It wasnt that expensive either if I remember right. The .35 Remington probably comes the closest, but its been dying a slow death for decades. The Wotkyns version was called the .220 Wotkyns Original Swift (WOS) and was the forerunner to the .220 Swift, later introduced by Winchester. Whidden also makes bullet seater stems for specific profiles if you want to go that far tailoring everything to your specific rifle.For some odd reason I've never been a fan of 270 Win or 30-06 but love the 280 and it's AI variant, however I came upon a deal in an older Rem 700 in 270. Case loss during forming is all but non-existent. After cutting and truing the crown and a few other tweaks it shoots Remington green box 130's 3/4 MOA. The wildcat 6.5 Redding with 30-degree shoulder preceded the similar .260 Remington (20-degree). Looking for wildcat reloading dies in Australia. Dont ask, its a long story.). Learn how your comment data is processed. Efficient Cartridges: The Answer When Supplies Are Short? Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. A few years later, I decided that if big is good, bigger is even better and I designed another cartridge in the UMT family the .416. If a bushing die is used, a bushing must be used to ensure the case is properly aligned in the die. Quite often we hear the question What is the difference between a bushing full length sizer die and a non-bushing full length sizer die and which is best?. The .416 UMT is not a complicated wildcat. Starline Brass and the author accept no . The amount of tension is determined by the size of bushing used. With a 250-yard zero this load is 2.55 inches high at 100 yards and 3.67 inches low at 300 yards. For this example, a .268 Bushing would be a good starting point to obtain about .001 neck tension. Mark Bansner built the gun on a Remington Model 700 action and fitted it with a 24-inch Lilja barrel. custom formed 7-30 waters brass. 0.001 to 0.006 shoulder bump possible with the included shims. They also include a pin retainer should you chose to use your sizer without the expander. However, there are some wildcat cartridges that are representative of the field in general and are worth mentioning: Wildcatting is most popular in the United States, which isnt surprising considering the gun culture and degree of gun freedom in the U.S. Ackley. NOTICE: We do our best to keep all of our standard caliber reloading dies in stock. The realistic real world gain in velocity for the .416 UMT is about 150-200 fps over those two rivals when compared with guns of equal barrel length. The book itself is heavy and well bound, comprised of thick library quality pages. Newlon Precision Custom die blanks. Today, my preferred bullet in this cartridge is the Barnes TSX 225-grain loaded with IMR 7828. They do have the 7mm-300WM for $83.20 for the 2 die set which is possibly cheaper then here even after exchange rates and postage. Over the years Fred began to specialize in wildcat cartridges, mostly for rifles. Whidden Gunworks reloading dies are the best way to be sure you are getting the most out of your time at the reloading bench. The Ultra Mag class of cartridges were all designed to operate at a maximum average pressure of 65,000 psi, which is the same as the .416 Remington. I have used the .358 UMT while hunting a diversity of big game from springbuck to brown bears. In the end, he was the man who lit the fire of wildcatting in the United States and many were more than willing to pick up where he left off. I am quite certain that I have posted this question in another thread, however cannot find that thread!? The latter is a far more involved task and one that requires gunsmithing know-how if you ever want to actually fire the rounds not to mention, youre going to have to accept trial and error as part of the process. Gebby even obtained a copyright on that name, but Remington took the design, added their name and got all the glory. Neil Jones makes custom dies. If you want maximum precision for your favorite rounds including many wildcat rounds you need the tools we build into each one. LOT #701 WILDCAT RCBS FL DIE SET 8MM-06 IMP. Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at. FFL is not required Ask Seller a Question Current Bid . I also asked him to change the safety so it would lock the bolt down when it is on (eliminating my pet peeve with current Model 700 rifles.). , Text-to-Speech Editors Note: This excerpt is from Handloaders Digest, 19th Edition available now at GunDigestStore.com. The Reloader's Handbook of Wildcat Cartridge Design is a must have for all shooters regardless of their experience. Its been to Africa with me twice and has accounted for a lot of African game, including a waterbuck and a diminutive red duiker that both made the record book. The number of ways that a round can be wildcatted is theoretically endless, as there are thousands of wildcat cartridges created and