Just Joined, questions about hot loads and bears

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nabaker
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:04 pm

Just Joined, questions about hot loads and bears

Post by nabaker »

Howdy everyone! I just joined this forum a few minutes ago. As of two days ago, I am the proud owner of a Model 8 in .35 Remington, and have been doing some research into its history. I came across a book entitled "Of Bench and Bears: Alaska's Bear Hunting Judge" (http://www.amazon.com/Of-Bench-Bears-Al ... +and+bears). I will be buying the book someday soon and eagerly await reading it.

From the back cover of the book (http://www.outdoorsdirectory.com/store/ ... cts_id=557):

"Judge George W. Folta may have been grudgingly called “the hanging judge” by annoyed criminal defense lawyers who observed vicious convicted killers dangling from Juneau’s public gallows, but most Alaskans affectionately called him “Alaska’s bear hunting judge” because he personally bagged some 200 bears during his half century of Alaska hunting."

I was dumbfounded. He used a 1906 Model 8 in .35 Remington, which I've found has been referred to as nothing more than a "deer/black bear" gun on most online forums.

So my questions are:

1. What do you all think of .35 Remington as a big-game hunting/protection cartridge (think Alaska)?

2. Has anybody read this book? What did you think of it?

3. Does anyone know whether or not my Model 8 (made in 1917) can handle more "modern" loads, such as Buffalo Bore's Heavy 220gr (https://www.buffalobore.com/index.php?l ... tail&p=166)?

4. If you do not recommend shooting the above-mentioned buffalo bore load out of my rifle, what is the stoutest load you'd recommend (the load that could take the biggest game)?
nabaker
Posts: 8
Joined: Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:04 pm

Re: Just Joined, questions about hot loads and bears

Post by nabaker »

Picture of my Model 8:

Image
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Phyrbird
Posts: 1037
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 10:53 pm

Re: Just Joined, questions about hot loads and bears

Post by Phyrbird »

NaBaker,

I've done some digging and checked velocities for standard 35 Rem cartridges. You should check out this site:

http://data.hodgdon.com/cartridge_load.asp

They list the following:

220 GR. SPR FN -- Hodgdon H4895 --33.0g .358dia -- 2.470"OAL 1848fps 29,000 CUP || 36.3g --2010fps 33,600 CUP

I am certain this (on the right) is Hot. I would not recommend it as a starting load for any rifle. Our rifles are at least 1950 vintage, Do you want to take that chance? :cry: The velocity on the web site you listed are Hot in my opinion. They may be OK for Marlins, perhaps safer in a Remington 760. :ugeek: While I feel the 220g bullets may be safely fired from Model 8s and 81s please don't start out with excessive pressure loads. I am positive the "Judge" would agree with me. The main reason he was so successful was likely cool nerves and excellent shot placement.
Frankly, he's better than I, I never plan on hunting something that could have me for lunch... ;)
Phyrbird
SOKY
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