what is Wildcat?

[Chopperhead]

I was reading several threads and it seems to be a bit of an issue with people and some getting nasty over it so I was wondering what the heck is Wildcat?

 

[tootall]

A non factory round. Usually an existing case opened up or squeezed down in diameter to make something new.
Sometimes the shoulder angle is changed, usually pushed forward to hold more powder.

 

[guntech]

If factory ammuntion can not be fired in the chamber, it is considered a wildcat.

Some wildcats become a factory cartridge eventually. Long ago the 250 Savage was necked down to 22 caliber. Remington eventually chambered a rifle for that cartridge and made ammo for what is called the 22-250. It was referred to at one time as the 22 Varminter.

 

[tootall]

If factory ammuntion can not be fired in the chamber, it is considered a wildcat.

If the chamber of the gun is increased in size by using a chamber reamer to cut away some steel inside the chamber area, a factory cartridge may still fit and be fired. If so, the casing will be expanded to fit the new chamber dimensions. This is called fire-forming. Of course, it depends on what reamer was used.
The resulting new case will be a wildcat, as the dimensions will be enlarged. This is typical of what I described above, moving the shoulder forward. Sometimes called "improved"