Wildcats?

[snox801]

Am I the only be thinking although cool this is going backwards? Case capacity is very limited that short. So pushing big pills fast is out. So he's looking for penetration would be my guess. But let's be real bear are easy to kill. They are soft as far as big game goes. I would just get a tough bullet for the 6arc. 6mm pills have great SD.
Run a hammer, cutting edge, or McGuire and shoot bear. They will be hard pressed to not get an exit and the added internal pop would help put them done fast.

But I love a great project so kinda wanting him to built something new and neat.

 

[bigngreen]

Bigger slower holes don't automatically equate to less rodeo, may make you feel better but.....
One thing to remeber is these actions are designed for a class of chambering, rebated rims allow you to stuff things in to an action without changing a bolt face however the bolt thrust still goes up because of the case diameter. I didn't look at the specs your looking at just a reminder.

I'm sure you can guess I would just let that little ARC eat.... I'm seriously contemplating a dedicated bear gun, we are going after so many that lugging around the 30 SM or 6.5 SM just isn't fitting though the furthest I've had a bear make it with either is about 40 feet if they even move.
As usual fun thread!!

 

[Alibiiv]

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.

I've read that you do not want to open your bolt face so I get that. But…I seriously would recommend taking a close look at the .338 Federal or…the .358 Winchester. Both of these cartridges fulfill what you have asked about here. And you are still keeping that 6 pounds rifle you have talked about. I have a .358 WInchester that I just built on a Ruger 77 tang safety, with an XCaliber #1 contour feather weight 20 inch barrel that comes in a little around 6 1/2 pounds. I'm getting 2750 fps with Hammer 200gr bullets. I specifically built this for black bear hunting. It is a 200 yard rifle to deer and bear all day long. I've played with the "Raptor" cartridges, they have a following, however they can be finicky and become a PITA with load and also feeding issues. Plus there needs to be a lot of case trimming brass and then forming the shoulder. And there's also the cost for the special dies if you can find them. C& H dies did have some in stock, but it's hit or missAnd if you're looking at Raptor loadings you are going to still open the bolt face. Also the .338 Federal is a good cartridge, but using heavier high BC bullets compromise case capacity due the extra length of the bullet. I looked at both the .338 Federal and the .358 Winchester and chose the .358 because I already had dies and components for the .358 Winchester. The round fit my particular application. I've been reloading for a very long time, for me personally I found the Raptor cartridge to be more hype then I am interested in. Good luck with your build.

 

[Alibiiv]

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.

There's a lot to be said about "Use enough gun!!". Plus killing is one thing, recovery is another!! I have blown the top of a black bear's heart away, looked like a grenade went off, with a 45-70 Barnes 300gr TSXFB at 50 yards, and had them run 30-50 yards. Ive seen the same happen with the .358 WInchester and the 35 Whelens. I've just watched a thread in this forum about using .224 Valkery for elk. Seriously?? I didn't even bother to open the thread, I just shook my head and moved on.

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

Am loving this one !!!!! Shall keep up with these posts !

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

Alibiiv,
Love your post , have to agree with you !

 

[RUFFIAN R - NY]

There's a lot to be said about "Use enough gun!!". Plus killing is one thing, recovery is another!! I have blown the top of a black bear's heart away, looked like a grenade went off, with a 45-70 Barnes 300gr TSXFB at 50 yards, and had them run 30-50 yards. Ive seen the same happen with the .358 WInchester and the 35 Whelens. I've just watched a thread in this forum about using .224 Valkery for elk. Seriously?? I didn't even bother to open the thread, I just shook my head and moved on.

some just can't stop, am with you on these winners !!!!! 224 RIGHT next is a BB GUN.

 

[wilkup]

There's a lot to be said about "Use enough gun!!". Plus killing is one thing, recovery is another!! I have blown the top of a black bear's heart away, looked like a grenade went off, with a 45-70 Barnes 300gr TSXFB at 50 yards, and had them run 30-50 yards. Ive seen the same happen with the .358 WInchester and the 35 Whelens. I've just watched a thread in this forum about using .224 Valkery for elk. Seriously?? I didn't even bother to open the thread, I just shook my head and moved on.

I hear guys say all the time, "Bears are super easy to kill" and while that may be their experience I have not had the pleasure of bear being easy to find nor put down easily. They're like vampires and I'm on a relentless hunt for the mystical silver bullet.

 

[wilkup]

. I didn't look at the specs your looking at just a reminder.
I'm sure you can guess I would just let that little ARC eat....
As usual fun thread!!

It's my understanding the Howa Mini is just a shortened Howa Superlight action which is chambered for all the 308 based cases. Maybe I'll just let my new Nosler be the bear and elk cannon for now, but I just enjoy the compact nature of that little Mini action.

 

[bigngreen]

It's my understanding the Howa Mini is just a shortened Howa Superlight action which is chambered for all the 308 based cases. Maybe I'll just let my new Nosler be the bear and elk cannon for now, but I just enjoy the compact nature of that little Mini action.

I can't find the measurements from rebarreling a couple minis but I think it was M22 close to 7/8th and the Super Lite sounds like is M24, the standard is M26.
I had the measurements of the lug abutments somewhere on the mini vs standard, have not rebarreled the superlite.

 

[bigngreen]

I hear guys say all the time, "Bears are super easy to kill" and while that may be their experience I have not had the pleasure of bear being easy to find nor put down easily. They're like vampires and I'm on a relentless hunt for the mystical silver bullet.

I haven't had one get out of sight, they either bounce off the ground or air paddle feet. I'm blowing their lungs to confetti!!!:)

 

[CA48]

My first thought is why not just use a 105gr copper solid. Looks like your barrel is 22" they'll run 2850-2900 from that.
If you want to build 45raptor just cuz it's cool and a hammer I get that to.

400 Legend is an intriguing round. It has a spc rim di so you would have to have your bolt bushed.
You could run the 170gr hammer, or cutting edge, or the 165gr bear creek bullet that expands down to 1150fps at 2800-2900fps out of a 20" Bbl with 36-38gr of powder. Should do fine if you're just shooting out to 250yds and you could run heavier bullets as well. Either way would have less drop than the 45raptor.

The 165gr bear creek bullet

 

[wilkup]

My first thought is why not just use a 105gr copper solid. Looks like your barrel is 22" they'll run 2850-2900 from that.
If you want to build 45raptor just cuz it's cool and a hammer I get that to.

400 Legend is an intriguing round. It has a spc rim di so you would have to have your bolt bushed.
You could run the 170gr hammer, or cutting edge, or the 165gr bear creek bullet that expands down to 1150fps at 2800-2900fps out of a 20" Bbl with 36-38gr of powder. Should do fine if you're just shooting out to 250yds and you could run heavier bullets as well. Either way would have less drop than the 45raptor.

The 165gr bear creek bullet
View attachment 708071

That's a neat looking bullet! I'm not familiar with the 400 Lehend but owned a SA Saint chambered in 350 for a short while that was fun while I had it.

 

[wilkup]

I haven't had one get out of sight, they either bounce off the ground or air paddle feet. I'm blowing their lungs to confetti!!!:)

Maybe those Montana bears you shoot are just not built as tough as my Washington bears