ICL cartridges
Encyclopedia
ICL cartridges are rare hunting
wildcat
cartridge
s developed by Arnold & Vern Juenke, gunsmiths who owned Saturn Gun Works in Reno, Nevada.
ICL cartridges are wildcats based on conventional cases in use at the time. They feature a 45 degree shoulder and the sides are straightened out compared to the parent cartridge. Most of the cartridges are considered improved cartridges since they simply create more powder space while maintaining the same caliber as the parent cartridge. Most of the line of cartridges carries an animal name in addition to a numeric designation. It is one of the most complete lines of wildcats, having a large number of cartridges with a variety of calibers.
Quality Cartridge is the only manufacturer making new brass cases correctly headstamp
ed for many ICL cartridges.
, it is similar to the K-hornet. Performance using a 40 gr bullet is 2515
to.
. It's similar to the Mashburn Bee and the R-2 Lovell and can move a 40 gr bullet at 2675
to
case, with performance similar to a .219 Wasp. Performance for a 45 gr bullet is 3341 foot per second, for a 55 gr bullet is 3211 foot per second, and for a 63 gr bullet is approximately 3000 ft/s (914.4 m/s),
Performance with a 45 gr bullet is approximately 3750 ft/s (1,143 m/s) and with a 55 gr bullet is approximately 3450 ft/s (1,051.6 m/s)
with improved characteristics such as steeper sides and shoulder angle, but is not improved in the sense that you cannot fire form
factory ammunition in its chamber. Performance with a 50 gr bullet is approximately 3875 ft/s (1,181.1 m/s) and with a 55 gr bullet is approximately 3755 ft/s (1,144.5 m/s). P.O. Ackley noted that it is more efficient than standard .220 Swift improved cartridges, and not over-bore.
and similar to the .25/35 Ackley Improved. Can also be made by necking-down .30-30. P.O. Ackley calls it "efficient and surprising". Performance with a 87 gr bullet is approximately 3100 ft/s (944.9 m/s) and with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 2650 ft/s (807.7 m/s).
and is a standard improved cartridge. Performance with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 3200 ft/s (975.4 m/s) and with a 117 gr bullet is approximately 3040 ft/s (926.6 m/s).
that is necked-down and blown-out. At the time it was considered an over-bore cartridge, before the advent of more appropriate slower-burning powder. Performance with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 3700 ft/s (1,127.8 m/s) and with a 117 gr bullet is approximately 3450 ft/s (1,051.6 m/s).
that is necked-down and blown-out. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is approximately 2855 ft/s (870.2 m/s).
but with a longer neck for easier handloading
. Performance with a 120 gr bullet is approximately 3545 ft/s (1,080.5 m/s) and with a 140 gr bullet is approximately 3315 ft/s (1,010.4 m/s).
necked up to .270. It's a relatively efficient cartridge for its class. Performance with a 130 gr bullet is approximately 3405 ft/s (1,037.8 m/s) and with a 150 gr bullet is approximately 3250 ft/s (990.6 m/s).
necked up to .7mm. Performance with a 140 gr bullet is approximately 3405 ft/s (1,037.8 m/s) and with a 160 gr bullet is approximately 3230 ft/s (984.5 m/s).
being necked-down, trimmed, and then fire-formed. The large case is well-suited to heavy bullets. Performance with a 160 gr bullet is approximately 3225 ft/s (983 m/s).
case that is improved and necked to .30 caliber, essentially the same as the .277 ICL Flying Saucer, but necked-up. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3360 ft/s (1,024.1 m/s), with a 180 gr bullet is up to 3030 ft/s (923.5 m/s) and with a 220 gr bullet is up to 2800 ft/s (853.4 m/s).
. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3041 ft/s (926.9 m/s), with a 180 gr bullet is up to 2791 ft/s (850.7 m/s) and with a 220 gr bullet is up to 2336 ft/s (712 m/s).
or .308 Norma Magnum
. P.O. Ackley favored short .30 caliber magnums and called it "highly recommended." Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3590 ft/s (1,094.2 m/s), with a 180 gr bullet is up to 3200 ft/s (975.4 m/s) and with a 220 gr bullet is up to 2705 ft/s (824.5 m/s).
