hi guys, i was wondering if there was such a thing as a profestional wildcatter. Some one that works full time creating new cartidges or improveing older ones. If so what kind of schooling would a person like this need. I'm a Freshman in high school right now so if you know of any high school courses i could take to help me in this career path.

Thanks

pdawg:

In a way there is such a thing. They're called custom target rifle builders. In my experience the Hunter Class Benchrest and 1000 yd.benchrest disciplines have the most of the real wildcat guys. These are competetive sports and everyone is looking for an advantage.

knobmtn

Physics, algebra, triginometry,geometry, and all other math courses. Train yourself to seek activity were you can use your knowledge to get things done and make things happen.Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty or worry that you will fail. You will fail and you will learn from it.

Stay on this and similar forums and get to know the people here in. Try to determine who is a doer and who is an obstructionist bull shiter.

The only professional cartridge designers are hired by arms companies and are controlled by marketing groups.Their designs in the last 25 yrs. or so have all been compromise to affect sales.

There is a small decreasing brotherhood you will find on the computers but by the time you are 1/2 my age ( about another 25 years from now ) wild catting will almost be non existant. All the nitches are gone or going fast. I imagine there will be a small number of egotists that would like to see their name or initials behind some caliber designation.

I truely hope that what I have said here in no way deminishes your interest in fire arms. We need more young people like you who are interested in the rifle tube as much or more than the TV tube. roger

pdawg:
I should have added to take any machine shop courses that are available. A lot of rifle building is nothing but good machine shop practices. Pay attention to Bartsches's post. He has good advice. Hope you stay with us.
knobmtn

Thanks guys, i'm already in geometry and will be taking algebra and physics next year. I'll try to do a shop class. Thanks for the help!

The most important thing is a fertile imagination and the ability to turn a deaf ear to the nay sayers. It helps to have the abilty and equipment to make what you need to get to the desired end product. One thing to remember is you will probably throw away 10 ideas or more to find 1 to keep, and then the fun begins.

www.duanesguns.com

You are not answering your phone or E-Mail roger

Roger- I have been contemplating your question and how to respond- yes it will work ( a 6.5 DGR) and I do have a solution to dies. You would be the first to have one, but it is on the drawing board along with a 6mm, 7mm, 270, and a 30 caliber. At present I am looking at my schedule and trying to get even a remote guess as to when I could do the project. I will email you sometime this week with some details.


www.duanesguns.com