I've got a Ruger #1 that the previous owner has made into a heavy barrel 204 Ruger benchrest? gun. I'm not a fan of the 204 and prefer a bore 35 or over. I'm thinking of something straight wall in the 375 range. I have a 375 Win so other than that. Any one have any experience with a wildcat in that range? It will be used for fun shooting and deer hunting 200 yards and closer.
"EXPERT= Ex is a has been, spurt is a drip under pressure" Unknown
How about the 9.3x74R? It is good for killing wild hogs out to 250yds. and the recoil is not too bad.
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40-65 or 400 Whelen if you want to go a bit bigger or 38-56 if you want to stay at .375. IIRC, there was a wildcat that used x74r brass, but .375 bullets instead of .366" bullets. There is always the .45 raptor too
Last edited by rockrat; 11-07-2023 at 05:54 PM.
.38-55 fits your straight wall, but a Ruger No.1 is kind of wasted on that cartridge.
Someone on this board has a .375 based on a necked down .45-70 with fairly sharp shoulders. Maybe in the single shot section? It sounds like fun anyway.
Robert
want power and still ruger. 375 ruger. or its not a 35 but ive always wanted a 338/06
How about the 9.3x74R?
I have one in this caliper, my NOE cast boolet hits same point of aim as factory 286 gr ammo, at 100 yards. Haven't shot past this. Falling tree took out our 200 yd back stop.
I like the Ruger No1 and the 9.3
I think the 356 Win. has a lot of potential and never got the attention it should have, especially among single shot fans. Or, go with the rimless version - 358 Win.
Two ways to go, re-barrel or have the harvey barrel re-bored and re-cut to a .358. There are many good choices for a single shot #1 action with a rimless extractor, 358 Win, 35 Whelen, etc. the 204 extractor in the gun could be opened up to fit a .473 base. The 358s based on the 308 or 30-06 are easy to form, dies are cheap, plus the 358s have a ton of bullets to select from.
You could ask Jess about a re-bore
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The 375 on a 45-70 case is a 38-56, but not the sharp shoulder. How about a 375/338 Marlin Express. Would be a rimmed case like a 375/06. Only drawback is these are not straight wall cases, which you are looking for. I am surmising to use to hunt with in the states that require such. Then I would lean towards the 9.3x74r, but would check with the state to make sure its legal.
If 405 Win brass was still available, I would suggest that, but its almost impossible to fine.
What about the 400 legend that Winchester was supposed to introduce?
Having built two 338-06 rifles in the past, it is powerful, easy to shoot, easy to open up case necks, easy to load for, and very accurate at 200yds and more. The 250 Nosler is well suited for this case and 4350 powder is all that one needs for 2550fps. Moose, elk, deer or bears are easy prey for this case and bullet.
What about a .357 Maximum? Lottsa punch. And If memory serves me, I think that you could shoot .38's & .357 mag's for plinking.
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45-70! Brass is readily available and there’s no shortage of bullets from light to heavy, cast or jacketed. Can be loaded from Cat Sneeze level to loads suitable for Cape Buffalo. Load data is easy to come by. There’s hardly any other cartridge with the versatility a 45-70 offers, especially in a #1. There are those that say it’s a boring cartridge, but keep in mind, vanilla is a flavor too!
Last edited by Castaway; 11-07-2023 at 08:14 PM.
Not straight walled but the 35 Whelen would be my choice. For straight walled the 45/70 is hard to beat. Check brass availability and die price for the oddball stuff.
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How about a 416 Taylor!
Shoots great with castboolits.
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My hunting is in Louisiana and Michigan. I don't need a magnum level cartridge. I like large lead moving at comfortable velocites. The 45 Raptor is the most interesting as I load 480 Ruger. I had a No 1 in 9.3x74 and loved it. I shoot a pc'd 286 gr bullet from it. It belongs to a daughter now so I can have it any time.
I've never owned a 338 so the 338-06 is interesting too.
"EXPERT= Ex is a has been, spurt is a drip under pressure" Unknown
Have you looked at the .25 Sharps it is the .223 necked up to .25 caliber and might fill the need you want and will not need a new extractor . The same would be true of the .350 legend same case head your gun has may even be able to rebore and chamber the same barrel ...
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348 Winchester ?
Just a thought, as I was recently reading about the caliber.
No pizzass, but .358 Win has a lot of good things going for it if you are not married to straight wall calibers.
Don Verna
375 on a 45-70 is a GNR #2 Reeder already does it I have a Lever Gun and Ruger no1 in that caliber they are very good easy to make potent cartridge. Great with cast bullets as well.
I would shop for brass first. Once you have secured brass then make the decision based on what you have.
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