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Next Project - What Chambering?

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  • JasonMPDJasonMPD Posts: 6,583 Senior Member
    cpj wrote: »
    So, stupid expensive weatherby brass vs free .308 brass?
    No.

    Yep.
    “There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” – Will Rogers
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    JasonMPD wrote: »
    Then go .480 Ruger

    That is another I've considered many a time. Bullets are kinda thin on options. But, they are there.

    Haven't ruled it out yet.
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • BigslugBigslug Posts: 9,859 Senior Member
    Well, you know my thoughts on using handguns for rifle work - a rifle will do the job better.

    So I don't see any sense in a .308; there are better machines for launching those.

    I also don't like the idea of rimless rounds for single shot applications.

    I also like the idea of a straightwall as prevents running into issues of not enough neck or too little throat.

    .357 Maximum has some appeal. You could also go with the .375 Winchester, or the longer .38-55 on which it was based (don't shoot your handloads in Granddaddy's Ballard!) This would give you a pretty high B.C. and S.D. option in bullets up to 300 grains. My old man's running a 285 gas-checked flat nose in an 1885 Winchester, and a 300 grain spitzer in a rebarreled Ballard. The Ballard is the tack-driver you would expect. The Winchester is the tack-driver you would NOT expect - pitted bore with a somehwhat oval-shaped chamber that you really want to index the cases on. I can only conclude (and deduce from the experiences of others) that it's just inherently accurate cartridge geometry. If you go with the .375 H&H/Winchester diameter instead of the more old school .380"-.384", you can shoot commonly available jacketed slugs as well as cast. Could be a lot of fun in a pistol!
    WWJMBD?

    "Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
  • JasonMPDJasonMPD Posts: 6,583 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    That is another I've considered many a time. Bullets are kinda thin on options. But, they are there.

    Haven't ruled it out yet.

    These folks have a couple available. These look beastly.

    http://rimrockbullets.net/premium-bullets-1/gas-checked-cast-lead-bullets/g-ch-475-440-gr-lbt-wfn-per-100.html
    “There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” – Will Rogers
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    Bigslug wrote: »
    Well, you know my thoughts on using handguns for rifle work - a rifle will do the job better.

    So I don't see any sense in a .308; there are better machines for launching those.

    I also don't like the idea of rimless rounds for single shot applications.

    I also like the idea of a straightwall as prevents running into issues of not enough neck or too little throat.

    .357 Maximum has some appeal. You could also go with the .375 Winchester, or the longer .38-55 on which it was based (don't shoot your handloads in Granddaddy's Ballard!) This would give you a pretty high B.C. and S.D. option in bullets up to 300 grains. My old man's running a 285 gas-checked flat nose in an 1885 Winchester, and a 300 grain spitzer in a rebarreled Ballard. The Ballard is the tack-driver you would expect. The Winchester is the tack-driver you would NOT expect - pitted bore with a somehwhat oval-shaped chamber that you really want to index the cases on. I can only conclude (and deduce from the experiences of others) that it's just inherently accurate cartridge geometry. If you go with the .375 H&H/Winchester diameter instead of the more old school .380"-.384", you can shoot commonly available jacketed slugs as well as cast. Could be a lot of fun in a pistol!

    I'm of the opposite mind in that I prefer my straight wall pistol cartridges in revolvers and bottleneck in Specialty Pistols.

    The .375 Win and .38-55 do absolutely nothing for me. Besides the fact their brass and bullets are not readily available. On a regular basis.
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • BigslugBigslug Posts: 9,859 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    The .375 Win and .38-55 do absolutely nothing for me. Besides the fact their brass and bullets are not readily available. On a regular basis.

    Au contraire - Starline turns out .38-55 cases all the time in two different lengths, and all that would be required for .375 Winchester would be to trim those, and .375 bullets will work just fine. As I recall the .375 Win was made by shortening the .38-55 to fit in the 1894, and the bore was reduced by a paltry couple of thousandths - probably so they only had to run one spec of rifling hardware for both this round and the .375 H&H M70, but that's just speculation on my part.

    And until you start pouring your own: http://beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/index.htm

    It's got reach, accuracy, and big honkin' bullets of .45 Colt/Casull weight with higher BC/SD. What's not to like?
    WWJMBD?

    "Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
  • BigslugBigslug Posts: 9,859 Senior Member
    For bottlenecks, there is the .356 Winchester. Close enough to the .358 Winchester as to make no difference, but rimmed. Bit of a brass dinosaur though. . .
    WWJMBD?

