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