35 wildcat

woodchopper

woodchopper

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just thinking outloud here I've got a 303 enfield that I want to convert into something different (but not a 45-70) So I've printed off a pile of cartridge specs and I've noticed a few interesting things.

35 Whelen is basically a 30-06 necked up
358 Winchester is a 308 necked up
the 30-40 Krag and 303 British are fairly similar, the cartrage bases are very close to the same size but the 30-40 Krag is less tapered

.457" - .423" Krag
.460" - .401" Brit

So what I'm thinking is taking a .358 barrel mated to an enfield (no4 reciever) and then chambering it for 30-40 Krag or some sort of 303 Brit / 30-40 Krag hybred that I will be able to use fireformed 303 brass

sounds interesting, or am I just nuts
 
The 35-303 Br is really a very fine cartridge and works slick as grease in a No.4 Lee-Enfield. Ballistics are between the 35 Reminton and the 358 Winchester, and that certainly is not bad.

Do your best to resist the temptation to make it a 35-303 Improved. The cartridge is great, easily matching the 358 Winchester, but the cases don't stack or feed worth a hoot in the LE magazine. You will essentially end up with a two shot rifle.

The 35 on the standard 303 case feeds fine with just a little tuning of the magazine, which you can do with ordinary hand tools.

Ted
 
35/303

Ballistics should be similar to the old 35 Winchester which is better on game than you might surmise from looking at ballistics/loading data. A lot of old timers thought they were serious medicine for grizzly, moose and elk.
 
I know from watching my buddy, Bert, hunt with his 358 Win, that a 250 gr at 2200 is just devastating on big game. According to the link Amphibious sent, the 35-303 can get around 2400 fps in a No 4 rilfe.

If that is right, that is serious mojo! :cool:

Ted
 
Wow, this a very interesting cartridge for sure:) Thanks for the link Amphibious, there is some great information in there. I'm not sure I need another bush buster, having just bought a 45/70 built on a P-14 action, but I'll deffinately have to give it some thought. Especially taking into consideration that I have a few Lee Enfields and a P-14 kicking around that never get used, at least for the moment;) . So many cartridges and not enough time to shoot them all. Oh well, this is deffinately one that will be on my mind, I think it would be great.:cool:
 
From Amphib's link they were getting 2400 FPS from an 18" barrel. A longer barrel should increase velocity, but would it also create more pressure (possibly too much for a No 4 action)? About how much would it cost to rebarrel a No 4 to 35-303?
 
I know this cartridge is a great idea to use up old milsurp actions, but as I was laying in bed last night, trying to fall asleep, I had another thought. Being a rimmed cartidge, it would be a great chambering in a single shot like the Ruger No.1. Think of how much hotter you could load it then, now if I could just find a No.1 action, LOL. Mind you, if one was to build off of a P-14 action, you'd be able to load it up hotter, compared to the Lee Enfield.
 
I sent an email, asking about the ballistic data on the website that Amphibious posted. Specifically, I was asking if the 250 gr load giving 2400 fps was on a No4 or a P14 action rifle.

Here's a copy of the reply I got back a few minutes ago:

Dear Mr Wagner

Thank you for your enquiry. It seems nearly everyone in Canada has suddenly developed an interest in the 35-303 cartridge.

The rifles we have chambered for this cartridge have all been No 4's, Case life seems to be good, but I have not reloaded any one cartridge more than five times. No deterioration could be detected at that stage. Since the bore and case diameters are relatively close, pressure is low and case stress is minimal.

Doubtless P14 actions would tolerate heavier loads but to date I have no personal experience with the .35-303 in a P14.

If you and your friends are thinking of making up a 35-303 let me give you a tip. Due to the larger neck diameter the case mouth tends to catch on the bottom of the chamber. This is easily overcome by chamfering the chamber mouth slightly from about the 4 o'clock position to the 8 o'clock position.

If I can further help in any way please contact me again.

Sincerely
Nelson Collie

Looks like I may not be the only guy who contacted him. :D

Ted
 
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Oh this is definately going to be my next project. I think I have the donner No4 action sitting in the gunlocker, It was a bubba special witht eh crown all buggered up. While fixing the crown I noticed that the 2 land and groove barrrel had been polished and reblued before being mated to the action, no FTR marks so its really a bubba special.

35-303, and I have about 250 pieces of Milsurp IVI 303 brass and I have saved about 100 or so that have only been fired once, with some of the other reloads on their third reload.

Feburary I'll have some free time for the project.
 
35-303

Wow way late to the dance on this one

I have to have a 35-303. any one know who rents reamers for this cal.
just odd enough for me and should make a great all around rifle

Neil
 
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