24hourcampfire.com
24hourcampfire.com
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Hop To
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Campfire Outfitter
OP Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Son-in-law asked me by email what the best straight-wall cartridge for Iowa is, now that they are legal as opposed to shotgun and handgun only.. He doesn't handload - at least not yet.
I suggested the .450 Bushmaster in the Ruger American, a Marlin (a real one, not a Remlin) in .444 Marlin or a .45-70 (again in a real Marlin or one of the newest ones but definitely not one of the early Remlins) or a 45-70 in a Ruger #1.

I also suggested my .375 Win would be a great option. Had it at the range yesterday and was blasting clay pigeons at 300 yards at will and pinging the steel at 500. Couple of problems with the .375, though. First, while bullets are available from Sierra and Les Volmer, the now discontinued Hornady 220g shot best in my rifle. The Speer 235g also work pretty well but as I recall from early experiments, they require special load considerations. Fortunately I have about 600 bullets on hand and hundreds of cases. Second, I paid $350 for my Marlin 375 and really like the rifle. With the Wild West Guns 'Happy Trigger', Warne WD rings, Leupold scope and Williams Firesights, I probably have $700 wrapped up in it. Saw a plain Marlin 375 on gunbroker yesterday, $1400 minimum bid, $1600 'Buy now'. Told my son-in-law he was SOL on the.375.

Curious what people here would recommend?


Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!

No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.

A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
BP-B2

Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,261
B
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
B
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 15,261
If it were me I'd probably run a 45-70 with a 300 around 2200.. With a decent zero it'll shoot to 200 without much trouble. If you have a reticle that you can holdover with I'd take it to 300, with dialing it being my preferred way of getting it done.

My partner has a Ruger 45-90... I think that might be pretty cool too with pointed bullets.


Semper Fi
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,427
B
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
B
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,427
It sounds like you covered it pretty well.
-Jake


Small Game, Deer, Turkey, Bear, Elk....It's what's for dinner.

If you know how many guns you own... you don't own enough.

In God We Trust.
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13,886
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13,886
I'd probably get a .38-55.

Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,402
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 5,402
I use .444 in Ohio. But most there seem to be leaning to 45-70.


Life can be rough on us dreamers.
IC B2

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Campfire Outfitter
OP Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
I have to admit - having the .375 just whetted my appetite for a .45-70. So now I have both, plus a .30-30. Damnn rabbits... smile

The .45-70 did a nice job on a 6x6 bull elk at 213 lasered yards. The day before I took a mulie buck with it at 197. My hunting load is down 22" at 300 but prints softball-sized groups at that range. Talked to my son-in-law last night and think he is leaning .45-70. Would not be surprised (and more than a little jealous) if he chooses a Ruger #1 instead of a Marlin. A #1 is on my wish list.


Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!

No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.

A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,415
M
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
M
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,415
I thought the same thing about the 375 Win, wanting to buy a barrel for the Encore.

WTB: 375 Winchester barrel

Finding the only likely option was a custom barrel (for 375).....then checked into the 460 S&W for an Encore barrel. Around 2900 fps for a 200 grain Hornady bullet.

460 S&W Encore 20 inch

The guy was resting his barrel directly on the sandbag.....no-no for group, fine for chrono only.

Anyway, after pricing the 460 S&W stainless barrels at over $300, settled on a $425 Ruger American Ranch in 450 Bushmaster. .450BM shoots .452 bullets......same diameter as the 460 S&W.

Most factory loads for the 450BM are 225-260 grains (at around 2200-2300 fps). Would be interesting to see what a handloaded Hornady 200 grain FTX would do for muzzle velocity.

Quote
I also suggested my .375 Win would be a great option. Had it at the range yesterday and was blasting clay pigeons at 300 yards at will and pinging the steel at 500.


"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson

Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today.
Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.

Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 284
A
a12 Offline
Campfire Member
Offline
Campfire Member
A
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 284
I've killed a good many with the 38-55 and it has never let me or other friends down. Wonderful round. I shoot Buffalo Bore ammo.

Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884
D
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
D
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 22,884
Ruger Ranch in 450BM

Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,206
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,206
$250-275 or so and an old beat up Marlin 30-30 will get you a freshly rebored 38-55 from JES Reboring in Oregon. Sure can't complain about mine, seems to shoot great with about anything I feed it. 2 week or less turn around doesn't suck either. Handloading just about required though. Cases available from Starrline, plenty of places offer cast bullets if you don't cast your own, RCBS Cowboy dies.

IC B3

Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,895
O
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
O
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,895
With these changes in the regs, I wouldn't be surprised to see bullet makers bring back a few of the old favorites.


Okie John


Originally Posted by Brad
If Montana had a standing army, a 270 Win with Federal Blue Box 130's would be the standard issue.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,532
J
JSH Offline
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
J
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,532
The 38-55 is not an option. The regulations specify a list of cartridges that does not include the 38-55. There is a catch all category:
"Center-fired straight-walled rimmed cartridges chambered for handgun use with bullets from 0.357” to 0.500” diameter with a case length from 1.285” to 1.800."
It doesn't appear the 38-55 will fit this criteria. No logic to this as the 375 Winchester is allowed but it is what it is.

Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,895
D
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
D
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,895
444 or the 45-70, both are hard hitting rounds and ammo is no problem with either.


Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Campfire Outfitter
OP Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
So far the likely candidates are:

450 Bushmaster / Ruger American Ranch, Gunsite Scout or #1; or an AR15
444 Marlin / Marlin
45-70 /Marlin or Ruger #1 or #3


Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!

No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.

A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150,030
Campfire Savant
Offline
Campfire Savant
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 150,030
45-70

Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,344
F
Campfire Regular
Offline
Campfire Regular
F
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 1,344
Get several. lol I was set on using a pair I picked up here, an 1886 Winchester in 45/70 or an older 1894 in 45 colt but thought that a bolt gun might be the ticket for open fields so just ordered the 450 ruger American from buds. Variety my friends

Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,415
M
Campfire Tracker
Offline
Campfire Tracker
M
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 4,415
We're trying a Ruger 'American' with a Leupold 'American' Marksman scope.

[Linked Image]

Originally Posted by Full3r
Get several. lol I was set on using a pair I picked up here, an 1886 Winchester in 45/70 or an older 1894 in 45 colt but thought that a bolt gun might be the ticket for open fields so just ordered the 450 ruger American from buds. Variety my friends


"Those that think they know everything are annoying those of us that have Google." - Dr. D. Edward Wilkinson

Note to self: Never ask an old Fogey how he is doing today.
Revised note to self: Keep it short when someone asks how I am doing.

Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
J
Campfire Ranger
Offline
Campfire Ranger
J
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 19,179
Originally Posted by moosemike
I'd probably get a .38-55.


? ? ?

Aside from being 'disqualified' by Iowa game laws-- as listed on P 1 of this thread.

This snipit from Deer Hunting Forum --- Pumps & Deer Hunting -- Whelen Nut used a 38-55 in either 2015 or 2016 for deer in Kansas, the following is Cut/Copied/Pasted for reference.


Originally Posted by BobinNH
Yeah Paul the 38-55 kills them.....sort of. grin

It's better than a spear. smile


Yup better than a spear grin But as a famous gunwriter once said, 'it's the bullet, not the headstamp' that kills the critter. I should have used a soft lead bullet instead of hard cast. Made for a long tracking job. mad Live and learn!

So have you decided which thunder stick you are going to bring this year? end quote

Jerry


jwall- *** 3100 guy***

A Flat Trajectory is Never a Handicap

Speed is Trajectory's Friend !!
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13,886
Campfire Outfitter
Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 13,886
Originally Posted by jwall
Originally Posted by moosemike
I'd probably get a .38-55.


? ? ?

Aside from being 'disqualified' by Iowa game laws-- as listed on P 1 of this thread.

This snipit from Deer Hunting Forum --- Pumps & Deer Hunting -- Whelen Nut used a 38-55 in either 2015 or 2016 for deer in Kansas, the following is Cut/Copied/Pasted for reference.


Originally Posted by BobinNH
Yeah Paul the 38-55 kills them.....sort of. grin

It's better than a spear. smile


Yup better than a spear grin But as a famous gunwriter once said, 'it's the bullet, not the headstamp' that kills the critter. I should have used a soft lead bullet instead of hard cast. Made for a long tracking job. mad Live and learn!

So have you decided which thunder stick you are going to bring this year? end quote

Jerry






So the .375 Win is OK but the .38-55 is not legal? They're the same thing. And the .38-55 enjoyed a great reputation among hunters. Read some of the old books and articles. I can't help that one guy used the wrong bullet.

Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Campfire Outfitter
OP Offline
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,651
Originally Posted by moosemike

...
So the .375 Win is OK but the .38-55 is not legal? They're the same thing. And the .38-55 enjoyed a great reputation among hunters. Read some of the old books and articles. I can't help that one guy used the wrong bullet.


Yup, that's the way the regs read.

Not the same thing, but close.


Coyote Hunter - NRA Patriot Life, NRA Whittington Center Life, GOA, DAD - and I VOTE!

No, I'm not a Ruger bigot - just an unabashed fan of their revolvers, M77's and #1's.

A good .30-06 is a 99% solution.
Page 1 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  RickBin 

Link Copied to Clipboard
YB23

Who's Online Now
204 members (257 mag, 12344mag, 300jimmy, 10Glocks, 300_savage, 2UP, 19 invisible), 1,534 guests, and 875 robots.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Statistics
Forums81
Topics1,187,592
Posts18,397,917
Members73,815
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023


 







Fish & Game Departments | Solunar Tables | Mission Statement | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | DMCA
Hunting | Fishing | Camping | Backpacking | Reloading | Campfire Forums | Gear Shop
Copyright © 2000-2024 24hourcampfire.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5
(Release build 20201027)
Responsive Width:

PHP: 7.3.33 Page Time: 0.154s Queries: 15 (0.003s) Memory: 0.8983 MB (Peak: 1.0515 MB) Data Comp: Zlib Server Time: 2024-03-28 10:12:48 UTC
Valid HTML 5 and Valid CSS