View Full Version : 6mm Donaldson Wasp
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.
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.
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