New lightweight mountain rifle, with a heavy side of Grizz. Debate starter.

[c-fbmi]

And here all the time I thought it was Col. Townsand Whelen.................

 

[hoytcanon]

And here all the time I thought it was Col. Townsend Whelen.................

Fixed it... "dam beavers..."

 

[Ardent]

Well this thread has been a thumping success, good strong debate, digital enemies made and the Beavers just showed up! Isn't that a Saturday night hat-trick, a dance, a fight, and a beaver?

 

[hoytcanon]

A Stompin' Tom, "Sudbury Saturday Night..."

 

[SuperCub]

Remington 700 stainless, 21" barrel, McMillan stock in 375 H&H, just a tad over 7 lbs. Run 250 TTSX and it would shoot flat enough for a mountain cartridge

That would be a wee bit rambunctious at the bench. Very nice pkg overall.

 

[Ardent]

It's certainly an admirable composition of all business. I love .375s but they sure don't need to be as heavy as they are.

 

[todbartell]

buy one of each, unless of course you can't afford it, then I'd opt for a 30-284 loaded with 200gr Accubonds. From a 24" pipe, 2800 fps is realistic. Not far off a 300wm

 

[hoytcanon]

Did I miss a discussion on barrel length? My impression was that it would be on the shorter side, say 20"-21"ish... was that incorrect? A shorter length fits well with the overall concept... it is clear that you are not chasing peak performance on this build, ergo more weight given to weight, and compact handling.

 

[Ardent]

Yes, I didn't go into barrels but it will be short, 20" max, the larger the bore will fare a bit better of course in a small package than the 7mm which is also attractive.

 

[Ardent]

buy one of each, unless of course you can't afford it, then I'd opt for a 30-284 loaded with 200gr Accubonds. From a 24" pipe, 2800 fps is realistic. Not far off a 300wm

For a hunting rifle, I'm with you and as mentioned view .300 Win as pretty well the ballistic ideal for across BC, but this is the work tool rifle and after a lightweight Jack of all trades master of none carbine. The gun's principle job is just to be present, and the lighter and more pleasant it is the more likely that'll be in my eyes- but it still has to hold its own on coastal grizzlies.

 

[todbartell]

I know a guy who dumped a hard charger with a 140gr 7-08, so the Mauser is capable. Not sure how I'd feel about being guided by a guy packing one though

 

[45ACPKING]

I'd just get a titanium actioned 338wm in a McMillan stock, with a 20" barrel and call it a day.... although yer not stackin many in the mag , 3 + 1 , which I can see is a negative to your requirement
my "compromise" is a ss .308 model 70 (90's model) , custom'd into a .338fed, I'm still making the stock

 

[sherlockbonez]

Whats the point of a 338 if he already has experience withe 375.

 

[chuck nelson]

I know a guy who dumped a hard charger with a 140gr 7-08, so the Mauser is capable. Not sure how I'd feel about being guided by a guy packing one though

I know a guide that packed a 25-06. Killed two previously wounded bear at spitting distance in full charge. Crunch crunch, night night.

 

[BigUglyMan]

Not sure how I missed this thread but I'm damned near terminally late to the discussion.

I see 9.5mm and 235 grains and I start to get queasy. Anyone that knows me at all knows that I tend to the Fuddish side of Sectional Density. I like heavy bullets to ensure deep, straight penetration. To me that little Mike dragged around looks like a damned fine walking around rifle in country where you might have to deal with bears. And with some time spent on ensuring that the rifle was as lightweight as possible it would make getting to the sheep and goats realistic. If a big hole in the barrel is key (and let's face it, when is a big hole in the barrel not key with a guy like Ardent) and you have an action that is right with the x57 case, then why not build a 9.3x57 and be done with it? Sure it lacks the quirkiness of the 9.5 but there is a huge selection of bullets from the light to heavy and flimsy to stout. Add in the development of powders like N550 or RL17 and you should be able to significantly step performance. If you want to get quirkier then why not take a page out of Douglas' book with the 350 RM or go with the Wildcat 9.3 Barsness-Sisk. I'm a rabid 366 Wagner fan, but if the goal is to have a light rifle with thump and reach then the 9.3 BS might just fit the bill and satisfy the desire to be a little eoutside the norm.

SOMA-esque.

 

[burnt_servo]

I'm in the 9.3x57 camp too .....

but not just any 9.3x57

measure that action very carefully and figure out exactly how big of a case you can squeeze into it .

very little case taper , 40 degree shoulder pushed as far forward as possible , and a bullet seated out of the case as far as possible .

the end result could be up there with a warm 9.3x62 load .

you might have to use 9.3x62 brass because 9.3x57 brass might be too short .

 

[philthygeezer]

... but I carried on undeterred, with a .375X62 otherwise known as the .375 Scovile.

What's the difference between this and the .375 Chatfield-Taylor?

 

[CanadaBoy]

the 9.5x57 MS (perhaps it should have been called .375 Westley Richards, they developed it for MS)

If you prefer to use a British name I believe the proper British designation for this Cartridge is the ".375 Rimless Nitro Express ", not to be confused with the rimmed".375 2 1/2" Nitro express" or the legendary ".375 Belted Rimless Nitro express"

 

[farshot]

Then there is the venerable 375 / 300 win mag..... There are a lot of those size actions to pick from, although they are not of medium size.

BTW I have an older Manufrance .375 HH that I swear is as light as many lesser rounds. The bbl is a decent contour and it feels very balanced for a 375. I do not believe they have to be that much heavier...most are though.

 

[hoytcanon]

I don't see the .350 RM as "quirkier" than the 9.5x57... but it does introduce an additional caliber to your streamlined set... so once the brass is in hand, I really don't see a downside to the 9.5X57, compared to the other mid options...