Wildcat Cartridges

There has been a lot of noise and confusion around the 6.5 Grendel® and the similar cartridges that have sprung up around it. Two have surfaced that bear a closer look. The 6.5 BPC has become “the” bolt action chambering that can safely fire Grendel ammo. The differences in the chamber dimensions are minor; the 6.5 BPC was developed by Jim Borden and Dr. Louis Palmisano, the latter of PPC fame. The newest entry into this race is the 264 LBC-AR™ from Les Bear Custom, as the name implies this

Headstamped brass by Hornady

chambering is optimized for the AR platform. The biggest difference between these variations is that fact that the latter two are open use, in other words, anyone can chamber for them, like any factory cartridge.

Some sources call the BPC and the LBC cartridges “improved”. When you compare the drawings this is improved label is pretty hard to understand. There is little difference aside from the tolerances for case expansion, and the throat design. They do have a 30 degree shoulder verses a 28 degree shoulder on the Grendel, however, this will not provide any noticeable change in ballistics as the volume of the case is virtually unchanged. In fact, 2 degrees is barely outside the tolerance limits that most tool makers offer.

Ammo for the 264 LBC-AR

Black Hills Ammunition has new loads being built exclusively for Les Baer Custom at his request and with his assistance in load development. The .264 LBC-AR is loaded with a 123-grain Hornady A-Max bullet is available exclusively from Les Baer Custom. It’s designed for use in Les Baer Custom rifles as well as rifles of other manufacturers, and will also perform in rifles chambered for the 6.5 Grendel cartridge. The brass is produced by Hornady and head stamped .264 LBC-AR. Naturally this brass could be sized in a 6.5 BPC die and used for rifles so chambered.

Hornady fans have some new bullets to look at this year.  The ballistics boys at Hornady are in the process of building their line of expanding monolithic solid bullets, known as the GMX® Bullets.  This year they introduced the 6mm GMX®, weighing in at 80 grains. 

 

Constructed of Gilding Metal these bullets have been tested at a wide range of velocities for expansion.  Velocities from 2000 to 3400 feet per second have been tested the bullets expand up to 1.5 times their original diameter and still retain 95% of their original weight.

 

So why is this news?  Well, if your one of those folks who just has to use your 6mm for deer or antelope, this kind of bullet will penetrate deep and still shed energy in the target.

 

There are a few more of these bullets in the R&D phase right now.  The .257, .264 (6.5mm), and a .308 bullet for the 30-30 are expected to be the next in line to hit the market.  These are lead free bullets, so they will be good news for the left coast.

Patrick Ryan at Redding told me that one to items that Redding is making a standard stock item for 2010 is dies for the “260 Imp. 40”.  That translates as the 260 Ackley Improved to you and me.

 

We talked about popular wildcats they had made dies for recently.  The 6mm SPC was one that had seen some strong interest.  I am a firm believer that the pendulum has begun to swing away from huge cartridges with super case capacity.  Economics may enter into the change but more likely it is shooters learning that they don’t like recoil, and smaller cases are the easiest route away from recoil.

 

Ballistics from the 6mm SPC will fall right between the 6mm BR and the 6mm PPC so it is in a good family.  Accuracy should be awesome in a well built gun.  It’s not as short and fat as it’s cousins but that should not hinder result too much.  Like many things in life, its more about having faith than anything else.

Headspace for Ackley Improved cases should be a no-brainer. Ackley set up probably the simplest headspace system for a line of wildcats that any gunsmith ever devised.

Rimless or Rebated Improved Chambers…

Ackley Improved cartridges in this category seem to receive the most abuse at the hands of hobbyists and local gunsmiths who do not understand the proper headspace of Ackley Improved designs. P.O. Ackley did establish specific headspace dimensions for all his Improved case designs. The process is extremely simple and for this reason alone folks seem to think they need to make it more complex. Keep it simple.