.300 ICL Grizzly is based on the .300 H&H Magnum
, and indeed the two are so similar that .300 H&H ammunition can safely be fired through a rifle chambered in .300 ICL Grizzly, as can the ammunition of another .300 H&H-based cartridge, the .300 Weatherby Magnum. The casings will fireform
upon discharge.
necked up to .270 and a pushed-back shoulder to create the steep angle common to all ICL cartridges and a long neck for improved handloading
. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is approximately 3545 ft/s (1,080.5 m/s) and with a 180 gr bullet is approximately 3185 ft/s (970.8 m/s).
. Performance with a 180 gr bullet is approximately 3415 ft/s (1,040.9 m/s) and with a 200 gr bullet is approximately 3145 ft/s (958.6 m/s).
and works well in Enfield and single-shot actions. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3235 ft/s (986 m/s) and with a 180 gr bullet is up to 2870 ft/s (874.8 m/s).
that is similar to the .375 Weatherby Magnum
. Performance with a 270 gr bullet is 2885 ft/s (879.3 m/s) and with a 300 gr bullet is up to 2720 ft/s (829.1 m/s).
. Performance with a 270 gr bullet is approximately 2995 ft/s (912.9 m/s) and with a 300 gr bullet is approximately 2843 ft/s (866.5 m/s).
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
wildcat
Wildcat cartridge
A wildcat cartridge, or wildcat, is a custom cartridge for which ammunition and firearms are not mass produced. These cartridges are often created in order to optimize a certain performance characteristic of an existing commercial cartridge.Developing and using wildcat cartridges does not...
cartridge
Cartridge (firearms)
A cartridge, also called a round, packages the bullet, gunpowder and primer into a single metallic case precisely made to fit the firing chamber of a firearm. The primer is a small charge of impact-sensitive chemical that may be located at the center of the case head or at its rim . Electrically...
s developed by Arnold & Vern Juenke, gunsmiths who owned Saturn Gun Works in Reno, Nevada.
ICL cartridges are wildcats based on conventional cases in use at the time. They feature a 45 degree shoulder and the sides are straightened out compared to the parent cartridge. Most of the cartridges are considered improved cartridges since they simply create more powder space while maintaining the same caliber as the parent cartridge. Most of the line of cartridges carries an animal name in addition to a numeric designation. It is one of the most complete lines of wildcats, having a large number of cartridges with a variety of calibers.
Quality Cartridge is the only manufacturer making new brass cases correctly headstamp
Headstamp
A headstamp is the markings on the bottom of a cartridge case designed for a firearm. It usually tells who manufactured the case. If it is a civilian case it often also tells the caliber, if it is military, the year of manufacture is often added....
ed for many ICL cartridges.
.22 ICL Gopher
Based on an improved .22 Hornet.22 Hornet
The .22 Hornet is a low-end vermin, small-game and predator centerfire rifle cartridge. It is considerably more powerful than the .22 WMR and the .17 HMR, achieving higher velocity with a bullet twice the weight. The Hornet also differs very significantly from these in that it is not a rimfire...
, it is similar to the K-hornet. Performance using a 40 gr bullet is 2515
to.
.218 ICL Bobcat
Based on the .218 Bee.218 Bee
The .218 Bee is a .22 caliber centerfire rifle cartridge designed for varmint hunting by Winchester in 1938. The cartridge was originally chambered in lever-action rifles, which may have ultimately led to its lack of popularity...
. It's similar to the Mashburn Bee and the R-2 Lovell and can move a 40 gr bullet at 2675
to
.224 ICL Benchrester
Based on the .250-3000 Savage.250-3000 Savage
The .250-3000 Savage is a rifle cartridge created by Charles Newton in 1915 and is also known as the .250 Savage. The name comes from its original manufacturer, Savage Arms and the fact that the original load achieved a 3000 ft/s velocity with an 87 grain bullet.-Background:Charles Newton...
