Med Bore Wildcats on a Standard Length Action

conor_90

conor_90

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So I am looking at building my first custom or semi custom rifle. As this is sort of an expensive game these days I am planning to make it a wildcat chambering. Nothing new or fancy but a relatively popular one that can be formed from factory brass with dies preferably.

All suggestions are appreciated for sourcing parts ect, here are some considerations:

I am thinking it will be some sort of all weather coating and laminate. There will be a peep sight or battue style irons (if anyone knows a good source of these besides using a tikka battues I would love to know).

I have two options of actions to choose from: pre 64 style model 70 or a standard length santa barbara mauser 98 action. Neither has a magnum bolt face. Leaning towards the model 70.

So now for the fun part; what caliber should I put it in? I am thinking non magnum for the time being but I am not anti magnum in general.

Throwing around the idea of a 375/06 of some variety but the array of options is a bit confusing. 35 Whelen is a classic; but this is also an excuse to get into non factory calibers.

Am I missing out on anything here? Open up the bolt face and build a 375 CT or 358 Norma?



Option 2: Fook it, buy a 9.3x57 and put all the money into a semi custom stock and a good 1-4 scope

Option 3: build a 35 sambar on a different rifle with a magnum bolt face and short action.
 
Should step up to the magnum boltface and chamber it in .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer....if only for the name.

My personal choice would be option 2.
 
I have always wanted a 358 Norma so that's my choice.
You could go 35 Whelen for now and if the magnum bug bites you later it's a simple re chamber and opening of the bolt face.
 
There are an awful lot of nice rifles chambered for unique cartridges on the used market... spare your wallet and shop used.
 
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The 375 / 06 Imp. is an easy wildcat to play with, sort of a 35 Whelen / 9.3X62 all rolled into one with the benefit of a heavier bullet or a lighter faster 260 gr. load.
 
hoytcanon said:
There are an awful lot of nice rifles chambered for unique cartridges on the uses market... spare your wallet and shop used.
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Probably good advice, but I would like a rifle built just for me to my specifications.

The 375 / 06 Imp. is an easy wildcat to play with, sort of a 35 Whelen / 9.3X62 all rolled into one with the benefit of a heavier bullet or a lighter faster 260 gr. load.
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Do you have one of these Kevan? I remember you saying you had a 375/06 wildcat.

I've been loading 300's at around 2200 fps in the .338 wm, wondering if you ever duplicated this?

I think a 300/10 grain bullet in the 2000-2200 range would be interesting...
 
Beargun45-70 said:
I have always wanted a 358 Norma so that's my choice.
You could go 35 Whelen for now and if the magnum bug bites you later it's a simple re chamber and opening of the bolt face.
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That was a calibre I did a bit of searching for. I was on a search for one in a Schultz & Larsen when I was offered a chance to pick up this model 1651 Husqvarna.





After seeing a few photos,:) I weakened and picked it up. Shortly thereafter, I located a model 68DL Schultz & Larsen;) and weakened again.



But, for somewhat more along the lines of a custom job, I was fortunate to pick up this, chambered in 375 Chatfield Taylor.

 
It's a breeze to open either bolt face to accept the magnum cartridge...........I highly recommend the 9.3X300 Win Mag, or if you really want exotic how about a 9.3X68 Imp. Either cartridge will exceed the 375 H&H or Ruger and in some rifles even the 375 Wby, lots of good bullets in 9.3 these days and 300 WM brass is every where. This is a very easy and practical wildcat certainly worth owning and hunting with. If she's a little too much for one it can always be down loaded to equal the 9.3X74R or the 366 Wagner........Remember, there is no such thing as "too dead" but there sure as hell is "ain't dead enough"
 
c-fbmi said:
It's a breeze to open either bolt face to accept the magnum cartridge...........I highly recommend the 9.3X300 Win Mag, or if you really want exotic how about a 9.3X68 Imp. Either cartridge will exceed the 375 H&H or Ruger and in some rifles even the 375 Wby, lots of good bullets in 9.3 these days and 300 WM brass is every where. This is a very easy and practical wildcat certainly worth owning and hunting with. If she's a little too much for one it can always be down loaded to equal the 9.3X74R or the 366 Wagner........Remember, there is no such thing as "too dead" but there sure as hell is "ain't dead enough"
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:) Reminds me of a quote by Elmer Keith when he was reportedly to have said, "Being over gunned beats the alternative."
 
I have a lightweight, iron sighted 338 WM I really like; it kicks like a god damn mule though.

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I want to get a shorter, non magnum rifle. Still in a medium bore. Elk/Moose and all that good stuff.

9.3X300 Win Mag
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I was thinking of this one when you mentioned it in another thread. Is it one of your own? what is the reasoning behind using a 300 wm case and not the 2.5 inch magnum case?
 
Nobody else has said it yet, so why not just use a standard 9.3x62 chambering? Components aren't that hard to find these days, and you can form cases from .30/06 brass if you've a mind to. Sort of a junior .375 H&H in power.
 
Conor If you want a non magnum I think your best option is a 35 Whelan Ackley Imp. 30-06 brass can be used so no problems there. With 225 gr bullets at close to 2800 fps and around 3900 ft /lbs you have a thumper that's capable of some serious range. If you want heavier bullets the 250 gr is plenty for any NA game.If you think you need more Swift makes an excellent 280 gr. Build the rifle with a 1 in 12 in twist if you want to play with the heavy bullets.
Your idea of a 375/06 is not terrible. If you go this route go with the 375/06 Ackley Imp. Slightly more case capacity, positive headspacing. Not quite as versatile as the 35 W Imp but still an effective big game round.
 
MDR said:
Should step up to the magnum boltface and chamber it in .22 Eargesplitten Loudenboomer....if only for the name.
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You been talking to kamlooky of late?
Curious to the purpose of the interested project?
I often wonder what the intended game is when people decide on wildcats.

Its not because I approve or disapprove of the choice or idea, but maybe the better mouse trap is already built??

No. 2 appears to be a less painful and less $$ option and the choice of wood and glass is easier to decide upon....

But, if tinkering is the game then have at it.

Rob
 
And you have a decent chance of finding a box of ammo if you're away from your reloading bench for awhile (I work all over the place)
 
9.3mauser said:
Nobody else has said it yet, so why not just use a standard 9.3x62 chambering? Components aren't that hard to find these days, and you can form cases from .30/06 brass if you've a mind to. Sort of a junior .375 H&H in power.
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Thought about that but in the OP a wildcat is desired. To keep things simple why not the venerable .338-06 ?
 
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