6mm Donaldson Wasp?

[J23]

I've been hunting for a sort of do-all cartridge for my Contender.. I was going to have MGM build me a Carbine Barrel at 21". And by do all, I mean groundhogs up through deer.

I like the ballistics of the 6mm TCU, but I'm not crazy about a non rimmed case in the Contender. I looked into having SSK build me one in 6.5 JDJ, but after talking to them for a bit it seems that 225 Winchester cases are defunct, almost impossible to find, and worth their weight in gold when you do. I looked at the BRM line of cartridges by EAB Co., But there's not a whole lot of information about them, and honestly with the luck I have had with MGM barrels, I'd like to stick with them if possible.

So I asked them if they could build me a Contender Barrel chambered in 6mm Donaldson Wasp, which they said they could even though it's not listed as one of their chamberings. I know it's based on a 30-30 case which I have plenty of and are quite easy to get and cheap, dies are a little pricey but available.. the problem is I can't find any load data aside from the little bit that I have in my pet loads book from Ken Waters.

Anyone have any insight or experience? From the little bit I have read, I'm guessing I could send an 87 grain VLD out of the 21 inch barrel at around 2800fps? Sound right?

Anyone have any thoughts or second opinions?

[pertnear]

I've been looking in Ackley's handbook & I can not find the 6mm Donaldson Wasp, but there are loads for the 6mm/.30/30 if that helps. These loads are shown as MAX so use common sense along with a good dose of caution. Use this data at your own risk. The only other info given is that the parent case is necked down & then fireformed, so it has a sharper shoulder, but no angles or volume is given.

75gr Bullet 37gr IMR3031 3450 fps
85gr Bullet 37gr IMR4895 3300 fps
90gr Bullet 41gr IMR4320 3345 fps
105gr Bullet 38gr IMR4320 3015 fps

Good luck. This sounds like an efficient wildcat!

[rickiesrevenge]

Quickload doesn't have that case in it. It does have a 6mm x 30-30AI. With a 21" barrel it shows top end loads getting mid 2700's.

Aaron

[Chuck Miller]

The 6mm DW is only 1.75 long so a lot shorter than a 6x30/30AI. Sides are tapered with no AI shoulder. Speeds will average 3-400 less than a 243. There are 2 different lengths, the original is 1.750.

[Hal]

The Donaldson line of case were made by Harvey Donaldson not P.O. Ackley.

Check out the 6BR line of cases. The 6BR,6BR -AI or the 6 Dasher all are very accurate and setting records.
They get around 2900 + fps with the 105 grain bullets. loading dies and reloading info are easy to come by.

The 6DW means custom reamers and custom dies = more money.
Get a chamber reamer and a resize reamer made at the same time . Use them to chamber and make your dies.


The 6BR cases are a lot stronger than the 30-30 line of cases.

[Jingle]

" but I'm not crazy about a non rimmed case in the Contender."


Hence why he is looking at the 30/30 case as the rimmed cases fair better in single shot break open actions.

https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/c8cad...779d129c1f.pdf

6mm Bullberry maybe worth a look.

[long shot]

If you want to do the custom route with a "rim" why not do a 6mm Swift IE
6mm Lee Navy or one step further and do a 6mm Swift AI? Anything formed off the Swift casing will certainly be a strong casing........

Aaron

[rickiesrevenge]

Aren't the BR and swift cases to fat for a contender? Probably be ok if kept at low pressure.

If you like the 6mm TCU you might consider a TCU based on the RWS 5.6x50R brass. You could have a rimmed TCU!

Aaron

[ray h]

Didn't Todd K. do a 6mm in his Classic line. He'd have dies probably too.

[thekriebles]

Originally Posted by ray h

Didn't Todd K. do a 6mm in his Classic line. He'd have dies probably too.

You are correct Ray!