Cartridge suggestion recommendation

[osteodoc08]

I love to shoot. I have many different calibers to choose from and can shoot and also shoot cast in many of them. My favorite as of late is my 32-20. Economical. Low recoil. Not that loud. Brass lasts a decent amount of time. Older kids enjoy it. This got me thinking. Is there a cartridge that lends itself, similar to the 32/20, that has similar qualities but in a bolt gun? I was racking my brain and the best I could come up with was the 300 BLK in a bolt gun. Cheap to make brass. 30 caliber bullet isn’t so small you’re cramping your hand to get them sized and lubed and loaded. Can shoot them supersonic, subsonic and use very little powder. Am I overlooking anything else that’s similar in a bolt gun? I prefer a bolt as it’s easier from the bench. Max range 100-200 target and steel. Would typically be 50-100 paper target and reactive.

Suggestions?

[Moleman-]

Ruger 77/357. You can load them fairly mild and easy to cast/load.

[BigBore45]

Ruger makes a model 77 bolt acton in .357 mag. Also maybe a bolt gun in 7.62x39? Or even an old bolt acton in 30-30.

[Mk42gunner]

I've been waffling about getting a .300 Blackout but I don't particularly like AR's, and most centerfire bolt actions are way too big for the cartridge in my mind. Plus I have one of the Zastava Mini-Mausers (imported by Charles Daly) in 7.62x39 that handles 50 yard paper punching and plinking chores just fine.

Maybe rebarrel one of the .357 bolt actions to .30 Badger, or find one of the few remaining Winchester Model 43's or a Savage Model 23 in .32-20.

Robert

[Texas by God]

If you could figure out a good cast load for the .300 BO, it would be perfect for what you want. My AR is 1-7" and jacketed is the only kind of bullet that shoots accurately in it so far. If anyone has a cast boolit .300 BO load that will group less than 3" at 100 yds please share it.

[MT Gianni]

There is a reason people here are on the hunt for a Savage 340 in 30-30. That reason is they can't find a Winchester Model 54 in 30-30.

[Stephen Cohen]

Its not a bolt gun but Martini Cadet springs to mind, kids love mine from the bench. Regards Stephen

[rking22]

My choice was 7.62x39. I had always wanted a 30Herrett rifle for many of the efficiency reasons you stated. For me, I like single shots so a Ruger NO1 scratched my itch. For someone who wants a bolt, gonna be hard to beat a CZ547. For me, part of the interest in a 32WCF or Herrett rifle is being more compact, "scaled frame" in shotgun terms. 32-20 in a Rem m25 carbine is just about perfect, the NO1 in 7.62x39 is near perfection. NOE and Accurate make a perfect mold off Ed Harris design.

[samari46]

Winchester low wall in 32-20, Savage made a bolt action in 32-20, Remington pump action, have a BSA 22rf martini that will hopefully go out after the holidays to get relined to 32-20 and have a cadet center fire assembly to replace the rf one. Best part is that it's already set up for iron sights. And may have it drilled and tapped for a scope if I can find the right redfield junior scope base in my stash. Old eyes need all the help they can get. I have a Douglas 32-20 barrel blank with the 1x22" twist but TJ's barrel liners has one with a 1x16" twist. The 32-20 is a fun cartridge as you know, easy to cast for (lyman 311316 gas check) easy on powder 4227,2400 is about all you need and a 8lb jug will last almost forever. Have fun. Frank

[Outpost75]

I agree that a Savage 340 in .30-30 is the obvious choice, unless you can find a Winchester 54 or Remington 788.

If you have an ample budget a new bolt action rifle in 7.62x39 or .300 BO would be the obvious choice, but I vote .30-30!

[gpidaho]

I have a CZ mini-Mauser in 7.62X39 and the Ruger 77-357. Both are light, short and handy and both shoot well. I set my daughter up with a 300 Blackout Handi rifle with a scope and on a bipod. Shooting these side by side, I believe I like the Blackout round the best. Gp

[crankycalico]

if you use jacketed, .223 Remington would win hands down. MIGHT consider a 22 hornet as ive seen videos of new zeelanders using them as far out as 200 yards.

[Minerat]

I really like my CZ527 Varmintor in 17 HH. I cast for it and am working on light loads for it. Last go around was 1.6 gr Trail Boss with a Noe 172-26GC @1050 fps and 1.6 gr of Trail Boss with a Noe 172-32 @ 1000 fps

But you said easy to load! It comes in a 6.5mm Grendel.

