Wildcatting

[crazyjennyblack]

I'm curious about wildcatting, and how to do it. I'd like a 1911, that shoots a round with a 10mm-derived case. I know about .357 Sig and 9x25 Dillon.

So, what else has been done with 10mm? Anyone neck it down to .32 or .308? What about .22?

Also, what resources are out there about wildcatting? Where does a person get custom reloading dies and custom-chambered pistol barrels?

Aside from the obvious "Kaboom" issue, what things are there to look out for beyond handloading, and what ways do wise people minimize risk?

 

[gamestalker]

I really hope someone provides some good input on this one, I have had an interest in this for a number of years.

GS

 

[rcmodel]

All I know for sure is, there is a limit to how small you can neck down a straight-wall pistol case in forming dies until you reach a point of unacceptable case loss due to shoulder collapse, split necks, etc.

That's why you don't see a whole lot of sub-caliber pistol calibers based of big cases.

http://www.pacifictoolandgauge.com/products.htm
will make you about any kind of reloading die you want.

And Clymer or Pacific will make the chamber reamers.

You would most likely need to start with a smaller caliber barrel for a gun big enough to handle the pressure and then use the custom reamer to hog out the chamber.

All it takes is a lot of money to re-invent the wheel!

And then find out it didn't work, or somebody would already be selling it!!

rc

 

[NCsmitty]

and what ways do wise people minimize risk?

Most concentrate on fine tuning factory designed cartridges, and unless you are a good machinist with your own equipment to fabricate your own design, it can be a money pit, as rcmodel noted.
If you can think of a good sensible wildcat, rest assured, someone has already thought of it. There are books available if you want more info on the subject. Check out Amazon or one of the book stores.


NCsmitty

 

[tyeo098]

If you can think of a good sensible wildcat, rest assured, someone has already thought of it.

Good God, the man wants a hobby.

Read book on the subject, then go out and do it.

There are many companies out there selling semi-auto DPM clones. I built one myself. Why? Because its a hobby!

 

[Uncle Richard]

I reload for a wildcat cartridge, 22/30-30 ackley. Once the brass is sized down and formed, your good to go for several loads till the case cracks. Sizing and forming brass is very challenging and a long process. Check out some of Parker Ackleys books.

 

[ReloaderFred]

The 10mm case was necked down to .224" for the .224 Boz. Here are the specifications for that round: http://www.homegunsmith.com/cgi-bin/ib3/iB_html/uploads/post-59-79351-22_10MMs.pdf

I've built a couple of 9x25 Dillon pistols by running a chamber reamer into a .38 Super barrel. It's a fun round, but loud. Brass lasts about 4 loadings after necking down, with some brands lasting better than others.

I've also rechambered a 9x19 barrel to 357 Sig, and it's worked out well, too.

For anything more exotic, it's expensive to have custom dies made, and could possibly cost more than converting the firearm itself. Experimenting is fun, though......

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[Buck13]

There are easier ways to get a bottle-necked .22 in a 1911, m'lady.

https://us.armscor.com/products/22-tcm-target-micro-mag-9mm

It does take all the sport out of it.

 

[Buck13]

Good God, the man wants a hobby.

"The man" in this case would seem to be a woman.

 

[crazyjennyblack]

Yes, folks, the "man" is indeed a woman.

And this woman wants a bottlenecked 10mm a tad smaller than a 9x25 Dillon. Still contemplating what a 10mm necked to .30 would look like, perhaps using .30 carbine bullets in the 110gr range. I guess it would be a Super-Tokarev lol

NCsmitty - I love books! Any wildcatting titles you might suggest?

 

[ReloaderFred]

Have you tried the 9x25 Dillon? I've been able to get a 105 gr. bullet up over 1,750 fps with one of mine, but the 115 gr. bullets run just over 1,600 fps out of the 5" barrel.

The reason I suggest it is there is already loading data available for it, there are dies available, and it uses 9mm bullets, though they're pretty lightly constructed for those velocities. It would be cheaper, and the barrels are also available. If you can't locate a barrel, a chamber reamer will convert a .38 Super or good 9x19 barrel to 9x25. Just a thought.

Hope this helps.

Fred

 

[jerkface11]

Coming up with a necked down 10mm AND making a semi auto run on it sounds a lot more like work than a hobby.

 

[lightman]

If you are interested in wildcatting, google Huntington Die Specialities and look at their list of dies. Somebody has probably done what you are talking about and has a name for it. I think George C Nonte wrote a book about forming cases that is a good read. Its more about making something from another case than wildcatting, but still interesting. Lightman

 

[crazyjennyblack]

lightman - thanks for the author name. I'll start looking his stuff up on Amazon and see if other titles pop up.

And yeah, I've heard of the 9x25 Dillon. It's nice, but I'd like to get it down to a .30 cal bullet just because I haven't seen it done. I think this is what happens when you're addicted to it and way too bored in the winter...