I have been thinking about this idea for some time, with the possible intention of building a new rifle from a milsurp Mauser. The desired parameters are : Calibre : 35 (.358 dia.)....Bullet weight : around 250 grains (soft cast, paper-patched)....Velocity : around 2000 fps, with pressures not to exceed 45000 psi. I LIKE low-pressure loads, because they are easier on the equipment....and I happen to be an adherant to the concept that there is no need to overdo it (which is why I don't care for magnums, in any form). The intended use is an all-around hunting rifle.....one which would serve for basically any North American game, out to perhaps 200 - 250 yards, maximum. The primary critters to be hunted would be Elk, Mule deer and Whitetail deer. Of course, the cartridge would be a bit heavy for Whitetail deer....but perfect for Elk. The distance parameter is based on the fact that I have no desire to shoot further....and the fact that I like the challenge of stalking closer, rather than sniping the animal from long range, with a magnum rifle (or anti-tank gun, as I affectionately refer to them).
Of course, an obvious choice would be the 35 Whelen. While this is a great all around cartridge, I'd prefer something shorter.....that uses less powder. The 35 Whelen can certainly be loaded to the parameters I desire (they are well UNDER the potential of this cartridge)...however, the Whelen would be a bit of a waste for such modest requirements. I do want to keep this cartridge in the 8 x 57/ .30-06 "family" ....so that the base diameter, etc. will match one of the readily-available large-ring Mauser actions without modification.
The basis for the rifle would definitely be either an M48, 24/47, K98K, or Vz24 - one of those. I have been shooting the 8 x 57 exclusively....and handloading for it....for about 6 years. Since I know this cartridge backwards and forwards, my first thought was a wildcat, based on the 8 x 57, necked up to take .358 bullets (35 cal.)....and keeping the same overall case length and shoulder position. However, I do not want to have custom reamers made (too much expense and a violation of the K.I.S.S. principle, which I hold very dear). So, I have pretty much decided that the closest matches for my design parameters that already exist (and for which reamers are available) would be either the 35 Rem., .... or the .358 Win. I am aware of a plethora of European variations, based on the 8 x 57, such as the 9.3 x 57, etc...... but I know little about these. Certainly, one of these could be a potential possibility.
Anyway, I am interested in other's opinions and thoughts on this subject. Again, the intention is NOT to come up with a barn-burner....usable to shoot Alaskan Brown Bears at 1000 yds, etc......but only a relatively modest cartridge, which will be economical to load and shoot,with low wear and tear on the hardware, yet more effective for larger critters (such as Elk) than my 8 x 57 (M48). Something more in the direction of the .45-70, than in the direction of the 460 Weatherby Magnum....if you take my meaning. Obviously, good accuracy would be needed - that is a given. I believe that the .358 cal. would be a great choice for this concept....as would a target bullet weight of about 250 grains. (By the way, my M48 HATES bullets in the 220 - 240 grain range (I have tried them) ....so that is NOT really a possibility). 2000 fps or so, , with a 250 grain bullet, would provide all of the energy I could need, within the modest maximum distance I have specified. Soft cast, paper-patched bullets are a given - as I have so much fun with paper-patching for my M48 (and probably will never again shoot anything else).
Anyway, right now, this is a mental exercise...but one about which I am getting more interested by the day. What do you guys think ???