[sharps4590]

Husqvarna made a bolt rifle in 32-20. Simpsons usually has a few.

[Lloyd Smale]

find yourself a marlin or win 3030 or if you insist on a bolt and old savage or 788 rem. Brass is cheap and 4-5 grains of bullseye and a cast bullet is a hoot to shoot in them. you could do the same with a 762x39 bolt gun. Big advantage with those two is if you feel the need you can load them back up and go deer hunting. my opinions are only my own and I realize others think differently but I have no use for a pistol caliber bolt action gun. Lever guns are just so much more fun.

[StuBach]

788s are wonderful shooters when you can find them. Mine in 223 Rem is a super easy shooter and brass/ammo is plentiful. Haven’t cast for it yet though so can’t speak to that aspect. I can only imagine how nice one chambered in 30-30 would be and would fit your bill wonderfully.

[RU shooter]

To simplify things why not a 308 or 30-06 mid weight bullets and 5-6 grs of Bullseye ? My normal practice load for 12" steel gongs at 200 offhand with my 03a3 with exactly that load . Brass is everywhere and heck only using 5 grs of powder and no gas checks .

[Thumbcocker]

Rimmed cartridges have a slight edge with lighter loads

[dverna]

Another vote for the 7.62x39 in the CZ. No brass prep needed. And if you want to hunt with it, it will take pointed bullets.

But if you have a .308 bolt gun. why not use that as brass is not expensive? You will never save enough money in powder to justify a new rifle, dies, and scope Of course if you are looking for an excuse to buy another gun, ditch the idea of using what you have.

[Mk42gunner]

You will never save enough money in powder to justify a new rifle, dies, and scope.

Bite your tongue, man. You are putting our whole hobby at risk if this truth gets out.

Robert

[Cherokee]

I really like the 32-20, have 1889 Marlins and some pistols. Qualifies as a pistol round so I can use it at the pistol steel targets at 25, 35, 50 & 75 yd. Pure fun. Have to go to the rifle range for 308, 30/06, 30/30 with only 25 & 100 yd options on paper, no steel; still fun but not as much. If I had a bolt 762x39, I would give that a try but only because I have all the reloading stuff for it. Since the 32/20, 308, 30/30, 30/06 cases are readily available, I have plenty of them and they work fine, I stick to them.

[farmbif]

Ruger American ranch rifle 7.62x39 new is less than 400
Brass is easy to find and is more sturdy and forgiving than 32-20

[Cherokee]

I have 32-20 brass that I have loaded over 10 times. I don't find it particularly more unforgiving than other brass...but that is my experience with my reloading techniques.

[RU shooter]

Rimmed cartridges have a slight edge with lighter loads
How so ?

[ShooterAZ]

I think because rimmed cases don't have the tendency to push the shoulder back, due to "primer thrust". The primers can back out on light loads, and push the case forward and end up moving the shoulder back. It's generally only a problem when repeatedly using really light loads (think "cat sneeze"). Some guys will enlarge the flash holes to prevent this from happening in rimless cases that are used over and over again for light loads. It becomes a headspace issue.

[MT Chambers]

CBA records show the .30 BR. to be the most accurate cast boolit cartridge, it is for me as well, a much better cartridge than the .300BO.

[GregLaROCHE]

For what you say your requirements are, I think the .30BR is something you should consider. The only question I would have would be availability and cost.

[Petrol & Powder]

This is a very interesting thread.

.30 caliber, bolt action, 200 yard max, target rifle, inexpensive, fun.

Wow, that's a unique set of criteria. My first thoughts were a Ruger 77/357 (not a 30 caliber but an efficient cartridge for the inexpensive criteria). In terms of economy, the 357 mag may be very close to doing what the OP is after.

Several have suggested a bolt gun chambered in .30-30 and that's not a bad choice either. I would want a smaller casing than the .30-30 but otherwise that appears to fit the OP's list.

It's a shame that no one makes a bolt action chambered in 327 Federal because that would be pretty close to fulfilling all of the OP's criteria.

The 30 Carbine would also be close but that's a rimless cartridge and I don't know of any bolt action rifles chambered for that round.

