Caliber conversion question.

[jogar80]

I have a Browning X-bolt in .308 that I am using as my primary rifle. I intend to use it for deer hunting and perhaps elk or maybe moose in the future if I ever get the opportunity. I also have a .223 rifle that is a plinker/varmint gun. My dad has given up hunting and gave me his Remington model 700 that he bought in the early 80's. It's a nice rifle, chambered in .30-06. The only thing is, I don't really see any use for it since I can do just about all the same things with my .308. I was wondering if a caliber conversion might be reasonable, and if so, what caliber could handle the next "tier" of responsibilities that a .308 could not? I'm not very well educated in this area so looking to you guys for help.

 

[unwise11]

.300 win mag is pheasable, but, since it is alread an 06 bolt, get a 25-06 chambered barrel. it will be a good flat shooter and will be able to take deer.

 

[bearman49709]

I would go with the 35 wheelen, everything is the same as the 30-06 but the hole in the barrel.

 

[natman]

+1. If you have a 308 and a 223, you've covered the 25-06's territory fairly well unless you are a die hard antelope hunter. A 35 Whelen would offer a whole new dimension on elk.

 

[S. Hill]

Count me the third vote for the .35 Whelen. Factory ammo is available (usually), and it will handle the heavy side of any hunting in North America.

It is a fairly efficient cartridge. You wouldn't lose much velocity if you went with a 22" or 23" barrel.

 

[jogar80]

.35 Whelen sounds like the way to go! So we are looking at a barrel swap, pretty much?

 

[pbcaster45]

Oh well, just to be contrary I'll recommend the 338-06 A-Square. I've got a .338 Federal and a .338-06 would be even better...

 

[S. Hill]

Depending on the size of your current barrel, you shouldn't even have to open the barrel channel for the .358 cal. barrel. IF you have a very lightweight barrel contour, it may be necessary to modify the stock, slightly.

Other than that, just changing the barrel.

 

[Coal Dragger]

Any of the cartridges based on the .473" bolt face will work (.473 is the diameter of a .30-06 cartridge at the base).

So an easy re-barrel can net you a rifle in:

.25-06 Remington

6.5mm-06 wildcat round

.270 Winchester

.280 Remington

.280 Remington Ackley Improved (near 7mm Rem Mag performance) now a factory offering. I own one, and like the cartridge very much.

8mm-06 wildcat round.... might as well barrel to 8mm Mauser..

.338-06 A-Square, very useful ability to toss 225gr and 250gr .338 bullets. Factory ammo available.

.35 Whelen another useful and efficient cartridge that can fling heavier bullets, albeit a more limited selection of projectiles than the more popular .338 bore.

9.3X62mm Mauser (.366) can push a 250gr bullet to 2580fps, and a 286gr at 2400fps. Components will be tough to find though.

 

[bpl]

I would keep it as is, a 30-06, and use it when you go elk or moose hunting allowing you to make the trip with your xbolt 308 as a backup. (or vice versa, but the 30-06 is a smidgen better for elk or moose hunting than the 308, so I'd use it as the primary). Why cut up your Dad's rifle? Just save up and buy another if you want a different cartridge.

 

[joed]

Tough choices and no matter what you choose you'll have duplication. Normally I'd say .25-06 which has been my favorite cartridge for over 30 years. It will do most of what the .308 will do but give you something easier on you for hunting deer sized game. For varmint hunting it's one of the heaviest hitters with a very flat trajectory.

In your case you may want to go with something larger then .30 cal though. Like I said, tough choices.

 

[LoonWulf]

I like the 6.5-06 (maybe improved), or the 9.3x62. For the 9.3 cases can be made from 35 wheelen or even 06 and bullets can be ordered from midway or others.
Another thought is the 9.3x66 (.370 sako). Bit harder to find stuff then 9.3x62, but there IS factory ammo running around, ive even seen a box out here in hawaii, go figure. bloody pricey tho

Realy tho the 35 wheelen or .338-06 (again maybe an improved version) would probobly be the easiest most cost effective choice. Power would be quite a step up from your .308 and all youd need is a barrel change, set of reloading dies and components. If only because ammo for either seems to be a bit on the expensive side.

 

[smartshot]

yeah a 30-06 is one of those rifles that many of us regret getting rid of. its the best all around rifle and opens many avenues for you so I recommend keeping it. The cost of converting the caliber will almost allow you to get another rifle.

 

[GunTech]

Leave it as 30-06 and take up hand loading. 30-06 is adequate for just about all North American game. No reason to go to some uncommon caliber unless you just want to be different. If you forget your ammo on a hunting trip, it is far easier to find some 30-06 at the local hardware store than some exotic.

 

[chas08]

Why cut up your Dad's rifle?

My thoughts exactly. Since my Fathers passing, things that were his are now priceless to me. I'd be more apt to rebarrel the .308 and keep the '06.

 

[jogar80]

Dangit... the .35 whelen was sounding soooooo good.... now you guys got me thinkin about the whole "Dad's ole gun" side of things. What to do........ ????

 

[Maverick223]

Dangit... the .35 whelen was sounding soooooo good.... now you guys got me thinkin about the whole "Dad's ole gun" side of things. What to do........ ????

The .35Whelen is a great cartridge, but I too would think long and hard about modifying my father's rifle. Perhaps the .308Win. is the one to re-chamber...a 7mm-08Rem. or a .260Rem. would be the same bolt face and afford a flat shooting, lightweight, deer-getter with little recoil.

If you do decide to re-bbl, might as well slightly open up the bolt and take it on up to a 9.3x64mmBrenneke (IF you reload). FWIW, I have thought about doing this to my Browning 1895 lever rifle...it'd make one heck of a thumper!