new year, new wildcat

[yorketransport]

I try to work with one new wildcat each year and I think I've got an idea for this year's project. There's been a lot of buzz in the last few months over some of the big 375s being made off of the 585 Hubel case. I personally believe that the case is too big for a 375 with the current powders out there, so I'm going with a slightly larger bore diameter. Right now I'm leaning towards a 416 bore just because there are more options for bullets, including the relatively inexpensive 450gr Hornady BTHP. The other option is a 458, but that means custom bullets from the get go.

I have a handful of both 585 HE and 375 HE cases to work with while I decide which route to go. I knew it was a big case, but once it's in your hands you realize just how big it is!


Left to right: 585 HE, 375 HE (347 gr Predator solid), 338 SnipeTac (300gr OTM), 338 Edge (300gr OTM), 6.5x47 Lapua (140 Berger VLD)

Now I just need to get a .416 and .458 expanding mandrel to neck a few cases up and see how they look. The next step will be to figure out the optimum bullet to work with the available rifling twist in each bore. Pac-Nor makes twists as fast as 1-8" for both but I think a 1-10" is probably fast enough.

[Dan-o]

You build some truly wicked stuff.

It will be fun to tag along.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Good God that's impressive!!!!!!

[grundy53]

Nice!

Sent from my E6782 using Tapatalk

[BULLBLASTER]

That just looks painful! 
What action are you going to use?

[yorketransport]

That just looks painful! 
What action are you going to use?

It uses a CheyTac bolt face, so I may just use the Lawton action that's on my 338 SnipeTac now. Otherwise I'll probably end up with one of the Stiller single shots since I already have a spare McRee chassis sitting around for one. Depending on what I end up with for a budget on this project I may try and run another BAT action with a Russo stock.

[BULLBLASTER]

Bolt head looks bigger in your pic above. Maybe because it's clean and the snipetac is all dirty. Dang optical illusions. 
Looks like a cool projec. I've been reading about those cases over on lrh a bit.
That should handily out do biggerhammers 45 ultra mag he did a few years ago! 

[xXLojackXx]

14.5 JDJ  seems you have the BIG bores covered, why not do a screamer 7/338 and push 195's at 3450?

[kentrek]

Anything with the hubel case will be a "screamer"    i like the 416 or 375

[yorketransport]

14.5 JDJ  seems you have the BIG bores covered, why not do a screamer 7/338 and push 195's at 3450?

I ran the 200gr Wildcat bullets out of my 7mm Rum at about 3400 fps and they were pretty impressive. I was always a little disappointed when they hit the target though. It's hard not to love the sound of 300+ grains of bullet smacking j to a gong!

Anything with the hubel case will be a "screamer"    i like the 416 or 375

After the falling out between Ed Hubel and the guy who was originally working with him on the necked down versions of the hubel case, I figured I'd try and keep it going. The 416 version just shows too much potential to just let it go. I have somebody working on designing a bullet for me right now. Looks like it will land in the 450-475gr range and be around 2.7" long. All I'm really looking for is about 3100 fps from a 32" barrel.

[jasnt]

I think I'd go with the 416 my self just for more options. I never understood why no one makes much in 458. A 500gr vld would be pretty sweet

[yorketransport]

I think I'd go with the 416 my self just for more options. I never understood why no one makes much in 458. A 500gr vld would be pretty sweet

Lehigh makes a 528gr VLD in .458 that's pretty impressive. I wanted at least a 600gr .458 VLD but that really needs at least a case the size of the 416 Barrett to work.

The reamer print for the 416 is almost done and finalized. Now to start figuring out the component list for the build.

[mountainman]

needs at least a case the size of the 416 Barrett to work.

sounds like a new project👍

Why not a lightweight BMG? Maybe in a stockless rifle? (handgun)