Things seem a little slow on this board lately. I'd like to hear (and see!) what big-bore projects are in the works right now.

I know Jeffe has his .500 and Rob is busy with the .600 OK. What else are you guys working on right now?

I'm hoping to have my .416 Rigby within a month or so. Jack Belk is rust bluing it this week. It'll be a Guinea Pig of sorts, since he's never done rust bluing in his current shop.

Let's read about and see those big bores!

Best,
Joe

Joe,

I'm almost ready to go with my P-14 458 Lott. The metal work is all done, just waiting on some finishing. I have the stock all smoothed and shaped, just waiting for the final inletting of the barrelled action. Then to the range!

Shortly behind that is a Mauser 9.3x62. The stock is completely finished, except for barrel channel inletting. All I need is headspacing and a Talley handle welded on.

And finally, not much of a project, but a K-31 to tinker with. The most I'll be doing is cleaning up the stock and installing a clamp-on scope mount. I'm just finishing with cleaning up and refinishing the stocks on a pair of 98/22's, both with lots of fiddleback; then I'll express blue the metal. Gotta love Dunham's.

Whew.

Todd

Joe,

I have been in the planning stage of a project to build two prototype rifles for a proposed line of PH working rifles. My first Montana Rifleman M99 action is here, it is a right-hand magnum bolt face standard action with the .375 H&H magazine box. I have a second left hand action on order in the MR left-hand special, but it won't be here for some time.

I got involved with this after promising a left-handed PH in Zim in 2001 that I would "organize" a suitable rifle for him after I got back to the US. I thought my only problems would be with the Zim laws, rules & regualtions for importing firearms. I didn't realize until later that there is no suitable (and under $3,000) left-hand off-the-shelf solution.

So here I am building the Model T of PH stopping rifles; you get any caliber you want, as long as it is .458 Lott.

jim dodd

I still have a fair bit of work to do on my 500 Jeffrey, that will last me most of the spring, and really will drag on for a year or so.

I really don't think I'll be tackling any more big bores in the near future, I'd like to build a 300 win mag, as I don't have any small bores

Then again, I picked up a Moisin Nagant with thinking about making a 480 ruger carbine, but with S&W's 500, I may have a more appropriate cartridge

My 416sw still is not finished even though I've been shooting it for a year. Has to go back to the smith to get the barrel blued a set of iron sights stock painted (it's fibreglass) and a directional muzzle brake.

Another project is a 50-110 on a model 71 (still to find a rifle) I have the cases the dies and a barrel.

Way in the future is a 7mm stw or maybe on a 7mm on a Lapua case, this will be a long range hunting rifle with 30" plus barrel. this will not be a carry rifle.

Todd,

I picked up one of those K-31s too, and I'm very impressed with the quality. They're beautifully made. Haven't shot mine yet. I don't know if you've noticed, but the weather hasn't been very cooperative around here

Did yours come with a name tag under the buttplate? Mine did. Neat little piece of history.

Best,
Joe

Just a minor project, but I'm rechambering my newly acquired Ruger #1 from .458 Win mag to .458 Lott. Should be fun.

Well my 500AS has been done for some time now I still have some feeding problems but next month I'll will see Mr Leeper in Galgary and he will have a look at it.
I to ordered a Montana action (LH) and the plan for that is a 360 Imperial ( thas like a 358 RUM)
Found the die set and reamer want to put a S.S. octagon barrel on it.
I picked the 358 because I have .33 , 375,416 ,500 already. And lastly some body gave me a pile of 350 Rem mag brass and dies I also have a FN Mauser kicking around so I plan on putting a barrel on that action.

Regards martin

My "Gun Fund" has spent most of the last couple months in intensive care. Despite constant monitoring and various efforts to revive it, two weeks ago it was pronounced clinically dead. Moving sucks.

It is times like this that this forum is especially meaningful to me. If I were not able to live vicariously through the projects of others, I don't know what I'd do.

Canuck

[ 03-04-2003, 07:05: Message edited by: Canuck ]

My current project is getting two doubles to Africa in 2004.

Will have a 1999 stainless barreled action from Montana Rifle Wednesday. (Its on the brown truck at the moment)

--416 Taylor
--24" Montana Rifle Stainless Barrel
--bead blast finish
--NEGC Masterpiece front & rear sights
--Tally QR rings and bases + a 1.5X5 Leupold VX3 ready to install
--Semi-inletted Richard's Microfit with decelerator pad installed.

Hope to start bringing it all together by the weekend.

I am going to open up a Montana rifleman action to take the 404 Jeffers, Lothar Walther barrel, 1.4 rib, BB swivel and front site, all the bells and whistles, blackburn 404 box...I have just the right piece of seedling Turkish that I traded Belk out of after several years of dickering..I just finished a Laminated stock for a client and am finishing up a 300 Win. for another. The I will take a years subaticle from gun making I hope..

