My next handi, it's gotta be a wildcat. Suggestions wanted

[JPH45]

I don't know how to do two quotes....

Mr Frosty, the 357 Max is an example of answer to yoru question. There are Model 158's out there in 357 Max. the 357 barel can be rechambered to 35 Whelen or to 358 Winchester. The twist is slower than the upcoming 35 Whelen with 1-16 twist, but it does stabilize 250's. The 30-30 could be rechambered to 7.62X54R, sizing stems are available that allow for 308 diameter bullets, Lee offers them for their dies for $3.00

hvacman, I would be hardpressed to think that the Handi would not handle anything the Winchester '71 would take. The '71 is essecentially an 1886. The Accurate Arms manual #2 states that the 348 is rated to 40,000 CUP, that factory ammo ran at 29,000 PSI nad that their loads dont exceed that.

I think two things about it, the Handi is chambered in 12 guage 3 1/2"  Magnum and in 10 guage. While the pressure ratings are different, anything that will handle a 2 ounce payload at 1300 fps will handle 1/4 of that at 2400 fps. I will rest may case on the fact that H&R built 35 Whelens on a cast frame. If the SB2 won't take the 348 case at factory levels I'll eat my hat. But do note that I qualify at pressures equal to factory pressure levels. Push it harder and you are in no mans land.

Accurate #2 shows the 348 pushing a 250 grainer at 2300 fps. The same manual shows 358 Winchester 250 grain loads at 2300 fps and 35 Whelen 250 grain loads at 2425 fps.

You would likely see 35 Whelen velocities from a 35/348 Ackley, but at what cost, especially considering that next year you can have a 35 Whelen? This ultimately is the problem with wildcats. Seldom can one find a wildcat cartridge that offers something a factory load doesn't. The 6mm-06 is one and the 25 Sooper (25-08) is another. Outside of those, what the factory offers is as good as can be found, and this is true of what most all factories are offering. A 250 grain bullet at 2400 fps is a 250 grain bullet at 2400 fps, don't matter if it is launched by a 35 Whelen or a 35/348, or a 358 Winchester. Substitute whatever bullet weights and velocities you care to, the end will always be the same. The 35 Whelen may not be a sexy or "OOH AAH" as a 35/348 would be, but the chronograph and the game wil be completely unimpressed. AI a 25-06. AI a 30-30. AI a 270 or 30-06 for that matter. In the end you will find that a 30-30 AI offers some real improvement, an AI 30-06 or 270 will likely just burn more powder to get you to the same place you were before the ream job, and why do a 7.62X54R when the Handi is offered in the 30-06 everyday???

[.308]

My choice I suppose is just too simple. The .30-30 Ackley Improved, at least my .30-30 Win. barrel will become one as soon as the reamer arrives. Around 200 fps velocity gain, being able to shoot .30-30 Win. ammo in it, and a DIY project for 25 bucks plus postage sold me. Oh, amost forgot the cost of those 'wildcat' dies, another 25 bucks, the cost is really beginning to run up there. The way I see it, it's your money spend it the way it makes you happy. I personally have never been satisfied with less than what I wanted. Take care...

[Fred M]

JP John.
Being practical and wanting something different is not the same thing.

Since this is a Handi forum I say the Handi is a poor platform for a wild cat, because of the flexural behavior and stretching of the Handi action. Besides reaming a wild cat into an existing chamber will in a lot of cases result in a poor chamber and poor performance.

A generic solid pilot on a reamer in a non standard dimensional bore can not ream a straight chamber. Nor can it clean up an oversize chamber, throat or lead.

When I look at a wild cat I am searching for enhanced performance not the extra few feet you may get. Which are. longer case life, better burning of powder by enhancing the turbulence point, taylored to specific specifications, and mostly better acuracy, fitted necks to allow handloading
without sizing.

These are the advantages of wild cats besides the high velocity wild cats like the 257 Banshee. A powder hungry beast, an improved 6.5x68 RWS blown out. Non of them on the store shelve, nor anything to compare to except the 25STW.

You may say that the 25 Souper(25x308) is the same as a 257DGR, for the non wild catter that would be true. But these two will not perform the same. My 25 Hunter will outshoot most any 25 design not in feet per second but in accuracy. Even so it uses less powder it is equal to the 257 Roberts in power.