I drove out to the local gun store tonight to look for an action donor for my next project and came out with a worse case of the "I wants" than when I went in. Here is the problem.

Avenue 1 (original plan): Winchester Model 70 Classic CRF in 7 Rem Mag Left Hand. I was going to buy it as a platform for a custom 458 Lott to be used one day as a DGR. Total rebarrel, restock, yada yada. Downside is 4 months - 1 year wait time but who knows how easy it will be to find another LH CRF M70.

Avenue 2: Ruger #1 Stainless in 458 Lott. No intentions of using it as a DGR but it offers me a gun that I can take home and shoot day 1. This avenue allows me to see how much I like the caliber and eliminates all the wait. After all, if Africa ever beckons then I could commision the other project and rebarrel the #1 to something else. Downside is a limitation on aftermarket triggers, scope mounts, and the like.

Somebody talk me out of or into something. By the way...buying both isn't an option...I already ran the numbers and the boss said no way.

I would go with option one. They aren't making anymore of those and nothing beats the anticipation of the completion of a project!

Go with your first option.

If you are not totally sure about the Lott, find someone who has one and shoot it.(only cost is a few rounds of ammo)

Ruger #1s are not equal in felt recoil to a good bolt rilfe. They are pretty uncomfortable. Especially with the factory hard rubber butt pad. My Lott is much more plesant to shoot than any #1 in the Lott.

Build what you really want, it will be worth the wait.

Hog Killer

I too vote for option #1. You could also join us some weekend and try any manner of Lotts, or bigger, and make a more informed decision.

option one is the only sane choice..

jeffe

I can help you with avenue 1. I have a Win. model 70 CRF Lt. handed action (new) ready to go (7mm mag) with Williams solid bottom floor plate, and Williams spring steel replacement extractor if your interested drop me a PM.

Take Avenue 1 all the way to DGR heaven. You will have to be patient, but your patience will be rewarded.

If you're looking for a voice of reason, you've come to the wrong place; we're all opinionated enablers here.

I like what's behind Door #1 and dirklawyer may have just what you need. My personal preference would be for a magazine that could handle 4 down and I don't think you can get there with the Williams bottom metal. You may feel differently, but you should know in advance what you're in for. Sunny Hill and Blackburn both catalog (and Sunny Hill actually makes some) drop-belly bottom metal that will give you an extra round of capacity.

If you want to know what a Lott feels like in a Ruger #1, jst have one of your friends hit you in the shoulder a few times with a ballpeen hammer.

I knew which one to go with but I had to fight off impulse. I knew the Ruger #1 would be more than a handful...a heavy M70 with a 1" Decelerator pad sounds a little more favorable. I guess it goes back to the "Anything worth doing is worth doing right" adage.

quote:

You could also join us some weekend and try any manner of Lotts, or bigger, and make a more informed decision.

I appreciate the offer and will have to take you up on that...drop me a pm when you guys get together again...I just might learn something.

quote:

If you're looking for a voice of reason, you've come to the wrong place; we're all opinionated enablers here.

I guess "direction" would have been a more appropriate term...we are all way past reasonable and sane.

JMJ888, you have a PM

Hog Killer

You don't need to load the Lott to max to make it a fine DG rifle. So if you buid your rifle and find that full house loads are too much you can load it to 458wm velocities of 2100 or 2150 and live happily ever after.

But more likely, you can learn to live with the recoil by building your tollerance by starting low and working up.

The #1 will never be a good DG rifle, no matter how you load it.

JPK

I've always wanted a N° 1 because of the looks, but I think it would be a better platform for a long range plains cartridge than a DG cartridge, if you can accept the looks when it is scoped. Quick reloads aren't an issue for that kind of hunting. If you want to use it without a scope I think I would consider the .375 H&H for use in the thick bush where shots aren't too long. I would put one of the Pachmayr Sporting Clays pads on it.

That is an easy one. Bring the mod 70 home and lay away the #1. No sense in causing yourself stress about making the right decision. BUY BOTH it can be done, where there is will there is a way.

quote:

Originally posted by ForrestB:
If you're looking for a voice of reason, you've come to the wrong place; we're all opinionated enablers here.

