks, and shoot it well. Savages and Winchester 88's in this caliber are not common and pricey if you do find one. My 338 Federal is a rebarrelled Winchester Model 88, and I am hunting with it this year. Savage makes reasonably priced bolt actions in this caliber. Either of these two would get my votes as to what you are looking for.
Winchester and Marlins in the 356 Win will perform as the 358 Win does. 94's are as pricey as the BLR's. The Marlin 336ER is more rare at just over 2440 rifles being built. Took 20+ years to find one; importing mine from the States.
The 35 Rem will not provide you with the energy you will need. It only carries 1100 ft lbs to 100 yards. OK for deer and smaller black bears to that range. Have a Marlin for my wife for camp use and as a saddle gun.
As much as I love the 375 Win, it only carries 1000 ft lbs of energy to 200 yards. I have taken numerous moose and black bears with mine over the years, but the longest shot has been 120 yards.
As great as th 375 H&H is, and its pros and cons have already been mentioned, another interesting option is the 376 Steyr.
It is essentially a downloaded 375 H&H. Hornady loads 235 aand 270 gr ammo. Steyr rifles are not cheap, but a used bolt long action can be rebored or rebarrelled to this cartridge. I rebarrelled a LH Ruger 77 and it shoots great; a pussycat off of the bench with 260 gr AccuBonds at 2530 fps, printing 1/2" groups at 100 yards. I have harvested elk and bison with it to date.
The 416 Taylor is also fun. I have a custom LH Ruger 77. I am using the 350 gr Barnes TSX at 2400 fps. Shoots 1/2' groups at 100 yards. Might be more recoil than you want.
The 45/70 is a great cartridge, but does not have a flat trajectory curve out to 300 yards. Better suited to 200.
As for bison in BC, the law requires a minimum of a 308 caliber, 175 gr or heavier bullet with 2000 ft lbsof energy at the target. The large bulls weigh well over a ton, and of the 7 that I have harvested to date, none were less than 100 yards. Average is just over 150 yards.
What ever rifle/cartridge combination you do get, best of luck in your search, and have fun!
Let us know what you finally get.
I haven't any experience with the 9.3x57, but have ordered a LH Sako in 9.3x62. Cannot wait to finally get it!
Great performing cartirdge, and some ammo is reasonably priced.
The write up on the cartridge in Nosler Reloading Manual No 6 by John Barsness sums it up well. (the Cree guide mentioned is my Dad!)
The 338-06 and 35 Whelen are great cartridges and are of similar performance. I have a custom 338-06 that I really like and it does well with Weatherby ammunition and handloads. The Weatherby ammo supply is getting harder to locate. The Remington pump rifles are reasonably priced. No animal will know the difference in which they were shot with.
Same can be said of the 338 Federal and 358 Win. I have been using my BLR in 358 Win as my main guiding, horseback, atv and archery bck-up riflefor close to 20 years. It will shoot 1" groups with factory ammo and handloads. Hornady is making ammunition. Most BLR's are a little pricey today, but good deals can still be found. Lightand handy for hunting all day in the thick stuff. Triggers are not great, but I have used mine enough to know where the trigger breaks, and shoot it well. Savages and Winchester 88's in this caliber are not common and pricey if you do find one. My 338 Federal is a rebarrelled Winchester Model 88, and I am hunting with it this year. Savage makes reasonably priced bolt actions in this caliber. Either of these two would get my votes as to what you are looking for.
Winchester and Marlins in the 356 Win will perform as the 358 Win does. 94's are as pricey as the BLR's. The Marlin 336ER is more rare at just over 2440 rifles being built. Took 20+ years to find one; importing mine from the States.
The 35 Rem will not provide you with the energy you will need. It only carries 1100 ft lbs to 100 yards. OK for deer and smaller black bears to that range. Have a Marlin for my wife for camp use and as a saddle gun.
As much as I love the 375 Win, it only carries 1000 ft lbs of energy to 200 yards. I have taken numerous moose and black bears with mine over the years, but the longest shot has been 120 yards.
As great as th 375 H&H is, and its pros and cons have already been mentioned, another interesting option is the 376 Steyr.
It is essentially a downloaded 375 H&H. Hornady loads 235 aand 270 gr ammo. Steyr rifles are not cheap, but a used bolt long action can be rebored or rebarrelled to this cartridge. I rebarrelled a LH Ruger 77 and it shoots great; a pussycat off of the bench with 260 gr AccuBonds at 2530 fps, printing 1/2" groups at 100 yards. I have harvested elk and bison with it to date.
The 416 Taylor is also fun. I have a custom LH Ruger 77. I am using the 350 gr Barnes TSX at 2400 fps. Shoots 1/2' groups at 100 yards. Might be more recoil than you want.
The 45/70 is a great cartridge, but does not have a flat trajectory curve out to 300 yards. Better suited to 200.
As for bison in BC, the law requires a minimum of a 308 caliber, 175 gr or heavier bullet with 2000 ft lbsof energy at the target. The large bulls weigh well over a ton, and of the 7 that I have harvested to date, none were less than 100 yards. Average is just over 150 yards.
What ever rifle/cartridge combination you do get, best of luck in your search, and have fun!
Let us know what you finally get.
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