available for gunsmiths and handloaders with a can do attitude. LOT #18 WILDCAT REDDING CASE TRIM DIE 6MM-284 WIN. WILDCAT RCBS NECK DIE 6.5 - 06, LOT #36 WILDCAT REDDING FL DIE SET .25-284 WIN. Once the die is set, the locking ring is simply secured using an allen head machine set screw. Im going to recommend another option. So, I had Mark install three mercury recoil suppressors, two for the butt and one in the forend. Fire form your brass using your new barrel and bolt combo. Its not out of place for deer, and I would not hesitate to use it to hunt brown bear. (Yes, I was aiming there. For the hunter with one gun or collector with many, you will find valuable information on accuracy, designing, building, loading and shooting wildcats. Many of the replies in the threads have said that they are. I'm about to order another set of dies from them tomorrow night. To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we dont use a simple average. The second is our new Arbor-Press Style Custom Sizing Die, which is a stand-alone product that can function with most reloading presses on the market today. It was developed for the short magnums and has certainly lived up to that in this cartridge. Congratulations on your builds. Ideally the chamber should exactly replicate the reamer but this doesn't always happen and a chamber cast provides exact dimensions of the actual chamber. , Publisher Like most pioneers they rarely get the credit. Rare Wildcat Hollywood Gun Shop Reloading Die Set 256 Spencer Full Length Dies $98.00 RCBS 32601 Wildcat 8MM-06 Full Length Reloading Die Set 8MM06 FL Reloading Dies $99.95 Free shipping or Best Offer RCBS FL Full Length Die 219 Zipper Reloading Die Handloading Wildcat 26029 USA $89.99 LOT #7 NEW WILDCAT RCBS FL DIE SET .30-357 AET $109.99 He had to have them made in America, but cant remember off the top of my head who made them. This radius doesnt allow the sizing of the case neck fully to the shoulder. These ebooks can only be redeemed by recipients in the US. WILDCAT RCBS FL DIE SET .300 APEX. Get the 76th edition of the World's Greatest Gun Book. Help others learn more about this product by uploading a video! Thats the same advertised velocity of a 180-grain bullet from a .300 Winchester Magnum. Nearly every Australian wildcatter is operating off of the .303 British round, thanks to the widespread availability and popularity of these after the Second World War. I am very impressed with the tolerances and the way these perform. WTC Sizing Dies are custom made to fit your rifle's chamber. One of the cool things about wildcat cartridges is that they tend to be regional in nature. I have used Trophy Bonded 225-grain bullets to shoot elk, whitetail, and even antelope. With a 250-yard zero the 225-grain Barnes TSX is 2.24 inches high at 100 yards and 3.26 inches low at 300 yards. Unable to add item to List. I had Mark replace the safety with one that would lock the bolt shut. I read an article by Ron Spomer on the 270 which has influenced my thinking. Plus, standard factory loads of the parent cartridge can be fired in an AI-chambered rifle. Does expect you to know basic reloading theory. When a bushing sizer die is used with no expander ball, neck sizing is done by the bushing itself. This type of operation is used for reducing case dimensions, such as changing the neck diameter or pushing the shoulder back. The brass is easy to make by simply running .300 Winchester Short Magnum cases into a RCBS die with a tapered expander. The Barnes bullets were the exception. About eBay; Announcements; With a brake it was a beast, but it was manageable. They are the pioneers who stretch the boundaries to prove that there can be something more, something better. Recommended. Some wildcat cartridges are so good that the market cant help but pick them up and start making them on their own. The bullet expands rapidly and very big, so penetration is not as good as expected. $23.00 +$5.99 shipping. I know they are not local but they generally ship fast and you'll have them within 7-10 working days. As a result, your face is not beaten up by the rifles comb, as often happens with hard-recoiling rifles. Learn more. These promotions will be applied to this item: Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. The weight needed to be balanced between heavy enough to shoot well under field conditions and light enough to not be hateful at the end of a long day. The expanding process shortens the case by about .018-inch, so I square the new case mouths and trim to 2.820-inch. Hydraulic form dies are used in reconfiguring the original shape of a given case from a standard common caliber into calibers such as the Ackley Improved calibers, 6mm Dasher, 6XC and other nonstandard wildcat calibers. See our custom diesproduct pagefor further information. wildcat reloading dies. The bushing size is dependent on case neck thickness and bullet diameter, not the chamber of the rifle. As a result, it's not a "factory" cartridge, and no company makes factory-loaded ammo for it. The .375-CCC is a wildcat cartridge that first appeared in the early 1940s. Do you believe that this item violates a copyright? Another bullet that proved to work well is the Swift 250-grain A-Frame. I've searched the forums for an answer to this question, however I cannot seem to find the right answer. Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. To create a wildcat cartridge you need to do the math to ensure the round has a decent chance of working, then have a barrel and bolt custom worked for your new round. A must have. , Enhanced typesetting This book was very useful, particularly in sparking interest in wildcat cartridges and their design. Additional gift options are available when buying one eBook at a time. Dont look at the hobby of wildcatting as a way to save money, or youll likely find yourself frustrated. SKU: 90559. He lives in Kalispell, MT. The Reloader's Handbook of Wildcat Cartridge Design is a must have for all shooters regardless of their experience. Sorry I dont have their number with me but Google will have the info. WILDCAT REDDING COMPETITION SEATER DIE 6MM-284 WIN. The wildcat was also designed in such a way that it would utilize an easily sourced parent case. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The only difference is a larger neck and the resulting shorter shoulder. 2 part die insert construction one for the body, one for the neck and shoulder. Redemption links and eBooks cannot be resold. Ackley, America's Gunsmith was published in 2017 by Gun Digest. If enough of you yahoos want them, we may do a special run. Liked the book did explain a lot of the wildcat cartridges out there. But for elk-sized or smaller game this bullet does a great job. The Whidden Bushing Sizer allows the flexibility of neck tension should a different thickness in the neck of the brass occur from one manufacturer to another. Metallic silhouette shooting is a popular field for wildcatters, as many competitors seek to adapt rifle rounds they can fire through their pistols. Opens in a new window or tab. WILDCAT REDDING NECK SIZER DIE .240 GIB. Gebby, Grosvenor Wotkyns, John Sweaney and J.B. Smith. Each of these methods requires a different set of equipment to execute, so dont think that because you can do one you can do them all. : Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations. In the event such costs are required, they will be quoted separately. Case forming dies are designed to change the shape of the original parent case in small increments to avoid overworking the brass and to prolong case life. You're free to republish or share any of our articles (either in part or in full), which are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Good luck. . Anyone know of a good supplier in Australia for wildcat reloading dies? WILDCAT RCBS NECK DIE 6.5 - 06. Bansner chambered the barrel and installed it on the action, which had been polished and tuned. This is fine because the Barnes X-Bullet requires a larger gap for peak performance. When they banned handguns over 39 caliber, a mate of mine went down the 38-45 road. At the end of the day, the best part about wildcatting might not be improved ammunition, but rather what you learn about something you already love. Shooting Australia. Subtract .002 from the diameter you measure to select the bushing size. By the 1940s, Parker P.O. Ackley changed the wildcatting game by making small adjustments to rounds that greatly improved their overall performance. These guys supplied my 50BMG -> .416 Barrett forming dies and though a little pricy they are a quality item. The cartridge was designed to utilize a basic and generic 7mm Magnum neck and seating die, (though custom dies can enhance accuracy further). Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. The parent case is well lubricated and forced carefully into the reloading die for the wildcat caliber. Lane used (left to right) Speer 235-grain Hot-Cor, Sierra 250-grain GameKing, Nosler 260-grain Partition, Hornady 270-grain InterLock, and Federal 250-grain Trophy Bonded Bear Claw bullets for his handloads. With this gun I was now able to fire repeated shots very quickly. Both the Whidden Bushing Die and Whidden Standard Die are manufactured to tolerances that exceed most expectations. The limiting factor in overall cartridge length with any of the Ultra Mag cartridges is the rifles magazine. LOT #30 NICE!!! Whats more, some are very simple, albeit powerful, while others take extensive training and have a very small margin of error. Hornady Custom Grade New Dimension 2-Die Set - Caliber Specific Reloading Equipment for Handloaders with Full Length Sizer Die, Seating Die, Sure-Loc Rings, & Storage Box 1,752 $47.97 This item: Frankford Arsenal Universal Bullet Seating Die for .224 to .338 Caliber