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gtaylor
12-12-2007, 02:05 PM
Can anyone shed any light on this cartridge? I was pursuing a 6mm/30-30 AI, when this one popped its head up (4-D has this reamer, and not the AI)

My usual sources are a little silent on it, but I am wondering what sort of performance I might expect from a 22, 20 or 18" barrel tied to a model 94 action? Looking to try to shove an 85 grainer at around 3000 fps or better if possible.

Thanks for any information.

Jack
12-13-2007, 09:03 AM
The Donaldson Wasp goes back to the days before WW2, when single shot rifles were very commonly made into varmint rifles. The rimmed case was needed for extraction. I believe the parent case for the Donaldson Wasp (either 22 or 6mm) was the 219 Zipper.
The 219 Zipper was a cartridge based on the 30-30 case, I believe, and was chambered in Winchester lever actions.
Confused yet? :)
You'll find some info on the Donaldson Wasp cartridges in P.O.Ackley's Handbook For Shooters and Reloaders.
The Donaldson Wasp was always a wildcat- never chambered in any factory rifle I know of.
Since the Wasp was always a wildcat, chamber specs can vary, but, I'd say the 6MM Wasp will be close to your 6mm/30-30AI, although the shoulder angle may not be quite as steep as some of the AI's tend to be. The 22 Donaldson Wasp performed about like a 225 Winchester, or maybe 100fps slower than a 22-250 (another common wildcat, back then).
I hope that helps.