Again, the "only one rifle" issue?

[DrMike]

The 9.3X62 is an excellent cartridge that will carry the mail to game.

 

[BigBoreDan]

I think so too although I "need" it like I need a hole in my head. It really won't do much that I can't do with my .340 WM or .350 RM but I am intrigued by the cartridge and I think in the six lug Mark V it will make a nice light big game getter. I don't know when I'll get around to that particular project but I am pretty sure it will be the next gun project for me.

 

[DrMike]

I think so too although I "need" it like I need a hole in my head. It really won't do much that I can't do with my .340 WM or .350 RM but I am intrigued by the cartridge and I think in the six lug Mark V it will make a nice light big game getter. I don't know when I'll get around to that particular project but I am pretty sure it will be the next gun project for me.

This fall, I started toting the big brother to the 9.3X62--a 9.3X64. I really like the calibre, and the 9.3X62 is but a skosh behind the 9.3X64 in delivering a mighty blow to game.

 

[Guest]

RR,
You said it well my friend. No matter what the gun, if you shoot it well, use it.

Don

 

[Oldtrader3]

I think that it is time for some of these European 9.3mm cartridges to have a rennaissance in this country. There are several of these cartridges that were invented to fit a medium bore need in Africa and are still useful today. It is great to see the the 9.3x62 (1905), 93x64 Brenneke (1910) and 9.3x74R (1905) cartridges be chambered in custom rifles or in my case in a Number One Ruger factory rifle. They still have what it takes after 100 years of use.

 

[jason miller]

I always thought the issues of "only one scope" or even "only one bullet" go hand in hand with this subject, but they don't seem to get discussed as much.

 

[DrMike]

I always thought the issues of "only one scope" or even "only one bullet" go hand in hand with this subject, but they don't seem to get discussed as much.

This conversation is just degenerating into forbidden territory. That is just too difficult to contemplate. :mrgreen:

 

[roysclockgun]

Jason wrote: "I always thought the issues of "only one scope" or even "only one bullet" go hand in hand with this subject, but they don't seem to get discussed as much."

This, just my opinion. Once I get a scope mounted with the rifle shooting as I want it to shoot, I dast not touch the scope, in terms of swapping it out, unless it gets broken. I have had one scope on a hunting rifle for over 40 years and never saw a reason to remove it. Same goes for loads. When a load that works is settled upon, I do not look to change it. I like to find one load that is effective on the game that I am hunting and then, leave it alone.

Of course, if I went far afield with any given rifle, in terms of game size or capability of having me for lunch, I would consider changing scope, load or even the rifle/cartridge combo.

Save for checking correct torque on screws and making sure of zero at the range, before hunting. I don't mess with anything, once I get it to where I am satisfied with performance.

I will admit, with many rifles, I have upgraded or even moved sideways by swapping out the entire rig, many times over the years.
Steven L. Ashe

 

[PJGunner]

Lots of interesting thoughts and opintions on this subject. I hunted my first deer at age 11 back in 1949. The rifle I used was my Great-grandfather's Winchester M94 30-30 carbine. I still have that rifle and while it's in honored semi-retirement, there is no way in hell I would ever part with that rifle. That's what I used until age 18 when I finally got a job. I bought a 1917 Enfield by Winchester in 30-06 and had a local gunsmith make a fairly decent sporter out of it. IIRC, I got the rifle for $75 ay a pawn shop and the gunsmith charged me $250 for the stock and metal work. I took quite a few Blacktail Deer and Black Bear with that gun when I lived in California. I traded it off for a much light Husqvarna, also a 30-06 but I'm thinking it was an unlucky rifle as I didn't keep it around for very long. I'm thinking I probably used the 30-06 more than anything else until 1975 when I got a smoking deal on an FN Mauser in .270 Win.I shot maybe two deer and a couple of coyotes with that rifle but didn't much care for how the 130 gr. bullets mangled meat. (Sorry OT3) Some how, in picking up new toys I ended up with a few more .270s, :shock: the last one a Winchester M70 XTR push feeder that is so accurate that it is scary. Upon the suggestion from a friend who uses the .270 almost exclusively, I went to 150 gr. bullets and that's what I used with the M70 in 2009 on my first antelope hunt. The last time I'd used a .270 on anything was around 1975. Since then I've played with more 30-06s,.308s a .375 Taylor wildcat, .243, .257 Bob andI can't remember what else. I guess you could call me a real rifle loony. :roll: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Lately though I have seriously been giving consideration toward thinning out the herd. Most have sat in the safe gathering dust as safe queens anyway. The problem is which ones will be the keepers and which ones go? When I consider my physical condition, (Bad knee and hip ) seriously rugged type hunts are out of the question. I enjoyed that antelope hunt and I have access to an easy cow elk hunt so maybe with the proceeds, I might do a couple of exotic hunts while I'm still able to hobble around a bit.
I have one 30-06 that was given to me by a friend shortly before he passed away. The original stock was broken in a fall and not repairable so the gun now sits in a Butler Creek stock and is very accurate even with factory ammo. I have another 30-06 built by the late Calvin Albrite, a genious when working with metal but a lousy stock maker. (Sorry Cal. ) It now sits in a McMillan and it too is accurate. This one has a 1 in 12" twist barrel and contrary to what the "eggspurts" in the gun rags say, it will stabilize 220 gr. bullets. 8)
As someone brought up the "one load, one scope" concept, long ago I settled on 180 gr. bullets for the 06, the Sierra Pro-hunter for deer and the like and the 180 gr. Nosler Partition for the bigger stuff. That's worked for me but if I had to go with one, probably the Nosler Partition for everything.
Considering that probably the biggest animal I will ever hunt would be a bull elk, should I draw a tag, a 30-06 would be plenty.
Paul B.

