Wildcats?

[wilkup]

I'm not sure if this is the correct sub forum for this but wasn't sure where else I could put it.
I built a Howa Mini ultralight earlier this year chambered in 6 ARC that I did a bit of hunting with this year. While out deer hunting I saw the biggest black bear of my life but just wasn't confident in this little rifle's ability to put the bear down and watched him walk away with no knowledge of my presence. Since then I haven't been able to get that situation out of my head. Do I have other rifles that could've easily handled that bear. Sure. But I just enjoyed packing a 6lbs gun around so much I'm kicking around designing a wildcat now.
The 50 Beowulf has the same case head as my ARC. My rifle has a swapped out hinged floorplate from Oregunsmithing with an internal mag length of 2.46"
My concept would be to create something similar to an improved WSSM but on the 50 Beowulf to utilize the 0.44" rim of my current bolt without need for modification and neck it down to a medium bore - 338 or 375.
It wouldn't be a long range gun at all. More like a 0-250 yard heavy timber ultralight, compact bear and elk gun.
165gr Maker Bullet - 338
190gr Maker Bullet - 375
I know there is already a 375 SOCOM, but I'd prefer not to open my boltface, but understand the feed rails may require some machining for fatter Beowulf case.
My goal for this wildcat would be to equal or beat the 308 Win-based 338 Federal or 375 Raptor in my Mini rifle with an 18" barrel.
Starline makes Beowulf brass and I just need to get a reamer and dies made.

 

[4g64loser]

Why not just shoot a 338arc given the short distance spec?

 

[wilkup]

Why not just shoot a 338arc given the short distance spec?

I'm not looking for a subsonic round. I'd like to equal or beat the performance from tge 308-class cartridge. The Beowulf case is packing 60+ grain H2O capacity.
The idea would something like the ballistic sheet attached. 190gr Maker with 0.37 G1 BC.
Nothing wild, but a lot more than my 6 ARC or the 338 ARC can deliver.
Also noticed my first post said 150 and have corrected that fat thumb error. Lol

 

[sp6x6]

Buddy of mine shot some big bears with 243 contender..

 

[wilkup]

Buddy of mine shot some big bears with 243 contender..

Bigger balls than I! I'm sure my ARC would take down a bear under ideal circumstance but my experience with bears has never been anything but a rodeo; start to finish it's always exciting and western as hell.

 

[4g64loser]

I'm not looking for a subsonic round. I'd like to equal or beat the performance from tge 308-class cartridge. The Beowulf case is packing 60+ grain H2O capacity.
The idea would something like the ballistic sheet attached. 190gr Maker with 0.37 G1 BC.
Nothing wild, but a lot more than my 6 ARC or the 338 ARC can deliver.
Also noticed my first post said 150 and have corrected that fat thumb error. Lol

I don't own one but we did get to do some testing and the 175gr load hit 2050avg IIRC.

You might want to base your wildcat on the x47L case if you are looking for a shorter than 308 case but want to be able to crank up the pressure to the max. You can turn the rims and.rebates to fit your PPC bolt. Been done by BR shooters before. That case will take a lot more pressure than the beowulf.

 

[wilkup]

I don't own one but we did get to do some testing and the 175gr load hit 2050avg IIRC.

You might want to base your wildcat on the x47L case if you are looking for a shorter than 308 case but want to be able to crank up the pressure to the max. You can turn the rims and.rebates to fit your PPC bolt. Been done by BR shooters before. That case will take a lot more pressure than the beowulf.

Never considered turning down the rims! That's a great idea I wonder if I could turn down a WSSM rim to PPC…

 

[4g64loser]

Never considered turning down the rims! That's a great idea I wonder if I could turn down a WSSM rim to PPC…

Doubtful but possibly. I'd get a wssm and section the case on the mill to see what kind of case head you are dealing with in the specific brass headstamp you are considering.

I know for certain that the x47L case is THICC in the web area so non-issue with a slight reduction (473 to 442 isn't much of a cut). 532 to 442 is quite a bit more......and I don't know much about the internal construction of the wssm brass.....

 

[VinceMule]

Finish Reamer
Full length size reamer(.010 Under the Finish size, approximately)
[U]Dies[/U]
$1000
+ Chamber
+ barrel blank
$1700 minimum

I have been down this rabbit hole a few times, tunnel vision at it's best!

 

[K.E.C. Darkside]

You are thinking of something with a little more HP in a 308 case.
277 Fury
308 Ai
7-08 Ai
260 Ai
338 Federal Ai. now this would be a thumper. With 200, 225gr.
I have a 338 Federal barrel, brass, dies.. I would make someone a great deal, just to clear the shelve. Savage.

 

[MachV]

The 338 fed is a little anemic for a 338 and you want to build something shorter? I get it the cz527 and ARs are great little guns because they shoot little rounds. My Grendel has been my round of choice the last few years. It does very well with open prairie antelope and deer out to 500 yards. Kinda like the Beowulf the 450 Bushmaster packs quite a punch. Your going to loose a lot of capacity necking down the the big case and leaving room for a long bullet

 

[wilkup]

The 338 fed is a little anemic for a 338 and you want to build something shorter? I get it the cz527 and ARs are great little guns because they shoot little rounds. My Grendel has been my round of choice the last few years. It does very well with open prairie antelope and deer out to 500 yards. Kinda like the Beowulf the 450 Bushmaster packs quite a punch. Your going to loose a lot of capacity necking down the the big case and leaving room for a long bullet

Might just push the easy button and go 45 Raptor after thinking on these responses today. I can get Starline brass and either have my bolt face opened or turn the rims down on a lathe. Barnes makes a sweet little 250gr TTSX in .451" for the Bushmaster that would be perfect. 4 shots of basically 450 Marlin in a sub 7lbs rifle scoped and loaded. She's right at 6lbs for now.

 

[TonyRumore]

If you run the pressure up on a 50 Beowulf over 50k, the case body will collapse over the rim/groove like a muffin top.

Tony

 

[thatguyshm]

I've been eyeing the 45 Raptor myself, but a simple 338 Federal is more than enough, trust me. 160s at 3000, I get 2720 with the 200gr fusion. I think you might be overthinking this.


Never forget how many animals the 30-30 has brought down. Don't buy the marketing, review what has worked for a long time, rather than the newest shiny talked about on a podcast.