Reading a few threads on Indiana's (?) first upcoming rifle season, and their ctg restrictions got me to thinking - Dangerous for me, in itself. I hit on the idea of necking up the 7.62X39 to 35 cal.
A week or so later, a bud shows up with a Guns & Ammo article from September, 1993. The author had made up a "Mini 35" on a rebored mini 30. He claimed 35 Remington ballistics with 180 & 200gr bullets (2200 fps with 180s & Herc. 2400). I guess there isn't anything really new! I'm still real curious as to what it will do with the recent 358-210gr Group Buy.
The idea still appealed to me. I used a set of 357 Mag dies to make up a dummy round. It looks kinda neat - almost a rimless 357 Max, with a slight bottleneck.
I'v decided to go ahead with the project. I have a 93 Mauser that should fit well, or maybe a Rem SA. Both seem to hold the smaller rim well enough. Instead of expensive custom reamers and dies, I'm going to use a .35 Remington reamer run part-way in. It will slightly "improve" the case. That way I can cut-off a set of 35 Rem dies to load for it. If this thing falls on its face, I can still ream to 35 Rem, and only loose a $15 set of dies. I think it should make for a dandy deer and hog gun for under 200yds. Prolly with 180s in that venue, but who knows?
Has anyone done one of these, or something similar? Maybe a 35 PPC? 35 BR? Any thoughts or suggestions? Lastly, just how short do you think I can go on the barrel? Thanks,,, Bug.