Truer words were never spoken!

Seriously, however, option #1 is your very best bet. Unless you have a DG hunt coming up shortly (in which case, I would advise against using a single-shot (unless you are perfectly comfortable with the PH putting your animal down for you if the SHTF), you will end up with exactly the rifle you want, built the way you want it built.

George

L/H Model 70 to .458 Lott definitely the way to go, you may get to Africa and you may need the extra shot capacity that a Number 1 can never provide.

You will get used to shooting it no problem, but will never get used to having a substitue to what you told yourself subconsciously that you really wanted, stick out the wait and go for the Model 70 as a donor action

Get gun #1, but build a 416 Taylor.

LD

option #1 or similar

Not a real big Ruger #1 fan.

Picked up one of the last LH Winchester Model 70's in 7 Rem Mag this morning. I can't think of a more fitting use for it than to build my Lott. Thanks for the feedback...I know it will be worth the wait.

quote:

Originally posted by JMJ888:
Picked up one of the last LH Winchester Model 70's in 7 Rem Mag this morning. I can't think of a more fitting use for it than to build my Lott. Thanks for the feedback...I know it will be worth the wait.

7 Rem Mags are made so that they become donors for fun/usefull rifles.

Hog Killer

I have a few #1s. IMO they a workable DG rifles. I can reload my Rigby pretty fast. Don't let that sway you. The bad thing about custom guns, and I have and build them, is you won't get much of you investment back. If that isn't an issue then go with option 1.

quote:

The bad thing about custom guns, and I have and build them, is you won't get much of you investment back.

As GeorgeS so eloquently phrased it...if the SHTF and that rifle bails me out I would say that is a fine return on my investment.

Ruger #1 is nice but wouldn't mind having a mag full just in case.

No. 1 is sensible or as near sensible as building any custom rifle is. Also you are in a very strange place looking for a voice of reason at AR.

JMHO:

I have never heard of anyone on their deathbed saying that they wished they had spent more time in the office, or been more "common sense" oriented as opposed (in my case) to doing more dream-fulfilling things, and dreaming more. I take care of business (our new house IS paid for) and then I take care of fun things. My wife is the same way. She travels all over the world, I get nice rifles (mostly) and go hunting.

Rich

Jimmie,
After a day at teh range with the big stuff, I forgot to tell you the 550 express will fit in that model 70!!!

quote:

Jimmie,
After a day at teh range with the big stuff, I forgot to tell you the 550 express will fit in that model 70!!!

Jeff,

I am thinking the 550 Express with a #2 or 3 contour featherweight barrel on my M70...I am shooting for an 8lb. Express...that sounds about right.

All kidding aside my meeting with the 550 Express wasn't that bad at all. I think the longer length of pull took a bit of the sting out. The Lott gave me a stonger push.

Thanks again Jeff and that AR round is just burning a hole in my pocket.

Thanks guys for talking me down off the ledge regarding the Ruger #1.

Here is my update thus far. I have been extremely fortunate with my new project as I am getting materials at unprecedented speed...knock on wood. Jeffe talked me out of the Lott and into a 458 AR...seems reasonable as I don't think I could ask for more in a DJR (Dangerous Jug Rifle)

I almost lost it this morning when I walked out my door and my Shilen barrel was sitting there. Only 2 weeks elapsed time from me ordering until it showed up. Dies have just come back from heat treating and should ship any day. Looks like my original 4 months to a year wait time may be blown right out the door...might even be shooting by halloween.

who made your dies, and if you do not mind, how many yankee dollars to do so?

Rich

PS: congratulations on your choice.

If I may ask, who made your dies, and how much did they charge? Thanks

Rich

PS: congratulations on your choice

thought I hit the wrong button...sorreeeeeeeeeeee

Rich

CH4D...I think they ran about $145. Not cheap but what the heck.

My vote is to not bother with a 458 anything unless you are actually going to Africa.

