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I have a nice late 50's -early 60's sporterized 1917 Enfield .30/06 that isn't getting used anymore. So, since I don't have a medium bore rifle at the moment, I am strongly considering a rebarrel project.

Now the question is: .338/06, .35 Whelen, or 9.3 x 62?

What say the Rifle Looney Cognoscenti?


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I have a feeling that that American rifle would request to be chambered in the equally American .35 Whelen. For a while I've had an idea to build a rifle in 9mm Mauser (9x57) but a Whelen is definitely a more sensible choice.

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Originally Posted by Nathan_McGhee
I have a feeling that that American rifle would request to be chambered in the equally American .35 Whelen. For a while I've had an idea to build a rifle in 9mm Mauser (9x57) but a Whelen is definitely a more sensible choice.


How about the best of both? I've got a reamer in 9x57 with a .358 pilot...I'd be willing to part with it for what I have in it.


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I have never owned a 9.3 (yet) but I have owned Whelens and currently own a sweet 338-06. I think it hits the sweet spot in the 06 case. Mine is a very accurate round too, actually the whelen was very a accurate round for me too. I just beleive the bullet selection in 338 is hands down better than the 358's. YMMV.

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I agree there are more bullets available in .338 than .358, but there are a good many bullets available for the .35's. If one cannot find a suitable bullet in .358, they're being extremely picky.

If your not put off be a wildcat, how about the 375 Whelen. Brass is easy to make, no shortage of bullets and would be a great match up for the Enfield.


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Never said that 358 bullets won't work. There is a waaaay better bullet selection for 338 than 358 that is a fact.


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I solved that itch with a JC Higgings FN based 270. Jkob rebarreled it with a Shilen #3 chambered in 9.3x62, added a Timney triger and a side swing safety. Charley Santoni Cerrakoted it and Mcmillan stocked it. Nosler 250 Accubonds at 2650 are the bomb.


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Originally Posted by mart
I agree there are more bullets available in .338 than .358, but there are a good many bullets available for the .35's. If one cannot find a suitable bullet in .358, they're being extremely picky.

If your not put off be a wildcat, how about the 375 Whelen. Brass is easy to make, no shortage of bullets and would be a great match up for the Enfield.


A .375 Whelen is another one to consider for sure.


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.375 Whelen.


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9.3x62. Lots of history with that round.

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.35 Whelen would be my choice, I had a pre'64 M/70 rebored/rechambered to .35 Whelen nearly 25 yrs. ago and have never regretted that decision. My Whelen shoots jacketed, cast and pistol bullets very well.

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Here is another variable for the equation. Provided the rifle likes/will shoot heavier bullets (i.e. 220 grain) How about just loading up some .30/06 heavyweights and hit the thickets?


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Originally Posted by hillbillybear
Here is another variable for the equation. Provided the rifle likes/will shoot heavier bullets (i.e. 220 grain) How about just loading up some .30/06 heavyweights and hit the thickets?


I assume they're using the term "medium bore" in the same context as John Taylor ... Africa. If I recall correctly, his dividing line was .318 making the '06 a small bore. In some other context, what you're suggesting might make sense although with today's bullets I would take a good 180 over any 220. There's simply nothing an '06 has any business doing that I wouldn't rather do with a 180 grain partition.

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Originally Posted by hillbillybear
Here is another variable for the equation. Provided the rifle likes/will shoot heavier bullets (i.e. 220 grain) How about just loading up some .30/06 heavyweights and hit the thickets?

And if it does not shoot the 220 gr bullet,then what? I say re-barrel it.

Ultimately,it's your money and choice.


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Another "I could do this",the 1917 Enfield is a big action and you could re-barrel it to the .375 H&H,.358 Norma,.338 Win,.340 Wby.....


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I have owned and hunted all three for many years and really have not observed a difference in "killing power". Kind of like the 270, 280, 30-06 argument IME.


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Originally Posted by elkhunternm
Another "I could do this",the 1917 Enfield is a big action and you could re-barrel it to the .375 H&H,.358 Norma,.338 Win,.340 Wby.....



There is that too. The 1917 action is cavernous.


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I agree with Ken Waters who said the best way to improve the .35 Whelen was to make a .338-06, which is the modern form of the .333 O"Neill-Keith-Hopkins (another all-American cartridge). Advantages include sectional density, ballistic coefficients, variety of available projectiles.


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Right now I am leaning toward a reboring of the barrel and rechamber to .338/06


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Having owned 30-06, 338-06, and 35 Whelen I came to the conclusion that 338-06 and 35 Whelen gave 300 WM recoil and were a step down from a 30-06 loaded with 200 gr or heavier bullets. If I'm going to get hit with 300 WM recoil, why not shoot 300 WM. I've never fooled with a 9.3, but since it is typically loaded with bullets approaching 300 gr it does appear to separate from the 30-06 on really big stuff at close range. I suppose the 35 Whelen could do the same thing if loaded with the heavier bullets.

But that is the problem. Almost everyone who hunts with a 338-06 or 35 Whelen shoots 200-225 gr bullets. You can shoot those bullet weights in a 30-06 with less recoil or a 300 WM with about the same recoil. Muzzle velocity and energy looks good compared to 30-06 shooting 180-220 gr bullets, but no one shoots stuff at the muzzle. The better SD's of the similar weight 30 caliber bullets mean better penetration at all ranges, and the better BC's mean they catch up in speed down range. Sometimes in as little as 100 yards depending on the exact loads. There isn't enough difference in 30 caliber and 33 caliber to make any difference.

That said, a hunter using either the 338-06, 35 Whelen, or 9.3 isn't at any real disadvantage either. They all kill stuff, they all shoot flat enough to be used at reasonable ranges, and they are all unique and different from the masses using 30-06 or similar rounds. If you're just looking for something out of the mainstream they all work and the 338-06 would be my pick if I decided to go back to one. Just don't do this expecting any gains in performance.


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