case, with performance similar to a .219 Wasp. Performance for a 45 gr bullet is 3341 foot per second, for a 55 gr bullet is 3211 foot per second, and for a 63 gr bullet is approximately 3000 ft/s (914.4 m/s),
.219 ICL Wolverine
Based on a .219 Zipper Improved, the Wolverine is useful for varmint hunting, such as woodchucks.Performance with a 45 gr bullet is approximately 3750 ft/s (1,143 m/s) and with a 55 gr bullet is approximately 3450 ft/s (1,051.6 m/s)
.224 ICL Marmot
The Marmot is based on the .220 Swift.220 Swift
The .220 Swift is a semi-rimmed rifle cartridge developed by Winchester and introduced in 1935. It was the first factory loaded rifle cartridge with a muzzle velocity of over...
with improved characteristics such as steeper sides and shoulder angle, but is not improved in the sense that you cannot fire form
Fire forming
The term fire forming in firearms refers to the process of reshaping a metallic cartridge case to fit a new chamber by firing it within that chamber...
factory ammunition in its chamber. Performance with a 50 gr bullet is approximately 3875 ft/s (1,181.1 m/s) and with a 55 gr bullet is approximately 3755 ft/s (1,144.5 m/s). P.O. Ackley noted that it is more efficient than standard .220 Swift improved cartridges, and not over-bore.
.25 ICL Magnum
The .25 ICL is a necked-down improved version of the .264 Winchester. It is similar to the .257 Weatherby. Performance with a 87 gr bullet is approximately 3900 ft/s (1,188.7 m/s) and with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 3700 ft/s (1,127.8 m/s)..25-35 ICL Coyote
Based on the .25-35 Winchester.25-35 Winchester
The .25-35 Winchester, or WCF was introduced in 1895 by Winchester for the Winchester Model 1894 lever action rifle...
and similar to the .25/35 Ackley Improved. Can also be made by necking-down .30-30. P.O. Ackley calls it "efficient and surprising". Performance with a 87 gr bullet is approximately 3100 ft/s (944.9 m/s) and with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 2650 ft/s (807.7 m/s).
.257 ICL Whitetail
The Whitetail is based on the .257 Roberts.257 Roberts
The .257 Roberts a medium powered .25 caliber cartridge known affectionately as the Bob. It has been described as the best compromise between the low recoil and flat trajectory of smaller calibers such as the .22 and 6mm, and the strong energy but not the strong recoil of larger popular hunting...
and is a standard improved cartridge. Performance with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 3200 ft/s (975.4 m/s) and with a 117 gr bullet is approximately 3040 ft/s (926.6 m/s).
.25-270 ICL Ram
The Ram is based on a .270 Winchester.270 Winchester
The .270 Winchester was developed by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1923 and unveiled in 1925 as a chambering for their bolt-action Model 54. The cartridge is based upon the .30-06 Springfield...
that is necked-down and blown-out. At the time it was considered an over-bore cartridge, before the advent of more appropriate slower-burning powder. Performance with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 3700 ft/s (1,127.8 m/s) and with a 117 gr bullet is approximately 3450 ft/s (1,051.6 m/s).
6.5 ICL Boar
The Boar is based on a .270 Winchester.270 Winchester
The .270 Winchester was developed by Winchester Repeating Arms Company in 1923 and unveiled in 1925 as a chambering for their bolt-action Model 54. The cartridge is based upon the .30-06 Springfield...
that is necked-down and blown-out. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is approximately 2855 ft/s (870.2 m/s).
6.5mm ICL Magnum
The 6.5 ICL is an improved .264 Winchester Magnum.264 Winchester Magnum
The .264 Winchester Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked rifle cartridge. Apart from the .257 Weatherby Magnum, it is the smallest caliber factory cartridge which uses the standard length Holland & Holland belted magnum case...
but with a longer neck for easier handloading
Handloading
Handloading or reloading is the process of loading firearm cartridges or shotgun shells by assembling the individual components , rather than purchasing completely assembled, factory-loaded cartridges...
. Performance with a 120 gr bullet is approximately 3545 ft/s (1,080.5 m/s) and with a 140 gr bullet is approximately 3315 ft/s (1,010.4 m/s).
