219 wasp

L

logangrimnar

Member
Hello all,
I have acquired an old Mauser action extremely heavy barreled wooden stocked bench rifle. It was not marked with any caliber but after chamber casting with cerrosafe I am 99.5% sure it is a "long" 219 Donaldson wasp. So, does anyone have any tips or tricks on loading for this? Also does anyone by any odd chance have dies or brass on hand they'd like to sell reasonably before I go the gunbroker route?
 
Can't help you on dies and brass but I think you'll enjoy the Wasp. My dad built one in the 1980's and it's similar to yours. Trued Mauser action, thumb notch welded up, Douglas bull barrel, and Unertl glass. That rifle was a small way for us to connect to the early days of benchrest. I'll look up the exact load, but I know he landed on IMR 3031 for powder.

-Lee
www.singleactions.com
 
.219 Wasp

Years ago, I bought a .219 Wasp bench gun built on an FN action, complete with a Unertl scope. No taper to the barrel; gun probably weighed 12-14 lbs. I never loaded for it, sold the dies, and had the worn barrel replaced. However, 3031 was what the former owner recommended. Apparently this was quite a popular powder for the Wasp.
 
logangrimnar said:
Hello all,
I have acquired an old Mauser action extremely heavy barreled wooden stocked bench rifle. It was not marked with any caliber but after chamber casting with cerrosafe I am 99.5% sure it is a "long" 219 Donaldson wasp. So, does anyone have any tips or tricks on loading for this? Also does anyone by any odd chance have dies or brass on hand they'd like to sell reasonably before I go the gunbroker route?
Click to expand...

You will be alright using data for the 22 PPC or the 222 Rem Mag. I have a set of RCBS dies which are surplus to my needs. PM me for price. Regards, Bill.
 
Log,

You might try and get a copy of L.R. Wallack's book "Modern Accuracy in Bench Rest Shooting", printed in 1951. I believe it is back in print and available from Amazon. Lots of pictures of rifles like yours as well as info on the 219 Donaldson and BR in general in that era. It's pretty interesting to read.

FWIW
Steve Kostanich
 
219 Donaldson Wasp and the other Wasps

The authoritative book you need is:
TWENTY-TWO CALIBER VARMINT RIFLES
by CHARLES S. LANDIS

This book has an entire chapter and covers the many versions of this cartridge. Prior posts are correct about IMR 3031 powder.
I think you have a fine old rifle that has a lot of good shooting left in it for you to enjoy. Have fun!

Ted
 
You might try 8208 surplus

logangrimnar said:
Hello all,
I have acquired an old Mauser action extremely heavy barreled wooden stocked bench rifle. It was not marked with any caliber but after chamber casting with cerrosafe I am 99.5% sure it is a "long" 219 Donaldson wasp. So, does anyone have any tips or tricks on loading for this? Also does anyone by any odd chance have dies or brass on hand they'd like to sell reasonably before I go the gunbroker route?
Click to expand...

In 22 American,,, I used GI 322 and Thunderbird 8208,,, also in 6 American... Also shot some Scott 3032
 
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