What calibre/rifle do you want but don't have?

Me? I have a hankering for a 45-70 Marlin AND a Mauser 98 in either 9.3x62 or 8mm. (I have the 98 action but am undecided on which calibre )

What about you??

I had a hankering for a 303-25 on a Lee Enfield action but that hankering went away when I got one last week!

I have a hankering for a 41/303 on the same action. I also have a bit of a hankering for a 22/303 on that action. Maybe I will convert my No.4 L.E. into a switch barrel for those two calibers. Just to be different, I will have the junction at the shoulder/body junction, thus sharing the chamber (and making it easier to ensure consistent reseating). Converting a Lee Enfield into a 410 shotgun is also on the menu - that one would use 303 cases too, so it could be part of the switch barrel system. (The chamber would be near straight for the switch barrel).

I have a mauser in 8x57 ( 3 currently .. ) and a mauser in 9.3 x 57 , but I really want a 35 Whelan on a 98 action .

So - when my 35 cal barrel arrives in january I will assemble the components to make a Whelan and then I will have to start some new project . So many mausers , so many choices...

I've heard of the 303-22 and 303-25 and the 270-303. Never heard of the 41-303. That sounds interesting.

I know what you mean Muzza. I'm thinking of restocking my current 6.5x55 sporter and giving that to my eldest boy. Then making another 6.5x55 on a M96 action I have for the youngest bloke. That leaves the M98 action for me.....but oh the decisions!!

Who are you getting your barrel from?

Bakes

my barrel is coming from the classifieds section here on AR but if I was you I would look at either an aussie made MAB - cos they are local and you wont have any import hassles- or try an Adams and Bennet from Midway or one of the suppliers on-line.

There is also someone in Oz who rebores barrels , that might be an option if you have a smaller bore barrel fitted to your 98 action at present.

Or Pac-Nor in the States. The big hassle is that most of the suppliers wont export because of the beauracracy involved.Pac-Nor have said they will ship internationally . If you have a contact in the US who can buy and resend or carry your barrel it all helps.

I have Douglas .358 1-12 barrel coming via a friends suitcase , plus a .338 1-12 as well , possible 338-06 project in the future...

And why does everybody forget True Flite barrels made in NZ ?. http://www.truefliteriflebarrels.co.nz. Many NZ NRA Target shooters are very happy with the quality of the barrels, let alone the US shooters using them in the US.

I hadnt fogotten them - they just dont do the calibre I needed. And in Bakes's case he would have to import a barrel with all the attached paperwork and bullshit that goes with it .

There certainly is nothing wrong with Trueflite barrels , at all.

quote:

Never heard of the 41-303.

It's never been done before as far as I know. It's the largest bullet one can fit on a 303 case and still retain some body taper. The 44-303 was my first thought but the 303 case base is just a bit too small and I do not want to go to 444 Marlin, although it can be done (and then it wouldn't be a wildcat). But if I did go straight walled I would set up a smooth bore barrel for it for shooting possum with shot! (Using the same case). Just as long as I am having fun!

Just as long as I am having fun!

quote:

And thats what its all about

I'm a bit iffy about reboring Muzza, is the quallity the same? Cost? Don't know who does it by chance?

Dont know personally there mate - but Shinzo on here had a 30-06 (?) rebored to 338 by someone in Oz and he seems happy with it.

303Guy - my father-in-law has two martini henry rifles in 38-303 BP that use the expanded 303 case. No reason why you couldnt load smokelss for them if you had a suitable barrel , but then why not just go to the 375/303 Axite ala the brit sporting calibre of old ?

Its all, good fun , and thats what its about .

quote:

... but then why not just go to the 375/303 Axite ala the brit sporting calibre of old ?

That sounds interesting muzza. An old caliber I can resurrect! Mmmmm .... And the beauty of a 375 bullet is that it is big enough to cast easily. Only neck expanding would be required too. That makes a lot of sense! Thanks. Any idea where I can get more info on the 375/303 Axite? (Stretching the neck to 41 could end up with having to lose the neck area altogether, resulting in a shortened case, which is not necessarily a bad thing).

quote:

Don't know who does it by chance?