It would be VERY expensive but if you used a Ruger #1 action and a barrel blank with a .312" groove diameter; you could chamber it to accept a 327 federal mag. I think that would be a cool setup but it wouldn't be cheap.

[popper]

BO with Hornady plinkers and 6 gr.CFE pistol are fun so the 100gr. soup can should work well. You can also go full bore loads as well. My 308 & 30/30 molds work well in the BO too.

[obssd1958]

Ruger also makes the Ruger American Ranch Rifle in .300 BO. Under $400 brand new, adjustable trigger like the Savage, magazine fed.

[crankycalico]

How well does 300 BA work with round ball loads and all of those sub 1000 fps pistol bullets?

[MT Chambers]

In accuracy the 300BO is not even close to the .30 BR.

[Texas by God]

I built my 1916 Oviedo Mauser in 30-30 Win. just to see if it would work. It shot cast well from the beginning and j-words too. It's one of my very favorite guns now. If someone told me a few years ago that I'd mount a 10x scope on a 30-30 I'd have thought they were nuts- yet here we are!
The 30-30 in a good rifle will do what you need. And will do more if you need it to.

[Gewehr-Guy]

Savage Super Sporter in 30-30. Very classy rifle but not common.

[barrabruce]

I have a 30-30 handi rifle with 1:12 barrell
It will do all I really need without making my teeth rattle and does well with low velocity cast loads as well.
I like my 310 cadet and it is a hoot to shoot for me.

I would like to build a 30-30 Wesson on a cadet or a 32-20 mostly straight taper like the 310 in 30 cal. Call it a 310 magnum maybe.

Rook rifle weight and theme.
I think with a good barrell it would shoot well.
Be light to carry and not pound the ears shoulders or pocket to load.
That could be said for many of the 30reece..badger..miller short size cases.
Be fun to shoot 180’sgrns at subsonic speeds or 120 grn or smaller light loads for small game.

Some thing 4-5 pound be nice to carry too..



I ve shot a 376x39 zantava like the cz....it was like a 22lr to handle but’s lot more sting.
They reckon the. Cz have a 308 bore which would be just awesome for bullet choices.

Many option out there.

Depends if you want to shoot lead slow or fast.
For fun or prizes
The bs pb boys do well at lower speeds out to 200yds.
The open grades with hv gc bullets ain’ t bad ever.
Me I don’t compete nor have the equipment to do such but is nice to know what is possible.

[barrabruce]

Ohh have you thought about breachseating bullets?
Brass will last like for Eva with out any need for anything more than a new primer and maybe a wipe over.
Or the pope type tapered bullet.
Stop ring bullet?
Cast ...lube shoot.
Reprime
Dump a charge fingerseat shoot.

Just putting it out there.

Simply load anywhere with a hand tool and a scoop or powder thrower.
Ha

[GregLaROCHE]

I’m surprised no one has brought up the 270?

[kjohn]

I have a Baikal single shot 7.62x39, as well as a Zasatava bolt in that caliber. I made an SKS into a straight pull bolt. Great fun to shoot with light loads, cast bullets!

[Good Cheer]

Best thing to do would be to set your parameters and create your own .30 cast boolit wildcat.
.30 because there are lots and lots of molds to experiment with.
Make the case neck long enough to hold lube grooves.
Rimmed case, not too long so it fits lots of actions.
Shoulder design that's easy to form.
Select a case to start with that is plentiful and not likely to go scarce.
Go with a medium range case capacity for the bore diameter so light loads with slow powders and heavy loads of slow powders are likely to work.

Then there's the really hard decision about what to name it.
Something really spiffy, something that rhymes.

[gundownunder]

Good Cheer has just about nailed it.
Go with a case length of just over 2 inches, and a powder capacity of about 30 - 35 grains.
Then give it a real spiffy name, like 30 wcf, or thutty-thutty, because that is pretty much exactly what he has described.

I've got a 22, 32-20 and a 357, all in Marlin lever guns, and they do most of what I need. From time to time I find myself adding stuff to my wish list, but then I usually find a reason to delete them from my wish list.

Personally I don't see any reason to prefer a bolt gun over a lever, other than as a long range precision rifle.

If I didn't need a pistol caliber rifle for PCLAS I'd probably settle for a .22, a 219 Zipper and a 38-55 / 375. Add the 32-20 or 357 to that group for PCLAS and I don't see a problem taking care of 99% of the shooting needs of folks here in Oz, over there in the US, or most other places on the planet either. African big 5 excluded of course, but how many of us will ever get that opportunity anyway.