 

[HTDUCK]

Well put me in the 30-06 group.
It's still sitting in the safe. An Interarms MK X with a 24 inch PO Ackley barrel my dad bought me when I was 8. Originally had a wood stock on it but along the way somewhere it warped and the rifle started shooting very poorly. For Christmas in 1990 dad bought me a B&C stock for it that it still wears to this day.
I have lost count of the deer and turkeys I have put in the freezer with that rifle, but I sure remember the only elk I ever killed.
Sadly dad passed 12 years ago today. He may be gone but that '06 never will be.
Nor will the memories off all the time we spent together and all the game the two of us shot with it.

Howard

 

[bobbyrum]

I hunted with my Ruger 1 in 7 mm Mag for over 35 years using the 160 gr. Nosler Partition, the only bullet I ever shot through it. It never failed me. I hunted & harvested black bear, whitetail deer, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, caribou & even small critters. When the AccuBond came out, I switched to the 160 gr. I had a silly dream one night that I should replace the barrel, so I did. The Ruger 1 now has a 7mm Rem. UM stainless 27.75 in. barrel & I still shoot the 160 AccuBond. It has been great. I am 65 years old & no, the recoil does not bother me. It shoots .75 in. at 100 yds. & 3345 ft./sec. This is my one gun & I love it! :lol:

 

[BobT]

I have what I believe would make a great "one rifle" and if push came to shove I wouldn't hesitate to use it on whatever critters I happened across. It's an older (1949) Husqvarna 640 chambered in the aforementioned 9,3x62. I shoot it pretty well and have confidence in it to do the job if I do mine.

I always enjoy the one rifle discussions, there are always .30/06 and .270 Winchester fans and usually at least one .375 H&H in the mix. There are a bunch of great calibers out there and in reality I suppose I could be happy with many of them. I started my big game hunting with my Dads 99 Savage .30-30. A Winchester 94 .30-30 soon followed and then a few years later a 700 BDL in .270 Winchester. I could be happy with any of them, just as long as I have something to shoot and reload for I'll get along

 

[Palouser]

Steven,

The 7mm-08 and the 280 will work very well for about anything one would encounter in North America. Even with a grizzly, it is better than a stick in the eye. It will assuredly work with moose and elk and anything smaller in weight. I frequently carry a 280, and have done so for quite a few years. The cartridge has served me quite well. I wouldn't believe myself to undergunned should I carry a 7mm-08.

7x57 Mauser or .270 Win. I don't think I would feel undergunned if I ever encountered a charging grizzly, as I would feel compelled to throw down my rifle and quickly tie one hand behind my back in order to make it a fair fight for the grizzly!

 

[DrMike]

Steven,

The 7mm-08 and the 280 will work very well for about anything one would encounter in North America. Even with a grizzly, it is better than a stick in the eye. It will assuredly work with moose and elk and anything smaller in weight. I frequently carry a 280, and have done so for quite a few years. The cartridge has served me quite well. I wouldn't believe myself to undergunned should I carry a 7mm-08.

7x57 Mauser or .270 Win. I don't think I would feel undergunned if I ever encountered a charging grizzly, as I would feel compelled to throw down my rifle and quickly tie one hand behind my back in order to make it a fair fight for the grizzly!

The several times I've been charged, I didn't have time to tie a hand behind my back. I thought the bear in each instance had a significant advantage. I was, however, mighty glad I was armed with a rifle that could give a mighty blow when called to do so. :mrgreen:

 

[Oldtrader3]

I would be happy to have that mighty blow also, since I can't run fast enough or fight hard enough anymore to get anywhere but eaten. If I lived where you live DrMike, I would not go further than taking the garbage out, without at least a 9.3mm cane in my hand!

