375WIN Wildcat .

[dbateman]

I have a win94BB chambered in 375Win and it's not in the best shape so I was just thinking are there any improved or wildcat rounds based on the 375 ?

[Lefty Dude]

IIRC; there is a 444/375 wildcat round developed by someone.

[handirifle]

Unless the 444 case is shortened it won't work. Too long to cycle in the BB. Paco Kelly, did a wildcat from a 356 improved case.

Here's a link to his article on it. Interesting, got quite a lot of power from it.

http://www.leverguns.com/articles/paco/375-356.htm

[gundownunder]

Isn't wildcatting about experimenting to find something better than the original?

First question would be, how is your 375 "not in the best of shape"
IE is the barrel kaput or is the chamber kaput.

If you need a new barrel you could just rebarrel as a .375, or neck it down to .35, .33, .32 or .30.
Find a smith that can do both the rifle and the reloading dies so that they match.

[Hobie]

Isn't wildcatting about experimenting to find something better than the original?

First question would be, how is your 375 "not in the best of shape"
IE is the barrel kaput or is the chamber kaput.

If you need a new barrel you could just rebarrel as a .375, or neck it down to .35, .33, .32 or .30.
Find a smith that can do both the rifle and the reloading dies so that they match.

i.e. the .35-30, .32 WS or .30 WCF (.30-30)...

[dbateman]

Thanks guy's it's not to bad it still shoot's ok but I bought it supposedly in as new condition and it's not so it has always annoys me so I never shot it as much as i would like so I was thinking about it and though I could get it refinished and then I though what could I build on it ?

[JFE]

If the barrel is in good condition a very easy wildcat on this rifle is the 375/356 Win. I read Paco's article but I thought that it was a little too complicated for me. I looked at a lot of options but in the end I really wanted something simple and straight forward. The problem with wildcats is cost, one offs cost a small fortune in reamers and dies.

The 375/356 is a very easy upgrade and you end up with a rifle in the cartridge Winchester should have made in the first place. Also, for a rifle as light as a top eject 375 BB, you really dont want any more recoil.

[Ji in Hawaii]

25/35

[BenT]

Yep 375/356 would be the easiest and best fit. Of course if your going to rebarrel then 250 Savage.

[C. Cash]

If it were me, I think I'd stick with the current caliber. All of the big bores which used the 356/444 case diameters had the thicker barrel. I assume the engineers did this for a reason. The 375 Win. had the thinner, more standard profile. All use excellent steel, but it would make me more happy if there were more steel surrounding the cartridge at the chamber/threads especially, if going for the much wider, equally high pressure cartridge of the 356/375 Wildcat.

[tman]

If it were me, I think I'd stick with the current caliber. All of the big bores which used the 356/444 case diameters had the thicker barrel. I assume the engineers did this for a reason. The 375 Win. had the thinner, more standard profile. All use excellent steel, but it would make me more happy if there were more steel surrounding the cartridge at the chamber/threads especially, if going for the much wider, equally high pressure cartridge of the 356/375 Wildcat.

+1

[JFE]

If it were me, I think I'd stick with the current caliber. All of the big bores which used the 356/444 case diameters had the thicker barrel. I assume the engineers did this for a reason. The 375 Win. had the thinner, more standard profile. All use excellent steel, but it would make me more happy if there were more steel surrounding the cartridge at the chamber/threads especially, if going for the much wider, equally high pressure cartridge of the 356/375 Wildcat.

What is the diameter of your 356 at the chamber end ?

In the case of the 375 chamberings in top eject and AE models - yes, the AE does have a heavier barrel profile, however at chamber end it has the same diameter as the top eject model.

[C. Cash]

A forum member here...."Marc" Had layed out the measurements a few years ago, but I can't find them with a search. The 307, 356 and 444's had the larger threads(and chamber face, I believe). The 375 was smaller overall. When guns "let go" the thread area seems to be critical, so in my armchair expert opinion I've always thought the more metal, the better if your going to remove more metal in the chamber, to fit cases of the diameter of the 308 Win. These are just my thoughts but I sometimes over think things. Over engineering in this area seems wise when you could be running 50-52k CUP.

I will get out the calipers when I get a free moment JFE.

[dbateman]

Thanks guys I might just leave it how it is and clean it up and enjoy it the way it is .


On another note I just bought an original mod 71 just waiting on it to get here

I just need to load some ammo for it I cant wait to take it out for a shot guns like that need to be used


and yes I am exited I have been looking for one for a long time .

[C. Cash]

At the very least you've got a classic rifle in a classic caliber. With a little TLC it should shine up for you. Congrats on the 71!

[tman]

Neither the .375 WCF or the 348WCF need improved. Either will kill anything in North America. The 348 gives you flatter tragectory and a little more range. You have an excellent battery.