Mediums that perform

[Doug Hamilton]

In early America it was considered a small game rifle.

In early America they didn't have smokeless powder or jacketed bullets. So compared to the 4 and 8 bore rifles that were used for dangerous game my .54 caliber muzzle loader would be considered small. Those numbers don't really apply today.

 

[Bush Buck]

I agree with Doug that, from an African hunting point of view, a medium is larger than .30 and smaller than .40. From a practical standpoint .338 to .375.
If my history is correct the 375 H&H has been the most popular and most widely available medium for about 75 years now (I'm speaking of it's international acceptance rather than it's introduction).

I find mediums to be useful and interesting but the only reason to use anything but the 375 H&H is because you want a handier rifle or less recoil - or you like to play with hunting rifles - like me.

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I agree with Doug that, from an African hunting point of view, a medium is larger than .30 and smaller than .40. From a practical standpoint .338 to .375.
If my history is correct the 375 H&H has been the most popular and most widely available medium for about 75 years now (I'm speaking of it's international acceptance rather than it's introduction).

I find mediums to be useful and interesting but the only reason to use anything but the 375 H&H is because you want a handier rifle or less recoil - or you like to play with hunting rifles - like me.

The 40s are large mediums ending at .435 diameter. Big bores start at .458 caliber. I would start the medium bores at .323/8mm

 

[WAB]

The 40s are large mediums. Big bores start at .458 caliber. I would start the medium bores at .323/8mm

I think this is probably right, start with the 8x68/.325.

I am torn between two mediums; a highland stalker in 9.3x62 and a custom M70 in .375 H&H. Both have taken plains game and buffalo. I see no practical difference in terminal performance. The 9.3 is handier but the .375 is a stunning rifle and holds a lot of memories from Alaska to Africa. It’s a good thing we are not restricted on how many rifles we can own!

 

[Wishfulthinker580]

I think this is probably right, start with the 8x68/.325.

I am torn between two mediums; a highland stalker in 9.3x62 and a custom M70 in .375 H&H. Both have taken plains game and buffalo. I see no practical difference in terminal performance. The 9.3 is handier but the .375 is a stunning rifle and holds a lot of memories from Alaska to Africa. It’s a good thing we are not restricted on how many rifles we can own!

I would love to own a Highland Stalker one day! And Amen!

 

[C.W. Richter]

No one has mentioned the 8x68s. It’s a great medium bore. Power wise similar to the 338 win mag but shoots a bit flatter. I have hunted Alaska twice with it taking Dall , caribou, moose and brown bear, all one shot kills. If your after something that you probably won’t find in camp the 8 x68s won’t disappoint.

I'd have to add the (oddball to America) 8mm (8x416) Rem Mag. It's a powerhouse and it'd be great on PG and many guides love heavier calibers for Goats to plant them where they are (in the cliffs!) 325 WSM?

 

[steve white]

This is a category where the 9.3X62 really shines. When I first got onto AH, I was astounded that the 9.3X64 was not more popular. It is after all, much more powerful, and to my mind, not a medium, just a 9.3 that is not always legal to DG. But I have learned to keep my mouth shut about the 9.3X62--it just has too loyal a fan base here. Still, I consider it a medium and not a large bore, and as such there are better long range mediums, like 338 WM or 340 Weatherby--now THERE is a reach out and touch someone round for heavy PG.

 

[Antho9364]

8 mm
The 8x57js, the excellent 8x64s, and the high-performance 8x68s.
9 mm
The 358 Norma Mag must be very good.
The wonderful 9.3x64 Brenneke (my favorite)
375 hh

 

[Buckums]

For the 9.3x62, I see a lot of people using 286 and 250 grain for PG. Anyone had experience with 300 grain 9.3 bullets for PG? It seems like 300 gr A Frame at 2200 or so would be serious medicine under 200 yards?

 

[Antho9364]

It can only be a good choice.
Why not in 320-325g?
The 9.3x64 in 320g is also very good.

 

[shootist~]

For the 9.3x62, I see a lot of people using 286 and 250 grain for PG. Anyone had experience with 300 grain 9.3 bullets for PG? It seems like 300 gr A Frame at 2200 or so would be serious medicine under 200 yards?

I used the 9.3 with the 300 gr A-F for a warthog and an Impala. Distance was roughly 120 yards +/- for both. MV was 2,300 fps. This was my cape buffalo load an the only rifle and edit:[soft] loading I took.

Both were hit a bit further back than ideal and both had a death run of 80-90 yards, IIRC. The blood trail for the warthog was impressive.

For PG, a lighter/faster bullet would be a better choice, IMO.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

For the 9.3x62, I see a lot of people using 286 and 250 grain for PG. Anyone had experience with 300 grain 9.3 bullets for PG? It seems like 300 gr A Frame at 2200 or so would be serious medicine under 200 yards?

@Buckums
The beaut of the 9.3 is you don't really need premium bullets for 90% of game the old cup and core at those sedate speeds do just fine.
Bob

 

[AZDAVE]

For me the ones I have that work well for me 8.57JRS, 338 RCM, 9.3x74, 9.3x62, 375 H&H, 376 Styer.

Just acquired a 400/350 rigby so that I am sure will also fit in that MED bore that perform class.

 

[pilar]

8mm Remington mag , we used to shoot a lot of stuff with it and then the cartridge just died. About zero chance of finding the ammunition

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

8mm Remington mag , we used to shoot a lot of stuff with it and then the cartridge just died. About zero chance of finding the ammunition

@pilar
Just make it out of 375 H&H brass
Bob

 

[Reg26]

I'd have to add the (oddball to America) 8mm (8x416) Rem Mag. It's a powerhouse and it'd be great on PG and many guides love heavier calibers for Goats to plant them where they are (in the cliffs!) 325 WSM?

I recently bought one of the Winchester 325 WSMs in stainless steel. I haven’t put rounds down range yet, but the price was worth giving it a shot. Can find them around $800.

 

[jaycee]

35 years ago I hunted a lot with a 300 Wby at first with 200 grain partitions and then switched to various revolutions of thenBarnes X/XLC/TSX/TTSX. I then moved to the 340 Wby, ultimately settling on the 225 TSX. Game accounted for with the 340 include one grizzly, 3 bull elk, and 4 bull moose - in those limited numbers, I definitely noticed a big difference in the killing effect of the 340 over the 300. About 10 years ago I bought a 375 Ruger and developed a load for the 270 grain TSX averaging 2730 fps. To date I have only shot two large bull elk with that, so not really enough to say there is a higher/lesser difference in killing effect on game between the 340 Wby and the 375 Ruger, but I can say they certainly appear to be in the same league.

 

[dchamp]

I like the .375H&H a lot and think it is probably the best all around Medium Bore. As for other Medium Bores I like the 8mm’s the most. I have a few 8x57is' and a 8x57irs, a 325wsm, a 8x68s and a 8mm Rem Mag. The 8 Rem Mag is my goto. The 9.3x62 is another favorite. I don’t have any .338 calibers or 35 calibers but if I did I think they would be a .340Wby or a 35Whelen.

 

[Kudurifle]

Very interesting article by Terminal Ballistics Research on the 35 Whelen:

.35 Whelen

The .35 Whelen, history, loads and performance.

www.ballisticstudies.com

 

[NIGHTHAWK]

Bob and I use our .243’s for mediums and I’m sure he’ll agree, they work well! At least up to Roan…