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Wildcat .245 information
diamondpete
Member Posts: 71 ✭✭
I recently purchased a Eddystone 1917 rebarreled with a Flair Ace .245 chambered barrel. I have did some research in Cartridges of the World, 10th edition and googled Flair barrels, all without any results. All I've been able to find is that Flair made custom barrels and is long out of business. What I am requesting is if any of the experts monitoring this site have any knowledge of this caliber and how and if it can be manufactured. Also whether this barrel can be rechambered in a common standard caliber, i.e., 243? Any information or suggestions on returning this to a functional firearm would be appreciated.
Comments
2. I never heard of a .245 caliber. I do not see it in CH or Huntington/RCBS lists. I think it is time for a chamber cast to see what you really have.
If the groove diameter is OK? Have a gunsmith do a chamber cast to see if the chamber would clean up with a .243 or 6mm reamer.
If not he will have to remove barrel. Face it off and rethread, so that the chamber hopefully can be cleaned up for either .243 or 6mm.
W.D.
Could you barrel be chambered for the .244 Remington cartridge? (from GUNS Magazine, May, 1961):
I happened to have a box of 244 Rem shells and tried one of them in this rifle. It was close, but bolt wouldn't close. The same was true with a .243 shell, which didn't even go completely into the chamber. I don't have all the calibers listed in the ad for Flaig barrels, but will try those I have. The main problem I am encountering at this time is I can't find a single caliber that uses a .245 diameter bullet. I think I will do a chamber cast as suggested by Rufe-Snow. I have never done this before, but have the casting material and instructions. Thanks to all for the good information. You guys always come through.
diamondpete
I assume you've cleaned the chamber well.
Is the 244/6mm Remington you have a fired case or a partially resized reload? If so your chamber could have been cut a little smaller than the gun your test case was fired in.
The 243 is a shorter round but the shoulder is wider so it was bumping into the more tapered chamber walls of the 244.
It could be chambered or throated too tight.
I would almost want to just lower the bolt handle on a 244 round, provided it didn't require hammering with a mallot, then look where the shiny marks on the case are. If it telescopes the bullet deeper, you'll know it was throated too tight and needs custom seated bullets. If it changes the shape of the case, you'll know it's somebody's wildcat. The telescoped or malformed case would, of course, then have to be pulled apart and corrected, or disposed of safely.
Another thing that could shed some light on what you have is the age of the conversion because wikipedia or another source should be able to tell you when 244 was introduced.
You've just about used up the alloted 10 replies and you are still no closer to an answer than you were when you started. Maybe you need to start over. A good place to start is with more information. Where did you get the .245 caliber designation? Is it stamped on the barrel? A photo would help. Why do you call it a wildcat? Is that something that is stamped on the barrel or just something you are assuming?
It's impossible to answer a question like yours without some details and, even better, a photo or two.
JMHO
Ray
I suggest you send a private e-mail, to one of our moderators, who goes by the name of Nononsense. He has worked with, and developed many a cartridges, and has extensive resources, of which to research from. Left click on his name, and his profile will come up. Then click on his e-mail.
Best
We do lock these threads after the 10 responses so I'm sneaking this in so you will start another thread.
Please pay attention to the threads about chamber casting and slugging the bore. This information will prove to be invaluable when we get some pictures from you with the chamber information and any other markings on the action/barrel.
If you need help with either of these processes please let us know and we can post some instructions. There are several folks with the experience necessary to assist with this mystery.
When you start the next thread simply title it as before but with something like 'Part 2'.
Best.