.277 ICL Flying Saucer
The Flying Saucer is a necked-up blown-out .257 Roberts. Performance with a 140 gr bullet is approximately 3150 ft/s (960.1 m/s) and with a 175 gr bullet is approximately 2565 ft/s (781.8 m/s)..270 ICL Magnum
The .270 ICL is an improved .264 Winchester Magnum.264 Winchester Magnum
The .264 Winchester Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked rifle cartridge. Apart from the .257 Weatherby Magnum, it is the smallest caliber factory cartridge which uses the standard length Holland & Holland belted magnum case...
necked up to .270. It's a relatively efficient cartridge for its class. Performance with a 130 gr bullet is approximately 3405 ft/s (1,037.8 m/s) and with a 150 gr bullet is approximately 3250 ft/s (990.6 m/s).
7mm ICL Magnum
The 7mm ICL is an improved .264 Winchester Magnum.264 Winchester Magnum
The .264 Winchester Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked rifle cartridge. Apart from the .257 Weatherby Magnum, it is the smallest caliber factory cartridge which uses the standard length Holland & Holland belted magnum case...
necked up to .7mm. Performance with a 140 gr bullet is approximately 3405 ft/s (1,037.8 m/s) and with a 160 gr bullet is approximately 3230 ft/s (984.5 m/s).
7mm ICL Tortilla
The Tortilla is an improved 7x57. Performance with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 3200 ft/s (975.4 m/s) and with a 117 gr bullet is approximately 3040 ft/s (926.6 m/s).7mm ICL Wapiti
The Wapiti is a more complicated wildcat based on the .300 H&H Magnum.300 H&H Magnum
The .300 H&H Magnum Cartridge was introduced by the British company Holland & Holland as the Super-Thirty in June, 1925. The case was belted like the .375 H&H Magnum, and is based on the same case, as also is the .244 H&H Magnum. The belt is for headspace as the cases' shoulders have a narrow...
being necked-down, trimmed, and then fire-formed. The large case is well-suited to heavy bullets. Performance with a 160 gr bullet is approximately 3225 ft/s (983 m/s).
.300 ICL Tornado
The Tornado is based on a .257 Roberts.257 Roberts
The .257 Roberts a medium powered .25 caliber cartridge known affectionately as the Bob. It has been described as the best compromise between the low recoil and flat trajectory of smaller calibers such as the .22 and 6mm, and the strong energy but not the strong recoil of larger popular hunting...
case that is improved and necked to .30 caliber, essentially the same as the .277 ICL Flying Saucer, but necked-up. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3360 ft/s (1,024.1 m/s), with a 180 gr bullet is up to 3030 ft/s (923.5 m/s) and with a 220 gr bullet is up to 2800 ft/s (853.4 m/s).
.30/06 ICL Caribou
The Caribou is an improved .30-06. With heavy bullets it can reach the same level as factory loads for the .300 H&H Magnum.300 H&H Magnum
The .300 H&H Magnum Cartridge was introduced by the British company Holland & Holland as the Super-Thirty in June, 1925. The case was belted like the .375 H&H Magnum, and is based on the same case, as also is the .244 H&H Magnum. The belt is for headspace as the cases' shoulders have a narrow...
. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3041 ft/s (926.9 m/s), with a 180 gr bullet is up to 2791 ft/s (850.7 m/s) and with a 220 gr bullet is up to 2336 ft/s (712 m/s).
.30 ICL Grizzly Cub
The Grizzly Cub is a shortened magnum for standard length actions. It's created by re-forming either a .338 Winchester Magnum.338 Winchester Magnum
The .338 Winchester Magnum is a .33 caliber belted rimless bottlenecked cartridge introduced in 1958 by Winchester Repeating Arms Company|Winchester. It is based on the blown out, shortened .375 H&H Magnum. The .33 is the caliber at which medium bore cartridges are considered to begin...
or .308 Norma Magnum
.308 Norma Magnum
The .308 Norma Magnum cartridge was created by Nils Kvale at Norma, Sweden. Like the larger .358 Norma Magnum it is based on the .300 H&H Magnum. The length of the case is the longest that would fit in a standard Mauser action. While it appeared to have a bright future initially, it was soon...
