Author Topic: Life begins and ends at 35-whats your favorite bore diameter (Read 1400 times)

7-30 Waters · « **on:** April 02, 2007, 04:47:01 PM »

After almost twenty years of reloading and shooting many different guns of various bore diameters, I have come to the conclusion that life begins and ends at 35. I truely believe the .357-.358 bore diameter is the most versitile bore diameter of all. I currently own a 357 Maximum, 35 Remington and 350 Remington Magnum. My next purchase will be a 8" Contender barrel in 38 Special. I guess what I am really trying to say is simplification of ones reloading needs. I need one bore diameter that can do it all. From plinking little targets at the range to shooting North Americas largest animals. The 35 caliber is the one for me.

7-30 Waters

P.S. I know eventually I will need to change my name on the forum. How about "Life at 35"?

Grumulkin · « **Reply #1 on:** April 02, 2007, 05:04:01 PM »

Oh, what a hornet's nest you have stirred up!

In my opinion, the most versitile bore diameter is .308 in. Cartridges with that bore diameter are suitable for plinking and certainly for animal in North America. You also have the choice of cartridges with longer range and a better selection of bullets in the .308 caliber.

I could also make a good argument for 7mm/.284 caliber chamberings.

Dusty Miller · « **Reply #2 on:** April 02, 2007, 05:30:45 PM »

Suitable for EVERY N. American game?

swampthing · « **Reply #3 on:** April 03, 2007, 01:20:55 AM »

.308"dia. 200g Barnes TSX @2500fps would be quite sufficient for this continent, and most of Africa for that matter.
I like my .43cals at turtle speeds, ie; 280g WFN @1250fps, no earsplitting blast, very easy to control, and the penetration.

Graybeard · « **Reply #4 on:** April 03, 2007, 07:30:59 AM »

I have two if we were talking rifles those being 7MM and .35 but if talking handguns and this is after all a handgun forum then I guess I'd have to say again two 7MM and .429". I love the 7-30 waters and 7-08 both for TCs and the .44 magnum for revolvers.

skb2706 · « **Reply #5 on:** April 04, 2007, 08:04:21 AM »

From top to bottom
nothing smaller than 7mm for the big ones

nothing bigger than 7mm for the small ones

Gregory · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2007, 02:05:14 PM »

I like the 35's in handguns. I hunt deer with a 357 Max.Contender and I have a S&W Model 67 38 Special and just added a .380 Beretta Model 84 to the family.

skarke · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2007, 06:27:49 AM »

you should see what a 460 weatherby does to a ground squirrel

Ken ONeill · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2007, 10:01:28 AM »

Everything between .22 and .500, incl.

7-30 Waters · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2007, 12:13:06 PM »

Well my life continues to begin and end at 35. I just ordered a 15" Contender barrel from Bullberry chambered in 357 Herrett. Oh the joy of life at 35. Barrel should be here in ten weeks. Already have brass sized and ready to load. The wait is going to be painful.

C A Plater · « **Reply #10 on:** April 13, 2007, 03:36:37 AM »

.35 is one fine bore size. I seem to have more of that than any other. Two .357 Contender barrels 10" & 12", .35 Remington 14" not to mention a Puma .357 and Marlin .35 Rem. lever guns, a .35 Whelen 700 Remington Classic, Colt Python, S&W M28 and lastly, a Ruger 50th Anniversary Blackhawk. I think the most fun are the Contender .357 barrels. Nothing wrong with other calibers as I'm partial to .30 caliber too as well as .25, 6.5, and 7mm but the numbers show a clear favoritism for .357.

358nutz · « **Reply #11 on:** April 15, 2007, 03:29:21 AM »

35 has my vote!!

358 Win Imp goes right well with my 356 Winnie chambered in a Marlin.

I bought purty much every thing for the Encore off of Specialty Pistols where you can still buy sell and trade firearms and not just fishin poles

S.S. · « **Reply #12 on:** April 15, 2007, 04:39:53 AM »

I have done everything with a .357 mag that I have done with its bigger brothers.
So I would have to say a .357 Mag. Maybe not the best for all applications, but adequate
for most

xphunter · « **Reply #13 on:** April 15, 2007, 08:57:42 AM »

7mm will do everything I want or need to do.

Cowboybart · « **Reply #14 on:** June 20, 2007, 03:01:10 AM »

The 35 has my vote for a big bore rifle. I couldn't get thru life w/o a 6.5 for a small bore rifle. As far as a handgun, I do like the 44 and 41. I'm getting a reamer made now to turn a 41 Contender barrel into a 414 Super Mag.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #15 on:** June 20, 2007, 03:30:55 AM »

I like playing the field from 22cal thru 44cal. It's whatever I feel like at the moment.

jhalcott · « **Reply #16 on:** June 20, 2007, 03:34:40 PM »

The ONLY thing I have one of is WIVES!! When I am limited to only one caliber or gun I will move to more liberal areas! I have about 8 -7mm guns and 4- 35 cal.,a bunch of .22 cf and rf. Several 6 mms and too many .30's to carry. Short guns, long guns ,even some SHOT guns GEE, I almost forgot about the .25 and .44 guns.

offhand35 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 20, 2007, 04:30:16 PM »

My favorite caliber seems to change periodically.
However, I do have my current handguns whittled down to 38 Special and 41 Remington Magnum. That is divided among 5 Ruger revolvers and 2 Contender pistol barrels.

bustedknee · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2007, 04:33:34 PM »

.338

hunter · « **Reply #19 on:** June 23, 2007, 03:37:52 PM »

Like GrayBeard said this is a handgun forum. Surprised no said 45. The 45-70 and the 45 colt both good choices if you hand load.