Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

OK, here it goes.

I have this old Remington (Enfield design) 1917 bolt action, 30-06. The bore is junk, so I'm going to build a new rifle with a little help from a gunsmith friend. I'm going to by a sporter weight barrel for it. I do NOT need another rifle, I have pretty much everything I need and then some for what I hunt. (This rifle is not complete, so don't say "sell the enfield and buy a new one,", it's only worth about a hundred bucks the way it is)

I have a ;
300 Win.Mag, bolt
.308, bolt
7.62x39, semi-auto
.243, bolt
.223 AR15
.223 single action
several .22 rim fire and shotguns of assorted gauges.

So.....I want something in between the .300 mag and .243 besides the .308. I don't want anything bigger caliber than .308. I need to stick with brass that will fit the bolt face of the 30-06 size. So 30-06, .280, .270, etc......

I wouldn't mind something A LITTLE BIT exotic, but not too much. I want to be able to get brass/bullets without spending a fortune or being a pain.

So, what are you all going to talk me into??

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

how about a 6.5-06? Seems like I heard that people were having good ultra-long range success with this.I may be wrong ( If I am i am sure somebody will let me know:D)You could opt for a 25-06.Have the need for speed? 6mm-06 .Is there such a round?It appears that like you said have everything you .So just have a ball with it.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

That's what I want, Fun that is. I just don't want a lot of trouble when it comes to getting ammo/brass/bullets/ etc.



edited to add- What about the 6.5 x 55?? Will this cartridge fit the -06 bolt face??

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

I'd go with the 270 or the 280. Zeak

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

.270 Winchester, you know, I think that's leading the pack right now. Anybody going to try to talk me out of the .270??

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

257 Roberts on an enfield action would be pretty exotic, or how about a 264 Winchester magnum, or even a 7x57 or 6.5x55. All quite capable of taking anything up to and including elk.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Since you don't have a 30-06, why not stick with the origional caliber? It's a great hunting round and you can find cheap blasting ammo easy enough.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

thndrchiken,
Would all four of those cartridges fit that bolt face on the Enfield?

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

diyj98,
I guess I don't want to go with a 30-06 because I have a .308 already, and there just isn't that much difference. And, the 300 mag will out do both in the same caliber.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Mainehunt, give me one more shot. How about a 35 Whelen? It's based on the 30-06 necked up. Your bolt won't need to be altered and brass is readily obtainable. You could design the rifle around a bear/medium African game type rifle. I think the 1917 has a classic look that would be right at home in Africa or at least give you the feeling of hunting lions right in your own living room.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

diyj98,

Ok...OK.., you got me there, that does have appeal. I guess you got me. It does make one think. I personally don't know anyone with one of those. It would be fun to have the only one of those at deer camp. :)

I guess I now know what I'll be reading about tonight.....ballistic tables.

Thanks, Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

While I am certainly not going to talk you out of a .270. I absolutly love mine and it's quite the capeable rifle for North Americas game.

With saying that, and since you have a gunsmith friend helping you, you do not have to stick with only the "standard" case head dimension. You can chamber it for just about any cartridge you want as long as the case head is larger or the same size as the -06. It is a simple matter of opening up the bolt face to the proper dimension. A ten minute job on a lathe. While the .270 is an excelent cartridge it is certainly not exotic like you said you wanted.

Not that this is goint to give you anything that the 308 or 300win mag won't give you but something like the 300 H&H is readily available and somewhat exotic. Or something like an 7mm STW, 240 Weatherby, 6mm Rem.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

I'm not a gunsmith, but you might have to open up the bolt face for the 6.5x55 and the 264 winmag, the 257 and 7x57 use the same size shellholder as the 06. Like Bigbulls suggested, it's an easy enough job with the right equipment.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

No matter how you cut the cookie, the '17 Enfield sporterized is usually heavy and inconvenient. It's costly to do a good job of sporterizing them and the best sporters are usually big big big game rifles. Mine is a .375 H&H and about the right weight for the caliber. They can be turned into .404 Jeffery, and any of the RUM carttridges. They can hold the .300 Weatherby and all the similar cartridges. The .458 Lott and .470 Capstick are "piece of cake" cartridges for this action.....but the weight is justified in these calibers.