. P.O. Ackley favored short .30 caliber magnums and called it "highly recommended." Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3590 ft/s (1,094.2 m/s), with a 180 gr bullet is up to 3200 ft/s (975.4 m/s) and with a 220 gr bullet is up to 2705 ft/s (824.5 m/s).
.300 ICL Grizzly
.300 H&H Magnum
The .300 H&H Magnum Cartridge was introduced by the British company Holland & Holland as the Super-Thirty in June, 1925. The case was belted like the .375 H&H Magnum, and is based on the same case, as also is the .244 H&H Magnum. The belt is for headspace as the cases' shoulders have a narrow...
, and indeed the two are so similar that .300 H&H ammunition can safely be fired through a rifle chambered in .300 ICL Grizzly, as can the ammunition of another .300 H&H-based cartridge, the .300 Weatherby Magnum. The casings will fireform
Fire forming
The term fire forming in firearms refers to the process of reshaping a metallic cartridge case to fit a new chamber by firing it within that chamber...
upon discharge.
.30 ICL Magnum
The .30 ICL is an improved .264 Winchester Magnum.264 Winchester Magnum
The .264 Winchester Magnum is a belted, bottlenecked rifle cartridge. Apart from the .257 Weatherby Magnum, it is the smallest caliber factory cartridge which uses the standard length Holland & Holland belted magnum case...
necked up to .270 and a pushed-back shoulder to create the steep angle common to all ICL cartridges and a long neck for improved handloading
Handloading
Handloading or reloading is the process of loading firearm cartridges or shotgun shells by assembling the individual components , rather than purchasing completely assembled, factory-loaded cartridges...
. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is approximately 3545 ft/s (1,080.5 m/s) and with a 180 gr bullet is approximately 3185 ft/s (970.8 m/s).
.300 ICL Magnum
The .300 ICL is an improved .300 H&H Magnum.300 H&H Magnum
The .300 H&H Magnum Cartridge was introduced by the British company Holland & Holland as the Super-Thirty in June, 1925. The case was belted like the .375 H&H Magnum, and is based on the same case, as also is the .244 H&H Magnum. The belt is for headspace as the cases' shoulders have a narrow...
. Performance with a 180 gr bullet is approximately 3415 ft/s (1,040.9 m/s) and with a 200 gr bullet is approximately 3145 ft/s (958.6 m/s).
.303 ICL Improved
The .303 is an improved cartridge based on the .303 British.303 British
.303 British, or 7.7x56mmR, is a .311 inch calibre rifle and machine gun cartridge first developed in Britain as a blackpowder round put into service in December 1888 for the Lee-Metford rifle, later adapted to use smokeless powders...
and works well in Enfield and single-shot actions. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3235 ft/s (986 m/s) and with a 180 gr bullet is up to 2870 ft/s (874.8 m/s).
.375 ICL Kodiak
The Kodiak is an improved cartridge based on the .375 H&H Magnum.375 H&H Magnum
The .375 Holland & Holland Magnum is a powerful rifle round and one of the best-known and most popular medium-bore cartridges in the world. The .375 H&H was only the second cartridge ever to feature a belt, now common among magnum rounds. A popular misconception is that the belt is for headspace,...
that is similar to the .375 Weatherby Magnum
.375 Weatherby Magnum
The .375 Weatherby Magnum is a .37 caliber rifle cartridge. The cartridge is a blown out, improved and provided with the Weatherby double radius shoulder – given the Weatherby treatment – version of the .375 H&H Magnum...
. Performance with a 270 gr bullet is 2885 ft/s (879.3 m/s) and with a 300 gr bullet is up to 2720 ft/s (829.1 m/s).
.375 ICL Magnum
The .375 ICL is an improved .375 H&H Magnum.375 H&H Magnum
The .375 Holland & Holland Magnum is a powerful rifle round and one of the best-known and most popular medium-bore cartridges in the world. The .375 H&H was only the second cartridge ever to feature a belt, now common among magnum rounds. A popular misconception is that the belt is for headspace,...
. Performance with a 270 gr bullet is approximately 2995 ft/s (912.9 m/s) and with a 300 gr bullet is approximately 2843 ft/s (866.5 m/s).