Project 'Tribute'

[Johnn Peterson]

I have a friend and former shooting companion that's in 'very rough' shape these days. He's pretty well confined to a wheelchair, on oxygen and as of late has been selling off quite a bit of his 'stuff'.

Earlier on I bought a very clean Jungle Carbine from him and recently, bought another of the same from him, this 2nd one is in somewhat rugged condition. I bought it primarily for parts & pieces, mainly for the magazine but now I've come up with another plan. I'm thinking of making it a 'project gun' and bringing it back or restoring it to at least 'look' as original as possible, with one exception. Re-barrel and re-chamber to some sort of wildcat, but based on the 303Br case. Here's where I need your help and input. Neck it down or blow it out, and to what? As the 303Br, and in particular the Jungle Carbine is one of his favorites, I would like to 'rebuild' as I've basically discribed, as a tribute to him.

Your suggestions and recommendations will be greatly appreciated and I have lots of time to devote to the project.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Anyone know of a source of info on wildcat cartridges, in particular, somewhere I could look for ideas of something based on specific cases, such as the 303Br?

 

[bearhunter]

Google wildcatcartridges. You will find lots. The Australians made up all sorts of wildcats on the 303Br case. Everything from .22 to .375 and maybe even bigger. A few years back, Gibbs Rifle Co in the US had a bunch of No4 rifles converted to 45/70. Elwood Epps, the original owner of the store in Ontario, did many conversions as well. Try googling his name.
Take your pick

 

[Pblatzz]

Wildcat/Improved Cartridge Specifications
Meredith 303/22
22/303 Varmint-R (22 Varmint-R)
22 Wasp
22/303 Sprinter
22/303 (22 Rocket - 22-4000)
22/303 Epps
22/303 British Improved 40
220/303 British
243/303 (6mm/303 British)
6mm/303 Epps
25/303 British
25/303 Epps
6.5/303 Epps
270/303
270/303 Epps
7mm/303 British
7mm/303 Epps (7mm/303 British Improved)
7.7x54mm Rimmed
303 ICL Improved
ICBM
303 Epps Improved (303 British Improved)
8mm/303 Epps
338/303 Epps
338 JDJ
35/303 Epps
375/303 Epps

 

[jimmyjazz]

First off all the best to your friend.

Secondly, just my input would be 303 Epps Improved, always been intrigued by that wildcat.

GG

 

[Pblatzz]

Just note that the 303 Epps inproved in the Lee Enfield No5Mk1 action, cannot be loaded to it's max level. I was once going to nake a 338/303 rifle.

so many choices, I was interested in the 6.5/303...

 

[Johnn Peterson]

First off all the best to your friend.

Secondly, just my input would be 303 Epps Improved, always been intrigued by that wildcat.

GG

Yes, it's sad to see as he was quite the character. Especially sad seeing how rapidly 'things' are deteriorating. I guess each day you wake up it's a bonus.

 

[Johnn Peterson]

Wildcat/Improved Cartridge Specifications
Meredith 303/22
22/303 Varmint-R (22 Varmint-R)
22 Wasp
22/303 Sprinter
22/303 (22 Rocket - 22-4000)
22/303 Epps
22/303 British Improved 40
220/303 British
243/303 (6mm/303 British)
6mm/303 Epps
25/303 British
25/303 Epps
6.5/303 Epps
270/303
270/303 Epps
7mm/303 British
7mm/303 Epps (7mm/303 British Improved)
7.7x54mm Rimmed
303 ICL Improved
ICBM
303 Epps Improved (303 British Improved)
8mm/303 Epps
338/303 Epps
338 JDJ
35/303 Epps
375/303 Epps

Great list and exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to get at this point. These are a few of definate interest. Another in the 7mm bracket came to mind in the wee hours of the morning. 7x57R. I don't know why it never 'rang the bell' earlier. I have a Brno OU combination gun, 7x57R/12ga and prior to getting some RWS 7x57R brass, I used to neck down and fire-form 303Br brass.

Great list and a good starting point, thanks again.