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Author Topic: Caliber Choice?  (Read 884 times)

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Offline Swampman

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Caliber Choice?
« on: January 13, 2008, 03:04:52 AM »
I have a silver finished SB2 receiver that I'm thinking about returning to NEF for a barrel.  I have 2 .45-70 Marlins, but I'm considering the new 24" stainless .45-70 barrel if that is an option.  I've also thought about the .444 or the .500S&W.  I wish they offered the .308MX in the Handi.  I don't like the rimless cartridges in the Handi.  Any suggestions or thoughts?

Mark
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

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Offline greg916

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #1 on: January 13, 2008, 03:51:16 AM »
Do you have a 30-30? It always been a good one.  I also wish the .308mx was available.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #2 on: January 13, 2008, 03:55:46 AM »
I have 2 .30-30 Marlins...

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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline MSP Ret

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2008, 04:57:59 AM »
The stainless 45-70 would be nice or you could go with a 30-30 barrel and have it rechambered to 30-40 Krag to get a rim....<><....:)
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Offline Fred M

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2008, 07:58:21 AM »
What does a 308MX look like? Never seen one. How much volume has it got?
Or what is the velocity of a 150gr or 180gr bullet?
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Fred M.
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Offline Swampman

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2008, 08:53:10 AM »
.308 Marlin Express

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/ammunition/marline_122106/index1.html

The .30-40 Krag is a great option, but I'd have a lot invested in the project after the rechamber.
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"Brother, you say there is but one way to worship and serve the Great Spirit. If there is but one religion, why do you white people differ so much about it? Why not all agreed, as you can all read the Book?" Sogoyewapha, "Red Jacket" - Senaca

1st Special Operations Wing 1975-1983
919th Special Operations Wing  1983-1985 1993-1994

"Manus haec inimica tyrannis / Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietem" ~Algernon Sidney~

Offline dpastordan

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2008, 10:36:16 AM »
The .444 would be a good choice but the .45/70 has lots of ammo options.  My first Handi was in .45/70.  My third barrel was a .30-30 and with the ammo available...I would not go with a .308 but jump up to a .30-06.  I have used the Nosler 170 gr Federals and they are great!  I have yet to use the 165 gr. leverevolution of Hornady but plan on it.  With today's newer powders and improvements in bullets, I foresee the day when the .30-30 will move closer to the .300 Savage in performance or even more.  Who knows? 

I have used the Federal Noslers in a Youth Model 94 (16 1/2" barrel) and killed a boar (210 lb) and a doe.  My .30-30 in Handi rifle has killed a boar (165 lb.) with the Nosler and with the 150 gr. Federal, killed a 120 lb doe (dressed weight).  The Federal exited the body cavity but did not break the far side skin.  The Noslers thus far have given me complete penetration plus expansion. 

I have not complaints about the accuracy.  I get 1 1/2" - 2" groups with the Noslers and 1" - 1 1/2" groups with the Remingtons.  I'm not complaining.   ;D
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Offline Slufoot

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2008, 12:16:26 PM »
Quote from: Swampman on January 13, 2008, 03:04:52 AM
I wish they offered the .308MX in the Handi.  I don't like the rimless cartridges in the Handi.  Any suggestions or thoughts?

Mark

Hello Swampman, If you want a 30 caliber with better performance than the 30-30 and want a rim, then I suggest getting a 308 Win. barrel and turning a rim recces in the lathe. This will turn the 308 into a 307. If you don't have access to a lathe then I'm sure it would only cost you a few bucks to have someone to do it for you.
Just a thought!

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot
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Offline dumgunny

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2008, 04:08:57 PM »
Quote from: Slufoot on January 13, 2008, 12:16:26 PM
Quote from: Swampman on January 13, 2008, 03:04:52 AM
I wish they offered the .308MX in the Handi.  I don't like the rimless cartridges in the Handi.  Any suggestions or thoughts?

Mark

Hello Swampman, If you want a 30 caliber with better performance than the 30-30 and want a rim, then I suggest getting a 308 Win. barrel and turning a rim recces in the lathe. This will turn the 308 into a 307. If you don't have access to a lathe then I'm sure it would only cost you a few bucks to have someone to do it for you.
Just a thought!

 307 Wichester would be nice, except for the brass being scarce and expensive,and a strictly handloading proposition, or you could just have a 30/30 punched out to 30/30 Ackley Improved and then you could shoot regular 30/30 winchester ammo to make your own brass! Or even have a 30/30 or 7.62X39 barrel rechambered to .308MX
dg

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot
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Offline dumgunny

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #9 on: January 13, 2008, 04:12:01 PM »
  A 307 Wichester  barrel would be nice, except for the brass being scarce and expensive,and a strictly handloading proposition, or you could just have a 30/30 punched out to 30/30 Ackley Improved and then you could shoot regular 30/30 winchester ammo to make your own brass! Or even have a 30/30 or 7.62X39 barrel rechambered to .308MX
dg
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Offline Slufoot

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #10 on: January 13, 2008, 04:37:29 PM »
The 30-30 AI is a very good cartridge. I've got one in a 24" barreled Marlin and it's a shooter. It will push 150's to 2600 and 170's to 2400+ fps.

The 30-30 case is longer than the 308MX case. If you tried to rechamber to the MX round it wouldn't clean up the chamber, not a good idea.

If you did decide on the 307 from a 308 barrel, I would order an extractor for the 444 Marlin and use it for the 307 cartridge and then you could always put the original 308 extractor back in and still shoot 308's.
307 brass can still be found from Winchester, but it can also be made from 444 Marlin brass.

I read the post where swampman didn't want to invest in a rechamber job so that's why I mentioned the 307.

GOOD SHOOTING!
Slufoot
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Offline Mac11700

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #11 on: January 13, 2008, 06:21:22 PM »


The 444 or the 45-70 would be an excellent choice...Swampy...instead of re chambering...just send it in and get a BC barrel and have your smith cut it back to 26" or so...To me that would be an excellent addition...Now if you do ever decide to jump in on the rimless...and want to go whole hog...buy a 25-06 ejector barrel for it...and send it out to Wayne York and let him turn it into a 338-06 A-Square...I never had 1 stuck case in mine...factory or hand loads and believe me..I pushed them very very hard...  His work will make a believer out of ya in no time...;)

Mac
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Offline Fred M

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Re: Caliber Choice?
« Reply #12 on: January 13, 2008, 07:41:54 PM »
Thanks Swampman.
Never had much dealings with leaver actions. 308MX sounds like a nice chambering for a Handi. But would require a rebore job.
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Fred M.
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