with Micrometer Stem and Storage Case for Reloading, Black 469 $74.99 Custom Reloading Dies - Whidden Gunworks Custom Dies Whether you're a hunter or a competition shooter Whidden Gunworks can manufacture Custom dies to your exact specifications and if needed can work with your gunsmith to ensure your dies are as accurate as your new rifle. If for some unforeseen reason we are out of stock of a caliber die, you the customer, will be notified within 24 business hours of the order being placed. But due to some uncontrollable issues the project stalled for a couple of years and by the time I got my rifle somebody else had already done the cartridge and called it the .358 Sambar. ", Fire forming would be best. : Most .358 bullets are designed for a much lower velocity and some of the best big game bullets that work so well in my .350 Rem. Even if youre looking to wildcat an unusual round, these companies generally have these dies available for special order. But a gun guy will see the truth and thats what matters most to a wildcatter. Whats more, there is an abundance of inexpensive Australian LeeEnfield MkIII military rifles capable of firing them. It also fully sizes the case neck fully to the shoulder for smoother functioning. There was enough room to remove the banana shape of the body and establish a closer tolerance of concentricity of the neck. Mark Bansner built the gun as he has several other custom rifles in the past, including both of my UMT wildcats. Used Condition. LOT #805 NICE!!! Give as a gift or purchase for a team or group. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions. . My buffalo was hit with three Swift A-Frames and two Barnes Banded Solid bullets. W/SHELL HOLDER, LOT #701 WILDCAT RCBS FL DIE SET .25-06 MASH, LOT #607 WILDCAT RCBS FL DIE SET .22-250 IMP 40, RCBS FL Full Length Die 219 Zipper Reloading Die Handloading Wildcat 26029 USA. I can find out if you like. After using the proper form dies and/or Form & Trim Die, full length resizing is required. It makes sense once you hear it, but it might surprise you to find out that there are more wildcat calibers than there are commercially available rounds on the market. P.O. I wouldn't think there would be any restrictions with ordering dies from the US? WTC Dies are made from samples of your fired brass to full length size only .001 to .0015 on the body diameter and just enough on the necks to get 30, 40, or even 50 reloads from your brass (neck annealing required). DISCLAIMER: All reloading data and information in this article is for informational purposes only. Modern Shooter: The Proper Defensive Handgun Grip, The Big Boys: Reloading Big-Bore Cartridges. An awakening. Mark coated the metal with his proprietary Ti-K-Cote polymer-based finish and fitted the barreled action to one of his High Tech Specialties Stocks. Reloading wildcat cartridges allows you to learn more about ballistics and load development. The Redding 2-Die Set contains a full length sizing die with decapping rod assembly and seating die with bullet guide, built-in crimping ring and seating plug. I conceived this to be a gun that would be lugged for miles up steep elk mountains or through the muskeg of Alaska. Mink, Mary, and Me: The Story of a Wilderness Trapline. *Please note that the .375 & .408 CT Micrometer Seater is not a sliding sleeve style seater. The non-bushing sizer die works basically like the bushing sizer die. The steep o-give profile of this bullet allows it to be seated out close to the rifling lands, while the cartridge length remains short enough to fit into the magazine. : is christian keyes married. LOT #19 WILDCAT RCBS FL DIE SET .25-35 ACK IMP. Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app. If it's indeed an "A.I. Surplus rifles are often re-barrelled into .257 caliber, also known as the 303-25. With big charges of any powder, a hot primer is important. JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. I have used it a lot in North America as well while hunting game as diverse as mule deer to brown bears. Embrace the past and make it your future: discover what made our ancestors such great survivalists. , File size My rifle is based on a Winchester Model 70 short action rifle. 2 Nitro ($125), 475-400 Nitro ($125). You may need additional equipment, but your hand-reloading gear will have you off to a good start. I initially thought it would work best with powders like IMR 4350 or IMR 4831, but they proved to be a bit too fast. This book has more info on Wildcat reloading and design than anywhere I have looked. The rifle weight is just about right for this type of gun. Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. Spread the word; knowledge is power! As you can see from the chart, the .41 Special is quite accurate. No more Kindle for me. WILDCAT RCBS FL DIE SET 11.15 X 65 R. LOT #701 WILDCAT RCBS FL DIE SET 8MM-06 IMP. Cries of the Savanna: An Adventure.