 

[Palouser]

I hoped that post would catch the Doc's attention. I have never seen a grizzly in the wild. I have almost peed my pants seeing them through heavy fences and barbed wire when they are in captivity. Had a friend who was charged once packing an elk out near Cody Wyoming. He had a sidearm and bearspray but said he was so frightened that the only thing he could think about was the warm pee running down his leg. Doc, I am not tough enough to live anywhere close to you with -40 temps and pissed grizzlies! You guys have my respect up there, even if you don't have a 2nd amendment!
Todd

 

[DrMike]

I hoped that post would catch the Doc's attention. I have never seen a grizzly in the wild. I have almost peed my pants seeing them through heavy fences and barbed wire when they are in captivity. Had a friend who was charged once packing an elk out near Cody Wyoming. He had a sidearm and bearspray but said he was so frightened that the only thing he could think about was the warm pee running down his leg. Doc, I am not tough enough to live anywhere close to you with -40 temps and pissed grizzlies! You guys have my respect up there, even if you don't have a 2nd amendment!
Todd

I'm laughing. I just got off the phone with my hunting partner, having read him Charlie's post. I've been charged by a grizzly on two separate occasions, and I didn't shoot the bear in either instance despite being armed. I held my ground, and he broke off the charge either time. Bluff charge or no, it was very impressive. Gil has often remonstrated with me that I'm far too generous with these bears, letting them get far too close without shooting them. As Gil was laughing, he said, "Yeah, just tell them it's a bit like standing in the middle of the road with a Mac bearing down on you. However, this Mac will not only run you down, but will bite you and swat you while it is at it." These boys are intimidating; and they know they are intimidating.

 

[DrMike]

I hoped that post would catch the Doc's attention. I have never seen a grizzly in the wild. I have almost peed my pants seeing them through heavy fences and barbed wire when they are in captivity. Had a friend who was charged once packing an elk out near Cody Wyoming. He had a sidearm and bearspray but said he was so frightened that the only thing he could think about was the warm pee running down his leg. Doc, I am not tough enough to live anywhere close to you with -40 temps and pissed grizzlies! You guys have my respect up there, even if you don't have a 2nd amendment!
Todd

I'm laughing. I just got off the phone with my hunting partner, having read him Charlie's post. I've been charged by a grizzly on two separate occasions, and I didn't shoot the bear in either instance despite being armed. I held my ground, and he broke off the charge either time. Bluff charge or no, it was very impressive. Gil has often remonstrated with me that I'm far too generous with these bears, letting them get far too close without shooting them. As Gil was laughing, he said, "Yeah, just tell them it's a bit like standing in the middle of the road with a Mac bearing down on you. However, this Mac will not only run you down, but will bite you and swat you while it is at it." These boys are intimidating; and they know they are intimidating. I will make this observation, that people who spend time in the bush usually know enough to carry arms with them. Even the judges won't take away firearms from people found guilty of crimes who actually work in the bush or live in the bush.

 

[Palouser]

I couldn't even imagine! Bluff or no bluff, I would pee my pants!

 

[Thankful Otter]

Steven,

The 7mm-08 and the 280 will work very well for about anything one would encounter in North America. Even with a grizzly, it is better than a stick in the eye. It will assuredly work with moose and elk and anything smaller in weight. I frequently carry a 280, and have done so for quite a few years. The cartridge has served me quite well. I wouldn't believe myself to undergunned should I carry a 7mm-08.

7x57 Mauser or .270 Win. I don't think I would feel undergunned if I ever encountered a charging grizzly, as I would feel compelled to throw down my rifle and quickly tie one hand behind my back in order to make it a fair fight for the grizzly!

The several times I've been charged, I didn't have time to tie a hand behind my back. I thought the bear in each instance had a significant advantage. I was, however, mighty glad I was armed with a rifle that could give a mighty blow when called to do so. :mrgreen:

We are the same as Dr Mike. one of us will always carry a large caliber and I have noticed as years pass, neither of us ( my husband or myself ) hunt with anything smaller than a 30-06. We have had several scares, but usually a brownie can be scared off or he will lose interest, but until he does, it always gets ones attention. We find when we are in white bear country that we are far more cautious, as they tend to not scare off or lose interest. they worry us more than a brownie. but by far the most vicious and the ones who scare us the most as they are just down right mean are the Grolar bears.

They are all dangerous and we have had those change of underwear moments a few times.
My husbands grandfather tells us it builds character and I tell him I have enough character, thank you very much