With the conditions you've laid out the calibers that might suit you are the .240 Weatherby and the family of .30-06s and that includes the wildcats (6.5-06 and yes even the .338-06)

Any of these cartridges can be housed in actions that are lighter and less costly than the '17 Enfield conversion.

Staying within your limitations, I'd pick the .280 Remington.

However, I'd ask you to rethink the question to yourself.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

I know you said in your original guidelines nothing over .30. But then you let someone talk you into considering the .35 Whelen. So here goes....

You want something truly different, (maybe even esoteric....mysterious even)! Something that you will have no trouble getting brass or bullets. You want something to do things for you that your current battery does not do. And in keeping with the suggestion above.....maybe even "worthy...suitable" of the classic Enfield action.

Here are two "different" choices. Yes...they are both wildcats! Yes.....you will have to reload for either, (and need dies.....which RCBS can provide). But......you won't find either of them just sitting around in any old camp. And they both have the head stamp size of the standard .30-06.

The .375 Whelen Improved.

The .400 Whelen.

The .375 Whelen Improved can be (and most commonly is) loaded using .30-06 cases (actually .35 Whelen cases would be even easier) necked up and the shoulder angle steepened! Respectable velocities can be achieved.....and the cartridge very much resembles the "old English and Continental" medium bore cartridges very much in use in Africa around the turn of the 20th Century.

The .400 Whelen is best reamed and bored to use standard bullets as the .416 Rigby or the .416 Remington. So bullets are common enough. However, it is most common today to ream the chamber to actually handle the case commonly used in the .240 Weatherby. That case is essentially no more......and no less......than a .30-06 with a belt. Because the .400 Whelen has far too insignificant shoulder for positive headspacing.....the belt insures proper headspacing. I know the .240 Weatherby cases are a little less common.....and a little more expensive....but you end up with a truly different rifle. And in a very uncommon caliber. The .400 Whelen out performs as it is a true over achiever! You'd be surprised what a .30-06 sized case can do for a forty caliber bullet. It is not a "flat-as-a-string" trajectory.....but it delivers truly impressive performance over normal hunting ranges.

By the way.....a good source of info on either of these or many other cartridges is a book entitled, "Big Bore Rifles".

Good luck with your decision!

Dave

P.S. One other suggestion. (As long as everything is up for grabs.) An Enfield chambered in either of those and equipped with a good set of adjustable aperature sights.....would be as near perfect an outfit I could imagine for a grand old Enfield! Just my .02 cents.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Some advice I've heard from a gunsmith concerning the 1917- have the receiver ring magnafluxed after the barrel is removed- the 1917's receivers have been known to crack.


I would think about what Vapodog said- the 1917 is a good action to build big magnum rifles on, to me it seems awfully huge to use for anything smaller than an '06.:D

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

i am a fan of the 35's
i also hunt in maine depending on where you live shots can be up close and personal out to over 200yds in some clear cuts, logging roads and potatpo fields.
what about a nice 35whelen? fine medicine for the moose tag you are always wanted to get pulled for and bear caliber.
plus down the road if you need the $$$ you will never have the problem selling her. i know alot of people looking for that round in a nice gun. my second pick would be something between what you have already. maybe a 280rem. fine caliber and still wish i never got rid of mine. or a 7mm-08rem.

good luck !!! let us know what you decide to pick out.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Holy smokes, I'm getting just what I needed, food for thought. You know, the more I think about it, the more I sleep on it, talk to you guys, and discussing it with my friends, the more a large caliber intrigues me. I know I originally said nothing above 30 cal., but now something like akbound is talking about really sparks my interest.

As far as the cost goes for sporterizing this '17 enfield. The only cost is going to be the barrel. My 300 mag is a sporterized Enfield, so I am very familiar with the weight and "carry-ability" of this type of rifle. Also, I have two stocks for the 300. One is a synthetic that came with the rifle, the other is a beatiful wood stock of curly maple with mahogany forend tip and grip cap. I am in the process of finishing the maple, it's coming out great. So, I'll use the wood for this project, my gunsmith friend has told me that he'll assist me with the milling on the action. He's going to teach me how to run the mill and lathe. (not on the action) I have my summers off, so there's plenty of time.

