Old wilcats in Old rifles

[LC Smith]

I love them. My two favorite varmint guns are a Low Wall in .218 Mashburn Bee, and a High Wall in .219 Wasp. Anybody else shooting the old guns?

[Ron in Mn]

Just sold a set of C & H forming dies for 219 Donaldson Wasp on e-bay that I had with some gun stuff from an estate sale. Never had anything in that caliber but it looks like a good cartridge. I have some lever actions, Marlin 93 in 32-40, old 1894 in 32-20 and 44-40, 25-20 cast bullets for and reload. Am looking for a marbles tang sight for the Marlin 93 in 32-40.

[jnyork]

I shoot an 1886 Winchester in .33WCF for Lever Action Silhouette. Also, a Savage 23d, made in 1932, .22 Hornet, one of my favorite PD guns. Old is good!:D

[Terry N.]

I'm shooting a .32-20 Winchester in an old Colt DA revolver; not PD accurate - especially with those sights and my eyes, but it's a fun one to shoot.

[Dr. Bubba]

Also have a No.1 that is a switch barrel from 218 Bee to a 25-20WCF. Not an old rifle but in the same spirit.

DB

[glenn asher]

A friend of mine had a Wasp in an 88 Commission rifle (Mauser) that someone had converted many years ago. He was pretty careful with that old timer, which is why he still has his fingers, I guess.....

[mistergreenjeans]

wow yes I started with a custom pre 64 a 1953 custom 220 swift wildcat with a 10X unertl now i just cant get enough ... a m64 anschutz w/ a 20X unertle varminter, a 219 don wasp with a 36 br leupold , aanschutz 1533 manlicher a browning safari in 222 and just got a wright's gun shop custom 25-06 built in 1964 with a 20 unertl programer with a canjar i do love the old custom stuff

[LC Smith]

mistergreenjeans, that is quite a stable you have there. Which rifle gets the most of your time?

[kim]

My father has a .22-250 Vaminter, built on a 98 Mauser action with an Apex barrel, double set triggers, 10 power Weaver, in a beautiful stock of birdseye maple. The gun is probably in realm of 60 years old, at least. It was the first centerfire I ever shot and at 7 or 8 years old I was impressed to say the least. Must be what started my obssesion with the damn things.

Molon Labe

Kim

[Don M.]

I have a 219 Donaldson Wasp (in .224 caliber) that I have fireformed
50 rounds of brass for. It has a blueprinted 722 Remington Action,
Krieger Barrel, 40X modified trigger (2 ounces), McMillan Stock, and
this thing is a shooter. I was impressed by the fireforming loads. I
just need time to get out this spirng and get some serious shooting
with it. The 219 Donaldson Wasp was one of the very early bench-
rest rounds. I think most of the early cases were made from the 30-30.
I made my cases from 30 Americans. Really neat looking case. I guess
I like something different than is commonly available is probably why I
had this rifle built. Looking forward to putting it through the paces
enjoying this great old round.

[bluehaze]

I got a 1885 Hi Wall in 219 AI that's pretty neat, a 1898 Krag converted to single shot in 218 Mashburn Bee, and a 1903-A3 built in the 50's in 22 Varminter, still have the Hollywood dies. Sort of like the older ones myself.

Chuck

[LC Smith]

Chuck,
How does the High Wall in .219 AI shoot? What's your favorite bullet/powder combo?

[bluehaze]

L. C. Smith

I don't have a lot of combinations simply because I have a stockpile of what I do use. Anyway I load 28.5 BLC2 under a 50 gr Sierra HPBT. It gives me a respectable 1/2 at 3265, not bench rest quality but the ground squirrels don't know that. When I have to change bullets I will most likely go to a V-Max. I could probably load somewhat hoter, but really don't need it. Check out Load Data .com there are a lot of loads for the standard Zipper there.

Chuck

[Larry L]

I've got a 219 Donaldson Wasp and a Mashburn Bee as well. I haven't had either one out of the closet in years. Of just old cartridges I have the 218 Bee standard, 22 Hornet, 25/20, 25/35, 32/20, 38/40, 38/55/, 351 autoloader, and 45-70. I also have a very old 8x 48R which is in the schutzen rifle configuration and made by Saur and Sons of Germany. I'm sure everybody has a 30/30 and 32 Win Spec. I prefer the old poppers more than the new hotrods. Guess I'm showin muh age.

[LC Smith]

Larry, get them old varmint rifles shooting, and give us a report!

[n2stom]

Hi to all, mostly I shoot an old stevens 414 , I have a fondness for old bolt guns too. Recently picked up a Check Mauser in 219 Donaldson. I have a bag of new 25-35 brass and reloading dies, but no forming dies. Anybody have a set of forming dies to sell or maybe recommendation on where to get? I understand there are at least two variations long includes length of rim and the original shorter. I have an old 10x Unertl on this with a canjar trigger. I really want to send a few down range with this . I've heard a lot of good things about the 219 wasp. I did purchase some premade brass but is was made for long chamber . thanks Tom

[Dbingen]

I have a Stevens 441/2 falling block in 22 hornet. It has a been re-barreled with a douglas barrel. It is a sweet shooter, easily shooting 1/2 inch groups with 40 grain V-Max or the (sob) discontinued 40 gr. Barnes varminator.

[Alpine Storm]

I have a 219 Donaldson Wasp (in .224 caliber) that I have fireformed
50 rounds of brass for. It has a blueprinted 722 Remington Action,
Krieger Barrel, 40X modified trigger (2 ounces), McMillan Stock, and
this thing is a shooter. I was impressed by the fireforming loads. I
just need time to get out this spirng and get some serious shooting
with it. The 219 Donaldson Wasp was one of the very early bench-
rest rounds. I think most of the early cases were made from the 30-30.
I made my cases from 30 Americans. Really neat looking case. I guess
I like something different than is commonly available is probably why I
had this rifle built. Looking forward to putting it through the paces
enjoying this great old round.

I shot my dad's last summer in SD. It was a laser beam. It's ballistics are incredible for the amount of recoil. 411 yards with 5mph wind was my best.

[Bandit]

LC.I got bit years ago by the old bug. I guess that goes with my age. I have a 219 Zipper Imp. in a high wall. Also thinking about a high wall in 25 Krag and a Stevens falling block in 32-40. Those pld cartridges are a lotta of fun. Bandit

[Bruce Herndon]

Do you fellows know that "Doc" that used to post here a good bit is related to Harvey Donaldson?

[219DW]

My .219 Wasp is a thirty-something year old Ruger #3, but the barrel is getting old and worn out and so am I, so maybe we qualify for this thread.
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww25/219DW/rifle013.jpg
I had this rifle built in 1994 and have shot it almost 6000 times at paper and PD's.
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww25/219DW/rifle2007.jpg
.219 Wasp is 2nd from left
http://i702.photobucket.com/albums/ww25/219DW/rifle2010.jpg
Left group was shot in 1994, right group was shot last summer after 5900+ rounds. Made 600 cases out of R-P 30-30 brass back when rifle was new. Have been getting some split necks the last couple years.
Dave

[TinMan]

Gee Dave, after 15 years, maybe it's time to anneal the necks....... Still looks great! When you rebarrel it, will it stay a 219DW?

[219DW]

Tinman,
Yep, they should have been annealed several years ago. Its one of those things I know I should do but never have gotten set up for. My reasoning is that you start with a new barrel and 5-600 rounds of new brass, the barrel and the brass wear out at about the same time, you scrap the brass and barrel and move on to a different cartridge, keeps things interesting.
I'll keep shooting the .219 Wasp as long as it will stay under 3/4". If I like my
.204 Wasp as well as I think I will after our Pd shoot in May, might have to have another one. Seems like a waste to only use a reamer one time.
Do you have any interest in old Handloader magazines? PM me if you do.
Dave

[FatAlbert]

To anyone that shoots a 219 DW. E. Arthur Brown Co. sells formed brass at $55@100. Their web site is http://www.eabco.com/brass01.html

[lone ranger]

One of my rifles this year came from an estate sale, it is 1917 Enfield mounted in a oversize stock, 30" stainless barrel of 1.25"OD with brake in 219 D. Wasp.....it came with reloads made from W-W Zipper cases, probably 16 pounds total. Thought I have a dozen newer rifles to work with, this one is special as I can see what previous owner did back in the 50's and it's my mission to continue on.......LR

[acloco]

One of my rifles this year came from an estate sale, it is 1917 Enfield mounted in a oversize stock, 30" stainless barrel of 1.25"OD with brake in 219 D. Wasp.....it came with reloads made from W-W Zipper cases, probably 16 pounds total. Thought I have a dozen newer rifles to work with, this one is special as I can see what previous owner did back in the 50's and it's my mission to continue on.......LR


Would like to see pictures of this one as well.

[LC Smith]

Sounds like a sweet Stevens in Hornet. Im dickering on a 044 1/2 Stevens. It will either become a K hornet, or a .17 AH

[John in CA.]

In the old car auctions like Barrett-Jackson, the hottest sellers by far this last two years are the older rods that are well kept, or restored but left with their original 1950's modifications intact. They are not the fastest, but their appeal seems to be how they represent the first wave of true hot rod innovation.

Much like some of the rifles in chamberings you guys listed above.

Some of those cars crossed the block with mild interest for 15 to $30K 3 years ago sold for 150 to $300,000.00 in Februarys Scottsdale sale.