Was thinking about the CPA action and a fast stepping 25  for a varmint  barrel.  Wondered if the 25 caliber based on the 348 or something like that had been done   Something like a 25/06 with a rimmed case.  I have the opportunity to shoot long range coyotes as well as deer and antelope  a 25/06 would be nice  but really seem to need a rimmed case   any suggestions 

Quisto56

Thanks for the information  That will be alot easier  I didnt know the cases you mentioned were the same except for the rim. Hopefully  I will get this started before too long. Sort of exciting to think about one rifle that will shoot 25/06  and 45/70 or 348. Sort of covers all the game with one rifle.
Thanks again 

Quisto56

Quisto56,

  Actually the first thing I would do is to give a call to Paul Shuttleworth at CPA and see if some of these cartridges you're contemplating can be safely chambered in their action.

  The 44 1/2 action is a relatively strong action, and CPA's use of a slightly thicker frame and modern steels still doesn't make it the equivalent of a Mauser type bolt action.

PETE

Pete raises an interesting question. I didn't address action suitability since I don't care for Stevens very much, but the strength issue is certainly an important one. Regardless of my personal prejudices, the 44 1/2 action is still not one of the very strongest of the single shots & might not be a suitable candidate for 50,000 psi or previously-untested wildcat load development in the upper ranges.

Several stronger actions lend themselves to a switch-barrel configuration although CPA is the only one that offers it in factory form (I believe). If official NRA BPCR Silhouette competition isn't a consideration then you might consider a Martini or Sharps Borchardt or other hammerless design, and there are several external-hammer actions that would work nicely albeit on a custom-built basis.
TIA, Joe

The CPA action is plenty strong enough for high pressure cartridges of the normal variety. You DO need to get the heat treated varmint action. CPA chambers the rifle for .225 Winchester which is about the diameter of the 30"06 and is a fifty thousand pound cartridge as loaded by the factory.

Incidentally, Roberts used the original Stevens 44 1/2 action in the development of the .257 Roberts. I am a .257 Roberts fan and have two of them. That would be an excellent choice in a rimmed case and if you want a bit more, then the Ackley .257 Roberts Improved (with a rimmed case) would be a fine choice. Frankly, a .257 standard Roberts will drive a 100 grain bullet at 3000 fps. That is a fine load. I loaned one of my Roberts to a friend and he took a nice black bear with it (115 grain Nosler Partrtion bullet at 2800 fps). One shot kill.

Your switch barrel idea is not a bad idea and if you just load with common sense, the heat treated CPA (NOT the case hardened action) will do just fine. Read CPA's web site for further information.

Dale53

Quisto,

I think I would keep the cartridges compatable in a number of areas.

First Rim size.  You can put together a switch barrel based on the same family of cartridges.  For example the 30/06 has a .473 rim and a number of good cartridges are formed from it.

.358 Winchester, .308 .7mm08 .257 Roberts .243 Win and .22 250 all share the same base dims

A 7x57 rimmed would do the same thing and perhaps would be the best base case for a CPA

Compatablity lets you switch barrels without changing extractors and share loading tools, In fact with press type dies you can use the same set up and only change the neck sizing ring and bullet seater 

Also the cartridges would share the same working pressure which gives you better feel for what is happing as you work up your loads. And perhaps they would like the same powder too.

Another thing is for a modern set up there is no reason to go for the long cartridges.  As much as I like the 30/06 it is 100 years old and designed for the powder avalable at the time. You never need to fill the case with modern powders.  It's better to use one of the shorter cartridges for modern rifles . More accurate and efficent

Also for a single shot there little reason to use a tapered case. They were designed to feed in magazines. The staight sided wildcats not only hold a bit more powder they handle preassure better and don't need as much triming. For hand dies straight sides work better.  Any of the 06 based rounds are avalable as a straight sided wildcat.

Tell you the truith  I keep my CPA's for target use but have put together the basics of a hunting switch barrel SS. Of course our Eastern hunting and game laws favor a different set up. I am shooting a T/C carbine on a Contender action in .22 lr & .22 K Hornet. 

This year I am adding a .45x209 muzzle loader and intend to add a high velocity deer round sometime. Probably a improved 7/30 Waters but perhaps a .25  on the 30/30 case. I do want straight sides on the deer cartridge. The K Hornet vs the standard one convinced me it's a better way to go.

I put Leopold QR bases on the barrels and use a 3/9 compact A/Objective Leopold scope. Premier Reticule added target knobs and the rifle will zero after barrel and scope switches when I dial in the proper settings. It never needs more than a click or two to fine tune zeros. I don't know if it do so well in the higher recoiling rounds. 

You project should be a lot of fun and be very usefull for hunting.

Boats

I feel that the .25 Niedner Krag would be an excellent choice for varmint and thin skinned game. Fine caliber and very accurate. If you wish to pursue switch barrels for different calibers then the 30-40 Krag case lends itself to A) 30-40 Krag, B) 40-70 SS, and i am sure many other cases based on the 30-40 krag. Also in single shots you have the benefit of a strong rimmed case. I have a .25 Niedner Krag on a Hiwall and it is a tackdriver. Regards, FITZ.