What is a .33 Walker Mag?

[KansasTrapper77]

Big fan of Ruger No. 1s like everyone else it seems and found one with a price tag of less than $1000 which intrigued me. Come to find out it’s chambered in “.33 Walker Mag.” Clearly stamped on the barrel. So obviously this is an aftermarket job, does anyone have any idea what it is? Supposedly the action at least was made in 1968. But I don’t know what cartridges were offered that year if it helps.

.33 Walker Mag.

Any Ideas.

 

[rabid wombat]

No idea…this is what googlefu did for me…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.33_Winchester
https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/338-caliber-rifle-cartridges/377434

Maybe time for a chamber casting….

 

[.38 Special]

Walker - I think first name "Dave" - ran a tool and die (or machining or some such) company and developed wildcats. This was somewhere in the '60s, I believe. I've never heard of the .33 - Walker was mostly known for the .14, I think - so I can't be sure it's the right guy, but that's where I'd start my research. (There's also Mike Walker of Remington and the .222, of course, but I don't think I've ever heard a .33 associated with him - not that I'm completely sure about any of it...)

 

[KansasTrapper77]

No idea…this is what googlefu did for me…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.33_Winchester
https://www.shootingtimes.com/editorial/338-caliber-rifle-cartridges/377434

Maybe time for a chamber casting….

I’ve been googling up a storm, and I don’t own it so a cast would be tricky. Just curious if anyone knew.

 

[.38 Special]

@KansasTrapper77, this is the only thing I could come up with. Sounds like roughly your neighborhood - assuming the gun is local to you. Still no idea if he was responsible for the .33, but it seems likely.

https://loaddata.com/Article/BenchTopics/14221-Walker/136

 

[KansasTrapper77]

Here is the listing for anyone interested.

https://www.tylergunworks.com/store/RIFLES-c35507511

My initial thought was buy it and find a No. 1 barrel for sale on EBAY or Gunbroker but then my better senses took over and reminded me I have other projects to complete first.

 

[.38 Special]

I saw that while Googling the cartridge, but thought maybe you didn't want folks buying it out from under you. It's a weird one for sure. I briefly thought about it for the same purpose as you, but the buttstock appears to have been fiddled with too - and may be about 16 inches of pull!

 

[KansasTrapper77]

That poor No. 1 has been molested, but it would make a good donor rifle for someone who had the time and money.

 

[Jim Watson]

Call up Gryphon Gunworks and ask them what the chamber is.
But an 18" barrel on a wildcat magnumb? Not a combination I would be interested in.

 

[WestKentucky]

Probably a .338 bullet, and I would guess a belted mag parent case. From that time period there were a bunch of magnums around to pick from. Could be interesting. Could be a nightmare.

A chamber cast would be best by far, but you can probably tell enough (to make an educated guess anyways) about the chamber with a set of digital calipers. Use the tang to feel for chamber features and measure everything from a known zero point. That’s how I figured out a couple 16ga shotguns from way back with short chambers. Few FFLs would let somebody do a chamber cast, but most would let somebody poke around the chamber with a set of calipers on an oddball unknown caliber that they are just hoping to sell.

As for the stock, I would cut that joker where it’s been spliced together and be rid of that questionable joint.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

We had 2 gunsmith in ne fl named Walker. The nephew used to make rifles and did outstanding work. His name was Lee Walker. I think the odds of it being him are pretty good.