Bakes, there is a gun builder on this side of the ditch that does it. That may incur the same difficulties with shipping permits, 'though.

I can give you some information on the 338-303 , from the 'Wildcat cartridges " book , and maybe another source if I spend long enough thumbing through my library.

Drop me a pm if you are interested .

This might be usefull too

https://forums.accuratereloading.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/...=430106601#430106601

Thanks for the link muzza. So, the 41/303 has at least been contemplated before! (It must have been done too). And the 375 2½ Flanged Nitro Express also existed!

I like to think out side the square and have something a bit different to what most people have

I had my 708 long before every man and his dog got one here in NZ

I have come up with the idea of making a 44cal 08 base case cartage called the 10mmMAD (44/08)

I want this to be built on a bolt action rifle and have been looking at using a Remington Mohawk action to build it on

I don't expect this caliber to take off and become popular Infact I would preffer it didn't as I want to have something no one else has got

Planning on running a 444 reamer into the depth of 51mm as it has the same base diameter in front of the rim as the 08 and 06 case and head space it off the lip of the case

I have done a bit of reading on twist rate and it seems you can get any thing fro 1-18 up to 1-38 twist, I guess you would need to work out what projectile you want to use and pick the twist to best suit it

I like using the 240gr in the 44mag so may look to use the same in this caliber although if I can get the 200gr to have a m/v of 2800fps+ that will give around 3480fp of energy at the muzzle and will have great knock down on deer in the bush

The 10mmMAD





708 -- 44 rem mag -- 10mmMAD

[/quote]

And madness, just how will this thing headspace???

Bakes,

Sprinter arms in Hahndorf used to rebore barrels, don't know if he still does. I heard he didn't really like doing it.

Cheers,
Mark.

quote:

Originally posted by MADNESS:
head space it off the lip of the case

same as a 30 carbin etc...

I like it already!
Just one thing, if you are going to use only jacketed bullets thats fine but cast bullets could need a crimp and that won't work in a repeater. What exactly is the Remington Mohawk?

Just out of interest, would you be turning your cases if you make them from 30-06 or will the chamber be big enough in the 'neck' erea?

quote:

... called the 10mmMAD ...

Hang on, shouldn't that be 11mmMAD? The term '10mm' usually refers to 40's.

I only ever plan to use jacketed projectiles out of it as it would only be used for bush stalking on deer and pigs

A Remington Mohawk is a short action bolt action they made before the 700's

We have thought about using a 444 reamer but my smithy has also talked about making a custom reamer and the brass would be modified from 06 brass cut to length rather than trying to fire form 08 brass

You are correct the .429 (44) projectile is closer to 11mm than 10mm but I liked the sound of 10mmMAD better than 11mmMAD

Thanks Mark. I think I will get a new barrel from MAB.

quote:

... I liked the sound of 10mmMAD better ...

It works for me! (So does the 30-06 brass). I think you have a great idea! I like the uniqueness idea too! Please keep us updated with your progress. Oh, for what it is worth, you might just find yourself migrating to heavier bullets, and with jacketed bullet use, you might prefer the faster twists - but then your smithy would have mentioned all that already.

I think the max I would go to is 240gr's as I can't see a need for 300gr's for what im going to use it for

with it being built on a bolt action i will be able to run some fairly hot loads and get the projectiles cranking

The sika wont no what hit them

Sprinter in SA used to do the rebores but will only do so now to preserve the external appearance/engraving etc etc of some guns. The process isn't always a roaring success and the cost close enough to the cost of a replacement tube anyway


What I want and don't have?
505 Gibbs thanks!

500 by Holand&Holland or Rigby and 3 20 Bore SXS shotguns by Holland&Holland

A 6.5x57R

Sambar 9.3

Posts: 6104 | Location: KRudds re-education camp, learning to speak Mandarin... | Registered:

So are you sorry????

quote:

A 6.5x57R

Oh yes! It can be built on a Lee Enfield action too. It was a strong contender in my line up. I would choose it before a 6.5 Swede! (Same ballistics if you hand load).

Actually I would mind a .222R on a Martini action either (speaking of rimmed cases). I think that would make a cool little rifle.

222R - there is such a thing isn't there? I think the 30-30/22 (22 Savage) & 30-30/6mm are cool.

