New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

A friend of mine is looking to get a new bolt action rifle for deer hunting in Michigan, but he has some stipulations on the cartridge...

* The rifle cannot be chambered for a cartridge he already owns
* The rifle has to be 7mm or larger
* $600-700 maximum (cost of rifle and scope rings together; he already has a new 3-9 Leupold for the rifle)
* Would prefer to stay away from 30-06 derivatives

He currently owns a 30-06, 308 Win, 44 Rem mag, 30-30 and 348 Winchester. The rifle will be used for whitetail with shots out to perhaps 100 yards, but he would prefer something capable of going out to 200 yards if called upon. He has no plans to hunt anything larger than whitetail with the rifle.

He' s a hefty guy and he isn' t aftaid of a little recoil. He shows some interest in the 35 Remington, but I haven' t personally seen a bolt action offered for this load. My next suggestion was the 35 Whelen, but he batted an eye when I mentioned it is a resized `06. The 7mm Mag and 300' s strike some interest but are a little overkill for the hunting he does. Conversely, he really fancies big bores in the .35+ category.

In our conversation, I mentioned the cost of shells - he' s not too concerned about price as he doesn' t plan on shooting more than a box of shells/year from the rifle... range and hunting together.

Any suggestions?

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

Could try the venerable 7mm-06 but that might be too close to an ' 06 config for him. Why not just go with the 30-378 Weatherby? :D

Sounds like he likes the big bores and doesn' t need speed. How about the 45-70?

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

Does someone chamber the 45-70 in a bolt action? I almost mentioned the 444 Marlin to him, pending availability in a bolt.

30-378? We' re not looking to knock large birds from the sky with the muzzle blast...;)

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

I would suggest a 7mm mag of some variation, but if he likes big bores than I wouldnt be right to not suggest the Marlin 45/70. All kinds of power, in a fine lever gun. That thing is just a hoot to shoot. Not that I am partial or anything. :D

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

I don' t think anyone is chambering it, but the .358 Win looks perfect. So does the 8mm Mauser.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

Welcome to the forum Quack Addict, Sounds like your friend isn' t sure what he wants.The 7mm Rem Mag is a flat shooting cartridge. It might be a little over kill at short ranges,but it will reach out and find it' s mark at several hundred yards..If the 7mm RM is over kill then the 300Win Mag is out of the question.I would suggest a 270 Win but he wants a bullet of .284 or better.I guess the balls in his court.
Ruger Redhawk

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

I know winchester makes a Custom Compact bolt action rifle in .450 Marlin and 358 win,but it is way out of his price range.

I realy like the .338 win mag for deer,it is not over kill it dose wonders.;)

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

How about Remington' s new model-673 chambered in 350-Remington mag???

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

I wouldn,t worry much about what this guy wants. He has the bases more that covered already. He could put all the options in a hat and draw one out.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

.300 WSM

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

The 3006 and 308 are both " Jammer Special" one shot wonders. I think the 44 Mag lever action was his wife' s grandfather' s and is essentially retired from hunting use by her request. He doesn' t like deer hunting with the 30-30 (personal preference on his part) and the 348 Winchester was his grandfather' s... which he is preparing to retire after he gets into something new.

He really likes my bolt guns and doesn' t have one in his cabinet yet. I think he' s just looking for something different from the norm (30-06, 308) that he can eventually pass down through the ranks to his children / grandkids.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

The above mentioned Remington Model 673 chambered for .350 Rem Mag meets all the set criteria. Also check out CZ chambered for 9.3X62. Also meets all the above criteria....and it would be something different in most woods. Otherwise considering a rebarreling/rechambering in a Mauser action in any number of cartridges to meet the guidelines above!

Good luck!

P.S. Check out this site http://www.gibbsrifle.com/sport.html scroll to the bottom of the page and check out the bolt action .45/70. (For that matter the rifle directly above it is chambered in .303 British...another cartridge that would meet the stated criteria.)

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

I' d suggest a Howa 1500 in 300 Win Mag. He won' t be overgunned and it will meet his price figures.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

If he doen' t want a large bore, the 7MM-08 or .280 would be great choices!

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

Might look at having a mauser rifle rebarreled to 338-06. It' s a medium bore, more than enough bullet for deer or elk at any normal range. It would also come in under the $600 - $700 mark.

I know it is a 30-06 case but so is the 270, 280, 25-06, 35 whelen, 400 whelen. Just about any cartridge that he gets will certainly not be a new design unless he goes with a new short magnum of either manufacturer.

Or if he reloads look at the 338-08.

I have a list of hundreds of cartriges, fron the norm to abscure wild cats, at school that I' ll look at tomorow and see what' s on there.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

I second the rem 673 in 350 remington magnumj

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

I think CZ makes a .458 wm in their 550 rifle. That would be a neat one to have and is more than powerful enough to hunt anything that walks the earth, or can be loaded down for smaller game such as whitetails.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

The 358 STA would be nice if he would spend more than $700.00. Good luck.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

How about a 7MM STW.Shoots flat at 400?Also is not The norm.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

If he wants a gun not everybody has and doesn' t care about the cost to shoot (or reloads) why not a 308 norma mag. 340 wby maybe???

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

Maybe one of the short magnums like the .300 WSM.

My choice would be the Browning A-bolt.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

I gathered some information and e-mailed it to him about the 673 in 350 Reminton Magnum. That particular rifle looks like something he may be interested in. I really think that he' s swaying toward something larger than a 30 caliber. He' s been using his 348 Win the last couple of years and seems to like its terminal performance. I' ll keep you guys apprised of what his verdict is...

Thanks again. Dan

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

7mm Mauser or 350 Rem Mag would be my choices if you don' t want something based on an ' 06 case.

RE: New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
 

man as i started reading this post i was hoping that id get to be the first one to mention the .350rem mag in the newish 673. well now that 5 people beat me to it i still thinks its a good option.