234 Wildcat Family....ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY

[Doug]

Ya know Doug, for your intended uses that 23Br chambering pushes the 105s at 2800fps, with the high sectional density of those .23s it would be ideal for deer sized game with minimal meat loss.. that is of course if you accidently shoot them in the
meat.
Not that it matters but it will maintain the benchrest accuracy (which it has) for the life of a hunting rifle. Just name it something
cool and all will be good.

I would have to take steroids to get strong enough to CARRY a rifle with that barrel!!! Of course, the up-side would be that if I needed to dispatch the animal, I could bludgeon it to death........

Doug

 

[marshman]

I would have to take steroids to get strong enough to CARRY a rifle with that barrel!!! Of course, the up-side would be that if I needed to dispatch the animal, I could bludgeon it to death........

Doug

Turn it down, which I'm pretty sure you would not matter what cartridge you go with.

 

[c-fbmi]

Hey Marshal what action is that barrel threaded for? If memory serves it was a 700............?

Doug PM me we can do something for you.

 

[marshman]

Hey Marshal what action is that barrel threaded for? If memory serves it was a 700............?

Doug PM me we can do something for you.

Yup 700.

 

[c-fbmi]

Spent some time on the phone yesterday and determined that dies are truly a breeze..........Sinclair Int. has Redding dies with all the parent cases in 6mm except the Penguin, for which I shall use the 6mm-284 die to load, I'll just have to shave about .100" off the bottom. I ordered a full set with 1/2 doz extra bushings for 23 cal. These dies are available as neck dies only, full length dies and full length die sets with seater. These are all interchangeable bushing sizer dies. The nice thing was that all my chosen parent cases have already been wildcatted to 6mm except the Swede, which makes life easy with just a bushing change AND they had everything in stock and shipped the same day. The Penguin is a bit more complicated, but I am willing to modify a 6mm-284 sizer die for those who want one, and the 6mm-284 seater die will work as is. OR you could have any machine shop zip 100 thou off the bottom of the die to get correct sizing of the full neck. Just one more step closer..........and thanks to Marshal for taking the time to talk to me and explain how he did it with his 6 BR dies. I have never used a bushing or collet die before and didn't know the first thing about it until I had a long conversation with "back40sniper" on collet dies and Marshal on bushing dies. Just goes to show ya, you really are never too old to learn something new.
So within a couple weeks I will have the correct equipment to make all the cartridges in the 234 family............

For ordering info these are the correct dies for the family.

23 Pipsqueak (222 RM)................6X47 Lapua with an additional .251,2 or 3 bushing depending on brass used.

234 Lynx (22-250)......................6mm-22-250 with additional .256,7 or 8 bushing

234 Hyrax (243).........................243 with additional .256,7,8 bushing

234 Penguin (6.5X55).................6mm-284 with additional .257,8,9 bushing

230 Douglas (284)......................same as above


To get the correct bushing one needs to get your brass sized down to 22 cal and then work the case neck open a bit with a long taper punch or awl or anything, until you can seat a 234 bullet in it. Don't flare it too much just enough to seat a bullet either way up and then measure your outside neck dimension and order a bushing that will give you 2,3 or 4 thou of neck tension depending on your application. If you intend to hunt with your 23 then I recommend 4 thou, 3 minimum. If you only want to punch paper then 1 or 2 will be about right. Remember your brass will spring back a touch so 1 thou of tension is achieved with a 2 thou smaller bushing etc. These dies do NOT use an expander plug so it is critical to get the correct bushing for enough neck tension and not too much. Those of you who have used bushing dies already know all this, but for old fudds like me who never have, it is necessary info. However do not despair if you get the wrong bushing the first time, as they are only 16 USD for a new one and it would seem SI has them all on hand.

 

[kamlooky]

All ready for Christmas then.........?

 

[d4dave1]

I am like a little boy at Christmas ...lol

Finding a donor for a Lynx has been a challenge but once I do find one it will be hard to contain myself. A barrel and dies and then assembly then make some holes in paper.

But I am really looking forward to settling the crosshairs on a coyote and gently squeezing that trigger..............
Dave

PS. Not sure if Thank You cuts it but...Thank You!​

 

[c-fbmi]

You know d4d.........any short action bolt with a .473 boltface will do, it doesn't have to start as a 22-250. Any 220 swift, 221 FB, 243, 6mm, 260, 7-08, 308, 358, 250 sav, 300 sav etc, etc, etc...........will work just ducky.

 

[marshman]

I s'pose I should've suggested one of these. http://item.brownells.com/quaternary/sinclair-international-turning-amp-expander-mandrels/index.htm
get a .243 mandrel and polish it down to .230 the die body itself is universal.

