Why Wildcats

04 April 2002, 10:46

ElCaballero

Why Wildcats

I was in the gunshop the other day and wildcat calibers came up in conversation. The conclusion that eveyone else came to was that there are enough calibers and there was no need to wildcat anymore. I don't necessarily agree but there was nobody else that had an argument for wildcatting. What do you all think?

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don't cuss farmers and ranchers with your mouth full

04 April 2002, 10:57

smallfry

Its never a NEED, but more importantly a want. To spawn a interest, tinker, and enjoy the shooting sports.
take care

04 April 2002, 11:45

dan belisle

I agree. It isn't a question of need (except when you're explaining to the wife), simply an enjoyment of another aspect of the sport. If it was need, everyone would be restricted to the 30-06, period, because no one really "needs" anything else. - Dan.

04 April 2002, 12:41

<Gary Rihn>

quote:
Originally posted by dan belisle:
I agree. It isn't a question of need (except when you're explaining to the wife), simply an enjoyment of another aspect of the sport. If it was need, everyone would be restricted to the 30-06, period, because no one really "needs" anything else. - Dan.

Exactly.

04 April 2002, 12:42

<holtz>

Why Wildcats?

A large percentage of cartridges that are now "standard" were once wildcats.

Wildcatting is how new cartridges are designed. If they fill a niche and become popular, they become standard.

A current example is the .458 Lott. Been a wildcat for years, now becoming standard.

Others will never become standard, but fill a niche for enough people that they hang around. For some, its just a matter of having something very different.

If Homo sapiens did not experiment with things, we would still be swinging in the trees.

Steve

04 April 2002, 12:49

Phantom Duck

Because wildccats are fun.

04 April 2002, 13:43

<333-OKH>

To steal a line from the Harley riders, "If you have to ask, you'll never understand".

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If Elmer didn't say it, it probably ain't true.

04 April 2002, 17:04

Atkinson

wildcatters: the only difference in men and boys is the cost of the mens toys...

The days of the wildcat are gone, there is no place to go that we have not been...Most of the new stuff we have today on the 404 case for instance was done around 1920....

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Ray Atkinson

ray@atkinsonhunting.com
atkinsonhunting.com

04 April 2002, 19:18

Paul H

While it's true the factory offerings for bolt action rifles are pretty well covered, those of us who like break action single shot pistols, as well as those that prefer rimmed cases for sing shot rifles still find the factory offerings a bit thin.

05 April 2002, 08:13

<1GEEJAY>

It's the need to tinker.To go to the reloading bench,with the hope of finding that ultimate load for a wildcat catridge,for which there isn't to much load data.If that doesn't pull your chain,well that's okay.There's plenty of good ammo you can buy,already loaded for standard rifles.
1geejay
www.shooting-hunting.com

05 April 2002, 13:51

stubblejumper

If no one tried anything new we would still be using spears to hunt.Almost all standard calibers were at one time wildcats.As far as need the trappers of old used blackpowder rifles and were quite successful.

05 April 2002, 14:46

<JoeM>

Hello
I am specing out my first custom. It is going to be on a Tikka 595 action-single pointed. Pillar Bedded and a aftermarket stainless barrel put on.

I am using a "Wildcat" my friend designed. Why? Because it is new and different. And there are some tech reasons too, but probably not good enough to justify the switch without the need to be unique.

I think that below 20 caliber there is a tremendous need for wildcats. Wildcatters are keeping those bore diameters alive, pure and simple. And it would be a shame if they were lost, they are so much fun.

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Safety & Ethics,Accuracy, Velocity, Energy
Joe M

06 April 2002, 02:19

<OTTO>

I have to disagree with Atkinson on the wildcat days being gone. If you are happy with an "off the shelf" rifle that may be true. I personally enjoy building and having something that you can't walk in and buy off the shelf. Something about old mauser actions. Just like old cars. Knowing that the ammo I'm using is something special is also a joy to me. Sure you can get the same performance from any standard caliber. But I can also get better performance from a new Tahoe compared to a 67 chevy pick up. But when that 400 horse (on the dyno) 350 is chuggin down main st. life is pretty good too.

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From my cold, dead hands!
Thanks Chuck!

06 April 2002, 05:05

<MC>

I have brewed up a few over the years, gain anything no, but it was fun to do and the neighbor didn't have one like it.

09 April 2002, 06:24

TXLoader

MC, that kind of fits my desire on wildcats.

Yes, I can get factory calibers if I want. But there's a couple of calibers out there that just aren't available, or are extremely cost prohibitive for a family budget, but rechambering/rebarreling existing actions make them quite affordable.

As far as I know, a 338-06 is a custom job at most firearm companies. But I'd like to have one one day, and will likely build it from a Mauser action. Likewise a 8mm-06.

Then there's an affection I have for the .308 case I have, and would like to build an 8mm and 338 caliber rifle using the 308 as a catridge base. Why? because they're different, and because I want them, and the big firearms makers don't offer them off the line, either. Both have been wildcatted before (I've read about a "Baby 338" in an article somewhere), but the 8mm and 338 wildcats off a .308 case are also not widely known in my region of the country...else I haven't gotten as deep into the field as I want to be.

But it's fun for a tinkerer, and fun to have something not everyone has. And even better when I can stock the freezer using that which was made with my own skill. I reload for that reason, and have just gotten into gunsmithing for the same.

TXLoader