So basically its a 7mm Dakota or more accurately a 7mm-300 Dakota. Sounds like alot of money to spend when you could get the exact same performance or more in a standard commerical chambering such as the STW which will match it or the 7mm RUM which will exceed it.
I am sure the guns are quality but it seems like there are alot of guys out there saying that they have developed a new wildcat that offers great new performance but in the end, they are no different then whats already out there only packaged a bit differently so someone can hang their name on it.
I had some say the same thing to me when I came out with my 7mm AM many years ago, that was until they realized that it was in fact getting legit 3300 fps with 200 gr bullets and +3500 fps with 160 gr Accubonds.
As far as barrel life, its more myth then anything else concerning extremely short barrel life with larger 7mm magnums. Now if you want to shoot the thing 500 times a year, ya, your going to dramatically shorten your barrel life. If you get the rifle set up and use it for big game hunting, even the most extreme 7mm will last you MANY, MANY hunting seasons.
My lightweight 7mm AM is driving a 160 gr Accubond at 3450 fps (26" barrel) and has over 700 rounds down the barrel. I started hunting with it in 2003 and to date it has taken nearly 20 head of big game at ranges past 500 yards with half of those being over 700 yards or more. Longest being around 920 yards. This is out of a sporter weight rifle with 3.5-10x 40mm Mk4 in the saddles.
Point being, from what many of the "experts" warned me about the 7mm AM, its barrel would never last long enough to develope a good load. Since that time I developed a great load with the old 200 gr ULD RBBT and used that for three years, then developed a load with the 175 gr SMK that was great and used that for a couple years when the ULD RBBT was not available, then switched to the 160 gr Accubond and have used that load for four seasons with nothing but great results.
This year I checked its 100 yard sight in which is supposed to be 2.8" high at 100 yards and it cut a 0.325" cloverleaf. This from a barrel that for all intent and purpose should have been shot out many years ago.
Point being, how you shoot and care for your rifle will make much more difference then what its chambered in concerning throat life. Keep it clean, keep it cool and it will last you A LONG TIME as a big game hunting rifle. Shot 5 shot groups, do alot of load development and ya, you will eat up a barrel faster so its more on the owner then the chambering.
If they get formed brass made up, that would be a huge benefit, especially if its stronger then the Dakota brass that is currently available. Till then, it would offer nothing that the 7mm Dakota or 7mm STW would offer you except a higher price tag.
Just my opinion. Not flaming anyone here, I just get bored with all these new wildcats doing nothing but the same old thing......
