Most versatile chambering for handloaders?

[Alibiiv]

That is one of the reasons I plan on getting a whelen! I really like and respect the 338,but since I now have shoulder problems it's just to much for me without a brake.


Mud---the 308 is an excellent round. I still have 2,but when you throw big bears in the picture I don't think it makes to many people's short list. I haven't ever loaded any for my 308 but how much difference would there be with it and an /06 with a 200 partition?

I too have shoulder problems, tore the rotator cuff twice! The reason that I have the Whelen is due to the fact that I traded a Ruger 77 in 30-06 for a Ruger 77 in 338 WinMag. I shot the .338 WinMag three times, put it back in the gun case and brought it back and asked for my 30-06 back. That rifle kicked more than three mules at the same time. I built the 35 Whelen on the 30-06 rifle, put a KickEez recoild pad on it and never looked back. I have found recoil to be that more of a shove than a sharp kick. It has performed flawlessly on black bear, the furthest one ran after being shot was about 20 feet.

 

[ARSHUTR]

It has been mentioned numerous times already, but my experience and opinion is definitely the 35 Whelen. Loaded with modern/premium jacketed bullets it is capable of 600 yd shots on big game in the ungulate category, and will deliver the energy necessary to put them down quickly. Though not a premium bullet, I took a nice 5x5 bull elk with a 250 gr SP at 554 yds 2 yrs ago. So......theory proven. It was also mentioned that you can load .358 pistol boolits down to low velocity for small game, plinking and practice. The 280 gr Lyman 358009 RN cast with a 50% + Linotype and running 2200 fps would be pretty serious medicine for a brawl with a bruin.
I own 2-35 Whelen rifles and they are the top of the list for hunting rifles when I know a permit needs filled. If I could only have one, a custom Win Model 70 with a 1-14" or 1-12" twist barrel, a Manners or McMillan traditional huntinghuntin stock, and a lighter weight, quality 4.5-14 scope with the ability to dial.....or better yet hashes to hold elevation and wind is my ideal one rifle package.

 

[JASmith]

The .308 / 30-06 are excellent!

My father, however, used the .375 and, later, the AI version using both cast and jacketed bullets.

The real question is whether one intends to hunt medium game with cast bullets. I know that I got good expansion in water with wheel-weight cast bullets outof my "puny" .348 Winchester.

I would nonetheless go with either the '06 or 308 depending on which way nostalgia takes me. Both have a ton of reloading data for bullets of about 75 grains up to more than 220 grains. Further, going with a twist that stabilizes the long bullets will not hurt performance of light bullets.

 

[Bruce A.]

Cast bullets and the 308 work well for me. I have been using straight wheel weight lead with a little additional tin added to help it fill the mold. With a gas check I have loaded to maximum velocities and shot targets at 1000yds (no game that far yet). No striping of the rifling engagement and no lead build up with accuracy as good as with the best jacketed bullets. But, I have been stocking up on Jacketed bullets for years, so I am prepared as needed!

 

[Lee Goodwin]

458 Winchester and sometimes load it like a 45/70....sometimes not. ;-)
500 grain lead, 400 grain jacketed. Paper jacket some for fun. Open sights.

 

[No Data Fred]

I was about to yell from the mountaintops about my 35rem until I saw "out to 400". Hard hitting and accurate as all get out. 200gr cast and Hornady FTX with 2520 or Leverevolution are lights out out to 150-200(max). The Leverevolution factory loads are incredible as well. Not sure if it's ideal for large bear species but as a 100yd brush gun, it's always with me.

 

[skipglo]

For the handloader with cast lead, jacketed and solid projectiles to choose from, not relying on manufactured ammo.

From distances of 25-50 yards to say 400.

If you could only choose one rifle (chambering) for an all-around hunter (moose, elk, black/brown bear, deer and hogs), what would you choose?

300 Weatherby! Great for all!

 

[Kwixdraw]

For the handloader with cast lead, jacketed and solid projectiles to choose from, not relying on manufactured ammo.

From distances of 25-50 yards to say 400.

If you could only choose one rifle (chambering) for an all-around hunter (moose, elk, black/brown bear, deer and hogs), what would you choose?

You would not go very far wrong with a 45-70. You would have to consider whether to go single shot or lever gun, though I have a friend who built a Chinese Mauser into a workable 45-70. I notice you specified one caliber and not one gun. You could always do a lever gun for the up close work and a single shot for the long distance hunts. I think the biggest factor would be finding good moulds for the caliber you choose. Check out NOE Moulds. They used to have a pretty good cast bullet forum associated with their operation. First class products.
Personally I like the .338-'06. I had a Winchester 70 featherweight rebarreled (shilen barrel) and built properly. I have molds for it but the selection is (or was) not overwhelming. I have not had a chance to work up cast bullet loads for it but it shoots pretty much any good 210-250 gr jacketed bullet into cloverleafs at 200 yds. I have not needed to shoot further than that in the field. It is a bit particular about powders for jacketed rounds and I hope that won't carry over into cast bullets.

 

[chav0_12]

Well that's just no fun, why choose one when you can choose many? Sure there's a lot of "do-it-all" cartridges but there's also a ton of really great cartridges that can pinpoint a niche.

 

[Locknload]

I came to love the powder coated hard cast 35 caliber RCBS style bullets, in the 180 and 200 grain weight class while shooting steel for 35 years. I have shot them in revolvers, Contenders, Merrill's, BFs, ARs, 700 Remington's, Martinis, in Mausers and never had a problem reaching 2,700 fps in a proper action with no leading or gas system problems. 300 yards is a better distance for the cast but you could stretch the range to 400. Then switching to jacketed bullet, the 35 Whelen will reach on out. It's power and ease of loading is well established. I prefer big bore loaded down rather than small bore loaded up. Wnen I want or need a thumper, it is there by just switching Ammo.
Ed

 

[MudRunner2005]

Mud---the 308 is an excellent round. I still have 2,but when you throw big bears in the picture I don't think it makes to many people's short list. I haven't ever loaded any for my 308 but how much difference would there be with it and an /06 with a 200 partition?

Maybe 150-200 FPS tops. The standard .30-06 is not a real speed demon. Which is why the .308 Win was so widely accepted. For all military intents and purposes, it did pretty much the same job as the .30-06, but in a smaller, lighter, easier to carry package. Which is why it was invented and adopted in the first place.

 

[Old Rooster]

Already mentioned a few times,30-06.
My brother worked in Alaska on the north slope for over a year and worked with many native Alaskan's and ALL used 30-06 for everything.180 gr for most everything and 220 grain for all bears,black and brown.
Never felt under-gunned he said.
I have been face to face with Grizz and felt my 30-06 would not be enough but these native Alaskan's has used 30-06 all their lives.Nearly Every store up there stocked plenty of 30-06 and 300 win mag.
I took an elk at 388 yards with a 30-06 and it fell 13 feet from where it was hit.180 gr Partition reloads.
Just my 2 cents
Old Rooster

 

[MakeMineA284]

For the handloader with cast lead, jacketed and solid projectiles to choose from, not relying on manufactured ammo.

From distances of 25-50 yards to say 400.

If you could only choose one rifle (chambering) for an all-around hunter (moose, elk, black/brown bear, deer and hogs), what would you choose?

If most of the game would be the larger game, I would choose a 338. If most is smaller game, I would probably choose the 308. I prefer short actions but anything on a Mauser action would be great, also.

 

[Kwixdraw]

The cast bullet aspect is going to be the clincher in your selection. Check out Rotometals for good casting alloy and "White Label" lubes. I like their Carnuba Red which they say is good for 2700+ fps.