The most important innovation that Ackley brought to the “improved” concept was with regard to bottleneck rimless cases. He chose the simplest of mechanical solutions to insuring that his improved cases would safely fire factory loads. He shortened the chamber by .004” (4/1000 of an inch). Because the factory case is then a crush fit between the bolt face and the junction of the neck and shoulder, proper headspace is insured. This is why Ackley prescribes setting the barrel back on such cases. You will note that if you follow these simple guidelines there is no confusion about the headspace measurements for “Ackley Improved” designs in rimless or rebated cases.

Some confusion seems to arise out of this headspace issue. Folks get confuse between the set up for a rimless bottleneck case and a rimmed or belted case when discussing ‘Improved” chamberings. Rimless and rebated cases are the case designs which always require a barrel set back to be properly headspaced. As memtioned in the paragraph above headspace on an Ackley Improved rimless or rebated designs is .004” shorter than standard. The shorter headspace means you have no choice but to set the barrel back if you want correct headspace.

There are special Ackley, go-gauges, they have the same shoulder angle as the parent case but they are shorter. This ingenious method effectively controls headspace with factory cartridges in the new larger, ‘Improved’ chamber. The factory cartridge or parent go-gauge becomes the no-go for the new chamber. This system works because the parent go-gauge is .004” longer than the Ackley gauge, exactly the same as the difference between the parent go-gauge and no-go gauge. Example: 30-06 Ackley Improved go-gauge is used with the standard 30-06 go-gauge as the no-go gauge.

The only place the factory case will touch in the new chamber that matters is the bolt face and the junction of the neck and shoulder on the case. It will actually slightly crush the case shoulder when you close the bolt on the factory round. If you eject such a case unfired you will normally see a shinny area on the shoulder where the case was crushed just a little. This crush fit maintains proper headspace during the fire-forming process.

Chambering an Improved Rimmed Case…

Rimmed cases are the easiest of all Improved or wildcat cases to chamber for. The rim is the headspace control feature on these cases. The rim is trapped between the bolt face and the rim cut in the back of the barrel. So if the rim is headspaced correctly you can have almost any shape of case fire-formed beyond the rim, so long as it will extract. The action of the firearm is not sentient; it does not care what the chamber looks like. So rimmed cases utilize standard headspace gauges for the caliber, no Ackley gauges needed.

There is no need to set the barrel back on a rimmed cartridge when you convert it to an Improved design! Why? Because the rim controls headspace, the fact that the shoulder will be moved forward and the neck shortened has exactly NO effect on headspace. Reamers for improved cases normally have the rim cutter integral to their design. Simply paint the rim cut in the barrel with machinists blue, when the rim cutter gets close to this material just watch close, as soon as it scratches the material, stop reaming. Utilizing this method there is no danger of changing the headspace of the gun in the process of ‘Improving’ the chamber.

Rimmed cases headspace on the rim of the case only, ‘Improved’ cases of the rimmed variety often incorporate a shorter neck, thus the shoulder is moved forward to increase capacity, this is combined with increased shoulder diameter. Often rimmed cases benefit the most from an ‘Improved’ design, simply because they gain a much higher percentage of case capacity.

Chambering an Improved Belted Chamber…

What was said of rimmed cases above is also true of belted cases. Belted designs headspace on the belt much the same way rimmed cases headspace on the rim. The distance between the bolt face and the belt cut in the barrel is the headspace for these cartridges. Like the rimmed designs, ‘Improved’ belted cases use the standard headspace gauges, no Ackley gauges.

While it is possible to use machinist blue as suggested with the rimmed case, you will quickly find that it is much harder to determine if the machinist blue has been scratched, there is simply much less area to view. For this reason it is a good idea to set the barrel back when doing a belted magnum improved case. If the barrel is slick with no sight holes drilled in it you can set it back .004” so that that bolt will not close on the go gauge. Then rechamber with the Improved reamer until the go gauge will allow the bolt to close normally.

Following is information, including loading data, for the 224-32 FA cartridge. This information and loading data is only applicable to firearms manufactured by Freedom Arms, Inc. for the 224-32 FA. 

 

 

Please proceed with caution. Make the shooting sports safe and enjoyable for all of those that choose to participate in this fascinating and exciting sport. As always, make sure the proper safety gear is being used when loading ammunition or shooting firearms. Check our web site (www.freedomarms.com) periodically for updates to the following data.

