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straight walled cartridge options?

Winny94

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  • Nov 19, 2013
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    I live in a state that only permits deer hunting with straight walled cartridges. I'm wanting to get a barrel for my current rifle, but not sure if it's even possible (any straight walls that can be fed from AICS pattern mags?)
    If anyone has done something similar, what cartridge did you go with? (Action has interchangable bolt heads)
    Would really like a cartridge capable of 225-250 if at all possible. A lot of field edge hunting.
     
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    Does a 35 Whelen count as straight walled, or are we talking 45-70 straight walled?
     
    45-70 will getter done. A fella at the range was getting decent 2-3 moa groups at 200 yards with that cartridge. You’ll get better accuracy than he did. He was shooting a scoped hand cannon Ruger Blackhawk.
     
    I forget which cartridge it is but there is one that's basically just a straight wall 308 case in 45 caliber.

    The 45-70 struggles in a bolt action and I don't think it'll work in your aics mag.

    If your okay with buying another gun, get you a sharps style rifle. You pick one up for less than people are paying for Scopes these days.

    450 Bushmaster would work for you though in that gun.
     
    Does a 35 Whelen count as straight walled, or are we talking 45-70 straight walled?
    Has to be straight, straight. I'd do a 300 hamr if it were possible to shoot those soft shouldered rounds
     
    I've recently begun playing with a 45 Raptor, and something to note is that if you want to, sizing .458 projectiles down to .452 (45 Raptor diameter) is pretty easy with Lee bullet sizing dies. I do it in two steps (.454, .451).

    Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to get to the range with it yet, so I can't comment on how it shoots.
     
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    I've recently begun playing with a 45 Raptor, and something to note is that if you want to, sizing .458 projectiles down to .452 (45 Raptor diameter) is pretty easy with Lee bullet sizing dies. I do it in two steps (.454, .451).

    Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to get to the range with it yet, so I can't comment on how it shoots.
    The 45 raptor is looking like the best option, but since you mentioned bullet options; (pardon my ignorance), it seems most .451 options are sold, but a lot of load data for the 460 (same cartridge, different rim) reference .451. Is there any difference in using .452 bullets?
     
    these would be wicked

     
    If you decide to go with the 45 Raptor take a look at the Lehigh bullets

    these would be wicked

    Ive actually seen a few videos of guys loading up muzzleloader bullets designed for the smokeless muzzleloaders too. Seems like bullet options are plentiful
     
    This guy had no problem taking the long shots with a straight walled cartridge....

    1599696458538.png
     
    Sure, but we don't all have Hollywood prop and special effects departments on call...

    You should check out a long range SASS match sometime and see how many props they have lol...

    Plenty of guys holding 1-2moa out to 400-600yds with a quality Sharps or Hi-Wall
     
    You should check out a long range SASS match sometime and see how many props they have lol...

    Plenty of guys holding 1-2moa out to 400-600yds with a quality Sharps or Hi-Wall
    Standing, off hand?
     
    I have used a 450 Marlin built on a Rem 700 action with DBM. Harvested a doe at 294 yards a couple years ago using Hornady 325 gr FTX ammo.
     
    If you go 45 raptor you can get premium bullets from arrowhead sporting goods in the 300gr flavor. I’m just finishing up a large frame AR that will use the 300 X-LD from arrowhead. I am hoping to get 2250-2300 out of my 18” tube and it will have enough thump to ethically kill at 500yds. The bullets are expensive but I only intend to use them to smack some steel at distance and hunt.
     
    I agree, my dad shoots sass and he hits the Buffalo at that distance all the time.

    Local guy who sold me my rifle was showing me a nice 8" 5-shot group he had at 600yds out of his 32" 45-70... pretty wild lol..

    Standing, off hand?

    Ahhhh getting nit picky are we... I'm sure SOMEONE could do it lol
     
    I have used a 450 Marlin built on a Rem 700 action with DBM. Harvested a doe at 294 yards a couple years ago using Hornady 325 gr FTX ammo.
    Where did you find the blank?
     
    Go 350 Legend or 450 Bushmaster. Factory ammo and guns available for both, and they're more than adequate inside 200.
     
    I live in a state that only permits deer hunting with straight walled cartridges. I'm wanting to get a barrel for my current rifle, but not sure if it's even possible (any straight walls that can be fed from AICS pattern mags?)
    If anyone has done something similar, what cartridge did you go with? (Action has interchangable bolt heads)
    Would really like a cartridge capable of 225-250 if at all possible. A lot of field edge hunting.
     
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    350 Legend has worked well for me here in Iowa, but using an AR platform though. I would imagine they feed from a 223 MDT poly mag or 223 Accurate Mag just fine. Also have taken a couple deer with a 450 Bushmaster, but not sure how they would work out of an AICS with the rebated rim.
     
    Ok,

    working with around 2.85 - 2.90" max COAL and .473 or .540 bolt face, I'd say best options might be these:


    .473 Bolt face
    --------------
    .45 Raptor (.308 Win necked up to .452)


    .540 Bolt face
    ---------------
    .458×2" American (.458 Win Mag shortened to 2")
    .450 Marlin

    .450 Marlin is basically a commercial version of the .458x2-inch American with a wider belt.

    Personally, I might go with the .458 American as I think Hornady is the only manufacturer for .450 Marlin brass,
    and I'm not a big fan of their brass. .458 American on the other hand can be easily made from pretty much any belted magnum case, if you don't mind going the wild cat route.

    You might find this interesting:



    Hope this helps!
     
    If you go 45 raptor you can get premium bullets from arrowhead sporting goods in the 300gr flavor. I’m just finishing up a large frame AR that will use the 300 X-LD from arrowhead. I am hoping to get 2250-2300 out of my 18” tube and it will have enough thump to ethically kill at 500yds. The bullets are expensive but I only intend to use them to smack some steel at distance and hunt.
    Do NOT use a thin jacket muzzle loader bullet in a .45 Raptor...
    The thinner jacket peels off as the bullet enters the rifling in the barrel
    Then fun things happen
    Ask me how I know

    On a lighter note...how ya been man?!
    Is this CMC?
     
    Last edited:
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    Winny94:
    One good option I forgot to mention would be .450 Bushmaster. This is basically a .284 Winchester shortened and necked up to .452" and would work with the .473" bolt face you have. This caliber has also a good selection of factory ammo, if you feel that is important.

    Many of the rimmed cartridges mentioned by others would be great, however getting them to feed reliably would be difficult (if not impossible) in the action & magazines that you are using.
     
    Winny94:
    One good option I forgot to mention would be .450 Bushmaster. This is basically a .284 Winchester shortened and necked up to .452" and would work with the .473" bolt face you have. This caliber has also a good selection of factory ammo, if you feel that is important.

    Many of the rimmed cartridges mentioned by others would be great, however getting them to feed reliably would be difficult (if not impossible) in the action & magazines that you are using.
    are you thnking the 450bm would feed better than a 45 raptor? I would think theyd be very similar.
     
    Jesus, I live in Ohio, straight walled cartridges only. I have a Thompson center encore, with a EABC 26 inch fluted heavy stainless barrel, in 45-70. On top of it, I have a burris xtr2 SCR reticle. I shoot at Thunder valley and regularly shoot out to 600y with this gun. I have shot approximately 19 deer with this gun. I have shot them from 20 yards to an actual laser range found 258 yard shot. Not one deer has gone more than 25 yards. I shoot them with the 325 FTX. You know what I don't have. I don't have feeding issues. I don't have accuracy issues. I don't have hard to find brass issues. Its simple to reload for. Its super accurate. I have a muzzle loader barrel to put on the frame if I have not tagged out yet. I can also take it to other states that might have issues with Ar15's. Its a great Bear gun as well. Ohhhhhh yeah super lite weight so great for carrying around in the woods.
     
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    Jesus, I live in Ohio, straight walled cartridges only. I have a Thompson center encore, with a EABC 26 inch fluted heavy stainless barrel, in 45-70. On top of it, I have a burris xtr2 SCR reticle. I shoot at Thunder valley and regularly shoot out to 600y with this gun. I have shot approximately 19 deer with this gun. I have shot them from 20 yards to an actual laser range found 258 yard shot. Not one deer has gone more than 25 yards. I shoot them with the 325 FTX. You know what I don't have. I don't have feeding issues. I don't have accuracy issues. I don't have hard to find brass issues. Its simple to reload for. Its super accurate. I have a muzzle loader barrel to put on the frame if I have not tagged out yet. I can also take it to other states that might have issues with Ar15's. Its a great Bear gun as well. Ohhhhhh yeah super lite weight so great for carrying around in the woods.
    Thats quite nice for you - you know what this option doesnt offer? A ~$450 savings.
     
    No sure what you mean; I bougth the muzzleloader for $425 used. Which you can find just about any where and added the barrel for $229 on close out. so at 700 dollars I have two guns basically. Not sure where a $450 dollar savings comes into play. I will send you a pic of this years harvest.
     
    No sure what you mean; I bougth the muzzleloader for $425 used. Which you can find just about any where and added the barrel for $229 on close out. so at 700 dollars I have two guns basically. Not sure where a $450 dollar savings comes into play. I will send you a pic of this years harvest.
    I can get a 45 raptor barrel for $300. $700-$750 minus $300 is $400-$450
     
    45-70 will getter done. A fella at the range was getting decent 2-3 moa groups at 200 yards with that cartridge. You’ll get better accuracy than he did. He was shooting a scoped hand cannon Ruger Blackhawk.
    22579F11-6879-4A18-BCC4-C95A5B38A0D0.jpeg

    The 325g, 45/70 works well out to 200.
     
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    Yep, .45-70 is a great cartridge.

    OP's question was "any straight walls that can be fed from AICS pattern mags?" and .45-70 is not really an option here. (If you want a bolt action that will feed .45-70, you're looking at converting a Mosin-Nagant, Lee-Enfield or Siamese Mauser).

    I mentioned .45 Raptor, .450 Bushmaster, .450 Marlin and .458x2" American as options - all have their pros and cons. Personally I'd go with .458x2" American.
     
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