In the process of building a 404 on a classic mdl 70. Got the barrel and sights.

Just wondering what some of you did as far as feeding and or bottom metal. I've been thinking about Sunny-Hill or Blackburn. I have a English stock thats been turned for a dropbox, but haven't bought bottom metal yet.

Guess my questions for those that have built one, did your feed with out any modifcation in the factory stock. And the ones that went with new bottom metal what did you use and what magazine length did you go with. Also who worked the feeding etc.

Gringo, what caliber did you start with? I have not done this but it seems that less gunsmithing is involved in it if you start with a Mod 70 in some Ultra mag caliber since it is based on the 404 case. Several are sure to weigh in that have done it. Good luck and keep us posted. "D'

D,

I should have been more detailed, but didn't have much time to make my post.

I started out with a 300 ultramag. For now I have it in the factory stock and may shoot it like it is for a while, but would like to get it finished.

I loaded three dummy rounds with 350 gr woodleighs. It will feed one, but the second and third hit the ramp. I haven't done any work to get them to feed, plan to go with new bottom metal to get one more down, so didn't think working the ramp now would be the thing to do. Besides it may be above my ability, would rather have someone that has made a mdl 70 in 404 feed. I would imagine it would feed without a problem with a bullet with a sharper point, but round woodleghs wont feed.

Just trying to get more data before I make the jump and buy bottom metal, just got to get it figured out. Sunny-hill makes a box with a length of 3.8, didn't know if that was to long or not or what others have used or did. I've built a lot of guns, but no big bores.

Gringo,

I am considering doing the same thing, either a mod 70 or a ruger mkII and rebarreling for .404. I would wait for a CZ but I prefer stainless.
Where did you get you barrell? Did you order a simple blank and have it reamed for .423?

max,

I bought a Pac-Nor barrel, they turned it to a #5 taper and ran 404 reamer in it, I had may old gunsmith buddy dewight marshal in Refugio texas thread, install and mount the sights. I used NECG sights. Front sight is barrel band, rear is a see thru fixed leaf.

The gun I am building is SS, I may teflon it black down the road, but I live on the texas coast and learned to like SS.

Got a ways to go but I'm getting there. Its six to one half dozen to the other on a CZ or Win, just depends on what you want. CZ may be a little cheaper to build because of not having to buy bottom metal, but if you go with a three pos saftey it about the same.

Maxman,

You can get a barrel from McGowan in St.Anne, IL

BigB

All my 404 barrels in the last 5 years have come from Lothar Walther and they have all shot an inch or better and this is fantastic in a big bore..The same for Jim Brockman and Jack Belk who got me started on LW barrels...I have put together about 5 of them in the last 5 years...I do the stocking and some metal work and have used Dennis Olson and Jim Brockman for most of my metal work...

Also I buy all my wood these days from Bill Dowtin at oldworldwalnut.com Good prices and great wood...

Ray, do you do the stocking as a service? Or for personal use only?