I have a .300 ultra supposedly getting blued right now. Will post pics when I get it into the stock. Butt is at Down Under Guns getting the spacers and pad on.

Have the .375 H&H I accidentally bought, need to hog out crappy bedding and slide in new bedding. Need to get rid of front sight and install NECG, lastly need to have the feeding rung out and install P-17 extractor.

I have two beautiful m146 Husky stocks, one I want to put my wife's 7x57 Brno into. Need to have that barrel pulled, rechambered and the receiver all massaged.

Need to counterbore 3 m44's.

Looking for P-14 for super-heavy rifle this summer.

Need a 3x9 Burris for the .375 Weatherby, 4x16 Springfield Armory for the FAL.

cgdavid,please post pics of your barreld action,I had Montana Rifleman put togehter a 358 norma mag for me years ago,it was extremely acurate,but they went a bit overboard with the bbl contour!
nextjoe, just finished sticking my 7mm STW into an unfinished boyds stock. Looks really nice hope it shoots as well as it looks,i will put the finish on it after I shoot it a couple times!
Going to pick up my 577 3" NE around the 21 st of this month

I have a .416 Rigby underway on a M17 action .The action work has been started, It will have a nice bit of straight grained walnut. Ebony forend, Waterbuff horn grip cap. New bolt handle and trigger, express sights (1 fixed-2 folded)wrap around chequering, barrel band.

Bakes

I have a Ruger #1 in 458Win being rechambered (458Lott), restocked in fiddleback maple, new quarter rib & front sight. Next project may be restoration of a pre-war M-31 Remington pumpgun or maybe something with my forthcoming Montana action. Or I may decide to do another FN sporting rifle (30-06, British or European style) or finish my Brevex 510Wells if I don't sell it. Decisions, decisions.

Okay, the popgun just came up...

reusing a cz 602 458win barrel. minor thread is .101 or so, so it has to be a small ring to have fully clean threads
458 lott chambered, but single feed only
mexican mauser, feeding for 458 winnie
win take off featherweight stock crossbolted and steel bedded, using CZ second recoil lug.

total cost, parts, $225
reamer rental $35

time, est, 2.5 hours

weight? LMAO... 7 to 7.5#

lop lucky to get 15"

ought to be a hoot seeing someone try this one with a lott in it.

no scope, of course.

jeffe

It's not a big bore, but I was planning on building another 30-378 this time on a M-98. But when I went to take it out of the safe to start the action work, I had a strong feeling that I shouldn't do it. ?? So I put it back and will leave it as a 30-06. Maybe I'm phychotic, or physomething.
lar

nextjoe,

I'm still waiting for my .450 Ackley mag from a .458 Win Mag CZ 550. With a Lothar Walther barrel, a muzzle break and a complete bedding of the stock.

In handguns a .500 Long made by john Linebaugh and end of this year a .500 S&W made by David Clements.

I have another 470MBOGO in the works on a CZ550 action. Also fooling with an Encore in 270Win that won't shoot better than 1.7 inch groups. I need a takedown for a Red-Stag hunt in NZ in July.
Waiting for Brass from Dieter to arrive for the .600 OK.-Rob

I may or may not have a project coming soon. I am looking into an AR30 338 Lapua, but if that doesn't pan out I am in for a 338 Lapua on a accurized M700 action with all the "normal" tactical touches.

Lucs

Maybe by next fall, I will finish inletting the walnut target/varmint stock (closeout at Fajen's, my preference would have been classic) for my .510-.505 Gibbs. I want it by April, but I won't make it. When the insides are back together, I will finally get to see how accurately it shoots. It's supposed to be a fun gun I can share with lighter folks, so I'm building it heavy, and with a big fat Pachmayr on the back. The idea is lots of energy downrange, not much muzzle blast, and low recoil velocity.

Jim Brockman is going to put a Walther barrel on a 1952 comercial FN action....9.3x62. I am also haveing epress sights and a barrel band installed. He just emailed me to day so I ship gun out thursday. Should take around 4 months. I have A nice piece of wood waiting for its return.

I am also hot for this restocked .425 WR.....Trying to sell off some goodies.

Urdubob

VZ-24 action that's been to the smith for bolt bending, D&T'ed for Talley Ruger style bases, new Timney trigger, new Brownell's shroud, initial polishing/beadblasting...

It's currently at Pac-Nor for lapping, trueing, and the fitting of a 22" #3 contour SS Super Match barrel in .35 Whelen.

It will then go back to the smith for final polish and a matte teflon treatment.

I have a Boyd's JRS nutmeg laminate stock at the house.

I am still undecided on which Leupold scope.

