Should I go down the Wildcat Road?

[wildwilderness]

Been thinking of a good cartridge for a compact rifle build I’ve contemplated during the dark winter days. So Far been considering the 338 RCM or the 338 Sherman Short. Barrel will be 18-20” so I started messing around with some bullets and brass and put these together- not much out there in the 35!

 

[wildwilderness]

So the 35 wsm has a lot more info out there. I can’t find anything on the 35 SAUM though. The current donor rifle is a Rem Model 7 with oem bottom metal which limits the max OAL to 2.80”

 

[Ryan Avery]

Everyone should waste time on a wildcat at some point

 

[tdhanses]

I say go for it and let us know, sounds interesting. I’m voting wsm.

 

[menhaden_man]

Badass!!! I’ve got a 35 Rem with at least 20 animals on it... haven’t shot anything with it in about 15 years but really miss those double lung punches with 5 yards of blood spray on the opposite side!

 

[wildwilderness]

The wsm should go a bit faster. What I don’t like about it is the bullet seated so far in at 2.8”. I would probably need to go extended magazine for the wsm. I may be able to test the SAUM out with an inexpensive rebore from JES on the current barrel (it’s chambered in 300 SAUM. Or just go the easy route and Get a 350 Rem Mag?

Any experience with these? How about getting dies?

 

[bitbckt]

At that COAL, it doesn't look like you're getting all that much benefit out of the WSM over the SAUM. Have you tried charging them? Curious to know what the usable difference is.

The 225 Sierra GameKing might seat better.

 

[wildwilderness]

At that COAL, it doesn't look like you're getting all that much benefit out of the WSM over the SAUM. Have you tried charging them? Curious to know what the usable difference is.

The 225 Sierra GameKing might seat better.

I have not tried powder in them to see how much I could put in. Those were the bullets I had on hand to see what it looks like. A 225 or 250 gr would seat better in the WSM case at that COAL.

I did seat the WSM out to 2.95” and it looks much better, if that’s the route then an extended mag or DBM with AICS mag would be the ticket.

 

[N2TRKYS]

If its already a 300 SAUM, don't mess with a good thing. Unless, of course, you want to make it a 7 SAUM. COAL hasn't given me any issues in my Model Seven 7 SAUM.

 

[wildwilderness]

If its already a 300 SAUM, don't mess with a good thing. Unless, of course, you want to make it a 7 SAUM. COAL hasn't given me any issues in my Model Seven 7 SAUM.

I already have a custom 7 SAUM! I really like the case for the short action. I have thought about leaving it a 300, but that 35 bullet pokes a big hole and is a good bear stopper for here in Alaska

 

[tdhanses]

I say go 35, just sounds badass.

 

[tdot]

If you speak to Rich at Sherman Wildcats, I believe he has a 35 and 375 reamer. If you're going to an extended magazine, then a 35 Sherman Max would possibly have more case capacity then the SAUM or the WSM, it may even work without the extended magazine.

Definitely keep us updated!

 

[Phil j]

Or you could just go with the.350 rem mag hand loaded they’re awesome

 

[Bsnyder]

im in the middle of 3 sherman builds and it has been fun so if your in to having a gun not many people have then you will enjoy it but im having a 7 sherman max built to shoot the 195 bergers and 177 hammers. The 195's shold leave the muzzle at 3150 to 3200, and im having built with a gain twist barrel. The wife is building a 270 sherman and i have a 6.5 sherman short that im waiting on the bolt. Brass is expensive but its really good brass, dies are alittle more expenivse than say redding comps but thus far im enjoying and looking forward to seeing how they preform. I say drive on in and go for it.

 

[bitbckt]

I, for one, welcome our new Sherman overlords.

 

[wildwilderness]

If you speak to Rich at Sherman Wildcats, I believe he has a 35 and 375 reamer. If you're going to an extended magazine, then a 35 Sherman Max would possibly have more case capacity then the SAUM or the WSM, it may even work without the extended magazine.

Definitely keep us updated!

Last I checked there was not a 35 cal Sherman offered. They DID say a 375 cal Sherman, I think SS, was in development. the 375 would be on the heavier side than what I am looking for. As mentioned I am still considering the 338 SS or the 338 SST

 

[bigburr]

Hell, I want one now. Im a big SAUM fan. Just turned my favorite 300 SAUM into a 7. Would be awesome to throw some fatties.

 

[Kickstep]

Did you end up doing a .358 WSM? If so how’d it go?