The 224-32 FA is a proprietary cartridge of Freedom Arms, Inc. which utilizes the 327 Federal case. The goal in designing this cartridge was to get a high performance .22 centerfire cartridge that would work in a revolver. This cartridge was designed with small critters in mind but still being able to handle up to coyotes at fairly long ranges. As of this writing the 224-32 FA is only available for hand forming and loading, in ‘Other words, there is no factory ammunition available. Following are a few tips and cautions for the experienced reloader on loading the 224-32 FA.

The 224-32 FA case is very simple to make. Basically just lube the 327 Federal case and run it into the properly adjusted sizing/forming die, then trim the case to 1.115 to l.120 overall length. The sizing/forming die should be adjusted to set the headspace at .005 to .010. This cartridge headspaces off the shoulder, not the rim. This is easily checked by inserting a formed and trimmed case into a chamber, rotate the cylinder around so the case head shows at the top of the loading gate cutout in the receiver, then use a .005 shim as a go gage and a .010 shim as a no go gage between the case head and firewall, If forming primed cases, care must be taken to not get lube inside the case. Annealing is not required or even suggested as annealing will cause premature case sticking when fired.

After fireforming the case it can still take 2 to 4 additional firings (depending on load used) before the case is fully formed. Therefore be careful using the top loads before the cases are fully formed as case capacity will be slightly less which will cause higher pressure. Due to this it is important to keep the cases in batches according to how many times the cases have been fired.

Case life has shown to be good. You may loose an occasional case when forming but the majority of cases will last through at least ten firings. Usually, when using the upper end loads the primer pockets will stretch enough by the time ten to fifteen shots have been fired that the cases should be discarded. Before loading the cases check for neck cracks. Also, if you don‘t feel sufficient resistance when seating a new primer the case should be discarded. If you experience case separation close to the head it is due to too much headspace, because your die is set so that it bumps the shoulder too far back.  Simply back the die off enough to correct headspace.

Bullets

At this time only load data for the 40 gr. bullets have been provided as this weight seems to give the best performance. Both the Sierra Blitz King and Homady V-Max have performed well in this cartridge.

Powder

So far the two best powders for the 224-32 FA have been IMR4227 and AA1680. The IMR4227 isn’t as temperature sensitive. The AA1680 has a slower burn rate which will give more trouble free results as well as better accuracy. This cartridge has a small case capacity so be precise on weighing out the powder. A few tenths of a grain variance in a case that only holds 10 to 12 grains is a lot of variance.

Primer

The 224-32 FA is setup to use a small pistol primer. This primer has shown to provide reliable and consistent ignition of the powder. Both WSP and CCI 500 primers were tested and gave similar results. As always, care must be taken to seat the primer below the case head to prevent recoil from firing a cartridge that is not aligned with the barrel.

The 327 Federal cases come primed with the Federal 205 primer which is a small rifle primer. These primers can be used for firing forming as long as the reduced powder charge shown below is used. Small rifle primers should not be used for your regular loads as they provide too much ignition, which will cause premature rotational binding of the cylinder.

Loading Dies

Loading dies designed specifically for the 224-32FA are available from Freedom Arms. Setting the sizing/form die as described above is important. Form and trim the cases one at a time until you have the proper headspace. This should be checked each time you resize the cases for loading.

 

 

 

 

 

 

All velocities are based on a Model 97 with 10 inch barrel.  Expect a reduction of approximately 100 fps between the standard barrel lengths.  Barrel forcing cone life is expected to be 3,000 to 5,000 rounds depending on loads used.  Keep cartridges and chambers clean and dry when firing, otherwise case set back and cylinder rotational binding will occur.

 

Fireform Loads
40 gr. Blitz King or V-Max	Starting Load	Fps	Max. Load	Fps
IMR4227	9.5	1830	10	1940
AA 1680	12	1900	12.5	2020
Standard Loads
40 gr. Blitz King or V-Max	Starting Load	Fps	Max. Load	Fps
IMR4227	10	1900	12	2270
AA 1680	12.5	1965	14.5	2295

Starting standard loads assume the case has only been fireformed.

