219 Donaldson Wasp chamber update

R

Richard Eichner

Guest
I'm looking for a gunsmith in the Northeast preferably convenient to Fairhaven, VT with a Clymer reamer or equivalent for 219 Donaldson Wasp. Reason being, that I have a lovely George Schielke built varminter on a Mauser single shot action from the 40's that appears to be chambered for the earlier 219 Gipson Wasp. I would like to have the chamber opened up to the, now more standard, Donaldson Wasp dimensions for which Redding furnishes dies so I may begin reloading for this fine old rifle . Any suggestions? I hope I'm asking my question in the correct forum. If it should be in the classified advertising I will move it there. Thanks for any info you may be able to provide.

Rich Eichner
notirhe@goldstate.net
 
I believe that some one cuts custom loading dies with edm .
This might be a better answer to your problem I believe.


An interesting book on the subject:
Twenty-Two Caliber Varmint Rifles Charles S. Landis (Author)


Try here also on the ASSRA forum:

http://www.assra.com/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?board=reload

Glenn:D
 
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If you don't want to go the custom die route:

I don't know of anyone per se, but I'd begin by calling Bob White -- and old-time benchrest gunsmith turned dealer, who still does some gunsmithing.


http://www.benchrest.com/shooterscorner/

Bob was a past IBS president, and Vermont is IBS country.

You might give some thought to getting the full-length sizing die first, then have a reamer ground to match it.
 
Rich

Both the Donaldson and Gipson are wildcats (as you know) and they are very similar in dimensions. Since there are no standard dimensions, you'd best do a chamber cast to see exactly what would be involved in re-chambering.

Personally, I'd leave it in the original chambering and have some dies made. Especially if it's an original 1940s rifle. You may even be able to use Don Wasp dies.

Ray
25ps55e.jpg
 
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I'm with Ray.
Get some dies made.

I'd love to see some pictures of the rifle.
 
Actually, I'd vote dies, too. There was a thread on the general discussion forum about a deal PTG is offering for a blank die & a resize reamer.

http://benchrest.com/showthread.php?74729-Check-The-News

With a cast of your chamber (best) or a fired, unsized piece of brass (not as good), you could spec the resize reamer. About $110 for parts it seems, plus the cost of having the reamer run into the die, & hardening if you want. It is nice to have hardened resize dies, but not necessary. Keep things clean, and the scratches will be small. If you're not in a hurry, the smith can bundle that die in with some others for hardening, which keeps the cost down. Or try one of the processes others have mentioned --such as Joel Kendrick's treatment -- meloniting, maybe?

Several ways of making a seating die.

Otherwise, Find out who got Seeley Masker's reamers -- Bob White might know.
 
Gentlemen,

Thank you for your suggestions. I contacted Bob White at Shooter's Corner and learned that he had delt with this self same problem successfully in past years so the rifle is on its way to his shop for chamber surgery. I have several photos of the rifle that I would be happy to share but I no idea how to post photographs to this forum. Suggestions?

Rich Eichner
 
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