Just wanting opinions

[jacob.elliott]

I have inherited most of my gun collection from my grandpa. I didn't choose them so i just wanted to know what others thought of these cartridges.
Arisaka 6.5 Jap (sporter)
Mauser 25-06 (sporter)
Mauser 8mm-06 (sporter)
Enfield 17-222 (sporter)

When he acuired these guns all but the Jap were wildcats and the only supplier for Jap ammo was norma. Just wanting to know wat other people think of them

 

[1KPerDay]

Your gramps had some weird stuff, that's for sure.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

He was probably a very interesting guy.

Of course, of those 3 besides the Jap, there is one which has maintained true mainstream status (in fact, enormously popular), and that is .25-06. Hopefully, the measurements of the modern .25-06 will be the same as the particular wildcat incarnation he used back then - there were slight variations in terms of shoulder angle, etc., before final standardization of the round by Remington.

Of the other two, one is semi-accepted but still wildcat, the 8mm-06, which was a VERY common conversion due to the ease of making the bbl (just a chamber ream) with the ease of getting brass.

The other one is all but obsolete, but certainly could be fun to play with.

 

[Eb1]

Ah.. Nothing.

 

[moooose102]

I have never even heard of an enfield 17-222, but your gramps had some pretty cool guns! honor him and get what it takes to keep shooting them. if you have to, find someone who will make ammo for you. most you can buy ammo for, you dont have to shoot them often, just every once in a while. it will remind you of him.

 

[Rancho Relaxo]

Wow, as a handloader I'd love to get a collection like that! The wildcats in the collection are about as basic as they get, probably pretty easy to load for, nothing too exotic. Still, looks like fun!

 

[jacob.elliott]

he did teach me to handload. and i enjoy it so ammo is not a problem he also gave me more brass than i could ever wear out. i use them all fairly reguraly they all have to take turns. all shoot well except the 17-222. i am messing with it trying to get it to stay on the paper.

 

[jacob.elliott]

does anyone have any experience with any of these (except the 25-06 i know it is popular)

 

[Float Pilot]

Mauser 25-06 (sporter)
Mauser 8mm-06 (sporter)

I have owned both of these.
The 25-06 is a great cartridge for long range open plain work.

The 8mm -06 was a very popular conversion a few decades ago. It is also a pretty powerful cartridge.

As the 338-06 is now popular as a big-game wildcat up here in Alaska, the 8mm-06 was at one time close to the same thing. Just being 323 caliber instead of 338 caliber.

Back in those days it was much easier (cheaper) to rechamber a military 8mm Mauser barrel by only enlarging the chamber area to accept 30-06 size brass.

Mine would fire a 200 grain bullet at 2,650 fps from a 22 inch barrel.

If you don't want a wildcat, just have the rifle re-barreled to a more desireable cartridge. It will still be grandpa's gun.....

 

[jacob.elliott]

love it being a wildcat. love reloading. just wondering if anyone had any opinions about them. hopefully going to get to try the 8mm on an elk this year

 

[X-Rap]

Always keep a corner of your safe open for the guns that will be passed down to you if they had special meaning to the owner. They may not be SHTF guns but keep some brass and ammo for them and include them in the collection that you pass on. Be sure to pass on the knowledge and love of the sport that you got to.