This winter when & if I have time Ill make some bullets that will be much less volatile

 

[Salty]

This winter when & if I have time Ill make some bullets that will be much less volatile

That will be a blessing for the bigger rounds. From my 10,000 foot understanding of all this I can see the use for a Lynx and probably with the bullets you've already got as a solid little deer round

 

[HuntNL]

I am like a little boy at Christmas ...lol

Finding a donor for a Lynx has been a challenge but once I do find one it will be hard to contain myself. A barrel and dies and then assembly then make some holes in paper.

But I am really looking forward to settling the crosshairs on a coyote and gently squeezing that trigger..............
Dave

PS. Not sure if Thank You cuts it but...Thank You!​

I have a short action but need a long for the Penguin.

 

[Kevan]

Theres a Remington 600 in 6.5 Mag in my safe that doesn't get much use.
Which one might I switch it to ? Any suggestions ?
It has the magnum bolt face of course...

 

[c-fbmi]

Kevan.........that'd have to be a 23 WSM or 23 RSM (Remington Short Mag on the 6.5 case), even more powder than the Douglas..........I don't know.........Best to trade it off on a standard bolt face action...........Having said that PM me if you are so inclined, I have a short 700 n 308 HB right now that could become a Lynx, possibly a Hyrax............

 

[d4dave1]

Okay, so applying the little knowledge that I have to the list here, I was under the impression that I needed a 22-250. This is what happens when people without enough knowledge (me...) attempt things that require....well...knowledge...lol

Where I was going off the rails was looking at case length. Thus short action - long action?
Dave

Bolt Face and Case Length Dimensions

________________________________________
SMALL BORES
Caliber Case head (inches) Length (inches)
17 Rem .378" 2.17"
17Mach4 .378" 1.77"
204 Ruger .378" 2.26"
22 RemJet .439" 1.66"
22 Hornet .35" 1.8"
22 KHornet .35" 1.75"
22Spitfire .356" 1.65"
218Bee .408" 1.63"
218Mashburn .408" 1.63"
221Fireball .378" 1.84"
222Rem .378" 2.2"
222RemMag .378" 2.33"
223Rem .378" 2.3"
223RemAI .378" 2.3"
220Russian .441" 2.07"
22PPC .44" 2.07"
219Zipper .506" 2.4"
22BR .473" 2"
225Win. 473" 2.43"
224WeatherbyMag .43" 2.38"
22-250Rem .472" 2.35"
220Swift .473" 2.7"
224Clark .473" 3.08"
22CheetahMkI .473" 2.5"
223WSSM .535" 2.36"
22SavHiPower .492" 2.51"
6mm-223Rem .378" 2.26"
6mmPPC .441" 2.19"
6mmBR .473" 2.2"
6mmTCU .378" 2.5"
6mm-284Win .473" (rebated) 2.83"
243Win .473" 2.65"
6mmRem .473" 2.83"
240WbyMag .473" 3.08"
6.17Spitfire .53" 2.8"
243WSSM .535" 2.36"
240Apex (BeltedNE) .475" 3.21"
256WinMag .44" 1.78"
25-21Stevens .376" 2.3"
25-25Stevens .376" 2.63"
25Rem .421" 2.53"
250Sav .472" 2.4"
257Roberts .467" 2.99"
25-'06Rem .473" 3.25"
25-284Win .473" (rebated) 2.93"

257WbyMag .53" 3.3"
6.3Scramjet .53" 3.58"
6.5Japanese .466" 2.85"
6.5Carcano .449" 2.94"
6.5x54Mann-Schoen .453" 2.99"
6.5mm-257Bob .467" 2.75"
260Rem .473" 2.84"
6.5x55Swede .476" 3.03"
6.5mm-284Win .5" 2.95"
6.71Phantom .53" 2.8"
6.5mm-'06A-Square .473" 3.2"
6.5RemMag .532" 3.05"
264WinMag .532" 3.35"
270Win 473" 3.35
270WSM .535" 2.86"
270WbyMag .53" 3.28"
7x33Sako .394" 1.73"
7mmTCU (7-223) .378" 2.68"
7mmBR .473" 2.33"
7-30Waters .506" 2.55"
7mm-08Rem .473" 2.8"
7x57 .473" 3.02"
284Win .473"(rebated) 2.95"
7x64Brenneke .473" 3.3"
280Rem .473" 3.33"
7.21Tomahawk .577" 2.8"
7mmSAUM .534" 2.84"
7mmWSM .535" 2.86"
7mmRemMag .532" 3.29"
7mmWbyMag .53" 3.26"
7mmSTW .532" 3.6"
7mm-300WbyMag .532" 3.72"
7mmRUM .534" 3.6"
7.21Firebird .577" 3.6"
7mmDakota .545" 3.33"
28-30Stevens .412" 2.82"
7mmH&H .532" 3.22"
7mmRigby .528" 3.25"
300Sherwood .37" 2.2"
7.35Carcano .449" 2.9"
300Whisper .378" 2.26"
303Sav .503" 2.52"
300Sav .473" 2.6"
308Win .473" 2.8"
7.5x54MAS .482" 2.99"
7.5Schmidt-Rubin .495" 3.03"
30-'06Springfield .473" 3.34"
30Gibbs .471" 3.34"
300SAUM .534" 2.83"
7.82Patriot. .577" 2.8"
300WSM .535" 2.86"
30-338WinMag .532" 3.34"
308NormaMag .532" 3.28"​

