Just say 'no' to medium bore?

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ExAgoradzo

ExAgoradzo

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OK, so this may be trolling a bit...

I own two pistol cals in lever action and a 45-70.

For no other purpose than having a medium bore lever action I would love to have a 338MX...but I can't find them anywhere. Then on other forums I've found that they weren't that great a gun once people got them...

I have seen the 358 win in the BLR for sale, that would fit the bill, but there are mixed reviews on that (caliber, not platform).

So, as I have been told on this forum repeatedly, stick with the 30-06. And I do know there are a few lever actions in that caliber, I am probably going to stick with that (after I get my 6.5x55 bolt some day).

Thoughts? I am not interested in any WSMs and I know there are 300 and 7 Rem mags--but they aren't medium bore. I haven't seen a 338 win mag in a lever and might be scared to shoot that anyway :eek:.

How many are going to agree that I should just stay with the 30-06 in bolt until I can save up enough for the 30-06 in lever?

Greg
 
Greg,

I am not a fan of the lever action rifle, but on a recommendation of a close friend I purchased a Marlin 336C in 35 Remington. For me it is a great gun and a great caliber (150 yard range). I also use a Remington 7600 in 30-06 again a great gun and caliber.

If you must have a carbine in 30-06 I would suggest you look at the Remington 760 or if it has to be a lever action the 336C in 35 Remington or a lever action rifle in 45-70.

I do not think the 30-06 and lever action should be mixed, but that is just my opinion.
Jim
 
Dunno why a 358 bolt gun would be undesirable. I think well of the chambering - quite capable of varminting using 357 Mag bullets and still well capable of game-getting using the heavier fodder.
 
ExAgoradzo said:
OK, so this may be trolling a bit...

I own two pistol cals in lever action and a 45-70.

For no other purpose than having a medium bore lever action I would love to have a 338MX...but I can't find them anywhere. Then on other forums I've found that they weren't that great a gun once people got them...

I have seen the 358 win in the BLR for sale, that would fit the bill, but there are mixed reviews on that (caliber, not platform).

So, as I have been told on this forum repeatedly, stick with the 30-06. And I do know there are a few lever actions in that caliber, I am probably going to stick with that (after I get my 6.5x55 bolt some day).

Thoughts? I am not interested in any WSMs and I know there are 300 and 7 Rem mags--but they aren't medium bore. I haven't seen a 338 win mag in a lever and might be scared to shoot that anyway :eek:.

How many are going to agree that I should just stay with the 30-06 in bolt until I can save up enough for the 30-06 in lever?

Greg
Click to expand...
It depends on your uses for the "medium bore". I have one small bore centerfire rifle, a 22 WCF Ballard. My next rifle cartridge is a 405 WCF. It does everything I need on this continent. I load it as if it were a black powder cartridge, meaning moderate velocity and lead bullets, and it is a great firearm. I also have some factory spec ammunition avaible in case I feel the need to really knock something onto it's heels. Next up on the caliber chart for me are a couple of 45-70s I have acquired along the way. The more I use the 405, the less I feel the need for the 45-70. My big rifle, is my frankentrapdoor chambered in 50-70. It's performance, on game, makes the 45-70 look puny. Yes the 45-70 is a flatter shooting powerhouse but the 50 is a freight train. And the 405 is flatter than the 45, yet with plenty of power.

The same lever action that is available in 30-06 is also chambered for the 405. You do have options. I do not mind the small bores, just prefer the larger ones.
 
Andrew, the 6.5x55 IS going to be my next gun. Love the CZ, would rather have the M70 Win, but the were such a small run and just aren't for sale in my range.

Don't know why I forgot about the 35 Rem... I even saw one at a LGS... But what I would love is something to approximate the 30-06 (like the Marlin Express).

Again, this is a 'just because' wish... The 6.5 is because I want a full power rifle my boys can shoot now and I can in 35 years...:).

I will read the Marlin link after work, thanks.

Greg
 
Ditto Greg,

the 6.5mm is so my grandbuddies can start hunting with me. In any event with good shot placement one can go up to a Kudu. I plan on having them shoot Springbok, Impala and Blesbok. These are all cheap forms of venison and great for roasts and jerky.

Waiting for my components, Lapua cases only arrive in September as do the dies.

I bought the CZ550 normal stock though and not the FS (it was a close call). The full stock rifle will be reserved for either the 9.3 or the .375

I am off on a Springbok hunt in October and will blood the 6.5mm for the first time.
 
If a mid-bore appeals to you, get one. I don't know anything about the .338 but always wanted a Big Bore 94 .356 or .375. The .405 mentioned above is also a wonderful cartridge in the late model Winchester 1895's.


So, as I have been told on this forum repeatedly, stick with the 30-06.
Click to expand...
I would immediately disregard comments by those individuals as boring and unimaginative. I could not imagine how boring life would be if ".30-06" was the answer to every question. Variety is the spice of life.
 
