What wildcat would you build?

[Perry67]

If money wasn't an issue and you could build any wildcat cartidge you wanted, what would it be? For me i think i would get a 338 tejas... launching a 300 gr bullet around 3000 fps really intrigue's me

[ShaunBrady]

Is this a legitimate question or are you a schill for whoever is selling the 338 tejas?

I had to google it. A 338 based on the RUM case with a 52 degree shoulder sounds like a pretty dumb idea.

[hermosabeach]

Why not your own wildcat???!


I was working on an 88 Magnum and ran out of funds.

[jimmykan]

Is this a legitimate question or are you a schill for whoever is selling the 338 tejas?

I had to google it. A 338 based on the RUM case with a 52 degree shoulder sounds like a pretty dumb idea.

So it's a 338 Edge Ackley Super-Improved?

[DaveInOroValley]

I always liked an existing wildcat the 7MMTCU. It was a great load for accuracy and I would have loved to see it in a rifle configuration.

[M1NM]

Go big or go home......
Not sure which I'd prefer the LeSabre is stodgy and the Riv a classic.
My grandfather had a GM execs 66 LeSabre 2 door with a hot rodded factory 401 Wildcat engine - ex Woodward Ave car. My sister got it after he passed away and killed it.
My parents neighbor had a 64 Riviera with a 401 Wildcat engine. Always told him I wanted it (and his 49 Merc) but his son kept them after he died.

[ar15barrels]

I always liked an existing wildcat the 7MMTCU.
It was a great load for accuracy and I would have loved to see it in a rifle configuration.

I have chambered a Remington Model 7 in 7TCU.
The Model 7 is a short action but it still has a magazine cut in the action that would accept 308 length cartridges so there is more room than the actions that are limited to 2.25" OAL.
The 7TCU is typically too long for a 2.25" magazine.

The guy I did it for loves it.

[LynnJr]

The way I would go about it is to pick the bullet I want to shoot and the velocity I want to shoot it at and go from there.
A 300 grain 338 bullet at 3000 fps can be done with a 338 Lalua Ackley Improved and it uses off the shelf reloading dies and Lapua brand brass which makes it a easy build.

[ShaunBrady]

It'd be helpful if you'd post a reamer drawing number or print that works with a given manufacturers 338 Lapua Ackley Improved dies. Ackley Improved means a 40 degree shoulder, a shoulder/neck intersection .004" short of the parent cartridge, and a certain body taper, but not every reamer labeled Improved follows those rules or starts with the same parent cartridge dimensions.

If we go back 10-15 years, we'll find lots of threads on which dies work with which reamer or rifle manufacturer's straight 338 Lapua. I think that was pre SAAMI and somehow there were different interpretations of the CIP drawing. Stupid pressure levels probably had something to do with at least some of those problems.

300 Norma seems to be in that pre SAAMI state now. I have a set of hand me down 300 Norma dies that wouldn't work with Focus's reamer but do with mine.

While the 338 Lapua Improved has certainly been a work horse for the URSA, I think that for someone starting right now, the 33XC is a much easier way to go. I've had good results from mine anyway.

I also think that fire forming cases with 90+ grains of power is not for the inexperienced or stupid. Fire forming them to consistent internal volumes is a couple levels above that.

[Fjold]

I have chambered a Remington Model 7 in 7TCU.
The Model 7 is a short action but it still has a magazine cut in the action that would accept 308 length cartridges so there is more room than the actions that are limited to 2.25" OAL.
The 7TCU is typically too long for a 2.25" magazine.

The guy I did it for loves it.

I used to have a TC Contender pistol chambered in 7mm TCU no problem with longer bullets in the single shot. I may still have the dies.

[ar15barrels]

I used to have a TC Contender pistol chambered in 7mm TCU no problem with longer bullets in the single shot.
I may still have the dies.

I still have a 7tcu TC contender with loaded ammo, brass and dies.
I have not shot Silhouette since the 90's though.

[Fjold]

I still have a 7tcu TC contender with loaded ammo, brass and dies.
I have not shot Silhouette since the 90's though.

I quit shooting IHMSA in the 80's and still have a 10" barrel Super Blackhawk

[LynnJr]

It'd be helpful if you'd post a reamer drawing number or print that works with a given manufacturers 338 Lapua Ackley Improved dies. Ackley Improved means a 40 degree shoulder, a shoulder/neck intersection .004" short of the parent cartridge, and a certain body taper, but not every reamer labeled Improved follows those rules or starts with the same parent cartridge dimensions.

If we go back 10-15 years, we'll find lots of threads on which dies work with which reamer or rifle manufacturer's straight 338 Lapua. I think that was pre SAAMI and somehow there were different interpretations of the CIP drawing. Stupid pressure levels probably had something to do with at least some of those problems.

300 Norma seems to be in that pre SAAMI state now. I have a set of hand me down 300 Norma dies that wouldn't work with Focus's reamer but do with mine.

While the 338 Lapua Improved has certainly been a work horse for the URSA, I think that for someone starting right now, the 33XC is a much easier way to go. I've had good results from mine anyway.

I also think that fire forming cases with 90+ grains of power is not for the inexperienced or stupid. Fire forming them to consistent internal volumes is a couple levels above that.

Shaun
I use pacific tool reamers and Redding dies to avoid all the mismatch issues from off the shelf dies. Dave Kiff makes all the resize reamers for Redding so I have never had an issue. Whitemamba and rickyracer87 had mismatch issue with other reamer makers.

The main problem is from the other reamer manufacturers.
As to the reloading if the op is going to make 338 Tejas brass making 338 Lapua Ackley Improved brass would be even easier.
If I was building a 33xc I would also be looking for 150-200 fps more velocity or I wouldn't burn the extra powder.
My suggestion would be for a 300 grain bullet at 3000 fps using the least amount of powder.

Rickyracer87 is going with the 33xc pretty soon over the 338 Lapua Ackley Improved so we can see what velocity and accuracy he gets without my bias.

[DaveInOroValley]

I still have a 7tcu TC contender with loaded ammo, brass and dies.
I have not shot Silhouette since the 90's though.

Same here I still have about 100 rounds that my Dad and I reloaded. Now that he's gone I just have the heart to shoot them.

[edgerly779]

17/50 dtc with stellite 50 inch barrel and titanium slugs with beryllium jackets.
6500 fps goes thru all known armor.