by andym79 » 02 Oct 2016, 7:58 pm
I have a Winnie 94 that was previously a 375 big bore carbine, I had it re-barreled to a 25-35 and like it that way, I got it done with a nice heavy octagonal barrel, but its a bit too heavy for a scrub gun now, It was a bit unforgiving on the shoulder before even with 1600 fps 375 loads being 5 1/2 lbs.
Anyway, my mind got to thinking that as I wanted the cadet as a target rifle that perhaps, I could use the the 25 cal 25-35 in the cadet, heavy barrel doesn't matter if I have it on a bench and could scope it instead of using peep sights.
Meanwhile my 94 in 25-35 previously in 375W could be re-barreled again into a 356W (358 with a rim) with a medium weight barrel, taking it up to an 8 or 9 lbs rifle rather than the 5 1/2lbs it was originally and less than the 12lbs it currently is. I would use full loads in 356W, and at 1600 fps a 200 or 250 grainer would feel as uncomfortable as the 265 grainers in light rifle!
The rifle being a big bore has the much beefed up receiver around the locking lugs and so would have no problem with the higher pressure of a 356W, they used the same frame for the 307W. 356W and 375W.
But before I pulled the the trigger on it so to speak, I am trying to source some brass, I have not seen it in any Adelaide gun shops for about 2 years now!
I still haven't decided, there is a good chance I might still go for a wildcat or standard chamber in the 28-35 cal range in the cadet.
To be honest however I always wanted a 356W over the 375W, I have a 38-55 which is similar, but its a heavy rifle and 60-70 rounds doesn't fatigue like 20 did in the 375W.
Oh I pick them alright, also trying to source some 218bee brass rather than modifying 25-20 or 32-20 brass, but the 356W is what I am trying to source.