There is a thread on here extolling the virtues of .338 Federal. The .338 Marlin Express would be very similar to the .338 Federal.

The only reason anyone would "stick with .30-06" is due to ammo availability. With ammo available on the internet and reloading, ammo availability doesn't phase me. Unless you plan to be in some backwoods area and needing ammo right away...I wouldn't worry about it.
 
CraigC; is right on there, I love my Big Bore 94, the .375 Winchester is a very good round, ain`t nutten I wouldn`t put it up again encluding a big brown............
 
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The early production 308 and 338MX rifles at least left a lot to be desired. I have one of the .308MX and while it will put 3 rounds touching at 100yds (the only reason that I chose to work out the problems rather than dump it like a load of garbage) those 3 rounds were a foot low with the elevation on my scope (96MOA total available, 48MOA above mechanical zero) maxed. I tried several mounts and bases with the same results and ended up with a rail on the receiver and a set of Burris Signature Zee rings with .020" offset bushings front and rear for around 50MOA of elevation in the rings to get it cloes enough that I was comfortable using scope adjustments to get it zeroed at 100yds.

Turns out that when they set up the new facility after they collocated Marlin production with Remington (worst move ever BTW) and were installing the boring jigs on the machine that bores the receivers for the barrel, they did not get them correctly aligned and the barrel points down almost a degree compared to the top of the receiver. This was on EVERY rifle that came off that machine. No recall was ever issued for this total cock-up either probably because it doesn't affect safety or the iron sights. I've not heard of it being made right for anyone either.
 
Actually, Hoofan, I think I might like the 338 Fed better because the AR guys have bought into it: it might be around for a while...Marlin or Browning ought to put in into production...but my phone hasn't been ringing off the hook for suggestions ;).

Thanks Helotaxi for the info. I had heard something along those lines, but hadn't heard the 'story'.

303...nice Winny...
 
.338 Federal would work in a BLR since it is fed by a box magazine. Won't work for the Marlin 336 though since it has a tubular magazine. That is why Marlin had the .308 MX and .338 MX developed, so they could nearly reach .308 WIN and .338 Federal ballistics in a round designed for tubular magazines.

.338 Federal would work in a tubular magazine only if loaded with flat nose bullets or Hornady LeveRevolution. Marlin would never take the chance that somoene would load factory hard points into it though.
 
The .35 Rem would be my first choice but what I've shot of the .338 Federal in a buddy's gun I liked it and it doesn't pound you into the ground like the .338winmag. But if I really feel the need for BIG and SLOW I got a 120 year old Mauser that eats the 11mm x 60 too bad it's $5 bucks a shot :) but it is different!
 
I'm not a lever action lover but a friend has one that I really enjoy shooting. It's a Marlin 336 chambered for the 375 Winchester cartridge. The rifle has a 20 inch barrel, a half length magazine under the barrel, a stock without a pistol grip and a factory installed recoil pad. It's very enjoyable and impressive to shoot. Of course, it's a 200 yard deer rifle but it's bite is much greater than you would expect. The cartridges are loaded to near 30-06 pressures of 50,000 cup and it will zing a 235 grain bullet downrange at over 1800 fps. Let me say it again, it's a real pleasure to shoot and I think you would like it as much or better than your 45-70. You may be able to find a Winchester 94 or a Marlin 336 on GunBroker if you watch the adds. Shooter
 
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.375 Fan

I have a Marlin 375 in .375 Winchester, because I prefer pistol grip leverguns, it launches 200 grns @ 2300 fps and is good to 200 yds.
If I need more power, I go with my 8mm mauser(.323)it launches 200grns @ 2600-2700fps and that is good to 300-400 yards.
If I could find a .356 winny at a great price, I would snap it up quick! or a model 94 in .307 winchester
The .338 Federal looks good too! As far as 308ME and 338ME they seem to be great rounds also,
since I reload for all my centerfire cartridges, I would reload for anything new aquired.
 
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Try a 35 whelen in a Remington 7600 pump, Have the barrel shorten to 18" to 20" inches. Mount a ghost ring rear sight on it and a sling you would have a Jim-Dandy Mid bore


colonelhogan44 wants his 35 Whelen in a bolt gun.... Hum how about a scout rifle in 35 Whelen...
 
Whelen?

Ruger M77 is in 35 Whelen: scout rifle in the making?

I had not considered the Whelen: silly me. It isn't a lever, but I don't own a pump rifle.

While I still would want the 338 I think I could lust after the 35 Whelen as well...:rolleyes:

I love that you guys added some more suggestions, that is exactly what I was looking for.

Greg
 
I have a '94 Winchester in 38/55 it's a wonderful round I use LaserCast bullets and run them hard as I can without leading, it hit's hard wouldn't have a problem with any deer out to 150. If I want to streach it out a little more I get my '95 Win out in 30/40.
IMG-20120304-00394.jpg
 
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