Howdy. I have the opportunity to pick up a Winchester Model 70 .300 Remington Ultra Mag for $500. This is the new CRF Model 70, factory chambered in the .300 Ultra. I'm not really wild on the .300 Ultra Mag. Would it be feasible to rebarrel to .404 Jeffrey or 416 Rigby? Is the .404 the parent case of the .300 Ultra? If so then I shouldn't have to do too much to make it feed, no?

To do the 416 Rigby would be a very big deal.

For the 404 you probably need to have the extractor altered a little bit as the 404 case rim is maybe .01" larger than the rim on the Ultra case, which is slightly rebated. I think feeding would be OK. However, the 404 is considerably shorter in the length from the head of the case to where the should starts.

From my personal point of view I would rather change the 300 Ultra to eith 375 Ultra or the wildcat 416 RUM, which is just the 375 Ultra necked up to 416. I think the 404 Jeffery really needs to be in the right sort of blued/walnut rifle to be worth the trouble.

Mike

Go with the .404 Jeffery if you want to have something a bit different. The RUMs are based on the .404J case, so it should be a relatively straightforward conversion.

George

Frontlander,

I don't have much use for a .300 RUM either, but I do for a .404 Dakota.

I assume that this rifle feeds the .300 RUM well, but perhaps that is a big assumption without trying it on for size. I know Ray recommends the Blackburn bottom metal for the .404 Jeff on the M70.

jim dodd

404, easy as fishing...

gest a barrel, headspace it, and SLIGHTLY open to bolt... or not, if you want use RUM cases expanded to 404.

this is the EASIST 404 there is.. period... cheaper than anything else, and on the esteemed model 70.

Simply can't be beat... and be made better with a trick bottom metal, but that's it.

jeffe

The jeff .404 is certainly best paired with the right style of rifle so maybe you coould neck the .300 ultra straight up to .404 and have .404/.300 Ultra ??

I would try a 416 Remington Ultra mag.It will be between the 416 rem mag and the Weatherby.The cases are alot cheaper too.It would be .40 vs $2 for cases.Its about the biggest thing that will fit in a Winchester Model 70.I have a express rifle in 416 rem mag I only paid $625 for it 4 years ago.You can get one for around $800 now.I want a stainless 416 in either 416 rem mag or 416 RUM .You need a recoil lug and a stock that will handle the 416s.

I think CDNN has the Winchester M70s in 300 Ultra for under $500 (I let a buddy borrow the current catalog so I can't check) anyone looking for one should call them. They don't list guns on the website but can tell you on the phone. Another friend was looking for a Winchester 1895 in .405 Winchester, I called them and they were out but called me a week later when they came in. The great thing is that CDNN will take your credit card and just ship it to your FFL, no sales tax. My friend ended up paying $915 for the NIB .405! Of course having an understanding local FFL helps!
Jason

Great minds think alike. I am picking my .404jeffery up Sat. It started life as a .300RUM. Rebarreled, NECG bbl. band front, 1/4 rib, I kept the factory stock for now, just added cross bolts, shortened the forend a bit for bbl. band sling swivel & a Pach. Dec. pad. I hope to shoot it a bit on Sun., I'll post prelim. results.