For me, it is fun to have a "wildcat" cartridge, as it is one of those things not everyone and his kid has.
However, if your after real velocity gains, move up from, for example, 30/06 to 300 Win. Mag.
Reason, well the velocity gains in at least the A.I. or Gibbs cartridges are not really that good when cost is factored in.
If on the other hand you want the fun and the difference of the wildcat, go for it!
I do not know about the JDJ cartridge, but both the A.I. "improved" and Rocky Gibbs "wildcats" can be chambered in your standard barrel as long as it is in good condition. 06 to 06A.I. or 06 to 30 Gibbs.
All it needs is a good gunsmith to do a PROPER and CORRECT job of reaming your factory chamber.
On the 30 Gibbs I had, - cut on a tang safety model, RUGER 77 - , the gunsmith - incorrectly - cut an overly long chamber, which since I was already into the forming thing to make brass was no big thing.
In fact, I ended up with a slight bit more powder capacity then with the "normal" 30 Gibbs.
If on the other hand, it had been an Ackely "improved chamber" he improperly cut, it could have been an issue, because of the added steps for forming brass which would have then been required.
Remember, on a properly cut chamber for "improved" cartridges such as the P.O. Ackely line of improved cartridges, the chamber is reamed only to the point where a factory cartridge or factory spec reload barely allows the bolt to close on the loaded round.
This could be said to be a very slight "crush fit".
This allows for factory or factory spec ammo to fire formed with full pressure loads. In goes the factory load, bang, out comes an "improved" case.
On the 30 Gibbs cartridge, this is NOT and "improved" cartridge, but rather a "wildcat" and therefore requires additional steps for forming brass.
AS you probably know, a rifle is not a rifle, is not a rifle, meaning each rifle is a subject unto itself.
Seldom do two rifles of the same caliber and barrel length shoot the same ammo equally well and/or create the same velocity when fired.
So with that, the Ruger 77 - 06 which I had rechambered, was what I call a "slow" rifle. Meaning it didn't shoot to velocities close to book figures, but rather was always on the slow side.
When changed to a Gibbs, I did realize a velocity gain over THAT RIFLES standard chamber, but it was then no better then a "fast" standard 30/06.
Would I do another "wildcat"? Sure, why not? They are great fun and as stated something different, just not a great and cost effective way to increase the velocity figures.
AS stated in some of the earlier posts, the horror stories of Rocky Gibbs and the pressures he had to be creating were, at one time, wide spread.
Especially in my area, as Rocky resided about 45minutes drive from where I live. Seems I recall stories about Rocky doing some testing at the Speer factory which is also close by, and the Speer techs not being willing to stay in the room while he shot his loads.
Still, all in all the wildcat and improved cartridges are great fun and look very cool to boot.
Keep em coming!
CDOC
