Kachok
Member
Doing research on medium bore cartridges, I have no hands on with any of them so I was hoping to get some input from fellow reloaders on the pros and cons of each.
Here is what I have come up with thus far.
338 Fed
Pros: Short action thumper, can be formed from 308 brass.
Cons: Seems to be dying off, less potent then other medium bores.
338-06 A-Square
Pros: Very well ballanced cartridge, brass can be easily formed from 30-06.
Cons: VERY hard to find rifles chambered.
338 Win Mag
Pros: Most sucessful medium bore in the states.
Cons: Useless belt on the brass, recoil is stout for it's class.
358 Win
Pros: Hardest hitting and most powerful member of the 308 family.
Cons: Speed may leave something to be desired. Little support nowadays despite is loyal following.
35 Whelen
Pros: Hard hitting medium bore, highly regarded by many hunters. Can be formed from 30-06
Cons: Hard to find factory rifles unless you buy a Remington some have complained about headspacing issues.
9.3x62 Mauser
Pros: Internationally respected big game/dangerous game hunting cartridge, offered in quality CZ and Sako rifles. Supposedly moderate recoil for it's power. Can be formed from 30-06 with a little work. Prvi offers quality ammo for cheap, and their brass is superb.
Cons: As with the 35 Whelen it supposedly has headspacing issues unless brass if perfectly reformed.
9.3x64
Pros: 375 H&H level power in a standard length action, very powerful and efficient cartridge.
Cons: Cannot be formed from common brass and the brass is rare/expensive.
375 H&H
Pros: THE most respected and available big game rifle cartridge anywhere on the planet.
Cons: Very long action, belted brass, less efficient then some.
375 Ruger
Pros: highly efficient, fast, powerful, and advanced. Offers every advantage over the H&H
Cons: Wildly overpowerd for almost any game in north America. Recoil would probably require a muzzle break unless loaded down significantly.
Anyone load any of these, what are your thoughts on them?
Here is what I have come up with thus far.
338 Fed
Pros: Short action thumper, can be formed from 308 brass.
Cons: Seems to be dying off, less potent then other medium bores.
338-06 A-Square
Pros: Very well ballanced cartridge, brass can be easily formed from 30-06.
Cons: VERY hard to find rifles chambered.
338 Win Mag
Pros: Most sucessful medium bore in the states.
Cons: Useless belt on the brass, recoil is stout for it's class.
358 Win
Pros: Hardest hitting and most powerful member of the 308 family.
Cons: Speed may leave something to be desired. Little support nowadays despite is loyal following.
35 Whelen
Pros: Hard hitting medium bore, highly regarded by many hunters. Can be formed from 30-06
Cons: Hard to find factory rifles unless you buy a Remington some have complained about headspacing issues.
9.3x62 Mauser
Pros: Internationally respected big game/dangerous game hunting cartridge, offered in quality CZ and Sako rifles. Supposedly moderate recoil for it's power. Can be formed from 30-06 with a little work. Prvi offers quality ammo for cheap, and their brass is superb.
Cons: As with the 35 Whelen it supposedly has headspacing issues unless brass if perfectly reformed.
9.3x64
Pros: 375 H&H level power in a standard length action, very powerful and efficient cartridge.
Cons: Cannot be formed from common brass and the brass is rare/expensive.
375 H&H
Pros: THE most respected and available big game rifle cartridge anywhere on the planet.
Cons: Very long action, belted brass, less efficient then some.
375 Ruger
Pros: highly efficient, fast, powerful, and advanced. Offers every advantage over the H&H
Cons: Wildly overpowerd for almost any game in north America. Recoil would probably require a muzzle break unless loaded down significantly.
Anyone load any of these, what are your thoughts on them?