I m in a quandry: I have had a love affair with the 308 Norma Magnum for over 30 years, and recently I have been able to acquire enough Norma factory rounds and 1X fired Norma brass to last me the rest of my life. I also have a couple of acceptable stock blanks, but no action. The problem is that there aren't many 308 Norma Mags out there on left hand actions.

I am currently having a pure custom built in 400 H&H on a LH MRC Magnum action, so having a second built from the ground up doesn't make sense right now.

I have a virtually new Remington 700 LSS in 30-'06 (six rounds through it since new), but it will never be a magnum. I also have a LS 700 in 7 MM Remington Magnum...

Here are my options, as I see them:

1: Sell the '06 and put the money toward a custom 308 NM but wait until the other rifle is finished (better than a year out)...
2: Take that gorgeous '06, open up the bolt face and re-chamber it to 308 NM (assuming that can be done easily. The barrel would have to be re-machined to take off the original stamping, and that might make it too light)...
3: Take my LS in 7 RM and re-barrel to 308 NM. The only down side I see is that I lose the only 7MM rifle I own. But the 308 NM does all the 7RM will do anyway...
4: Keep everything I have, find another LH Magnum donor action and eventually have a pure custom built in 308 NM.

I hate to butcher a factory 700, especially one that is all but absolutely new; but that might be the least expensive option...

Finally, I am not currently working, and funds are somewhat limited. So: what would you do?

Sorry you are LH I could have made you a deal on a custom RH 308N

The 700 bolt can be opened no big deal happens all the time. As to the stamping. Can the barrel be simply turned to put the 30-06 below the stock line? I had an 06 Stamp 308 Norma and you had to know it was done to see it.

Make the 7mm to a two barrel system with polished or new treads.

quote:

..... find another LH Magnum donor action and eventually have a pure custom built in 308 NM

Since I'm a Leftie too I can easily understand your quandry.

Somehow a L/H Zastava donor action springs quickly to mind for a 308 Norma Magnum project ...... at least if it was my project.

We're not at the critical point of having to chop a prefectly good Remington 7mm Rem Mag; that's a last gasp option - someone would surely want such a rifle in as new conditon IMO. I'm a 7mm owner several times over, too but Life has ultimately pre-ordanined me to be a loyal 30 Caliber Man.

If you potentially require a set of RCBS "brand new in the Box" Full Length Dies, for your life-time supply of brass, please PM. The orphaned set just so happens to be sitting on my reloading bench awaiting some use; and No, there's no outlandish price point involved, either, just want to find a new home for them where they'd be Happy.

After all; I've started rifle projects before simply because I stumbled onto a set of Dies that had potential.

I've also seriously considered a 400 H&H; Cool, lotsa plus points for style cartridge ..... then I tell myself a 416 Taylor would be an easier fix in a standard length and much more available L/H action .... Ah, the indecision?

Good Luck with your 308NM project.

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
4: Keep everything I have, find another LH Magnum donor action and eventually have a pure custom built in 308 NM.

Sell the Remingtons and get a sister to the MRC.

If I was in your shoes - unemployed with one project in the works I would wait to find a donor action and build it from there up.
I hate getting rid of guns - if they shoot sub-MOA groups. The dream of having it is almost always better than actually having it. Enjoy the dream and when you simply must have it and have the funds to get it, go for it and then you can enjoy load work-up and shooting it.

quote:

Originally posted by Doubless:
3: Take my LS in 7 RM and re-barrel to 308 NM. The only down side I see is that I lose the only 7MM rifle I own. But the 308 NM does all the 7RM will do anyway...So: what would you do?

That point seems to make a lot of sense.

friar