This is going to be my first rifle that I'm having built especially for me. All I have ever done in the past is refinish stocks, so this is very exciting.

Hmmmm....akbound,....you may have ceated a monster.
Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

IF you would like something a little exotic you could go with the 6.5X64 Brenneke which is a 270 necked down to .264 with no other changes or try the 280 Ackley improved. The 6.5X64 is standardized in Europe and ammo is available in the USA. The 280 Ackley is made by fire forming 280 Remington in the Ackley chambered rifle. There are places such as conley precision that offer ammo ready for the two above mentioned. Although, if you just go with the 280 you will probably be just as happy. Federal has just introduced some new loads for the 280 and winchester offfers 2 very good ones.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Superpig,
That's interesting, ammo wouldn't be a problem as long as I can get the brass and bullets. I definitely want to reload for this rifle.

What I'm searching for now is a good place to buy a barrel.

Akbound,
I just read a couple of articles about the .400 Whelen, .........nice. :)

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi mainehunt,

A friend of mine, that lived a little distance outside of Wasilla, Alaska, built a .400 Whelen on a Mauser action. We had talked about his building a custom rifle....suitable for Moose, Bear, at reasonable ranges....on a standard action. I suggested a .400 Whelen and provided an article for him from the book "Big Bore Rifles".

He built the rifle....I believe if memory serves me right....and actually had it bored to accept .405 Winchester bullets...instead of .416. Bullets for the .405 Winchester are not as varied as .416, but especially with the recent reintroduction of the .405 Winchester......there is still a good selection. And he also used the .240 Weatherby case. The chamber was bored to headspace on the belt.....and eliminated any possibility of headspacing problems. He used the info provided in the above article...worked up several loads....picked the one he liked best....and used that rifle that year to take a nice "meat" moose. He still uses that rifle and it has become his favorite rifle for nearly everything.

I got to shoot it at the range. What a hoot! But never had the opportunity to carry it hunting.

Once again good luck with your "new" rifle.

Dave

P.S. You'd have to run a check. But last time I had checked companies like Barnes, Hawks, and a number of other semi-custom manufacturers make bullets suitable for the .405 Winchester.....should you decide to go that route.

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

I would have a tough choice picking between the 35-Whelen, 338-06 or 280 A.I.??????????

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Thanks Akbound, that is definitely something to consider.

(edited to add;) Dave, have you ever read this?
http://www.z-hat.com/smashing_the_headspace_myth.htm


BTW- What advantage does the 400 Whelen have over the 35 Whelen or the 338-06?

Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi mainehunt,

No....I hadn't seen that particular article before (and found it interesting...thanks)...but I have read past accounts written by Elmer Keith concerning the cartridge. To clarify, on the issue of headspace, my understanding from both camps is this. The shoulder in and of itself...is sufficient. However, extremely careful reloading, (as in resizing the cases), procedures must be followed. And the headspacing has become a problem for quite a few. Someone, down the road, realized that the .240 Weatherby case was essentially only a .30-06 case except with a belt. And by simply doing a chamber reaming job....and switching cases.....the headspace would "never be an issue again". And that is what some have chosen to do! And the case I know of personally....it worked well....and the owner was extremely happy with it!

I think one of the reasons headspacing became such an issue is that many, if not most, of the people building .400 Whelens.....did it with the intent of using it for dangerous game. Therefore they wanted to insure headspacing issues would never be a consideration.

Well, the other part of the question......the .338-06 and the .35 Whelen. I happen to like both of those cartridges immensely. So I am not going to tell you there is anything wrong with them. Because there isn't....and they are very good cartridges....and both factory loads now. So that alone is advantages.

The .400 Whelen on the other hand is not as much of a general purpose cartridge as either of the above. But do you need another general purpose cartridge? You already have a .308 Winchester and a .300 Win. Magnum. The .400 will do better than any of the previously named cartridges in at least two areas. First, as a "stopper" rifle. It will flat out discharge a bullet of sufficient caliber, weight, and energy to without doubt......stop large and/or dangerous game. Second, because it is still a wildcat......it will be the most unique rifle in just about any camp!
And like I suggested before....with a good peep rear and post front.....I'd have trouble imagining a rifle better for that purpose. But before you think of it as only a "short-range" hunting rifle. When loaded with the right bullet....it can easily handle shots to 250-300 yards on game....even with the peeps.

