Llama Bob
member
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2016
- Messages
- 2,258
I am a big fan of the WSM cartridges. They give lots of power in a short action with the same magazine capacity as belted magnums in a long/magnum action. The case capacity to be gained simply by ditching the stupid belt is substantial. The only real criticism I can see is that the WSMs top out at 8mm. There's no good reason for this - the .338, .358, .375, .416 and .458 WSM all work just fine and were quickly wildcatted after the original cartridges came out.
One of these in particular seems exceptionally useful: the .375 WSM. For general big game hunting when bears might be present, it's hard to imagine a more suitable round. It is capable of the same performance as typical factory .375 H&H loads (300gr @ 2400 ft/s) while within SAAMI spec, and in a suitable rifle could be used for any dangerous game applications you would use the H&H for.
I'm in the process of simplifying my hunting rifle collection, and as part of this I want one big thumper with at least some reach that I can use for elk in bear country, predator call bear hunts, and possibly African or other applications. The goal is to do this at a reasonable price - have the entire gun and loading setup (excluding consumables) without optics for < $2000. This should be very doable by reboring a gun.
As a starting point, I chose a New Haven Winchester model 70 classic in .270 WSM. This has several harder to change things already right about it:
The plan is to send it to JES reboring after inspection and have it rebored and the barrel cut and crowned at either 20" or 22" - I haven't decided yet. In addition to the reboring, the stock & bottom metal will have to be replaced, and express sights, bases and rings added. Along with dies from CH4D, this should stay well inside the budget.
Initial QuickLoad sims suggest that in a 22" barrel exceeding factory .375 H&H is possible with compressed loads of temp-insensitive powers (RL-23 or RL-16) and factory loads can be matched with an uncompressed temp-insensitive load (H4895).
Each inch of barrel costs about 25 ft/s, so I could still match factory loads with a 20" if I was willing to compress. I don't have to make the barrel length decision for a bit...
One of these in particular seems exceptionally useful: the .375 WSM. For general big game hunting when bears might be present, it's hard to imagine a more suitable round. It is capable of the same performance as typical factory .375 H&H loads (300gr @ 2400 ft/s) while within SAAMI spec, and in a suitable rifle could be used for any dangerous game applications you would use the H&H for.
I'm in the process of simplifying my hunting rifle collection, and as part of this I want one big thumper with at least some reach that I can use for elk in bear country, predator call bear hunts, and possibly African or other applications. The goal is to do this at a reasonable price - have the entire gun and loading setup (excluding consumables) without optics for < $2000. This should be very doable by reboring a gun.
As a starting point, I chose a New Haven Winchester model 70 classic in .270 WSM. This has several harder to change things already right about it:
- controlled feed and Mauser claw style extraction
- 3 position safety
- open-style trigger
- WSM feed geometry
- sufficient barrel diameter to rebore to .375 WSM
The plan is to send it to JES reboring after inspection and have it rebored and the barrel cut and crowned at either 20" or 22" - I haven't decided yet. In addition to the reboring, the stock & bottom metal will have to be replaced, and express sights, bases and rings added. Along with dies from CH4D, this should stay well inside the budget.
Initial QuickLoad sims suggest that in a 22" barrel exceeding factory .375 H&H is possible with compressed loads of temp-insensitive powers (RL-23 or RL-16) and factory loads can be matched with an uncompressed temp-insensitive load (H4895).
Each inch of barrel costs about 25 ft/s, so I could still match factory loads with a 20" if I was willing to compress. I don't have to make the barrel length decision for a bit...
Last edited: