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Forums10
Topics39,503
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Most Online9,918
Jul 28th, 2025
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
Several years ago my friend John Wills and I decided we needed an offhand Schuetzen rifle made for fix ammo, as apposed to breech-seating. I had an old Ballard action to use for my rifle. We decided on a .33 caliber using the .357 Maximum case necked down and trimmed to 1 6/10” we called the cartridge the 33 1-6/10 WP (PW for some reason did not sound right ;-) ). We got two .33 caliber chrome-molly gain-twist barrels from Ron Smith, built some bullets, got the brass, made the dies then made a few cartridges before ordering a cambering reamer.  
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
The rifle shot well offhand, better than the operator and it was not long before I found myself doing more bench testing than offhand shooting. I guess at heart I’m a benchrest shooter and want to see those little groups. Today I was looking for some sight parts to work on the Sedgley-Hornet that I just got when I found my unfinished palm-rest I was building for this rifle. 
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
I was sure that a breech seated bullet would shoot better than one in the case so a new bullet would be needed. I found that my .33-220 grain Pope mould cast a perfect bullet for this rifle. I next needed a breech-seater so I made an adjustable (top in picture) first to test the seating depth, once I found the right depth I made a fixed seater. If it’s adjustable it will adjust its self at the worst possible time. 
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,026
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,026 |
Man, I love this forum!
Michael, for a finale to this excellent show, could you show us your wildcat's case? (I wanna see her shoulder, her neck, her body, her base....)
(What will single shot wildcatters ever do if the .357 Max cases dry up? I wonder how many of them are actually fired in a factory .357 Max chamber as opposed to being squarshed and carved into 4.5 x 38.4R Cadets or some such brainwave? Not many, I bet. Too damn dull.)
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 465
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 465 |
A handsome rifle. I'd also be interested in the cartridge and load particulars.
Jerry Liles
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
The natural progression was I did away with pre-loaded cases and wads and was back to one case so I got a new Pope-Style re-decapper from Jerry Simmons. I have my load development on an Excel spreadsheet so will have to experiment on how to post that. 
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
THESE LOADS ARE FOR MY RIFLE ONLY! 
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881
Sidelock
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OP
Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 6,881 |
MP Sadly Deceased as of 2/17/2014
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,026
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,026 |
Michael, thanks! (THAT is what I'd call an ANSWER!).
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 625
Sidelock
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Sidelock
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 625 |
Did John Wills build a different rifle for himself? If so, would you post photos of it? Knowing John's work, I am sure it is well worth showing off!
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