One evening I engaged in seriously dangerous behavior… I was sipping brandy and browsing online for a Ruger Number One in any of several fast-stepping big game chamberings.
That's a long doggone rifle with that long Winchester rifle and a 25" barrel, but it's also a good rifle - and it's inexpensive to have a rifle barrel shortened if necessary. I love the Winchester Model 70 controlled round feed action and I've got a 7mm Rem Mag, Super Grade Winchester Model 70 waiting patiently for me to hunt with it... Very classy rifle, accurate and reliable. Which cartridge were you thinking of for your Winchester Alaskan?
I was leaning to 30-06. Custom reloading for it is very attractive. I was considering your Ruger there as well. I want to obtain two of them and then have them customized. I need a good solid medium range hunting rifle set-up, and I always by weapons in twos. I adhere to “Two is one, one is none” ideology so that if I'm caught out, I have parts. Thank you for your kind reply.
Well, the 30-06 is my favorite "big game" cartridge. I've taken grizzly, elk, mule deer, black bear, pronghorn and more with it. Elk out to 405 yards... The Winchester Model 70 is excellent. The Ruger Number One is as well. With the Ruger a hunter has to understand it's slower to reload than simply working a bolt... That's something I've practiced and have done with a wounded bear up close - like about 15 feet - but a good bolt action would have been a more practical choice for that purpose. Love the Ruger, but.. There are sacrifices when choosing a single shot rifle.
Understood. Thank you so very much. I think I'm leaning to the Model 70, but I'm taking my time with this decision. I want these rifles to be just right for my needs and skill level.
For a while I had a 375 H&H Winchester, and a 375 H&H Ruger. The Winchester was the practical choice and a wonderful rifle. I liked the way the Ruger handled better - so I kept it and sold the Winchester.
How does the idea of taking a Winchester Model 70 Alaskan, and converting it to 25-06 sit with you? I think I’d keep the rifle length at 25”. I’m thinking that hot, custom loaded 25-06 out of a long barrel would be an absolute laser beam out to 425 meters. (I don't ever anticipate having to take a shot past that range) I wonder if the increased velocity of the 25-06 loaded hot would even penetrate a Bear skull at 300 meters?
With a good (used; I’m not wealthy) Zeiss scope off a sandbag or good canvas sling hold I would suspect it would be hard to miss. I’m hoping to bolster my modest Riflemanship with this setup. The 375 H&H is something I just have no experience with at all I’m afraid.
Been enjoying your videos on Ultimate Reloader! Love to see more on the .338-06 and .35 Whelen. Nosler asked me to write the cartridge intro for the .338-06 in their 8th and 9th editions of the Nosler Reloading Guide, so you can tell one of my favorites for North America.
Awesome! I have the 3rd and 7th Nosler manuals. Thanks for watching the videos. There's a written article for almost every video - just go to the UR website to find them. I've been using Nosler bullets since the 1970's, with excellent success. I've got an old "1917" 30-06 that's been sporterized and have thought of re-boring it to 338-06, 35 Whelen or 9.3x62...
What do you think about the classic Winchester Model 70 Alaskan (in .308 or 30-06) with a good Zeiss Scope on it and a canvas sling?
That's a long doggone rifle with that long Winchester rifle and a 25" barrel, but it's also a good rifle - and it's inexpensive to have a rifle barrel shortened if necessary. I love the Winchester Model 70 controlled round feed action and I've got a 7mm Rem Mag, Super Grade Winchester Model 70 waiting patiently for me to hunt with it... Very classy rifle, accurate and reliable. Which cartridge were you thinking of for your Winchester Alaskan?
I was leaning to 30-06. Custom reloading for it is very attractive. I was considering your Ruger there as well. I want to obtain two of them and then have them customized. I need a good solid medium range hunting rifle set-up, and I always by weapons in twos. I adhere to “Two is one, one is none” ideology so that if I'm caught out, I have parts. Thank you for your kind reply.
Well, the 30-06 is my favorite "big game" cartridge. I've taken grizzly, elk, mule deer, black bear, pronghorn and more with it. Elk out to 405 yards... The Winchester Model 70 is excellent. The Ruger Number One is as well. With the Ruger a hunter has to understand it's slower to reload than simply working a bolt... That's something I've practiced and have done with a wounded bear up close - like about 15 feet - but a good bolt action would have been a more practical choice for that purpose. Love the Ruger, but.. There are sacrifices when choosing a single shot rifle.
Understood. Thank you so very much. I think I'm leaning to the Model 70, but I'm taking my time with this decision. I want these rifles to be just right for my needs and skill level.
For a while I had a 375 H&H Winchester, and a 375 H&H Ruger. The Winchester was the practical choice and a wonderful rifle. I liked the way the Ruger handled better - so I kept it and sold the Winchester.
How does the idea of taking a Winchester Model 70 Alaskan, and converting it to 25-06 sit with you? I think I’d keep the rifle length at 25”. I’m thinking that hot, custom loaded 25-06 out of a long barrel would be an absolute laser beam out to 425 meters. (I don't ever anticipate having to take a shot past that range) I wonder if the increased velocity of the 25-06 loaded hot would even penetrate a Bear skull at 300 meters?
With a good (used; I’m not wealthy) Zeiss scope off a sandbag or good canvas sling hold I would suspect it would be hard to miss. I’m hoping to bolster my modest Riflemanship with this setup. The 375 H&H is something I just have no experience with at all I’m afraid.
Can’t go wrong with a Winchester Model 70 .30-06!!!!
Been enjoying your videos on Ultimate Reloader! Love to see more on the .338-06 and .35 Whelen. Nosler asked me to write the cartridge intro for the .338-06 in their 8th and 9th editions of the Nosler Reloading Guide, so you can tell one of my favorites for North America.
Awesome! I have the 3rd and 7th Nosler manuals. Thanks for watching the videos. There's a written article for almost every video - just go to the UR website to find them. I've been using Nosler bullets since the 1970's, with excellent success. I've got an old "1917" 30-06 that's been sporterized and have thought of re-boring it to 338-06, 35 Whelen or 9.3x62...
I’ve got a .303 Enfield. Packs a wallop! But at my age, I had to add a bipod.
A Ruger No.1 in any caliber is an elegant rifle! Everybody ought to have at least one!
This is a nice write up. Thank you.
Great story Guy!