.366 DGW

The .366 DGW is a wildcat cartridge that was designed by Maine gunsmith Judson Stewart Bailey, and named after its original creator, David G. Walker.

Development

According to Frank Barnes' "Cartridges of the World" (14th Edition), "Walker's idea was to achive optimum performance from the .416 Rigby parent case, directly necking it down to accept .366 (9.3mm) bullets.

With a .24-inch barrel propelling high sectional density and ballistic coefficient bullets at relatively low pressures, Bailey believes the .366 DGW will shoot flatter and out-penetrate the Remington Ultra Magnums, the .338 Lapua, and the .338/378 Weatherby.

In 2001, Bailey successfully hunted with the cartridge in South Africa, taking zebra, kudu, warthog, wildebeest, nyala, blesbok, and gemsbok.

Ballistics

The ballistic data below is from Cartridges of the World 14th Edition, sourced from Judson Bailey.

Bullet Type & Weight (gr.)	Powder Type	Powder Charge (gr.)	Velocity (ft/s)	Energy (ft lbs)	Source
Nosler Boat Tail 250 gr.	IMR4350	98.0 gr.	3,253 ft/s	5,875 ft/s	Judson Bailey
Nosler Partition 286 gr.	IMR7828	103.0 gr.	3,020 ft/s	5,775 ft lbs	Judson Bailey
Swift A-Frame 300 gr.	H4831	97.0	2,911 ft/s	5,607 ft lbs	Judson Bailey

Actual Use

Frank Barnes notes that a rifle chambered in the .366 DGW is strictly a custom proposition. It appears rifles such as the Ruger No. 1 single-shot and converted Enfield P14 rifles have proven to be suitable candidates.

He also suggests that various rifles including Beretta/Sako TRG-s and longer Brno ZKK 602 and CZ actions would be suitable as well.

Reloading dies may still be available from RCBS (we couldn't confirm this), and caliber-correct bullets are available from manufacturers such as Nosler, Swift, Woodleigh, Barnes and Speer, if one were so inclined.