[Rem8mag]

Greetings. This is my 1st post on this forum. I would like to know how many 375 cal wildcats exist that will work in an 1895 and if any of you have experience with them. Your input is greatly appreciated. I plan on building a 375 cal 1895, but I need your help on the right caliber. I am looking for a cartridge that will launch a 220 gr. Hornady at 2400-2500 fps. from a 22-24" bbl.

 

[MikeG]

There are several .375 wildcats based on the .444 Marlin case. Looking at some data from Ken Water's Pet Loads, your velocity goals appear to be on the very upper end of what that combination will do.

You might check with J.D. Jones at SSK Industries. I believe he has a version and of course could supply current load data as well as rechambering services.

It occurs to me that you'd gain a lot of case capacity by going to the .45-70 as the parent case, but not sure if anyone has done that wildcat.

 

[Wildcat Crazy]

38/56 IMP with 40 degree shoulder.
WC

 

[MikeG]

Good one, WC, totally forgot about the old .38-56! Just goes to show you what comes around, goes around.....

 

[Joethefed]

Rem8mag:

I think the .348 win case necked up would do what you want, and the rim diameter is exactly the same, no boltface alterations needed. Anyone know if this thing has a name, I have thought about doing this myself.

 

[Enforcer]

Rem8mag:

I think the .348 win case necked up would do what you want, and the rim diameter is exactly the same, no boltface alterations needed. Anyone know if this thing has a name, I have thought about doing this myself.

Not to my knownledge.These are based on 348Win.
348Win COL 2.80
450 Alaskan(necked up 348 to .458),COL 2.79
50 Alaskan(348 necked up to .510),COL 2.50
510KE(necked up straighten and redrawn 348 to .510).COL 2.68
There is however these .375:
375JDJ based on 444 Marlin
375-284 McPherson based on 284Win
375 Flanged Nitro Express based on 405Win

The 284Win and 405Win have similar case capacity to the 348Win,while the 444 Marlin has less than the others.

 

[graycg]

If you are looking for something easier to do, and cheaper, I'd recommend the 375 JDJones. Dies are reasonable and don't need custom order, loading data is plentiful and I think the 444 case is much stronger to handle pressure with than somthing on the 45-70 or 348 case. If it turns out you like the cartridge, you can get a contender barrel for it easily also.

regards,
Graycg

 

[Lobo]

Gray,

Paco Kelly is working on a 375/358 Win for his Win BigBore. It could be done in a standard Marlin 336 rather than needing an 1895 action.

http://www.sixgunner.com/paco/375356.htm


Lobo in snowy West Virginia

 

[BUFFALO BOB]

Rem8mag
I'd second what Graycg says about the .375 JDJ, I had J.D.Jones build a 14" barrel for me in that cal. on a contender action. It is an excellent cal. for big game, and for some the hand gun may be a bit much, but that cal. in a shoulder gun I think would be the cats meow. Rem8mag let us know if you go this route I sure would be interested in your new adventure..............Bob

 

[Enforcer]

375JDJ

If you are looking for something easier to do, and cheaper, I'd recommend the 375 JDJones. Dies are reasonable and don't need custom order, loading data is plentiful and I think the 444 case is much stronger to handle pressure with than somthing on the 45-70 or 348 case. If it turns out you like the cartridge, you can get a contender barrel for it easily also.

regards,
Graycg

I'm not saying the 375JDJ is not a good idea.As I was the first one to bring it up anyway.But the 444 Marlin is not a stronger case than the 348win and holds no where near the powder of the 348Win.The 348win is the base for the 450 Alaskan,50 Alaskan and 510 Kodiak Express,which by the way is loaded to over 50,000psi.Here let me show you.

375JDJ 300gr 1900fps-2405fpe(20in 2020fps)
416JDJ 300gr 2016fps-2705fpe(20in 2135fps)
50 Alaskan 300gr 2525fps-4245fpe
510KE 300gr 2786fps-5173fpe

411JDJ 330gr 2000fps-2930(20in 2120fps)
416JDJ 350gr 1908fps-2830fpe(20in 2015fps)
450Alas 350gr 2415fps-4535fpe

411JDJ 385gr 1711fps-2500fpe( 20in 1820fps)
416JDJ 400gr 1810fps-2910fpe(20in 1925fps)
450 Alaskan 400gr 2215fps-4360fpe
50 Alaskan 400gr 2166fps-4165fpe
510KE 400gr 2445fps-5313fpe

As you can see even if you added around a 100fps because of the JDJ use in 14in barrel.They(JDJ) isnt in the same league as the the Alaskans.No way ,no how.The Alaskans rounds are far superior to the JDJ round.

 

[MikeG]

True, the differences in case capacity among the .444, .45-70, and the .348 (think necked down .50-110) are quite significant.

I suspect that it would be a lot less trouble (read cheaper) to get the Marlin to feed something based on the .45-70 case, though. Don't need a new bolt, probably can re-use or modify other parts like the lifter, etc. However sometimes it's the challenge of doing what isn't commonly done that fuels the wildcat urge.

