375 "Wildcat" from Downunder

[geoff rath]

I've been in touch with good bloke, gunbuilder, and D/G rifle specialist Anthony George, of N T Gunsmithing, at Nhulunbuy, in the Northern Territory. He builds all sort of interesting stuff, living as he does in Water Buff country. When he deeds meat, he goes and gets his own, fresh out of the bush.
A recent build was a present for himself as a XX birthday present, to chase Chital (successfully, I will add); two shots, two animals, at range. The wildcat? 375/280AI. He quoted 235 grain Woodleigh @3231 fps; NOT A MAX load; 28" barrel. He will be trialling various monolithics in the future.
For those who would challenge his work, he's a military-trained craftsman, with a well-established record her in Oz. A reamer will be forthcoming from Manson, and for dies an approach to Hornady is ongoing.
For those who would consider a switch-barrelled bolt rifle, imagine a 280AI, and this wildcat as a L/.G alternative....
Personally, I'm considering a Ruger No 1 rebarrel build; he calls Ruger No 1s "artillery-actioned rifles ...

 

[John Wasmuth]

Anthony George is a top notch builder of some great stuff. A wealth of information for sure.

 

[Graham Hunter]

235gr @ 3231 from a 280 case. Hmmm.

 

[CBH Australia]

A freind put me in touch with Anthony recently.
He has a .458wm built on a Tikka M65 action, one of a kind. Apparently he likes to come up with unusual builds.
After meeting some other Aussie AH members I'm finding this is a small community and many have mutual connections with other members and in the industry.

 

[Mekaniks]

Yeah I think I need to see more…. Especially if we are talking about a 235g 375dia bullet out of a 280ai (30-06 parent) case @ 3231fps

 

[CBH Australia]

So, are we saying this is even better than a .35Whelen?
Based on an 280A.I. case it's gotta be better.

 

[Sarg]

Yes that is a crazy high velocity out of that case, I think Id need to see that, must have super high pressure or so you would think ?

Hell that's a long way to see your Gunsmith in Gove ?

 

[geoff rath]

Yes that is a crazy high velocity out of that case, I think Id need to see that, must have super high pressure or so you would think ?

Hell that's a long way to see your Gunsmith in Gove ?

We gun enthusiasts talk, and support each other

 

[geoff rath]

Gi9ven his experience, He's a bloke i would trust; I know he's done several 404s, and many large caliber rifles. His stocks are from the masterful hands of BDR Gunstocks, in Brisbane...

 

[425SCHADE]

This is it,

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

I've been in touch with good bloke, gunbuilder, and D/G rifle specialist Anthony George, of N T Gunsmithing, at Nhulunbuy, in the Northern Territory. He builds all sort of interesting stuff, living as he does in Water Buff country. When he deeds meat, he goes and gets his own, fresh out of the bush.
A recent build was a present for himself as a XX birthday present, to chase Chital (successfully, I will add); two shots, two animals, at range. The wildcat? 375/280AI. He quoted 235 grain Woodleigh @3231 fps; NOT A MAX load; 28" barrel. He will be trialling various monolithics in the future.
For those who would challenge his work, he's a military-trained craftsman, with a well-established record her in Oz. A reamer will be forthcoming from Manson, and for dies an approach to Hornady is ongoing.
For those who would consider a switch-barrelled bolt rifle, imagine a 280AI, and this wildcat as a L/.G alternative....
Personally, I'm considering a Ruger No 1 rebarrel build; he calls Ruger No 1s "artillery-actioned rifles ...

@geoff rath
The 375/280AI sounds like the 375 Whelen reinvented.
The velocity available with the 232gn of 3231fps out of a 28 inch barrel seems a bit high to me, but it is possible to get 3,120fps with a 200gr out of the 35 whelen so it may be possible.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

So, are we saying this is even better than a .35Whelen?
Based on an 280A.I. case it's gotta be better.

