Re-Barrel a .30-06 to ??

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

338-06 is a good choice. It is what I use and have used almost exclusively for everything up to but not including eland. At eland I go straight to 375 HH or 416 Rem.

My 338-06 started life as a CRF Win M 70 in 30-06. Added a Krieger barrel chambered in 338-06. No other mods needed. Very simple.

It is the ballistic twin of the 318 WR without all the hassle. Bullet choices are plentiful and many have already been tested in the 338 Win Mag with its much higher impact velocity. A proven 338 WM bullet with a performance track record automatically is a tough, proven bullet in the 338-06.

A tough, premium 225 gr bullet in the 338-06 using Varget at a modest velocity (and pressure ) is a winner from my experience.

@fourfive8
Where's the fun in using a 225gn in the 338-06 at 2,600fps when even using nosler data you can get the 225gn accubond to over 2,800fps or Speers data and get the 225gn GK to 2,900fps.
No comparison betwixt the 2.
The whelen wins hands down for velocity and power.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

then AI it...

@geoff rath
I have the AIversion as well. Not worth the hassle of fire forming.
Just load the vanilla Whelen properly.
Bob

 

[FlowHamed18]

Haven't read all pages, but what about the 8,5x63 from Mr. Reb.

Great cartridge and (at least in Europe) no problem with reloading parts, bullets, ...

 

[K95]

Before you decide you should read the book titled 9.3 x62 Mauser journal, that will make the decision simple.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Before you decide you should read the book titled 9.3 x62 Mauser journal, that will make the decision simple.

@K95
I have read some of that book it is an excellent read and I learnt a lot about the 9.3x62. Highly recommended reading.
Bob

 

[John Wasmuth]

@K95
I have read some of that book it is an excellent read and I learnt a lot about the 9.3x62. Highly recommended reading.
Bob

Most informative book on the 9,3 ever penned.

 

[BnC 04]

This thread has cost me $$$....
I was kicking around the idea of having a couple calibers on post 64 crf actions and couldn't decide on what I wanted. I dug around and identified two '06's that will start the journey to 9.3x62 as well as 35 Whelen. One will be a rebore and other a barrel replacement. Sounds like the return time is only a few months.

 

[BeeMaa]

This thread has cost me $$$....
I was kicking around the idea of having a couple calibers on post 64 crf actions and couldn't decide on what I wanted. I dug around and identified two '06's that will start the journey to 9.3x62 as well as 35 Whelen. One will be a rebore and other a barrel replacement. Sounds like the return time is only a few months.

I know you have another one kicking around somewhere that would make a Cracker Jack 25-06!

 

[BnC 04]

I know you have another one kicking around somewhere that would make a Cracker Jack 25-06!

I don't think I'd go that far .....yet
Plus I can't bring myself to sacrafice one of the pre 64's.

 

[Flewis]

@geoff rath
I have the AIversion as well. Not worth the hassle of fire forming.
Just load the vanilla Whelen properly.
Bob

I agree Bob, the only AI I have is the 280. I bought it that way. If the standard can’t do what I need i put it back in the safe and get something bigger.

 

[BeeMaa]

I don't think I'd go that far .....yet
Plus I can't bring myself to sacrafice one of the pre 64's.

For those that may not know. It would be (morally) difficult to take a pre '64 M70 Winchester and convert it to 25-06 because the cartridge wasn't standardized until 1969.

 

[Flewis]

I don’t have to, I have one in 257Bob.

 

[BnC 04]

I don’t have to, I have one in 257Bob.

Exactly

 

[JimP]

For those that may not know. It would be (morally) difficult to take a pre '64 M70 Winchester and convert it to 25-06 because the cartridge wasn't standardized until 1969.

Alright, how about the 25 Nieder that came out in 1920 as a wildcat

 

[BeeMaa]

Alright, how about the 25 Nieder that came out in 1920 as a wildcat

Sure, you go right ahead. I'll watch from here.

 

[jpr9954]

You don't necessarily need to "re-barrel". If it is a larger caliber you can have it rebored. That is what I did with a .30-06 Remington that I had rebored to 9.3x62.

I used a gunsmith out in Oregon and it cost me $250 plus shipping to him. He can do other calibers as well.

http://www.35caliber.com/8.html

 

[JimP]

Sure, you go right ahead. I'll watch from here.

It's just one of the many that came about by just necking down the 06 case to 25 caliber.

 

[BnC 04]

Alright, how about the 25 Nieder that came out in 1920 as a wildcat

There has been countless attempts at necking up, down and sideways of various cases in hopes the caliber gets traction when most attempts failed. In terms of user accessability the 25 Neider fell into the "didn't take off" in terms of consumer acceptance, unlike the 25-06, Roberts ect.

 

[Fatback]

I believe I am in the same boat as BnC. I can’t decide between the 35 Whelen and the 9.3x62. So, I am now on the look out for another donor 30-06 so I can get one of each made. Is there another caliber that would work as easily as the 30-06 for a donor rifle? The first one I am getting done is a Ruger M77 MarkII. I’d like to find another one of those for the donor rifle if I can. Also, what length barrel would y’all recommend of each of these calibers? I was thinking 24 inch but haven’t really looked into it that much yet. Thanks again for all the replies.

 

[rdog]

What about the worlds best rifle cartridge the 6.5 manbun with a muzzle break 20 round mag, pistol grip stock & a 35x60 dial up scope every body at our local range has one. other required accessories are a cammo out fit & your hat on backwards.