There seems to be a lack of interest in the .19 Badger in this forum. To me it looks like it is a necked up version of Ackley's .17 Pee Wee, an interesting cartridge in its self. What experiences has anyone had with this little .19 beast? I know what Calhoon lists as his velocity, but it is most likely the highest one achieved, what would be the the velocity for the most accurate loads? Anybody here tried the .19 Fireball? There is so little difference between .20 and .19- is there any advantages for the .19?
.19 Badger- is it worth it?
- Thread starter rkfinn
- Start date
IDBob
New member
I spent several years running a small gunsmith shop and my motto was the customer was always right. After all he was the fella paying the bills.
On the other hand It's hard to beat the Ruger 204 for just about any varminting. There are no advantages for many of the wildcats folks are building, but there still being built. From a gunsmiths point of view it's a windfall for us.
Nothing like pumping money into our economy for a cartridge you have to fireform and reload for and buy custome made bullets for and the only way you can get the rifle is spend several hundred to several thousands to keep my family and a custom bullet maker's and barrel makers families fed.
There are certainly advantages for the 19 over the 20 and from all my fellow gunsmiths I say go for it.
With all the factory cartridges available today from the 17 fireball, to the 17 Remington to the 204 Ruger and the multitude of .224's and 6mm/243's available I certainly can't see the value of one of the in-betweeners.
If I was giving advice to a young feller considering such a move I'd say put your money into a custom built rifle in a standard varmint caliber that meets your need rather than one that will be near impossible to sell down the road when the new wears off.
On the other hand It's hard to beat the Ruger 204 for just about any varminting. There are no advantages for many of the wildcats folks are building, but there still being built. From a gunsmiths point of view it's a windfall for us.
Nothing like pumping money into our economy for a cartridge you have to fireform and reload for and buy custome made bullets for and the only way you can get the rifle is spend several hundred to several thousands to keep my family and a custom bullet maker's and barrel makers families fed.
There are certainly advantages for the 19 over the 20 and from all my fellow gunsmiths I say go for it.
With all the factory cartridges available today from the 17 fireball, to the 17 Remington to the 204 Ruger and the multitude of .224's and 6mm/243's available I certainly can't see the value of one of the in-betweeners.
If I was giving advice to a young feller considering such a move I'd say put your money into a custom built rifle in a standard varmint caliber that meets your need rather than one that will be near impossible to sell down the road when the new wears off.
Thanks.
I know what you are saying, and I agree. I am not exactly new to firearms, been shooting for 38 years, some of it being shot at as well. I also worked in the firearms business, I was involved with SAKO and some of the new products that they introduced years ago, including famous previously wildcat cartridges. I also worked on exotic advanced military type automatic weapons development. I guess that I'm interested in these "odd balls" because I have all the usual, 223's, 204's, 221,BR's, etc..
My experience with .19 is zero. The Badger case indicates possibility of very high efficiency, low fouling, and importantly, low report level. That been said, the important thing is accuracy and effective range (coyotes). I have helped to keep smiths in business for decades, can't stop now.
I know what you are saying, and I agree. I am not exactly new to firearms, been shooting for 38 years, some of it being shot at as well. I also worked in the firearms business, I was involved with SAKO and some of the new products that they introduced years ago, including famous previously wildcat cartridges. I also worked on exotic advanced military type automatic weapons development. I guess that I'm interested in these "odd balls" because I have all the usual, 223's, 204's, 221,BR's, etc..
My experience with .19 is zero. The Badger case indicates possibility of very high efficiency, low fouling, and importantly, low report level. That been said, the important thing is accuracy and effective range (coyotes). I have helped to keep smiths in business for decades, can't stop now.
Arizonahunter
New member
I think you better order one!
Recently I was reading all the info on their web site and am intriqued with the 19 Badger. However, I just got a .204 Ruger last year (which is fantastic)so my wife is not yet ready for me to get another varmint rifle.
So, order up a 19 Badger and please report back on it's performance!
Recently I was reading all the info on their web site and am intriqued with the 19 Badger. However, I just got a .204 Ruger last year (which is fantastic)so my wife is not yet ready for me to get another varmint rifle.
So, order up a 19 Badger and please report back on it's performance!
Get it! I have the .19 Calhoon, .19 Badger, and the .19-223. All three of my .19's are less then MOA I have found that the Badger is the most acurate of my three .19's. I use it for groundhogs out to about 300 yards. No recoil, low noise, and a good strong case ( .30 Carbine).
Nothing like having the odd balls.
Jeff
Nothing like having the odd balls.
Jeff
White Eagle
New member
if you want to be in the same old same old don't get a 19 cal
I had a 19 cal, that being said would highly recomend Calhoons service and his products
The idea of having something different intriged me and bought a 19-223 which btw is an outstanding round
I have since change my view on what a coyote rifle should be so it went down the road and had absolutely no trouble getting it sold
so if it trips your trigger go for it and have fun
I had a 19 cal, that being said would highly recomend Calhoons service and his products
The idea of having something different intriged me and bought a 19-223 which btw is an outstanding round
I have since change my view on what a coyote rifle should be so it went down the road and had absolutely no trouble getting it sold
so if it trips your trigger go for it and have fun
BHLBAMA
New member
I would love to have a 19. Ive talked to Mr. Calhoon on the phone on probably 10 different occasions about the caliber and other take off barrels I have bought from him. He is a A++++ class guy and everything I have ever bought from him was worth the money and probably more. His bullets are GREAT. If you have the money I would buy one....... he sells the brass and bullets for you so you dont have to fireform and all that mess. If you have any questions just call him. He is a straight shooter and I promise you he isnt hurting for a sale enough to try and con anyone into buying. It wont cost $200 or $300 more than any nice 204 if that. Save a month or two longer and get something you'll be proud of in a year from now. Not something like a 204 or 22 250 that the classifeds are flooded with now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
Last edited:
claimbuster
New member
No 19 Badger...yet. Someday I will have one, assuming I can get Cooper to build one. However, there are 2-19 Calhoons and a 19-223 tucked away in the safe. All three of them get shot a bunch. They are parked next to 2-17AH's, 2-20 VT's and a 20 TAC, among others. I agree that "store bought" calibers make the most sense, but then when did common sense factor into gun ownership?