I just bought a Ruger Hawkeye in 375 Ruger and I still have an itch, as often happens. I'm a little limited on bolt actions because I'm a lefty and I'm tired of compromising with righty rifles, so left handed action is mandatory.
Anyway I'm not seeing much out there for left handed in current production, and what I am seeing I'm just not really excited about the caliber offerings. Then I landed on Shaw's site and started playing with their rifle configurator, and all of a sudden I think I need a 35 Whelen. Of course this lead to looking up ballistics info and wait a minute maybe I really need 358 Norma. But now we're getting close to what the 375 Ruger does and does better, so let's stick to 35 Whelen.
So here's my question. I have a 44 magnum lever action to pair with my 44 revolver. I have a 7.62x39 for end of the world general purpose fun, which is also an amazingly accurate and reliable rifle inside of 200 yds. I have a 6.5 Grendel for stretching out and hitting things I can barely make out in the scope. I have a 375 Ruger on the way because I wanted an apex predator for my small collection.
Everything I read about 35 Whelen I like, but does it really fill a gap for me or is it just my obsessive compulsive disorder driving the bus again? Am I really thinking about another gun that I could kinda sorta replicate for nothing by loading my 375 light? Do you read my short list of rifles and see a different gap than a 35 Whelen?
As you can see I am really trying to talk myself into or out of this, and I really do kind of want one more bolt action, appreciate any feedback you have and I know how vague and hard to respond to this sort of forum thread is so apologies.
Anyway I'm not seeing much out there for left handed in current production, and what I am seeing I'm just not really excited about the caliber offerings. Then I landed on Shaw's site and started playing with their rifle configurator, and all of a sudden I think I need a 35 Whelen. Of course this lead to looking up ballistics info and wait a minute maybe I really need 358 Norma. But now we're getting close to what the 375 Ruger does and does better, so let's stick to 35 Whelen.
So here's my question. I have a 44 magnum lever action to pair with my 44 revolver. I have a 7.62x39 for end of the world general purpose fun, which is also an amazingly accurate and reliable rifle inside of 200 yds. I have a 6.5 Grendel for stretching out and hitting things I can barely make out in the scope. I have a 375 Ruger on the way because I wanted an apex predator for my small collection.
Everything I read about 35 Whelen I like, but does it really fill a gap for me or is it just my obsessive compulsive disorder driving the bus again? Am I really thinking about another gun that I could kinda sorta replicate for nothing by loading my 375 light? Do you read my short list of rifles and see a different gap than a 35 Whelen?
As you can see I am really trying to talk myself into or out of this, and I really do kind of want one more bolt action, appreciate any feedback you have and I know how vague and hard to respond to this sort of forum thread is so apologies.