Question 4 our Aussie Mates

[badgeredd]

I have a Siamese Mauser action and have been thinking about a possible project for it. I'm not really interested in a 45-70 for the action. Since it was designed for a rimmed cartridge, I started looking for wildcats based on the 30-40 Krag and the 303 British case. I know there are a batch of wildcats based on the 303 but I can't seem to find any infomation in any of my books. Do you know of a website or something that would give me some info on 303 based wildcats? BTW...being a 35 caliber fan, I necked up a 303 case to 35 caliber with no other changes. It looks kinda cool. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Edd

P.S. The reason I am looking into wildcats based on the 303 and the 30-40 is their rim is very close to the same as the original 8mm the action was built for.

[sav300]

30-303? 308 cal barrel,big range of projectiles (cast and jacketed) No alterations to standard dies,the neck sizer is tight enough to hold.Having 30-303 savage as the old barrel has been chambered to 303 british and stuffed in the process.
sav300

[Southern Son]

http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/

This site has some data for 303-25 and 303-270 (they have them down as 25-303 and 270-303). other than those two, I only know of 22-303 and 308-303 in the 303 family. I have read somewhere on this site of someone wanting to do a 35-303. I also think I remember someone making a SMLE of one type or another into a 444 Marlin. Best of luck with it, and keep us up to date with what you do.

[stubshaft]

What about a 348 Win? or 30/40 Krag AI?

[Trifocals]

There is/was a gunsmith from Canada who popularized a series of wildcat cartridges based on the .303 British case. I think he may now be deceased. His name if I recall correctly, was Elwood Epps. I recall reading somewhere that a son or grandson had taken over his gunsmithing business. He was like the P.O. Ackley of Canada. I would suspect that RCBS probably has die sets for at least some of his wildcats. A Google search on the computer may bring up info on Mr. Epps and his .303 wildcat cartridges. Also, Paul Mathews (the black powder cartridge guy) came up with a wildcat 12-15 yrs ago that he called the .37 rimmed. I can't remember if it was based on the .30-40 Krag case or the .303 British case, though there is very little difference in the two. He claimed it was/is a real deer thumper, and is mentioned in one of his books. Either of those rimmed cases seem to just beg to be wildcatted in a strong rifle action. There also are a number of wildcat cartridges based on the .348 Winchester case and the .30-40 Krag case. And lest I forget, there are also worthy wildcats by J.D. Jones based on the .444 case. LOL :p

[badgeredd]

http://www.adi-limited.com/handloaders-guide/

This site has some data for 303-25 and 303-270 (they have them down as 25-303 and 270-303). other than those two, I only know of 22-303 and 308-303 in the 303 family. I have read somewhere on this site of someone wanting to do a 35-303. I also think I remember someone making a SMLE of one type or another into a 444 Marlin. Best of luck with it, and keep us up to date with what you do.

Thanks. I found the thread originated by Bruce Drake. It also brought up a couple interesting options. Thanks guys.

Edd

[NoDakJak]

I am shooting a 25-303 in a #4 Mk1. Nice cartridge and easily equals my 250 Savage. I am stocking a Siamese Mauser that is chambered to 22-303. When I stuck the micrometer on the fired cases I discovered that this version is simply a rimmed version of the 220 Swift and I use those dies to load for it. Good luck!
Neil

[bruce drake]

NoDakJak,

That sounds like a nice conversion. Gun money has been placed on hold by the dear wife for upcoming holidays but that might be an interesting project for in 2010. What twist are you using on the barrel?

Bruce

[HORNET]

Ed, look down the forum index a ways in the CB Loads/Military Rifles section. There's a little discussion on the .35-303 & .38-303. You might check with some of those guys.

[longhorn]

Didn't Ken Waters do a 35 caliber wildcat on the 303 to salvage via rebore an old, high-grade .303 sporter? The article was from ages ago, I think it's in the Wolfe publication on Wildcat Cartridges.