[Wayne Smith]

Best thing to do would be to set your parameters and create your own .30 cast boolit wildcat.
.30 because there are lots and lots of molds to experiment with.
Make the case neck long enough to hold lube grooves.
Rimmed case, not too long so it fits lots of actions.
Shoulder design that's easy to form.
Select a case to start with that is plentiful and not likely to go scarce.
Go with a medium range case capacity for the bore diameter so light loads with slow powders and heavy loads of slow powders are likely to work.

Then there's the really hard decision about what to name it.
Something really spiffy, something that rhymes.

And if you do this you are likely to replicate something that's already done.

[popper]

For cheap plinking, I use the BO - which works fine for hogs as well. Accuracy is fine with cast. I have a 1:8 10" pistol and 18" 1:10 carbine. Both shoot 100 to 185gr boolits fine, 18gr 300blk is hottest I've gone. 50 yds 145gr PB H110, scoped
232430
pistol 25 yds, hand held, no scope.
232432
You an go 40WT which just gives more powder space for shorter throat or 41WT(300Hmr), more powder and longer throat for heavier boolits.
Not a deer hunter but 185gr GC @ 1600 should do the job well.
I could use the 30/30 or AR10 308W for longer shots or go to lighter jax bullets.

[oldblinddog]

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/.30_Remington If you could find the correct bolt face...

Try your favorite .30 150-180 gr. cast in your favorite .30 cartridge (.308 Win or larger) with 10 grs Unique or 13 grs Red Dot.

[crankycalico]

sounds like the ideal neck and case for a cast bullet .30 cliber cartridge is the 30-30.

[popper]

Long neck hides the L.Gs., keeps a heavy boolit in the neck without a lot sticking out to get dinged up. Case capacity to get fps up for heavier boolits.

[GARD72977]

I have the same wants. I have a Encore with 20" bbl with 1/10 twist. I like it but want a bolt gun. I have watched some auctions for 788 in 30/30 but they are pretty pricey. A CZ 527 in 7.62x39 with 22" BBL seems lime a good choice.

[osteodoc08]

Another vote for the 7.62x39 in the CZ. No brass prep needed. And if you want to hunt with it, it will take pointed bullets.

But if you have a .308 bolt gun. why not use that as brass is not expensive? You will never save enough money in powder to justify a new rifle, dies, and scope Of course if you are looking for an excuse to buy another gun, ditch the idea of using what you have.

Just looking for a new play thing. Not so much about cost. Low cost to load would be a bonus but not a requirement. Just looking for something that cheap to shoot in regards to ammo only.

[Greg S]

I pondered the OPs requirement over some lunch (bowl of navy beans n ham) and cheap to shoot came up cancelling alot out to make it cheap to shoot. I thought of some new fangled 17 super duper which would be cheap but generally muzzle velocities of these mighty mights put them in the store bought projectile column, as I don't think 17 cal gc are available and it would be more difficult to cast a 17 cal bullet defect free than 22, albeit consistant quality boolits and loads are tedious, they check off the box of cheap. I wouldn't mind though tinkering with a 17 HH though... hmmm.

My cast into the so called community pot would be two offerrings in 22. The reason is 3-1, i can cast 3-4 35-50 gr boolits in 22 compare to 1 for thirty cal, a lb of powder will dose 6-700 cartridges.

22 Hornet with a light for caliber bullet 35-50 gr, brass is readily available. If I had my druthers, I owe one and haven't gotten into cast bullets yet with it as it is a worn out Anschutz that is screaming for a new barrel. I've contemplated setting it back a thread and improving the chamber to extend brass life but it would be a home endeaver for practice as I think to gain the sub 1" accurracy I think it is capable of, it's gonn need a new tube. My other option is to try cast and would love to score a NOE 37 & 45 gr 2x2 mold (2pb x 2gc) to try in it and my 221.

221 Fireball. It is a smaller capacity case based of the 222/223 family. Actually it was invented first but was overtaken by the 223. Brass availability is difficult as when it becomes available it is scrounged up by the 300 whisper and 17 FB crowds. Factory Lapua is available and I'm dying to try some to compare with my 300 ho-made 221 from facory 223 brass. It is tedious, anealling will be required, cut, trim and turn case necks but it coud be a good task for the boys.