Mike

[ 03-06-2003, 01:52: Message edited by: ready_on_the_right ]

500A2,Due VERY SOON !! 30-378 on P-14's and a 17mach4*/*300/221*/*222 combo on a 788...screw them barrels in/shoot...screw em out to change barrel...45nut

My current project is a Montana 1999 action that will be barreled as a .375 H&H with a Pac-nor #4 at 22-23", Dakota sights, Rimrock stock, leup. 1.5-5X in talley rings. Should be a great rifle. I am still waiting on all the parts, its a good thing I have learned to be patient (at least a little).
Ian

9.3x62, VZ24, Lothar Walther "varmint" weight barrel which will be either 23" or 24", Talley QD mounts, either Leupold 2.5 compact or Leupold 1.5-5, barrel band sling swivel, barrel band front sight, and express rear sight from NECG, trigger and safety undecided, don't know yet what to do for a stock. Boyd's? Microfit?

My current project is a poor man's 416 Taylor. Santa Barbara Mauser action, Shilen #5 barrel, laminated stock, barrel band front sling swivel, NECG barrel band front sight, Dakota rear express sight, Timney trigger, wing style safety and planning to use either a Leupold 2.5x compact or leupold 1-4 scope.

my gunsmith is nearing completion (hope, hope, pray, pray) on a DGR set, chambered in 416 rigby and 505 gibbs using cz550 actions, 24" Kreiger barrels, english walnut, 1/4 rib, iron sights.

I am starting the stock work on a .416 Taylor I am putting together.

I just ordered a reamer and barrel for a short fat barreled 458 with aperature sights. I am going to use a Douglas 5A contour at 21".

I have a 700 Rem SA that I need to get rebarreled to 6MM BR as a walkaround varminter. I already have the reamer and am looking for a barrel.

I am putting together the world's cheapest accurate deer rifle. NOS swedish 6.5x55 barrel, Turkish small ring action, Thompson Center contender mount on the step (scout layout) with a low power IER, cut down military stock.

I just recieved the 7x57 barrel for a mannlicher carbine I have always wanted.

I need to get a laminated stock for a 6x284 single shot varminter I have. I used the old graphite stock as a donor for the "working" stock for the .416.

I am looking for a replacement barrel for a .25/06 Ruger No. 1 varminter. Haven't decided on caliber, but am leaning toward a real long 6.5/284.

Future projects:

Need a large medium. Thinking about 9.3x62, 9.3x64 or .376 Steyr.

Finally, a shop I know has had a really pretty Ruger Safari in .270 for a long time and has it priced at a song. Thinking of trading for it and having it rebored to .338/06, no other changes. Would make an ideal light medium.

I've got:

600 OK It will also be a 505 Gibbs switch barrel

500A2

50 BMG this will be a swich barrel gun also

416 Rigby

Soon to follow is a 470 Mbogo.

Not big bore related:

257 Rigby

and finally a 6.5 STW

I have a M70 in .404 jeffery in the works. I hope to have it done this summer:
23" #5 pac-nor bbl.
1/4rib w/ single express
NECG banded front w/ flip up "nihgt" sight
bbl. band swivel
merc. reducer in the butt stock
QR rings w/ Leup. 1.5x5 VXIII

I can't wait!!

I'm doing a .450 Marlin in a T/C Encore w/Muzzle Tamer. Ought to be able to duplicate .458 Win Mag's factory performace. Kill's on one end, cripples on the other.

Sorry guys, but the best I can do at the present time is an open sighted Siamese Mauser in 45/70.

Joe,

I haven't looked under the floorplate yet. It will probably be a while until I get around to that one.

I took advantage of the nice weather last Friday and went to Island Lake -- it's a great range, and pretty safe other than around the pre-deer season sight-in.

Todd

As well as getting a run of brass made for my
458 HE,I am developing a long belted 600 from
BMG brass. 625 HE it is called.I use a case spinner, made fron wood lathw with Jacobs chuck
to put on start of belt, and then swage the rest of belt and case shape.Here is photo of my case spinning lathe.Ed.

Can't wait to get my hands on the .577 T-rex Hannibal A-square. I think i'll have it soon,,and it's the best buy i have ever experienced.
By the way,,,a 14,5 JDJ,,with 1173 VLD going 2400 fps is impressive !
Ed Hubel.When do you think your .625 Hubel is ready for "lock and load" ?
Robgunbuilder,,when do you expect your .600 OK ?

Ed, Why belt the .50BMG for .620 ? It has plenty of shoulder up to a .700. I can see a belt for a 12 gage on a .50BMG but why for a samller cartridge? With a .810 belt, what action are you gonna try this with? Dave at CH4D told me about some guys at the old IMPERIAL CARTRIDGE company who tried something similar although it was a shortened version. Just curious!-Rob

Per577-Should be ready to testfire by summer.
Or touch off if that is a way to think about it.
Rob-When it is done the belt will be .780 OD
or less as well as the rim,
and the cartridge will be straight taper,like
my 458.So it can be reloaded 50 times or more.
And also to get more power out of it.
And as I explained in other thread a little faster powder to get more energy is possible, without bottlenecked design.I know 18,000 ft
lbs are attainable at least.I am having fun just
thinking about it.And of course it can be loaded
down, to get the many reloads.Ed.