I wouldn't mind a 7x57 Rimmed on a Lee Enfield action.

I have 100 7x57R new cases I will sell you for a pretty fair price if you are really keen on that calibre.

Hey Mr 303Guy - the Indian military used a 410 shotgun made on the smle action , using un-necked 303 brit brass .

All this way back in WW2 days.

There isnt much that hasnt already been done with 303 cases - I even have a 303x39 which is a rimmed 7.62x39 built on a Rolling block action using 303 brass as the parent case

I am good at re-inventing the wheel! Un-necked 303 brit brass - that means that de-necking the brass would work too. Mmmmm .... Thanks for that info. Any idea why they would have done that? They also built 7.62 SMLE's - the Isapore SMLE.

quote:

I even have a 303x39 which is a rimmed 7.62x39 built on a Rolling block action using 303 brass as the parent case ...

That is real interesting!

I'll keep those 7x57R cases in mind - thanks! It would have to be after Christmas. How many do you have? (I was toying with the idea of building a 257 Rimmed Roberts. Those would have been perfect. There is the choice between 257x57 Rimmed, 6.5x57 Rimmed and of course, the 7x57 Rimmed - even the 5.56x57 Rimmed. There is much fun to be had here! ).

They are Highland - and everyone will screw their noses up but they are fine for low end of the market brass - and I have a sealed pack of 100. Stay in touch if you are interested.

Thanks. Nothing wrong with Highland!
Loaded rounds are cheap because they use simple cup & core bullets, I think.

Most if not all Highland ammo AFAIK is Prvi Partisan from Serbia & has a reputation for good brass. Their bullets are said to be a bit ordinary, good for plinking ?
Steve

quote:

Originally posted by 303Guy:
222R - there is such a thing isn't there? I think the 30-30/22 (22 Savage) & 30-30/6mm are cool.

I had one once,on a Martini Cadet action.I never fired it as brass was a pain to get in NZ at the time.I had it rechambered in 218Bee,works well.As for a cartridge I have always wanted,well..7X57 would be one that I fancey.

I was looking through Hodgdon's loading website and noted that the 7x75 can drive a 100gr bullet to 3250 fps at 45600 CUP. That would still be doing 2000 fps at 400m with a mere half meter drop! And it would be flat shooting right out to 250m (+ 50mm to – 50mm). On a No.4 action, I would be able to go as high as 45000 CUP safely. (And it will not break with factory ammo).

quote:

Originally posted by nzsr:

quote:

Originally posted by 303Guy:
222R - there is such a thing isn't there? I think the 30-30/22 (22 Savage) & 30-30/6mm are cool.

I had one once,on a Martini Cadet action.I never fired it as brass was a pain to get in NZ at the time.I had it rechambered in 218Bee,works well.As for a cartridge I have always wanted,well..7X57 would be one that I fancey.

I am in the process of building a Martini Cadet presently chambered in .32 Winchester Special into a 5.6X50Rmag....This round is currently available from S&B and is, if I recall, 2mm longer than the .222R. S&B states a MV of 3,445fps with a 50 gr bullet. These are off the shelf loads, which I am interested in, but reloading data can be found by searching "5.6X50R"

quote:

Originally posted by Bakes:
What calibre/rifle do you want but don't have?

A 35 in a SMLE... either a 358Win on a #4 (if it would take it) or a 35/303 on a #1 MkIII...

Open to other suggestions....

quote:

or a 35/303 on a #1 MkIII...

Open to other suggestions....

Well, what about a 35/303 on a No.4? That would come real close to the 357 since you would be hand loading for it anyway. (Apparently, the Brits did not find any problems with No.4's chambered in 7.62 Nato and those were being used as target rifles, so.... ). I think the 35/303 is a cool cartridge! No neck 'though, so case life might be a little short - unless you lube the cases like I do.

I am still leaning toward a 22/303 Sprinter (or 22 Varmint-R) on a No.4. Maybe a 22 Varmint-R Improved? They say the 22-250 is the ultimate 22 class cartridge, suited to reducing loads better than the 220 Swift and the 22/303 Sprinter is basicaly a rimmed Swift.