The .400 Whelen duplicates the performance of the .404 Jeffrey which was used successfully in Africa by many game departments as issue rifles....and for culling big and dangerous game. It shoots flat enough for nearly any application against Moose or Bear.....and most of deer hunting as done in the North East. Especially the woods of Maine. John "Pondoro" Taylor himself said of the .404 and its ballistics, "it was entirely adequate against any beast anywhere in the world", or words to that effect!

And.....it is just plain extraordinary. You won't likely bump into many other .400's at hunting camp! A classic cartridge......for a classic action!

Once again....best wishes with your decision!

Dave

P.S. If it really is that hard to decide. Compromise and chamber for the .375 Whelen Improved. It will neatly split the difference between all the other cartridges mentioned. And you will certainly have no problem with component bullets......and don't need to worry about using the belted case! Maybe the best of all worlds. Still a classic....easy to load for....lethal and sufficiently flat shooting.....and not one in every camp! What more could a guy ask for?

P.S.S. From the looks of another thread......if you chamber for .35 Whelen when Quilly shows up....you won't be the only guy in camp with a .35 Whelen.;) (Actually I'd be surprised if the .35 Whelen isn't already pretty popular in Maine!):D

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

akbound,
This is really cool stuff, you've got my head spinning with different thoughts. There are quite a few 35 Wh up here, but I don't know anyone who shoots one.

So, the .375 Whelen Improved, that one is built on the 06 case right? That sounds good, but I like the idea of going all the way to 40! What the heck, if I'm going bigger than the 300 Win mag, I might as well go big :)

I don't know about this peep sight thing though. I have never used one to any extent. Especially nervous when you start talking about using one at 2-300 yards.

Kevin

PS- I wish we could talk a few hours over a pot of coffee. How long would it take you to drive to Maine?

[Deleted]
 

[Deleted by Admins]

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi Kevin (aka. mainehunt),

Is that an invitation to go hunting? ;)

Yes, the .375 Whelen Improved would work very well using standard .30-06 cases. Though if you started with .35 Whelen cases you'd be able to complete the renecking in "one pass" through the die. Then pick a bullet, a fire-forming load, and head to the range. When you come home....completed .375 Whelen Improved cases. Also, frequently the fire forming loads are very accurate. With a suitable bullet....properly zeroed.....they would make excellent "deer" sized game cartridges.

If you are uncomfortable with the thought of a peep....stick with a scope. Though if I were scoping it....I'd stick with a good quality, low power variable. Like a 1X4, or 1.5X5, or 1.75X6......or something like that! That would insure you'd still be able to acquire the target quickly. I had a Leupold 1X4 in Warne Q.D. bases and rings on a .458 Winchester Magnum chambered Mauser I owned. The low powered scope offered quick target acquisition. But in a pinch....I could pop the scope....and go to the express sights on the rifle. It worked great for me. But I have also had big bore with Ghost ring peep sights that were even quicker....just not as precise at longer ranges.

The low powered scope would work with either the .375 Whelen Improved.....or the .400 Whelen. Just make sure you discuss (with whomever is actually machining and "smithing"....and finalize decisions....before you start the project).

This is when it's most fun......considering the possibilities!

Once again...good luck.

Dave

P.S. These aren't terrible kickers by any stretch of the imagination....but get a scope with good "eye relief"! And....if you're going with a scope.....mount it with good Quick Detachable bases and rings, (Warne, Leupold, etc.), and have decent express style sights installed on the barrel. (And have them installed properly for a "heavy" rifle. Single leaf rear with a wide shallow V......and a large round white dot...."sourdough" it's called.......on the front. They are much quicker for short range fast shots then any other open sight. But a little slower than a Ghost Ring. Can't have everything;)!)

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hey Kevin,

I forgot to mention. If you go the wildcat route I'd suggest you contact an RCBS representative prior to purchasing a set of their dies. Inquire from them how they would like to insure proper die dimension....with your chamber.....prior to ordering. Usually it is either several fire-formed cases.....or a chamber casting. (Neither are particularly hard to accomplish.....but worth the effort and little extra expense to insure good die performance.)

