Home Forums Reloading Varmint Rifles 19 Badger

Is anyone loading for and shooting one of these? 19 caliber bullets sitting on a necked down 30 Carbine case. Lots to love here.

Edited to correct the post title. I had a brain malfunction...

Check out James Calhoon’s Web site. Lots of info. He knows his stuff.

DF

[spoiler][/spoiler]I’m pretty sure the 19 on the 30 carbine case is the 19 Badger.... I had a 19 Calhoun on the Hornet case and it was awesome....... weak moment on my part sold it

You are correct mistem. I have both.

Thank you. I knew that but had a brain malfunction when I wrote the post.

DF, you are right, his website is filled with good information.

carlm, what are your thoughts on the 19 Badger? Would you buy one again today?

Mine is the one JC made on the CZ. I must admit, I haven't shot it much, maybe 50 rounds, but it is very accurate and it's easy to get to that accuracy because most of the load work is already done. The .19 really is a nice blend of the velocity of the .17's and the wind resistance of the .22's. If I wanted a gun for varmint colony shooting, I would definitely buy it again. The cases are really tough little guys, kind of like a mini .221 Fireball. The .19's are a lot easier to get powder in and the bullets are easier to handle. Obviously, you need to be a reloader. I bought it to go PD hunting, but never have. It would shine for that or ground squirrels. It won't foul as much as a .17, and should not heat up as much if fired at the same rate as some other rounds.

Thanks for that information.

The only down side of the 19 Badge & Calhoon is you only have one source of bullets. A guy can swage the .204 bullets to .192 and keep on trucking if James ever decides to stop making the bullets.You would have to buy the equipment. My 19 Calhoon shot thousands of prairie dogs ...... case life of the hornet was good and in high temperature the barrel stayed cool compared to a 222,223 & 22-250’s.

I thought I saw on the website there was a Sierra bullet. Am I wrong?

No, you're not. There a 32-grain Sierra BlitzKing, which improves the downrange ballistics noticeably, in trajectory, wind-drift and impact.

Calhoon makes great rifles.

Thanks JB. I think the 30 Carbine case would hold up well and last a long time in this caliber.

I own all three of James chambering’s and The badger is my favorite by far. Both of mine are CZ builds by James. Mistem I believe I bought your 19 calhoon if it was on a Ruger 77 action in a McMillan stock. It’s been a great rifle. Killed a thousand more diggers now. My cooper it shoots it but not noticeable on the killing fields

Is Calhoon's the only place to get those Sierra bullets?

Why not call Sierra and ask them who else they sell those 19cal/32gr BKs to besides Jim Calhoon? Sierra's toll-free # is 1-888-223-3006, and according to Sierra's website they'll soon start taking on-line orders.

A guy on saubier.com was selling them for like $200/ per 1000. Think he was affiliated with HSM ammunition in the bitterroot. They were going to buy Calhoon’s ooeration but deal fell through. I believe they contracted Sierra to make them and ended up with them.

I spoke with James Calhoun today and am in receipt of a list of items from which to build an order.

Of course, we expect a follow up report.

DF

Indeed, I'll provide one when everything is in place. I'm in a bit of a delimma on whether to use a 22 hornet that I currently own or buy a LH CZ from Calhoon and have it converted.

Depends on how much you use the Hornet.

Advice around here generally is toward getting a new gun.

DF

Come up to pick up the rifle.


I will meet you for lunch.

Can we go break it in after lunch?

Yep.

Prairie dogs or gophers....your pleasure.

That isn't a lefty Hornet is it?

I bought my CZ .19 Calhoon Hornet used and couldn’t be happier. It sounds like the Badger might be more of a good thing. As an aside, loaded ammunition from Jim is about the same price as commercial .17 Hornet ammo.

Yes it is. I now have 3 LH Hornets.

I'm always up for a good road trip.

Nice, you are truly blessed.

I didn't know that CZ made a LH Hornet.

Oh, it's not a CZ. I have 2 Browning A-Bolts and the Kimber of Oregon 82 I recently secured.

Mr. Leahy is only a half hour away.

Sounds like a plan is beginning to come together.

A good friend of mine is a 19Badger tragic. His understanding is that this projectile was a once off run by Sierra, at the instigation of either Calhoon or the likely buyer whilst a deal was being done for the sale of the business. It seems to have fallen through (the sale) which orphaned these projectiles as a once off run.
Cheers...
Con

That is the down side of a offbeat caliber like the 19. Not sure what to make of this but I am inclined to proceed until I'm convinced that its a dead end.

You can use a sizing die to draw 204cal to 19. I know my friend had such equipment.
Cheers...
Con

Con, I think I'm going to go with the 19 Badger which is a 30 Carbine necked down to 19 caliber.

I put in my order this morning. Looks like it will be late July before its ready but that time frame works for me. I may well drive up to pick it up. If so and if you're available, I'd like to put some rounds through it while I'm there.

On order is a LH CZ 527 with the single shot adapter. We will discuss barrel contour and length upon their arrival as he is in receipt of them now. I suspect this project will take the better part of 3-4 months. I have ordered brass, rod guide & ammo.

Its a 300-350 yard gun. How would you scope it?

Bumping this to the top.

I scoped my 527 K-Hornet with this rail adapter. http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=1133585 and vintage Leupold 3-9x40 scope.

I used low Weavers for a net low mount, IMO about as low as one can go with this gun. And, you need the new American bolt handle to clear the ocular. And, as you can see, even with the new bolt handle, it doesn't clear by much. Goes to show just how low that mount is. I get great cheek weld with this set up. James will modify the original handle, but it worked out that the CZ American handle was less expensive.

I talked to James about the clip. He told me how to cut some off the spring and I did as he directed. Works better. OEM spring a bit too strong.

DF

Thanks for that good information, Dirtfarmer. I asked James about the bolt handle and he said the new ones are better and won't likely need any modification in order to clear the scope. I'll very likely pick up one of the rails like you showed. Am hoping to be able to pick up the rifle in July...

Was thinking about left handed guns. You may want to inquire about a lefty rail. Or could mount this one in reverse. Wouldn’t have the extension but should work with shorter scopes. One could cut off the extension as it now would be facing rearward.

DF

I started thinking about that shortly after I posted. Have sent an email asking if this would interfere with a LH gun.

They do make a lefty rail, no extension, but you get 25 moa:

http://www.diproductsinc.com/Detail.aspx?PROD=967999

DF, what was the purpose of cutting the mag spring? Does it perhaps prevent the bolt from binding on the first round? If so I'll be doing that mod, if I have 5 rounds in the magazine I have to push the rear of the bolt with my thumb on the first round.

Glad they have a LH rail.

I was having issues with the very strong mag spring. James agreed about that spring situation, said he grinds the spring like I’ve shown. Did it exactly like he instructed. Seems to work better.

James is a great source for details on that action. His work is outstanding.

DF

Thanks SOtG.

If you grind the spring, go slow, don't let it get hot.

DF

YW OSU & TY DF.

haha...
Okay, here's the code...Son of the Gael was thanking Dirtfarmer and saying "you're welcome" to me. Don't give out our secret code...

I read it, had to briefly think about it.

DF

You're killin' me Smalls.

I'm just trying to learn my grandkids' language. (who don't know anything about L.O. Annie or Ovaltine except that movie, which we watch every Thanksgiving).

Best wishes.

Total disclosure, me too.