A 458 LOTT is a very specialized gun. Is is pretty much unnecessary for anything except, Elephant, Buff, and Rhino. You could use it to hunt whitetail and elk and other animals but why???

how about "...because this is America and we CAN!...".
one-percent of the big bore (.375"+) sold ever go DG hunting. The fact remains that they are just a rip to shoot, and if you cast or patronize Wayne Doudna you can go perforate gallon milkjugs full of water and left in the freezer overnight or medium size rocks with great abandon for less than 50-cents per shot...all day long.

The voice of reason says nobody NEEDS anything bigger than a 270 Winchester and a single barrel 12 shotgun...but what a sad state of affairs if that is what we all had.

What do you shoot?

Rich

quote:

My vote is to not bother with a 458 anything unless you are actually going to Africa.

It is probably 3-5 years out but I am planning on making that trip.

quote:

A 458 LOTT is a very specialized gun. Is is pretty much unnecessary for anything except, Elephant, Buff, and Rhino. You could use it to hunt whitetail and elk and other animals but why???

What could be more necessary than a big bore rifle. While these cartridges are designed for true dangerous game recreational shooting with them is a blast...no pun intended.

quote:

Originally posted by Uglystick:
My vote is to not bother with a 458 anything unless you are actually going to Africa.

A 458 LOTT is a very specialized gun. Is is pretty much unnecessary for anything except, Elephant, Buff, and Rhino. You could use it to hunt whitetail and elk and other animals but why???

Nope.
All of the moderate velocity big bores, so let's say .400+ and 2000-2400FPS shooting high SD bullets do a couple really COOL things

1: very little meat damage, as compared to a 270 or 7remmag.
2: nearly ALWAYS exit
3: it's far better to be over bore size than under. It is better to have a gun that will give you full penetration from basically any angle, than one that requires a broadside to exit.
4: we don't "need" anythign over than a turnbolt rifle in 8mm mauser, with a .318 bore.. but i bet most of us don't shoot that one.

jeffe

Well, I did something similar to option 2 -- bought a Number 1 in 375 H&H to see if I'd like it -- I think it's great, but I plan to use it instead of a 300 Win mag for shooting axis, etc -- might use it on PG, but I really just wanted a 375.

Now, I'm thinking about getting an RSM in 458 Lott, not that I plan on doing much DG hunting, but my brother is -- and places that he wants to hunt DG are places that I want to fly fish.

Jimmy,
how's that "voice of (un) reason" thing working out?

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:

quote:

Originally posted by Uglystick:
My vote is to not bother with a 458 anything unless you are actually going to Africa.

A 458 LOTT is a very specialized gun. Is is pretty much unnecessary for anything except, Elephant, Buff, and Rhino. You could use it to hunt whitetail and elk and other animals but why???

Nope.
All of the moderate velocity big bores, so let's say .400+ and 2000-2400FPS shooting high SD bullets do a couple really COOL things

1: very little meat damage, as compared to a 270 or 7remmag.
2: nearly ALWAYS exit
3: it's far better to be over bore size than under. It is better to have a gun that will give you full penetration from basically any angle, than one that requires a broadside to exit.
4: we don't "need" anythign over than a turnbolt rifle in 8mm mauser, with a .318 bore.. but i bet most of us don't shoot that one.

jeffe

5: It's just fun to see a Hog flip and roll

as said already said, Bad place for Logic or reason

Or to stir it up a bit, If you do not want to wait and you want a Bolt Gun there is the Ruger
RSM in 458 Lott.

quote:

If you do not want to wait and you want a Bolt Gun there is the Ruger
RSM in 458 Lott.

I am a lefty so the RSM is out unless Ruger starts listening to my emails and miraculously decides that a LH is profitable.

My project is whizzing along so it looks like I will be shooting way ahead of schedule.

quote:

Jimmy,
how's that "voice of (un) reason" thing working out?

Hey Jeffe, reason is overated to start with.

Here is what I would do, I would buy both, that way you'll have a lott to shoot while the other one is getting worked on.

Sounds like a plan to me.

quote:

Here is what I would do, I would buy both, that way you'll have a lott to shoot while the other one is getting worked on.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Billy,

I made a couple of intentional passes by it at Gander the other night...if I was a betting man I would say that it might show up in my gun collection sooner or later. Sure it is similar to the 458 AR...but just different enough to almost justify owning it. Might have to start drinking cheap beer for a while.