Home Forums Reloading Big Game Rifles Light loads for big game rifles vs pistol caliber carbines?

Is there an advantage to pistol caliber carbines over running Trail Boss loads in a .30-06 for example?

Trying to work out whether I need a .357 or .44 rifle, or should just load the standard cartridges e.g. as above.

You should get the pistol caliber carbine, too; because they are fun and just another rifle.

The advantages of light loads are more practice with one's big game rifle, they are good 'flinch detectors', they are good for bagging small game incident to big game hunts, and can be fun loading challenges.

I'd never be the one to try and convince you that another rifle is not a good idea, but try some cast bullet loads in your 30-06. I have loaded some 130 grain RN cast with 14 grains of Unique, and they do a good job with low recoil and report, and they are devestating on rabbits and grouse (head shots only, please.) Chronographed them at 1980 ft/sec. Also used some 150 gr Win PP bulks with a charge of Blue Dot for my wife to practice. She enjoyed it and they worked fine.

I don't have a pistol calibre rifle, but I would like one in 45 Colt.

I enjoy light loads in the 30/30 as well as a 357 Marlin carbine.

A 357 Marlin carbine is a hoot with 38 Special loads!

I've tried the .357 Marlin. At 50 m I get baseball sized, unpredictable groups with factory ammo, especially .38 special. This is unsatisfying considering half inch .223 groups with Winchester white box. I shoot rimfire primarily and to me, those kinds of groups are horrendous. Makes me wonder if the small game application is really there.

I've thought about loading .357 cases to different power levels so that the bullets don't have to make the jump, but wouldn't it just be easier to load up a .30-06 with trail boss and some cheap cup and core bullets?

Can you get a Marlin .357 (or Ruger for that matter) to average 1" groups at 50 yards?

Is your Marlin ballard or micro-groove? Are you shooting jacketed or lead?

In my experience Marlin .357s are quite accurate, as in three shots under an inch at fifty.

Ballard lead .38 specials so far.

My Ruger Gunsight Scout loves 190 Sierra Matchkings and 11.5 gr. Trail Boss.

Easy 1" groups @ 100 yds,easy on the shoulder and ears!!

I've tried both routes. I sold the pistol caliber carbines. It's too easy and too much fun to download jacketed with Blue Dot or work up nice cast loads with Unique, 2400, or Blue Dot. I have great success with both routes in .30-40 Krag, .308 Win, .243 Win, .260 Rem, and .30-06.

We run the -06 with reduced loads all the time, of various flavors.

I think my favorite is 13 grains Red Dot with 165 grain cast bullets. Makes life fun again.

Also, we have hunted quite a bit with 36 grains IMR4198 under a 125 grain CoreLokt on deer. Works great.

Thanks all. Really thinking about sticking with the .30-06 for everything.

Any loads for the 06 w/100 grain bullets for woodchucks here in NJ? 100gr. is max we can use. I have IMR4198 on the shelf.

I enjoy both, shoot my .35 Whelen with reduced loads behind both cast bullets and .357 pistol bullets. Also have a Ruger 77/44 .44 Magnum, harvested this year's whitetail with it. The pistol caliber carbines are very practical, light to carry and fast to get into action great for woods shots out to 100yds. or so.

Loaded up some 180 Hot-Cor's for my 35 Whelen, a very enjoyable load for shooting.