Author Topic: .310 Cattle Killer??? (Read 2563 times)

michbob · « **on:** November 22, 2003, 01:19:42 PM »

I've seen references in the Handloaders Digest to something called the .310 Cattle Killer. Anybody have any data on this round? Thanks.

50 Calshtr · « **Reply #1 on:** February 19, 2004, 07:29:07 AM »

Michbob,
The cattle killer is basically a pistol round that was used to kill livestock in slaughter houses. The "gun" was a barrel with a belled muzzle end cut at an angle that was pressed up against the cows forehead. The round was placed in the chamber at the other end and smacked with a hammer causing it to discharge and fire the bullet into the animals brain. Worked like one of the 22 hammer fired nail guns contractors use to set nails in concrete. I think there is more about it in WW Greener's "The Gun". Hope this helps.

michbob · « **Reply #2 on:** February 19, 2004, 02:05:40 PM »

That's about what I figured. Funny thing was, this question originated because I saw a listing for new brass! I wonder how you get stuck with that job. Here, cow-cow-cow.....

Thanks for the reply.

Michbob.

50 Calshtr · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2004, 09:15:22 AM »

Michbob,
Went home last night and looked around for info on the cattle killer, couldn't find a direct reference to the round but WW Greener's The Rifle, pg 520-521 talks about the device(gun?) it self. There was ref to a 310 Greener which appears to be similar to the 310 Cadet but with a shorter case, again no load or dimensional data, sorry. If someone is making brass for this puppy what in the devil are you supposed to use it in? I've never seen reference to anything other than this slaughterhouse device chambered for it. In my slightly warped mind I see someone in head to toe camo stalking thru the woods with his cattle killer and a hammer blowing on a grunt call. Time for another beer.
Best.

50 Calshtr · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2004, 09:19:09 AM »

OOPS, that ref should have been to Greener's "The Gun", not the rifle.

michbob · « **Reply #5 on:** February 22, 2004, 12:14:37 PM »

Ah ha! I just looked up the reference. The brass is produced by Bertram, which is, I believe, out of Austrailia. Maybe they still use the devices you mentioned down under. Or, possibly, they're the only gun the Aussie's can legally own. :wink:

Thanks for your replies to an obscure topic.

Michbob

PS: But why would the brass be imported to the US? Do we still use it? Maybe in a TC Contender.....

50 Calshtr · « **Reply #6 on:** February 23, 2004, 05:55:01 AM »

A lot of what I say or think is obscure. As to why this case is imported I haven't the foggiest, just part of their product line I suppose. May be able to use it to form another, more popular case but I couldn't say which one at the moment. It would be interesting to see what demand they have for it.
Best.

unspellable · « **Reply #7 on:** February 24, 2004, 11:00:11 AM »

I used to have a rifle chambered for the 310 Cadet. I wonder if the 310 Catttle Killer might use the same brass. In the rifle I used altered 32-20 brass.