 

[d4dave1]

You know d4d.........any short action bolt with a .473 boltface will do, it doesn't have to start as a 22-250. Any 220 swift, 221 FB, 243, 6mm, 260, 7-08, 308, 358, 250 sav, 300 sav etc, etc, etc...........will work just ducky.

And here I sit with 2 - 243's gathering dust in the gun cabinets. Don't I just feel stooopid.

So now to choose? The Winchester-Cooey 71 or the Savage 110?

Kind of takes the fun out of shopping though.LOL
Dave​

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

Savage 110 for sure over the 71.

 

[d4dave1]

Savage 110 for sure over the 71.

So now you made me go do some research on this Savage 110 rifle to find out why you prefer it over the Win. Cooey 71. LOL

I can see why after a bit of research. This rifle was given to me by a friend but I have no information on it other than it is a "F" 113 ### series rifle which would indicate it was manufactured in the early 90's by the info I could find. It appears to be a good candidate, it has been hunted but not fired very much.

One step closer.
Dave​

 

[HuntNL]

Spent some time on the phone yesterday and determined that dies are truly a breeze..........Sinclair Int. has Redding dies with all the parent cases in 6mm except the Penguin, for which I shall use the 6mm-284 die to load, I'll just have to shave about .100" off the bottom. I ordered a full set with 1/2 doz extra bushings for 23 cal. These dies are available as neck dies only, full length dies and full length die sets with seater. These are all interchangeable bushing sizer dies. The nice thing was that all my chosen parent cases have already been wildcatted to 6mm except the Swede, which makes life easy with just a bushing change AND they had everything in stock and shipped the same day. The Penguin is a bit more complicated, but I am willing to modify a 6mm-284 sizer die for those who want one, and the 6mm-284 seater die will work as is. OR you could have any machine shop zip 100 thou off the bottom of the die to get correct sizing of the full neck. Just one more step closer..........and thanks to Marshal for taking the time to talk to me and explain how he did it with his 6 BR dies. I have never used a bushing or collet die before and didn't know the first thing about it until I had a long conversation with "back40sniper" on collet dies and Marshal on bushing dies. Just goes to show ya, you really are never too old to learn something new.
So within a couple weeks I will have the correct equipment to make all the cartridges in the 234 family............

For ordering info these are the correct dies for the family.

23 Pipsqueak (222 RM)................6X47 Lapua with an additional .251,2 or 3 bushing depending on brass used.

234 Lynx (22-250)......................6mm-22-250 with additional .256,7 or 8 bushing

234 Hyrax (243).........................243 with additional .256,7,8 bushing

234 Penguin (6.5X55).................6mm-284 with additional .257,8,9 bushing

230 Douglas (284)......................same as above


To get the correct bushing one needs to get your brass sized down to 22 cal and then work the case neck open a bit with a long taper punch or awl or anything, until you can seat a 234 bullet in it. Don't flare it too much just enough to seat a bullet either way up and then measure your outside neck dimension and order a bushing that will give you 2,3 or 4 thou of neck tension depending on your application. If you intend to hunt with your 23 then I recommend 4 thou, 3 minimum. If you only want to punch paper then 1 or 2 will be about right. Remember your brass will spring back a touch so 1 thou of tension is achieved with a 2 thou smaller bushing etc. These dies do NOT use an expander plug so it is critical to get the correct bushing for enough neck tension and not too much. Those of you who have used bushing dies already know all this, but for old fudds like me who never have, it is necessary info. However do not despair if you get the wrong bushing the first time, as they are only 16 USD for a new one and it would seem SI has them all on hand.

So all we need is a reamer for the Penguin and we are good to go?

 

[c-fbmi]

I checked on the Penguin reamer on Fri and was told I should have it in hand mid to end Jan...........or rather it should ship by then.

 

[HuntNL]

Excellent, thanks.