building wildcats

kennygreen · #1 11-22-2009, 03:02 AM

I received an action for Christmas a few years ago and just now getting around to build something with it. It is a short action with a mag face, not a great action but my father got it for me and has my dob as a serial number. My sister also has on that we made into a 300wssm, she did get an elk this year with it.

I've looked around but still don't have a clue on what to make it into. One friend suggested making a new load. I have the stuff to do that, but is that really the better ideal. There are many different kinds of loads and cal out there.

Does anyone else have a thought on what to build with a short magnum bolt face?

Thanks Kenny

MikeG · #2 11-22-2009, 06:52 AM

What are you going to hunt? I would build a .350 Rem Mag, "just because."

Have fun and good luck.

kdub · #3 11-22-2009, 08:18 AM

The .300 WSM comes to mind.

UnCruel · #4 11-22-2009, 11:17 AM

The 6.5mm WSM is a short-action wildcat with a magnum head diameter. An excellent choice for long range shooting. There are factory WSM cartridges to meet just about anyone's preferences for big game hunting.

kdub · #5 11-22-2009, 01:14 PM

You're right, Uncruel - Realizing this post is about wildcat chamberings, I couldn't help but advocate for the WSM as those cartridges, as you say, pretty well fill whatever gap there was in the standard ones. Pride of ownership is usually the reason for an oddball wildcat that really doesn't do much more than the present many factory offerings. I have a 6.5-06, a 6.5x257 Robt's A.I. and a 6mm/284 just to show up at the range and field with something different from the rest of the folks. There'se plenty of factory cartridges that equal or exceed these today.

Think anyone contemplating a wildcat will be better served to select one of the new factory offerings.

ASSASSIN · #6 11-22-2009, 07:05 PM

If you are going to hunt BIG game and since the bolt face will accept a magnum or WSM type of cartridge, how about something like a 338 WSM? There is a pretty good selection of .338 diameter bullets available as well. This cartridge has also proven to be exceptionally accurate as well as deadly on most any size big game animal....

A

kennygreen · #7 11-25-2009, 09:49 PM

Assassin the 338 WSM would be nice. Do you know anything about a 338RCM.

To the others thanks. I will hunt big game or pushing for the really long shots. For elk I have a 7mmSTW that works GREAT, build by my dad. Also a 223 from L.E. Red. With the two of these I can cover most everything but the novelty of something extraordinary and different.

ASSASSIN · #8 11-26-2009, 05:08 PM

Kennygreen,

I have had no personal experience with the 338 RCM so I cannot comment on that particular round....

A

Con · #9 11-28-2009, 07:16 PM

Wildcat ... 358CRG ... aka 35/300RCM. 200gr in excess of 2800fps with two powders and load development continues. I'm also collecting bits and pieces for a 458B&M ... 300RUM cut to 2.3" with a 45cal projectile on top a nicely shaped case. Shoulder is 30deg from memory. Cases are formed as easily as running a cut down RUM into the 458B&M die ... that's it.
Cheers...
Con