ICL cartridges

ICL cartridges (ICL stands for Increased Case Load) are rare hunting wildcat cartridges 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 headstamped for many ICL cartridges.

.22 ICL Gopher
Based on an improved .22 Hornet, it is similar to the K-hornet. Performance using a 40 gr bullet is 2515 to 2705 ft/s.

.218 ICL Bobcat
Based on the .218 Bee. It's similar to the Mashburn Bee and the R-2 Lovell and can move a 40 gr bullet at 2675 to 3125 ft/s

.224 ICL Benchrester
Based on the .250-3000 Savage case, with performance similar to a .219 Wasp. Performance for a 45 gr bullet is 3341 to 3921 ft/s, for a 55 gr bullet is 3211 to 3721 ft/s, and for a 63 gr bullet is approximately 3000 ft/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 and with a 55 gr bullet is approximately 3450 ft/s

.224 ICL Marmot
The Marmot is based on the .220 Swift 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 and with a 55 gr bullet is approximately 3755 ft/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 Magnum. It is similar to the .257 Weatherby. Performance with a 87 gr bullet is approximately 3900 ft/s and with a  100 gr bullet is approximately 3700 ft/s.

.25-35 ICL Coyote
Based on the .25-35 Winchester 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 and with a  100 gr bullet is approximately 2650 ft/s.

.257 ICL Whitetail
The Whitetail is based on the .257 Roberts and is a standard improved cartridge. Performance with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 3200 ft/s and with a  117 gr bullet is approximately 3040 ft/s.

.25-270 ICL Ram
The Ram is based on a .270 Winchester 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 and with a  117 gr bullet is approximately 3450 ft/s.

6.5 ICL Boar
The Boar is based on a .270 Winchester that is necked-down and blown-out. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is approximately 2855 ft/s.

6.5mm ICL Magnum
The 6.5 ICL is an improved .264 Winchester Magnum but with a longer neck for easier handloading. Performance with a 120 gr bullet is approximately 3545 ft/s and with a  140 gr bullet is approximately 3315 ft/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 and with a  175 gr bullet is approximately 2565 ft/s.

.270 ICL Magnum
The .270 ICL is an improved .264 Winchester Magnum necked up to .270. It's a relatively efficient cartridge for its class. Performance with a 130 gr bullet is approximately 3405 ft/s and with a  150 gr bullet is approximately 3250 ft/s.

7mm ICL Magnum
The 7mm ICL is an improved .264 Winchester Magnum necked up to .7mm. Performance with a 140 gr bullet is approximately 3405 ft/s and with a  160 gr bullet is approximately 3230 ft/s.

7mm ICL Tortilla
The Tortilla is an improved 7x57. Performance with a 100 gr bullet is approximately 3200 ft/s and with a  117 gr bullet is approximately 3040 ft/s.

7mm ICL Wapiti
The Wapiti is a more complicated wildcat based on the .300 H&H Magnum 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.

.300 ICL Tornado
The Tornado is based on a .257 Roberts 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, with a  180 gr bullet is up to 3030 ft/s and with a 220 gr bullet is up to 2800 ft/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. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3041 ft/s, with a  180 gr bullet is up to 2791 ft/s and with a 220 gr bullet is up to 2336 ft/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 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, with a  180 gr bullet is up to 3200 ft/s and with a 220 gr bullet is up to 2705 ft/s.

.300 ICL Grizzly
.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.

.30 ICL Magnum
The .30 ICL is an improved .264 Winchester Magnum necked up to .308 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 and with a  180 gr bullet is approximately 3185 ft/s.

.300 ICL Magnum
The .300 ICL is an improved .300 H&H Magnum. Performance with a 180 gr bullet is approximately 3415 ft/s and with a  200 gr bullet is approximately 3145 ft/s.

.303 ICL Improved
The .303 is an improved cartridge based on the .303 British and works well in Enfield and single-shot actions. Performance with a 150 gr bullet is up to 3235 ft/s and with a  180 gr bullet is up to 2870 ft/s.

.375 ICL Kodiak
The Kodiak is an improved cartridge based on the .375 H&H Magnum that is similar to the .375 Weatherby Magnum. Performance with a 270 gr bullet is 2885 ft/s and with a  300 gr bullet is up to 2720 ft/s.

.375 ICL Magnum
The .375 ICL is an improved .375 H&H Magnum. Performance with a 270 gr bullet is approximately 2995 ft/s and with a  300 gr bullet is approximately 2843 ft/s.