Just Joined, questions about hot loads and bears
Posted: Tue Mar 26, 2013 3:14 pm
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)?
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)?
The velocity on the web site you listed are 
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.