Pistol Caliber options.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

For small game which one would you go for?

32 ACP
32 Long Colt
30 Carbine

Looking at caliber conversions for the 308Win and not sure which one would be most suitable. Confused

Dimitri

Pumpkinslinger · Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 9:10 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Caliber options.

You mean an insert? Seems to me that the .30 carbine would work well.

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

Yes a chamber insert. Looking for something that will mean a rabbit or other small game will still be edible after you shoot it, verses lets say with a normal 308Win round. Smile

Dimitri

Vince · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:53 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Caliber options.

'Mitri....you are missing a great opportunity here to buy a new firearm of the calibre that suits your needs mate. Very Happy

Now, if this is another one of your design projects...building a sub-calibre fitting for the .308, then I would look at a rimfire calibre...maybe even a .17 Rimfire. Also, don't pass up on some other pretty good pistol calibres mate.
.221 Fireball comes to mind, as does some of the IHMSA 7mm calibres like 7mm TCU. Then again, there is always the .22 Hornet and its Ackley Improved brother, or the old venerable 32.20.

At the end of the day mate...calibre is not a major issue for rabbits, as our good mate Gelan has shown...45-70 wtf

...so maybe load down the .308 and use some lighter bullets.

Cheers, Vince

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

No not another one of my design projects, looking at the options available from here:

www.mcace.com/

Emailed them inquiring if they ship to Canada and if there will be additional shipping costs for it. So waiting back on the response. Smile

Dimitri

chambered221 · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:24 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Caliber options.

Vince wrote:

.221 Fireball comes to mind,

Yeah !!! that one Very Happy

Check your bullet diameters D. !!!

I know the carbine is .308, but not sure about the others.

A17Shooter · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:26 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Caliber options.

Instead of an insert, use 120 - 130 gr gas checked cast bullets with Green Dot, Herco or similar. A hard cast bullet at maybe 1700 fps will anchor a rabbit with little or no meat damage. You can eat it right up to the hole!

JMHO

Dimitri · Super Member Joined: Nov 25, 2005 Posts: 5944

I never actually started to reload. I have a press and dies but no powder scale, and the like. Sad

Dimitri

chambered221 · Posted: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:41 pm Post subject: Re: Pistol Caliber options.

Dimitri,

I see two areas of concern that I hope your aware of.

First is the bullet diameter.
The ACP with a .309 lead bullet will probably be ok.
The Colt is listed at .313, to much squeeze factor for me.

I know from my experience with handguns (with lead bullets) a 1 or 2 thousandths can make a world of difference in groups.

Second is the twist of the rifling.
308’s usually have a 1-10 twist.
Pistol bullets are a lot shorter requiring 1-16 twist.
(contrary to what a lot of guys believe, twist is based upon length rather than weight)

I’m not saying you can’t do it but, if your looking for consistent accuracy you might want to think this out a little more.

K.W. · Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:18 am Post subject: Re: Pistol Caliber options.

Dimitri, adapters are cumbersome and difficult to handle, especially in Winter. I handload reduced / subsonic loads with heavey bulluts (mor footpounds) using VihtaVuori N-32C-Tin Star Powder. I use silencers with some guns too.
Kauko.