Wildcatting a Model 70 currently in .308

woodlotowner

woodlotowner

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I have a plain jane push feed M 70 on the way that I purchased with the idea of wildcatting, just to have something unusual in the safe that I can shoot and load for. At this point (currently .308) I could perhaps just have a gunsmith ream the existing chamber to something approaching .308 AI (not sure where the brass would come from in this scenario), or I could buy a new custom barrel chambered in a new caliber. If it's to be a new barrel, then I am leaning toward a 35-08, since I expect I can rework and fire form brass for this chambering from .308 Win (which I have in abundance). If this was your project, which way would you go? The ballistics of a 35-08 (in 200 gr) would, I believe, be good for a light rifle in dense bush where shots are typically closer than 100 yards. What, in your opinion, would be other good wildcat options (larger in caliber than .30) for the M 70? If it's a new custom barrel, who produces these in Canada (lots in the US).
 
Yup, hate to break it to ya but the 358 Win or 35-08 as you call it no longer qualifies as a wildcat. One that I would like to see but haven't done yet would be a 9.3 on the 284 case.
 
c-fbmi said:
Yup, hate to break it to ya but the 358 Win or 35-08 as you call it no longer qualifies as a wildcat. One that I would like to see but haven't done yet would be a 9.3 on the 284 case.
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Just do a .366-08.
And rock some 235's over RL 7....hmmmmm.
The .250's might break 2250fps.

The 9.3 on .284 brass would be close to the 9.3 Barsness-Sisk.
 
Yes, the 35-08 and the 35-308 (not sure what the difference is, but they appear as two distinct chamberings in the sources I have found) have been done. Good point about not 'qualifying' for wildcat status. Anyway, the 9.3-284 (Winchester) sounds interesting since it would still work in the short action, which I am sure was your consideration. I make that out to be about a .367. I'm going to keep pondering...
 
You are correct they have all been done, as soon as a new design case hits the market it gets necked to everything from 17 to 470 if it's fat enough to headspace properly.
Trying to get anything out of the ordinary on a short action with a 30 cal barrel is just about impossible though. I think a bore size change is inevitable. The 9.3 is a lot more unique that most other bore sizes and has more bullets available now than ever before. Another that might be fun would be a 375 on a 284 case, again more bullets available today than ever. This might be a very efficient little thumper with 260 Parts or Accubonds.
A lot of the old wildcats need to be revisited with new bullets and powders available today.
 
Based on a 308 as the parent case most of the calibers have been covered 243, 264, 284 338, 358.
I would like to see a 270-08 or a 257 and then there is the 323.
What a choice you have to make. Let us know when you make it.
David
 
I was faced with a similar dilemma a few years ago with a brand new 700 Ti in 260 Rem.
After a hundred rounds of testing every 6.5 bullet in my stash not to mention several different powders it would not break 2.5" @ 100 yds.
Frustrated I sent it off to Bill Leeper and he said the rifling was rippled thus producing shotgun patterns.
He put a Shilen stainless barrel chamberd in 270 - 08 and I couldn't be happier, sub - quarter inch groups with a 130 gr. bullet and three - quarter to one inch groups with 150 and 160 gr. loads.
Brass is easily formed by necking up 260 or sizing down 308 or 7-08 and with the available new powders on the market it is virtually in 270 Winchester land for performance..... all that in a rifle weighing 6 lbs. field ready...
 
I have an M70 that I did similar with - went with 325wsm, shilen barrel and Manners T5 stock - It is my fave to shoot - superbly accurate, comfy to shoot - altho not a wildcat, it is a mainstream yet unique caliber.
If you go 8mm-08 there are 8mm bullets around - actually easy to find. For the 325, I tried 160gr, 180, 200, and 220... settled on the 200accubond as thats what the gun likes.
 
Really want something unique that will cost a ton for all the reamers, gauges, and dies. Require you to fireform, trim, anneal, turn and other necessities of wildcatting?

Build a 338, 35, 375, 9.3, 40 or 416cal based on the 240Wby magnum case. This might just a family that no one has bothered to played up???

Custom barrels aren't bought, they are made. Start with a blank of the contour, cal and twist you want. chamber with a reamer of the wildcat of your dreams and have fun.

If you really want to go own this road, give me a PM or email. Yes we can make it.....
Jerry
 
I'd have to quote everyone who has replied to my post to do this response justice, since all have definite and equal merit. Suffice to say, however, that I have a new appreciation for the huge knowledge base here on CGN. Pose a question such as mine and prepare to be overwhelmed with great suggestions! I had decided to go up in caliber based on a short action initially, but I do like the downsizing suggestions too (already having a .350 Rem Mag...the original short magnum...and the 45-70 Gov't in the bigger bores). Good points on ease of brass forming and bullet availability by some members. While a truly unique chambering is pretty much ruled out, with the incredible amount of wildcatting done to date, I can still do something that is 'relatively' different from the norm and be content. I need to contemplate further. Will post my choice. Regards, gentlemen.
 
Mystic Precision said:
Really want something unique that will cost a ton for all the reamers, gauges, and dies. Require you to fireform, trim, anneal, turn and other necessities of wildcatting?

Build a 338, 35, 375, 9.3, 40 or 416cal based on the 240Wby magnum case. This might just a family that no one has bothered to played up???

Custom barrels aren't bought, they are made. Start with a blank of the contour, cal and twist you want. chamber with a reamer of the wildcat of your dreams and have fun.

If you really want to go own this road, give me a PM or email. Yes we can make it.....
Jerry
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Jerry, I thought the 240 Wby was the same length +/- as the '06, the OP posted he had purchased a short Win in 308 for this build.

OP you could also look at the RCM case as a parent, but only Horn brass available for it so I would avoid that option.

Seeing as how you like the 350 RM you could build a stable mate wildcat for it, I built a 375-350 RM years ago and was very impressed with it and bought a 416 barrel to do the same but never got around to it. The 375 would be too close to your 350 but a 416-350 RM, now you're into true wildcats and would have a nice thumper that would perform out of an 18-20" barrel like a charm.

The only limitations to wildcatting are action length and imagination and action length can even be changed!!!
 
Kevan said:
I was faced with a similar dilemma a few years ago with a brand new 700 Ti in 260 Rem.
After a hundred rounds of testing every 6.5 bullet in my stash not to mention several different powders it would not break 2.5" @ 100 yds.
Frustrated I sent it off to Bill Leeper and he said the rifling was rippled thus producing shotgun patterns.
He put a Shilen stainless barrel chamberd in 270 - 08 and I couldn't be happier, sub - quarter inch groups with a 130 gr. bullet and three - quarter to one inch groups with 150 and 160 gr. loads.
Brass is easily formed by necking up 260 or sizing down 308 or 7-08 and with the available new powders on the market it is virtually in 270 Winchester land for performance..... all that in a rifle weighing 6 lbs. field ready...
Click to expand...

SuperCub said:
Check out the 270Redding.
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That's one that always interested me. I would do it if I didn't have my .260 Rem and was such a 6.5 slut!
 
I'd be worried about feeding problems with a .284 based wildcat...would need rail work.

The 260 Rem or 6.5 Creedmore would be my choice. Great trajectory and efficiency. Nothing wrong with a 358 Win either!
 
Takujualuk said:
I'd be worried about feeding problems with a .284 based wildcat...would need rail work.

The 260 Rem or 6.5 Creedmore would be my choice. Great trajectory and efficiency. Nothing wrong with a 358 Win either!
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Negative on that, no rail work required at all. I've built many rifles based on the 284 case and never once had feeding problems. BSA, Win and Rem none required rail work oh ya and a Ruger.
 
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