Dave

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

ak-Dave,

Yeah, that's an invitation. My son and I both received our turket permits, won by lottery. Very exciting, he just turned legal age this winter to hunt in Maine, so this will be his first big hunt on May 1st. Now I have that excuse to buy a 20 gauge. You are in Alaska now, correct? Some day, I hope to make it there for a vacation/hunt.

Have to read more about these Whelen cartridges. Especially the .375 and .400.

Thanks for all your help Dave. Much appreciated.

Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Kevin, not only all the above about the .35 Whelen (or a.338/'06!!), is that you can rebore your present barrel, so you won't have to inlet the stock for a new contour!

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

eldeguello,

True, I did think of that. I wonder what would be the cheapest, reboring or a new barrel? With the use of the milling machine and lathe, I can duplicate the contour of the other barrel.

I am really confused as to which caliber to choose. One minute I think Big (at least .35), the next minute I'm thinking something smaller because it might be more useful. I know I have smaller calibers, but it still doesn't make the decision any easier. I just wonder how much use I would get out of a large bore. Although........I do love recoil, honestly. I'm not big at all, 175 lbs., but it just doesn't bother me like some people.

Hmmm.....please talk me through this guys, I am really undecided.

Thanks everyone, Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

It used to be cheaper to get a barrel rebored. It probably depends on who does it. I had two reboring jobs done by the old A & M rifle company in Prescott AZ (a .33 WCF M86 to .45/70 and an M71 .348 to .450 Alaskan), and both guns shot better AFTER they were rebored. This often happens when a smaller bore is increased significantly!

Speaking of recoil, Elmer Keith was a small guy, and he was considered "recoil-proof"!! If you shoot enough big guns, this often happens. (Particularly if you wear a huge white Stetson, a Cape Buffalo bolo tie, and smoke big enough cigars!!)

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

I'd wear the hat and tie, but will pass on the see-gars.
I think I'll just go with the new barrel, to give the old action something to look good with. I've been working on the stock for a few days now, it's looking real good. I mistakenly mentioned before that it was maple, but it's black walnut with mahogany tip and grip cap. It now has several coats of tung-oil on it. Boy, the grain is sure poppin' out. Can,t wait to satrt work on the action. We're going to take the old barrel off tomorrow...Hopefully.
Thanks again. K4evin

PS-oldeguello, what exactly is the 450 Alaskan?

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi Kevin,

Just jumped in this forum again. The .450 Alaskan is a .348 Winchester case necked up to .458 caliber, (and less case taper), and designed to work through the Model 71 Winchester. It was made popular for it's ability to put a heavy bullet out of a lever action. And just for info sake...there is a .50 Alaskan.....as well. (Not to mention a .416, but we won't mention that.;)).

If you can find a copy of "Big Bore Rifles"......grab it. (Probably find some info online as well.) I have a feeling you'd be reading all weekend!:D Just put on the coffee, pick up the book, and................

Dave

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Dave,

OK, so now you have me buying a book, I'll never get this house finished :)

So, put yourself in my shoes, I have already listed the guns/calibers that I own. What caliber/cartridge would YOU chamber this rifle for?

Thanks, Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi Kevin,

You're asking the wrong person;)! If I were building a customized rifle on an Enfield Action.....it would undoubtedly be either the .338/06 or one variation or another of one of the Whelens.

Why? You already have lighter calibers. A big bore cartridge....built on a reasonable case, (like the 06 case), can be loaded to do many things. For example....in .35 Whelen or an Improved Version you can load .357 caliber pistol bullets to slow/moderate velocities and have a nice plinking, small game rifle. You can load either 180 or 200 grain jacketed bullets to intermediate velocities.....ala. .35 Remington....and have a low recoiling medium range "deer rifle". Or you can put a good 225 grain Ballistic Tip at maximum standard pressure and reach out a "long way" to touch something. Or you can take a super premium 250 or 275 grain bullet and have a "medium bore" stopper for thin skinned dangerous game. And that's just one caliber!

Now think of all the similar possibilities with the larger bores. And the larger the bore.....the easier to obtain "hard cast lead bullets with gas checks" for lower velocity plinking, hunting, etc. You can even work up greatly reduced loads with the big bores using lead round balls and turn them into a lightly recoiling "squirrel rifle"......if you like. They are just plain fun. Not to mention extremely lethal on big, tough, game with their "serious loads". They are the kinds of calibers....and velocities...that all the game of Africa was taken with.....and that continent was settled with! (The 9X's, the 9.3X's, the .350's, the .375's, and the .40's.......all at moderate to reasonable velocities.) Get the book!;) Really, you owe it to yourself!