The base .50-110 case is pretty big.

 

[Rem8mag]

Decided a couple of months ago to go with the .375 Alaskan. Based on the .348 case,Joe. The 38/56 Imp was a close second. Now just need the $$$$ to do the work. Thanks for your input.

 

[alyeska338]

There was an article about the 375/348 in last months issue of Accurate Rifle. If you would like, I scan or copy the article and ground mail or email to you. The rifle was built on a Winchester M71, not a Marlin 1895, though.

 

[Lobo]

Hey Guys,

You might want to check out Nonneman Custom Rifles. He does a 50 Alaskan conversion on the Marlin 336 action as well as others. Apparently all the same price.


http://www.leveractions.com/leveractions.htm

Lobo in West Virginia

 

[James Gates]

Looks like everyone has forgot about the work done on the .375 Beartooth. It was designed around Marshall's cast .375" bullets and the pressure limits of the Marlin action.....JCG

 

[Gowge]

.375 X 2" Beartooth

The .375 Wildcat threads on these links from the Archives should explain everything you might like to know about this one...
GOOD LUCK!

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=3043&highlight=beartooth+.375

http://shootersforum.com/showthread.htm?t=3053

 

[Enforcer]

The problem with all this wildcat stuff is, it may all be needless.Are you going to gain much or in some cases anything over the original 375win in its many different rifles it already comes in.

Savage M99A(Saddle or Brush Rifle),or Ruger #3

200gr Barnes O 2450fps-2665fpe
210gr Barnes X 2410fps-2707fpe
225gr HornadySP 2350fps-2758fpe
235gr Speer 2315fps-2795fpe
250gr Barnes X 2160fps-2589fpe
260gr Nosler 2115fps-2585fpe

Win M94 or Marlin M-375

200gr Sierra 2390fps-2536fpe
220gr Hornady 2325fps-2640fpe
250gr Barnes O 2100fps-2447fpe
255gr Barnes O 2050fps-2379fpe

When properly handloaded the 375win is as deadly as they get in a lever action.The Win M94 and Marlin are loaded to the max.But the Savage M99 and Ruger #3 can be upped from velocities given.Remember the Ruger and Savage have 22in barrels(instead of stubby 20in),use spitzers(instead of flat ),except a COL of up to 2.90(instead of 2.56),and handle pressures over 65,000psi.

To believe you will START a 250gr bullet at 2400fps out of 20in barrel with COL of 2.56 in one of these wildcat rounds is crazy.Enuff said,right?

 

[James Gates]

Well Now.......It's nice to be called crazy by some yahoo up North! The case capacity of the .375 Beartooth is somewaht larger than the 375 Win. This wildcat was designed around the pressure limits and COL of the Marlin using Beatooth bullets...nothing more. Since the .350 Remington Mag is back...I think it would be a better case. If the fellow that says I am crazy wants to argue.....Let him argue with the well known Homer Powley's work, not me. He doesn't seem to understand that one can get up to 200 fps velocity with hard cast over jacketed.....same weight and pressure. Everyone knows my credentials, background, and name.....what are his? Best Regards, James

 

[Enforcer]

I'm not arguing with anyone.As far as calling you crazy,I wasn't.I don't know you and thats OK.As far as my credentials.I am the go to man on anything that has to do with 284Win,348Win,356Win,358Win,35Win,375Win and 405Win on many,many sites.I am in the process of writting a book (with another guy from Marlin Talk)on those calibers listed plus some not listed.The book will cover,ballistics(factory and handloaded),history of the rounds and the rifles they came in.

I was just pointing out how close i can get to the wildcat loads everyone is talking about,with the little 375win when properly handloaded.I certainly am open to wildcats and have many myself.Marlin M336 in 7MM STE,Savage M99R in 416/284 McPherson,Win M1886 in 510 Kodiak Express and Savage M99EG in 270 Ackley Savage Improved.

Those loads i quoted are not hearsay from somebody else.But my handloads chronoed by my partner and I at 15ft.As far as what i don't seem to understand.FORGET IT.When it comes to rifles,hunting,shooting,handloading,ballistics,calibers,etc... goes there ain't nothing i don't understand.I was not addressing anyones post persay,and didn't mean to step on anyones toes(dreams).

I will recant my earlier post,and say this.Certainly based on the 350Rem Mag case it should be possible to reach 2400fps with 250gr bullet with .375 or .377 diameter bullet.As the 350Rem Mag can manage 2350fps with 250gr bullet.As far as arguing with someone named Homer.I would never argue with someone named Homer.
Sorry,Good Day Enforcer

 

[James Gates]

for your information....Homer Powley was the leading ballistic person for many years, along with Maynard Yard. His "Powley Computer For Handloaders" and "Powley psi Calculator" are the foundation of all present computer programs on ballistics
offered today. Best Regards, James