    "Nothing is safe from stupid." - Zee
  • TeachTeach Posts: 18,428 Senior Member
    Get a long .44 Mag barrel and rechamber it to .444 Marlin. Lots of brass and bullets available, and you can shoot .44 Mag as plinkers.
    Jerry
  • JasonMPDJasonMPD Posts: 6,583 Senior Member
    Or, dispense with all this brass availability nonsense and do a 4-bore blackpowder pistol. Recoil will be brisk. Medical bills are suffer-able if you have good insurance.
    “There are three kinds of men. The one that learns by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.” – Will Rogers
  • MileHighShooterMileHighShooter Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
    You reload for the 445 SM? Then why not that? Or is that doubling up? Not sure what your 445 is.

    Screw it. Go 50 Alaskan, granted you'd have to go through SSK instead of MGM.
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    You reload for the 445 SM? Then why not that? Or is that doubling up? Not sure what your 445 is.

    Screw it. Go 50 Alaskan, granted you'd have to go through SSK instead of MGM.

    Current .445 SM is already a 10" barrel for my Contender.
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    cpj wrote: »
    .500 S&W?

    Considered.
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • MileHighShooterMileHighShooter Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    Considered.

    I've got a few pieces of brass, bullets and dies.....
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    I've got a few pieces of brass, bullets and dies.....
    That one has actuall been a strong consideration for a couple years.
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • MileHighShooterMileHighShooter Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    That one has actuall been a strong consideration for a couple years.

    There is no longer a 500 in the house, so this stuff is just collecting dust. Might help you push that decision!
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    :cueenable:
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • MileHighShooterMileHighShooter Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
    enabling snake was tough enough....if I can enable you then I've achieved forum nirvana. Granted I'd call it an assist, Uncle Chris gets the enable point
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    enabling snake was tough enough....if I can enable you then I've achieved forum nirvana. Granted I'd call it an assist, Uncle Chris gets the enable point

    The .500 is the straight wall front runner if I don't go bottleneck, I think.
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • MileHighShooterMileHighShooter Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    The .500 is the straight wall front runner if I don't go bottleneck, I think.

    It kicks like a SOB, that is for sure. But it was fun. I know the bullets I have are the 385gr Speer


    Just do the 500. You don't have a 50 cal
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    It kicks like a SOB, that is for sure. But it was fun. I know the bullets I have are the 385gr Speer


    Just do the 500. You don't have a 50 cal

    I emailed MGM today as to being able to do integral top porting. Hopefully hear back on Monday.
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • MileHighShooterMileHighShooter Posts: 4,997 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    I emailed MGM today as to being able to do integral top porting. Hopefully hear back on Monday.

    Don't see why they couldn't. I'd still consider the TSO'B rail from SSK though, that is some SERIOUS recoil stress on the scope/mounts. In rifle form that 500 puts out the high 40's ft-lbs, gotta be in the low 40's for a pistol.
  • jbohiojbohio Posts: 5,618 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    The .500 is the straight wall front runner if I don't go bottleneck, I think.

    I'll send your brass back.
  • Ernie BishopErnie Bishop Posts: 8,609 Senior Member
    I didn't enjoy shooting the 500 S&W revolver myself.
    It would be the 480 or the 338 Fed for me.
    Ernie

    "The Un-Tactical"
  • KENFU1911KENFU1911 Posts: 1,052 Senior Member
    Be weirder than normal, 9.3 x 51
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    If I go with the .500 S&W in a 10" Full Bull Barrel, how bad do we think recoil will be without a brake?
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • jbohiojbohio Posts: 5,618 Senior Member
    Zee wrote: »
    If I go with the .500 S&W in a 10" Full Bull Barrel, how bad do we think recoil will be without a brake?

    Pretty vicious, I'd think.
    It's pretty heavy in a 4", braked and ported.
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    cpj wrote: »
    I doubt it will be pleasant.

    I doubt it will be pleasant WITH a brake. I'm just wondering if it will be "break scope and mount" unpleasant without a brake.
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
  • HogginHoggin Posts: 413 Member
    Lots of people have scope mount problems with the 460 in a tc. Let alone the 500.
    :applause:

    Love doing the "impossible" with a handgun!
  • ZeeZee Posts: 28,386 Senior Member
    Hoggin wrote: »
    Lots of people have scope mount problems with the 460 in a tc. Let alone the 500.

    That's what six hole bases and LockTite are for!

    Ha!
    "To Hell with efficiency, it's performance we want!" - Elmer Keith
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