Dave

P.S. Sorry about the money for the house......but I can't help myself!:D

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Dave,
So you're home on a Tuesday morning too, eh?

I hear what you're saying, I am leaning towards the 35 Whelen, (today at least). It seems the most practical. Not that I'm practical.

Yeah, I'm going to buy the book if I can find a copy. Should be good reading.

I finished the stock. Just letting the oil dry for a few days now so I can wax it. Not shiney, just to help seal it. I didn't want a really glossy stock, never cared for that look personally, but I love the look of a good oiled piece of wood. That's how this turned out, just sort of a low luster. Looks really "rich."
I appreciate all of your help.

Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi Kevin,

Yeah......I'm home on a Tuesday morning too. I left my job in October last year (was night shift for years anyhow) and I'm currently helping with the care of my father (Alzheimer's). My wife and I are staying here until we can help my brother (who lives immediately next door) establish and set up home care assistance resources. (My wife and I got pretty good at that.....we cared for a son with Muscular Dystrophy.) Both my brother and his wife work, (I always have my military retirement to lean on), and my wife went to work about a year ago. So I am in a unique (for me) position of having a little leeway with my time. Thus.....the comments about being semi-retired. Haven't made it back to Alaska yet....though when we resolve some issues outstanding concerning our son.....we are going back to Alaska. My soul needs room to breath!

It'd be hard to go wrong with the .35 Whelen. It's a classic, very capable, and seldom gets the attention it deserves in a "velocity infatuated" world. Considering you have a .300 Magnum already you should have your extreme range shooting needs met. And I would think living in Maine would provide a perfect setting and opportunity to put a .35 Whelen to good use. Plus don't overlook the reduced velocity pistol bullet loads for year round plinking and small game hunting opportunities. And many good loads can be found for cast bullets with gas checks as well. These bullets reloaded are not only fun to work up and cheap.....but can be very effective at anything from small to medium game particularly. And with the right cast bullets and loads...large game as well. Though I usually save my cast bullet loads for things other than large game. Just my preference, (unless we are talking really large bores).

It sounds as though your stock is turning out nicely. I like the look and feel of a satin finished stock much better than a glossy finish. And nothing feels quite as good in the hands as an oil finished walnut stock. Sounds like you'll have a rifle to be proud of when you're finished!

Dave

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Dave,

Yeah, it sounds like you do need some breathing room. I experienced Alzheimer's when my grandfather was ill. Between that and several strokes we lost him. Very hard. I wish you the best with your son, I hope things work out well for you so you can return to Alaska. BTW- what state are you currently in?

My wife sells antique books as a hobby/extra cash type thing. Last night she mentioned a book that "You might be interested in Honey." WAS I EVER! It's called "The Hunting Rifle" by Colonel Townsend Whelen! I can't believe this book has been in my house for over 6 months and I didn't even know it. Needless to say, I was up till after midnight last night reading :)

Hey, is that book, Big Bore Rifles, written by Jack Lott?? If so, I have found a copy!

Take Care, Kevin

RE: Building a rifle-need suggestions
 

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for your support and concern both for my Dad's and Son's sake. (We lost our son November 5, 2002.) So this board does offer me therapy beyond description. But thank you again!

The book Big Bore Rifles and Cartridges is actually a conglomeration of articles by different authors. I believe Al Miller did the forward and editing. My copy is currently packed away...thus I forgot the entire title....sorry about that. For an idea of what it looks like follow:

http://www.booktrail.com/Guns_Reloading/bigborer.asp

http://www.riflemagazine.com/catalog...m?productid=76

There is a price difference between the two sites....so check them both out. Also, I believe I saw another site that had used copies available for less....though I have no idea of the shape they may be in.

Hope this helps!

Dave

P.S. The book you mentioned....is a good one. And it goes without saying nearly anything you find by Lott is a good read!:) By the way....I've never used either of the above sources (though I have heard of them)...so I can not vouch for them!