New bolt action; what cartridge? Question with a twist
09-24-2003, 08:17 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Fenton, MI
Posts: 88
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?
* 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?
09-24-2003, 08:24 AM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: E. Washington State
Posts: 1,045
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? 
Sounds like he likes the big bores and doesn' t need speed. How about the 45-70?
Sounds like he likes the big bores and doesn' t need speed. How about the 45-70?
09-24-2003, 08:31 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Fenton, MI
Posts: 88
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...
30-378? We' re not looking to knock large birds from the sky with the muzzle blast...
09-24-2003, 08:32 AM
#4
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location:
Posts: 582
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.
09-24-2003, 09:34 AM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 2,918
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
Ruger Redhawk
09-24-2003, 09:51 AM
#7
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Moccasin, Montana
Posts: 1,835
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.
I realy like the .338 win mag for deer,it is not over kill it dose wonders.
09-24-2003, 11:30 AM
#9
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wall SD USA & Jamestown ND
Posts: 11,474
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.