Max Standard loads assume the case has been fired a few times.

Load and shoot small batches of these cartridges until you are sure you have the process and loads down correctly. Pulling these small bullets can be a pain in the butt if the load is improper.

Visit our Web Site to see what we are up to now.

Quality Cartridge offers a wide variety of custom formed and headstamped brass.  For the first time there is a supplier who can make headstamped brass for your wildcat without having to order 10,000 rounds or more.  This interview gives you a pretty good idea of the brass and services available to you from Quality Cartridge.

http://www.qual-cart.com/

Well, pretty busy for a first day of the show. 

Found some time to get out on the show floor and look for things that might interest the wildcatters.  First stop the Lapua booth.  One of the reps asked me what I was interested in and I said, “Always looking for the new stuff.”

The first thing we looked at was the new Lapua 222 Rem. Match brass.  So, if you have always liked this cartridge or any of it’s offspring and just wished for better quality brass… Now you have it in the form of unprimed brass.  Lapua has a reputation for top quality components for reloaders, they are exceptionally strong and uniformity exceeds normal expectations by a fair margin.

The advantage of quality match grade brass is in the uniformity.  Lapua holds tight tolerances in neck concentricity, base straightness, and wall thickness.  These conditions along with quality brass, and proper grain structure make for a case that be reloaded over and over, while delivering excellent accuracy.

Loaded ammo is also available from Lapua in the 222 Remington Match case.  The current loading is with a Lapua 55 grain FMJ.

OK, Shot Show is just a couple of weeks away now.  We will be attending the show and will look for reloading tools, bullets, dies, and of course anything that might be of interest to the wildcatter.

Watch here for updates during the Shot Show. 

The 22 K-Hornet was one of the very first fire-formed “improved” wildacts.  It has stood the test of time in terms of popularity, it is still popular today to punch the chamber out on any 22 Hornet.  It’s low recoil and report make this a popular cartridge for shooter who have to worry about noise. 

Lylse Kilbourn and G.B. Crandall worked together on the Kilbourn designs including the 22 K-Hornet.  Case capacity of the K-Hornet is about 10% greater than the parent case.  Because the original case uses so little powder this improved design is more flexible in loading.  Allowing for the use of a wider variety of bullets and powders.  Of course the greatest asset of the K-Hornet is the ability to fire factory ammo to fire-form new cases.

Of current guns chambered for the 22 Hornet, the 77/22 from Ruger is a great option.  It gives you a bolt action with a removable magazine.  The conversion to this caliber is pretty simple, just bore out the chamber to K-Hornet and then modify the magazine for the fatter cases.  The magazine modification requires two changes, first the steel insert has a shoulder to hold the cases to the rear as the rise to the top of the magazine this must be moved forward to match the fire formed cases.  It can be done on a mill or with a die grinder.  Second the thimble of the magazine must be modified so the flutes will allow the fatter shoulder of the K-Hornet to ride closer to the center.

Small caliber fans know that Bill Eichelberger was a driving force in the development of calibers smaller than 22. He developed numerous cartridges in .10, .12, .14, and .20.  The most interesting thing about Bill’s work is that he made bullets, designed cartridges, and reloaded.  He developed load data for his designs and published books so that other shooters could pick up where he left off.

Bill Passed away last year but the tiny cartridges he originated will outlive him.  There are several folks working with 14 caliber’s these days.  Barrels are available from Pac-Nor, http://www.pac-nor.com/.   RAR is offering bullets and cleaning equipment, last time I talked to them they were planning to stock barrel blanks too.  http://www.reedsammo.com

Recently an acquaintance (Marty from Twistedbarrel.com) brought me a cartridge from his latest toy, a 14 Ackley Hornet.   Marty simply took the 17 Ackley Hornet and necked it down to 14 caliber with no other changes.  It’s good to see a guy name a cartridge so that you can trace it’s lineage instead of feeling the need to hang his name on it.

The toughest part of working with these lesser know cartridges is that not all reamer makers make them the same.  Be sure to check with the reamer maker for a drawing so you know what you are buying.

FDZ