Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Ask The Gunwriters New medium bore?

Probably 7mm-08, 7mm rem, 30-06 or 35 whelen. They all shoot well enough. If you've been around black bears much you'd understand.

Nice deer. Still don't see killing 6 pound animals with one and letting them rot but we all have our ways. Another beautiful rifle. Stick with what works!

I’m telling you a 35 norma!!!!

I don't see how it makes you any better imho. Im not sure but I don't think our snipers train hitting running targets? I think it's a waste of a $2-$3 bullet to kill something for no reason other than to kill it. If that practice makes you better or more confident continue but I'll never find it anything but silly and wasteful myself. Maybe why I'm not a great hunter.

When you buy one, let me know. Lol. I'll sign up for crazy too.

Custom build is about the only option. $$$ Factory ammo is non existent and to reload is $$$. Recoil is probably the same as 375. I think it's a great round but a bit too far off the charts for me I think.

I walk my woods for miles in a loop. Usually just have my 380 and a buck 102. If your afraid of black bears I'd say look out for your shadow.

Hi Buzz412. I tried to read this whole thread and the one thing I missed was, is this new "want" a rifle you are going to build, or something you want to be able to buy ready-made?
You've had some great suggestions, and I can get behind anything that starts with a number and ends with "Whelen" so both the .375 and .400 (use a .416 bore) are great.
I don't think you have thrown down on what kind of action you want. If you can find a cheap Savage 99 in .308 you can do a rebarrel to .358 or .338 Fed and have a fine rifle for PA. Or you can mortgage the house and buy an original savage 99 .358. I got crazy lucky and found a cheap used savage 99 .358 barrel and had Frank Wells swap it onto a 99E for me.
Here's another great idea. I am in the process (a process that may take a LONG time) of building a 9.5x57, AKA the .375 Rimless Nitro Express. This is the .375 bore with an approximate (the shoulder is slightly forward) 8x57 Mauser case. You can think of it like "as the .358 is to the .308, the 9.5x57 is to the 8x57". So me and another fella have located the reamer we need, and are going to partner up on it. But the more the merrier and we can cut the costs if more folks want to jump in on their own 9.5x57 project
Anybody else interested chime in. Should be great for cast boolits and the 270 grain Hornady should handle anything that isn't suited for cast.
Best of luck in your quest for a new medium bore!
Rex

I think you've already got a great medium bore with that 35 Whelen, but I understand the desire for something else...

About ten years ago I happened into a wonderful Ruger Number One in 375 H&H. Have used it on several black bear, and it does a fine job. I like the way it handles. It's quite accurate. I've gotten good at loading it in a hurry.

Normally I use a 260 or 270 gr bullet at about 2650 fps. I've also loaded the 300 grainers at about 2500 - 2550, but have only used them on targets.

Did I need the 375? Of course not! I've happily taken bear with my good ol' 30-06, but dang, I sure do enjoy handloading, shooting, and hunting with the 375 H&H.

Regards, Guy

It's a want and preferabaly a new buy but I'd rebore my 1903 to another 35 whelen or 338-06. Now interested in 400 whelen if done right.. I do really want a savage 99 but I'd have it in 250-3000. My 300 savage is a 7.7 jap type 99 sporter, very well done. The bore is still 7.7 just set back a turn or so and barrel cut down and crowned with Lyman front and peep. Still shoots anything I've fired from factory or bench under 2 moa. Considered loading it with .311 but it fires .308 good enough for me with peeps. I have an 8x57 sporter not so well done too that I'd like to make proper?

I'd love a ruger #1 in anything I could get. They are imo the most beautiful rifle ever made.

One of my favorite rifles is my type 38 6.5 jap. Cut to 19 inches and crowned, weaver front and peep, jeweled bolt, timney trigger and fajen stock. Great pa woods gun with the 156 Norma.

That type 38 can handle any 700# PA bear or elk. I promise.

Maybe we should get together some day and set a spell. You can explain black bears to me.

Oryx killed with the above .358 NM using a 250 grain .358" North Fork.

I told you!! 358 Norma. 🤗

Go on a long search. Prepare to spend the money. Get a sav 99 in .358 win. Just what the doctor ordered.

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I Almost bought one but opted for a 350 rem mag

Get another 35 Whelen. I’m a 7 mag guy, I have 4 of them.

Are you SURE you're a 7 Mag guy ??? 😁