Help me choose a rifle cartridge.

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PT1911

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So, I recently picked up a Mauser M48 action from a friend and it will likely be my first real build.

SO... I was hoping for some suggestions as to what direction I should take.

It is a Mauser and an "intermediate' action so I will likely try to build it into a fairly short overall length hunting rifle...

Cartridges I am contemplating include a .260, 6.5x55, 7.5x55 (reamers and go/no go's are a B**** to find!!), and 308, but I am not exclusive to them..


I currently own several .223's, a 270, a 257 rbts, and a 7.5x55 (K 31)

So... what say you? which direction(s) should I take into consideration?
 
Personaly id probobly got with the .260 or 6.5x55, other then that id likely look at the 7-08. Id probobly cut the throat fairly long.
Those are the rounds i would pick because these rounds intereste me from a balistics and handloading standpoint ( the swed has some serious character also)...as well as hopefully being fun to shoot a bunch, even the .308 gets irritating after a few dozen rounds. the 7.5 dosnt realy interest me, but it dosent look like a bad round by any means.
 
Looks like you've got the basic 'thin skinned hunting' bases covered - why not build a 358 and give yourself something on the bigger side?
 
thank you for the input loonwulf... I hadnt thought about the 7-08, may have to give that one some thought.


Dang Rbernie... lets just throw a big ole wrench into the mix...:rolleyes: I can honestly say the 358 is not something that would have ever crossed my mind.... I am completely unfamiliar with that cartridge, I think i may have to give er a look.
 
Or the .338 federal, i hadnt thought to go up in caliber LOL tho that would offer you a bit more punch.
 
Looking at the .358 win... it actually looks pretty close in ballistics to the 8mm mauser... hmmmm....

here I am all happy with my 1/4 bores and ya'll are making me want to build a hammer...:D
 
If you're making the rifle, why not go for something less common like a .284 Winchester, your own wildcat (maybe) like an 8mm-08 or something else that would be uniquely yours, or if you fancy a European round perhaps the 9.3x62

If you were submitting a list and asking for one of the three though, I'd probably go with the .260, since the other two have nice surplus rifles already.
 
All interesting choices.

If you reload, I would suggest the .348 Winchester.
It was only chambered for 1 rifle model (Winchester model 71), and is now extremely scarce, if ever found.
You would have the 2nd other rifle chambered in that caliber.
It's supposed to be an excellent big game round, and packs a huge punch.


Otherwise the .308 is very economical, and would do you well.
 
The .338 Federal is a lite-recoiling round that would be something differt than what you have. It's loadable for thin-skinned critters (antelope, deer) and larger hooved mammals like elk.
Some have mentioned the 7mm-08 - an excellent choice, also.
 
looks like i have a lot of thinking to do.... the fact that I will be reloading soon only further complicates things.
 
The ones I'm considering once I get my grubbies on an action:
.257 Roberts - you already have that one
7mm-08 - I have it in my Marlin XS-7 and love the round. 7x57 crossed with .308 giving the best of both worlds. So one more vote for it.
9.3x62 Mauser - this will eventually be my big game round.
 
The 7MM-08 is a good choice for the intermediate M48 Mauser style action, as is the 6.5x55 Swede, or the 6.5-284. You'll be able to seat your bullets long and utilize the extra powder space to your advantage.

I built a 6.5x55 on a M98 Mauser, and it's a whole new ball game with a strong action.


NCsmitty
 
A 7mm08 or 260 won't do anything that your 270 won't do inside of 300 yards (especially if you handload the 270), and they all are dang near close to a 257 Roberts on the light end. Seems to me that you don't NEED another rifle between .25" and .3" in bore diameter. You may WANT one, but I'd personally not keep three rifles of such similar capability (the 270, the 257 Roberts, and a new 6.5mm/7mm short action).

That's why I recommended a 358-class; it's clearly discriminated from the rest of your stable. As an aside - I'd do a 358 before a 338 Federal, if only because the 358 has decades of stability (and brass supply, and reamer supply, and...) behind it and the 338 Fed does not.

If not a .358-class, then a 308 would be a decent choice that is 'different' from your other rifles...
 
Over the years I have built many mauser action based rifles and have tried all of the Mauser calibers. I spent years handloading from them. My go to caliber for 20 years was the 7 x 57. That was until The Swedish surplus Mausers came out cheap and I started messing with them.

The most practical caliber would be the .308. Cheaper ammo and many choices and available everywhere. If you handload, many, many options.
This is my standard now becasue of these reasons.

If you want to stay with a Mauser caliber, without a doubt, the 6.5 x 55 is the hands down winner if you are a handloader.
 
Looks like you've got the basic 'thin skinned hunting' bases covered - why not build a 358 and give yourself something on the bigger side?
Oh no. I've been reading about the 358 Win since I read your post. Now I want one and I have absolutely no need for one. Most of my hunting is in an area that does not allow centerfire rifles. I have no idea how I can convince the boss that spending several hundred dollars for a BLR is a good idea.
 
Something unusual...

PT 1911--You want to go larger? You want something unusual? Consider the .35 Sambar. It's a wildcat, but it's just the .300 WSM necked up to .35 cal, so it'd be easy for you to make brass for.

"The .35 Sambar is the .300 WSM case necked up to .35 caliber, with no other chages. Using 250-grain bullets of good construction, it is a very powerful cartridge in a short-action rifle, suitable for most big game. 2,700 fps can be achieved with 250-grain bullets from a 23-inch barrel. Lighter bullets can also be used for smaller game and longer range, especially the Nosler Ballistic Tip bullets."
(Cartridges of the World, 10th ed.)

Just thought I'd throw that in.

I like the M-48 action very much. Good choice. Please keep us posted on your project. :)
 
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Damn it Smokey Joe... why you must you throw another cartridge into the pot to tempt me into doing something crazy.... for something just different that I could seriously talk myself into.. See!!! This is why I need to stay away!!!!... I started with one idea of what I wanted and now it looks like i need another (3) M48 actions.:banghead::banghead::banghead::D
 
Yes, and???

PT 1911-You said--
and now it looks like i need another (3) M48 actions.
I fail to see a problem here. Looks like you'll be kept out of mischief all this fall and winter! :D
 
and this is the "problem" with WE fellow fun collectors, shooters, and enthusiasts...Gotta love it.
 
7-08 for sure. When I buy a stainless mountain rifle thats what it'll be chambered in:D
 
well guys I think I have made a decision... and decided to buy another action/gun in the near future... sheesh..:eek:

So, for the M48, I have decided to build it into a .338 Federal:what:.. seems like a hell of a cartridge in a fairly small package (200 grain bullet at 2700 fps) that I will be able to buy factory ammo for and "roll" my own pretty soon as well... will be my larger game rifle...

Also, and dont ask me why because I am not positive myself, I am henceforth (word not used enough nowadays) on the lookout for a Rem. 700 in a 308 or so that I can rebarrel into the 7.5x55. I know, they are pretty close to the same damn round but I want on in a bolt gun and I want to see what accuracy I can get out of it in a 700 that has been worked to do what I know a 700 can do. I have high hopes for it in the long range game.

SO, what do you guys think?
 
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