33-30 wildcat

[Nobade]

OK, I got the bright idea that since the 32 win spl. works better than the 30-30 with boolits, mainly because of the slower twist, why not see if I can get a factory Marlin barrel rebored from 30-30 to .338 with a 1:16 rate of twist, and have a custom reamer ground up to give me a nice properly dimensioned chamber for a straight neck-up of 30-30 cases? Ranch Dog made a good 338 caliber boolit mould, and others could be made with the correct nose profile to feed and work through the action. It seems to me this might be a worthwhile thing to do, add a bit of power to 30-30 rifles and at the same time improve their accuracy and make life easier for boolit shooters. What do ya think?

-Nobade

[square butte]

Like it. Rather have a 33-30 than a 32 WSP

[Bulldogger]

Sounds like fun. Pictures!
BDGR

[OverMax]

I doubt you would gain much and more likely see less accuracy with a 33 cal bullet verses a 30 cal. Do to the want of a barrel twist (1-16.) 32 Specials having that slower twist (1-16) are actually more accurate with lighter weight bullets not heavier. Opposite of a 30-30 it having a faster twist of 1-10 (marlin) or 1-12 (winchester-savage.) it (30-30) actually preforms better with heavier weighs.

Now if you were to bore & keep the 1-10 or 1-12 twist for the 33 cal. You might have a something going concerning your wildcat. Just my thought on the subject is all Mr. Noblade.

http://www.exteriorballistics.com/re...bles_Rifle.pdf

[Nobade]

Remember - the larger the diameter, the slower the twist needed to stabilize the same length bullet. A 170gr. 30 cal needs 1:14 or faster to stabilize, a 220gr. 338 will work in a 1:16. With a case that small you wouldn't be shooting over 225 - 250 gr. anyhow.

Compare a 170gr. 32 win spl load to a 170gr. 30-30. The 32 win spl is far easier to get top notch accuracy from, and can be driven about 100 fps faster at the same pressure. The 338 version would just be more of the same. You could certainly build a 338 on a 1:10 twist barrel, in fact that is about all that is commonly available. But then it gets way more difficult to get top notch accuracy at full pressure and speed, although it is easier with light sub 2000 fps loads. Just depends on what you want.

If I end up doing this ($200 for a reamer, $225 for a rebore, plus custom grinding on reloading dies) I'll certainly let you guys know how it works out!

-Nobade

[376Steyr]

Check with Jess at JES Reboring at 35Caliber.com He is set up for reboring to 338, and already lists the classic 35-30-30 as an option on his site. He did a dandy job for me, converting a Mauser sporter from 300 Savage to 358 Win, for a very reasonable price.

[williamwaco]

I really like the idea.
A 250 gr .338 at around 1600 would be a real thumper and the .30-30 case is unsurpassed as a cast bullet case.

[MT Chambers]

Is that not the 33/47 or the even older Pope 33/40?

[MikeT]

The 33/40 & 33/47 are based on the 32/40 cartridge.

MikeT

[frnkeore]

The twist rate would be fine bullets for bullets up to 1.15 long. My 33 is a 15 twist and stabilizes bullets (simi sptizers) to 1.21 long at 1475 fps, with 200 yard, 10 shots groups under 1.5" and much smaller 5 shot groups.

I think it would be a excellent cartridge and should be able to exceed 2000 fps with a 200/220 gr bullet.

Frank

[DeanWinchester]

Should be a "bang flop" cartridge for sure!

[MT Chambers]

The 33/40 & 33/47 are based on the 32/40 cartridge.

MikeT

I realize that but they all amount to the same thing, it depends more on what pressure level they are reloaded to.

[TXGunNut]

I like the 32WS but I think your idea has merit. A 200-220 gr boolit loafing along about 18-1900fps should handle any hunting chores I'd assign it. What are you going to use for dies?

[Nobade]

Several ways you could make dies. Get the neck of a 30-30 sizer honed out bigger, or buy a die reamer and make one from scratch, or use the chamber reamer to make a bushing neck die and use a 38-55 sizer to size the body if you need to do so. The seater is made with the chamber reamer. So, you have options depending on what you want to do.

The more I think about this, I wonder why it isn't more popular already. I will likely get set up to build them but it won't be soon, there are too many things to buy first before I start a project like that.

-Nobade

[TXGunNut]

I was thinking about the 38-55 die to size the body but wasn't sure about neck sizing or crimping. I guess modifying a set of 30-30 dies isn't out of the question. I could see this cartridge as a solution to a 30-30 with a bad bore. I'm sure it's been done before but I haven't seen it. I guess the 32WS and 35-30 offer paths of less resistance.

[wmitty]

Sounds like a great idea to me... after several .30-30's I came across a 336 in .32 WS and really like the slow twist rate for boolits. I'd love to have a .32 WS barrel on the 788 and Savage 340 actions that are currently .30-30's. A slow twist .338/ 30 sounds like it'd be a super cast boolit cartridge!

[Bullshop Junior]

Might as well just go 35/30. I kinda see it as a waste of time, as there is not much stuff out there in 33, especially flatnosed if you were to do a levergun.

[bob208]

harry pope made alot of .33-40 rifles. just a .32-40 opened up to .33.

[Nobade]

Might as well just go 35/30. I kinda see it as a waste of time, as there is not much stuff out there in 33, especially flatnosed if you were to do a levergun.

But...but... I already have a 35x30-30. But I don't have a 338 one.

Bob208, I was thinking of Harry Pope when I wrote this. A 33-40 would be cool, but 30-30 brass is sure a lot easier and cheaper to get.

I think a 33 maximum would be cool too, but that's another project....


-Nobade

[williamwaco]

I had really good results with the 338320 in my 338-06 but unfortunately it seems it is no longer available.
In fact, I can't find any 338 caliber mold on Midwayusa.com

Accurate molds lists several but they are labeled .34s.