@CBH Australia
Chris the 280AI is based on the 30-06 case as well the same as the 338-06, the 35,375 and 400 Whelen are all dated on the 06 case.
3231 fps with the 235gn does seem a bit high.
Maybe @jwp475 can chime in and give his thoughts.
Bob

 

[geoff rath]

Points to consider; the quality of Nosler brass; and the quality of his work; it speaks for itself. I know Anthony's load, but won't quote it. Those who have availed themselves of one of his "builds" vouch for him and his work, not me, so far ... as written earlier, wit months of builds ahead of him ; he has made recommendations of others whom he trusts to match it. I'd love to see the load pressure tested .....

 

[geoff rath]

This is it,

View attachment 465697

Thinking of duplicating it?? Looks good, eh??

 

[CBH Australia]

@CBH Australia
Chris the 280AI is based on the 30-06 case as well the same as the 338-06, the 35,375 and 400 Whelen are all dated on the 06 case.
3231 fps with the 235gn does seem a bit high.
Maybe @jwp475 can chime in and give his thoughts.
Bob

Bob, if it’s based on a .280ai case I’m gunna say it’s better. Ok,
Now your with me.
I’ve spoken with Anthony . Sounds like he makes some wild stuff. Like a .458wm on a Tikka M65
I’m. It up with the technical side but he is and I guess he knows the limit’s.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Points to consider; the quality of Nosler brass; and the quality of his work; it speaks for itself. I know Anthony's load, but won't quote it. Those who have availed themselves of one of his "builds" vouch for him and his work, not me, so far ... as written earlier, wit months of builds ahead of him ; he has made recommendations of others whom he trusts to match it. I'd love to see the load pressure tested .....

@geoff rath
The quality of the brass has nought to do with it. Norma brass just has more uniform flash holes and come prechamfered. Apart from that it has the same metallurgy as other brass cases. Workmanship plays a small part in it. There are a lot of good smith's out there like Rob Spittles, tse engineering who even make actions as well as barrels,Allan Swan, Robert Tobler just to name a few.
I'm not saying it can't be done safely but there's only so much you can do with an 06 case. I run my 35 Whelen at near max pressure and it's impressive but I can only get 2,950fps out of it with a 225gn Woodleigh. Yes bullet base area plays a part in it along with expansion ratio but I don't think it would be that much.
Could you PM me his load so I can run it against load from a disc. My results will only be communicated to you and no one else. What does it do with 275gn and 300gn. The speed he gets with the 235s would make it devastating on pigs and deer but for bulls and buff in the territory I would want a heavier bullet.
Cheers Geoff you have peaked my interest.
Bob

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Bob, if it’s based on a .280ai case I’m gunna say it’s better. Ok,
Now your with me.
I’ve spoken with Anthony . Sounds like he makes some wild stuff. Like a .458wm on a Tikka M65
I’m. It up with the technical side but he is and I guess he knows the limit’s.

@CBH Australia
280AI OR 35AI makes no difference its still an 06 case and there is only so much you can do. The same with a longer barrel will only give an extra 25fps per inch. So with the AI case giving say an extra 100fps and a 28 inch barrel giving say another 100fps that a total of 200fps more than standard.
In the 35AI it takes up to 4 grains more powder to get the same velocity as the standard Whelen. The other few grains only gives up to 100fps more velocity. That's why I went back to the standard Whelen it wasn't worth the time, projectiles or powder for such a small gain. The same with the 280AI you only get 100 to 150fps more than the standard 280 load. Load the standard 280 properly and that advantage diminishes. The AI case was designed to give longer case life the added velocity was only obtained because of higher pressures and reduced case back thrust.
As I have said I'm not saying it can't be done I'm asking how it is being done.
Bob

 

[R.M.C.]

You have my curiosity, 28 inches should be enough to burn all the powder a man could stuff in a .280 case

 

[Bullthrower338]

I’m pushing the limits of my 375 Whelen AI to get into the upper 2500’s with a Speer 235 grain bullet. Fire forming loads are in the 22-2300 FPS range. I will be interested to see what you actually get out of the rifle when it’s done

 

[TTundra]

That is something. 375 Rum territory on a 280AI case