I posted this on another forum but wanted to get the input from those who come here also. One of the projects I have been pondering is a .458 setup for two purposes...1) daily carry in Alaska; 2) buffalo and elephant in Africa. It needs to be light weight as I walk a lot particularly when hunting in Africa. The Ruger Lott I have is too heavy for the power it produced in my opinion...about 11 pounds unscoped. I'm looking for something in the 7-8 pound range that is highly weather resistant, 100% reliable and with excellent iron sights that are bomb proof.

How would you set it up if this was your project? Who would do the work? If you have done something like this tell us about it and show us photos? If you have posted something like this in another topic just point me towards it. Thanks.

Also, don't bother posting that I should really get a Lott or that the win mag is weak...I own a Lott as well as three different 50's and as to the 458 being weak...well, I happen to believe it when someone like Richard Harland says the 458 works well.

Thanks for playing.

I think I would pick up a old model Ruger (thumb safety). Put a good quality synthetic stock on it, have it coated to help with rust prevention and install necg open sights. It will be a push feed but so what?

465H&H

Look for a Whitworth in .375 or .458. Many are parkerised and only need a stock you like.

had 2

1st was on a ruger 77 SS barrel was cut to 21 in barrel band and banded front sight by NECG used the Green and Black Lam. that came on it. Good gun. It started life as a 300 mag and it fed like a champ with no problems.

2 R 700 heavy contour barrel #5 Kreiger I think syn stock Mcmillian barrel 22 in tefloned it (there is better stuff now). This is what I'd build again I really miss this gun it was light and fed great. This might have been one of the most accurate guns I've ever owned, but it kicked!!! Weight was around 7 3/4 to 8 loaded.

Kind of a tough one, a couple of years ago I would have said Mod 70 action, synthetic stock, and teflon finish over everything. Now I would lean towards a montana action, leija barrel in stainless and still have it teflon coated. Stock would probably go with one of the better synthetices. Sight would be NEGC and a barrel band up front.

John

Take a look at the Remington M798.

Another good action choice would be a commercial FN mauser. And if you want one already built that's lightweight you could find a browning safari from the 1960s. Relatively inexpensive and they handle and carry like deer rifles. You could have one restocked and weatherproofed or leave it as is.

(please forgive me)
new ruger in 375 ruger..

okay, so it's not a 458...

get a new ruger 7rem/300 win ss and a canoe paddle stock

rebarrel with the lightest barrel you can talk someone into making you, 22"...

put a pack. decellerator on it...

carry it around.. you won't get any lighter

I just finished reworking my M70 416 Remington Safari Express into an Alaskan style rifle. It turned out just under 8.5 pounds and is perfectly balanced. It is tough as nails and I'm very pleased. I'll be testing some TSX handloads through it tomorrow. I think if I were looking for a 458WM, I'd set it up the same.

GVA

My first 458 was a Ruger MKI with the tang safety. That was an accurate gun and it now belongs to someone on this forum who elk hunts with it.

I've got a stainless classic model 70 in 375H&H that I will either sell outright to finance this or will use the action for the project.

Find a commercial FN mauser, they are about $300 on gunbroker. Then have Kevin Weaver put a SS barrel on it, coated with Mr Birdsongs Black T coating. Then have Kevin bed and stock it in a rimrock stock.
DR B

Look at the QPQ finish that is avalible it just does not rust, would be perfect for Alaska.

Ed

Since you have a M70 375, re-barrel it with a 22" skinny barrel and sell the 375 barrel. Since it's a 375, with the extra magazine length you can seat Barnes banded solids out to Lott length and get good velocities with handloads. Put a D'Arcy Echols Legend stock on it, NEC sights and you are good to go.

Can you get the "Brown Pounder" stock for the Model 70? Since it is a .375 could you not do a Lott and load it to 2100-2200?

I have not weighed my .458 but it is pretty light, albeit not a weather-warrior.

You asked for opinions, here's mine. I would start with a stainless M70 Classic originally chambered for any of the belted mags or alternatively the Montana 1999 (my personal preference, it's the "M70 Improved"). I'd install a Shilen Stainless #4 contour cut to 21". At this point you might evaluate whether blind bottom metal is worth the loss of a round down. To me, four is plenty, but every one is different. Blind bottom will save you 6-9 oz conservatively. I'd then purchase a Bansner High Tech Specialties fiberglass stock (available with either standard or blind bottom). I'd install NECG banded masterpiece front and masterpiece rear with you preference of blades and pillar/glass bed the stock. Gun Kote, Rogard, etc the barreled action and have a qualified smith tune feeding and trigger. I did a similar setup with a #3 Shilen in 375 and it came in 7 1/4#. As indestructible as any rifle can be, light, and powerful. From your post I suspect you're a man with enough rifle experience and resources to want to choose to make this niche rifle something unique to your taste and needs. Something like this might fit the bill. Best of luck to you and please keep us informed as to the project's progress.

Another vote for the Lott, especially if you're going to use that H&H length action. If you're definately set on the Win Mag, sell that .375 and put half the money into a standard length SS M70 and use the other half for 'smithing. Stock is a matter of fit and taste so hopefully you can try a few before you buy but I'd definately go synthetic for the durability, strength, and light weight.

Oh ya, I'm a big fan of stainless. No matter how deep you scratch it, it's still stainless!

Yukon Delta- About 8 years ago after hunting Water Buffalo in the NT of Australia, I got the same Idea you had to build a real hunting weight .458 win mag. Here is what I did. i found a good VZ24 Mauser action and installed a PacNor barrel in .458. The barrel was 23 inches long and I machined a two inch muzzel brake directly into the barrel with about .020 clearance. I used a light weight synthetic stock from Brownells, added a pachmyer F990 pad and steel bedded the action and first 2 inches of the barrel after cutting some channels in the stock so the steel bed would hold. Chambered the gun myself and tinkered with the mag box till it would feed empty cases flawlessly. Of course I welded up a new bolt handle, jewelled the bolt and reshaped the extractor for the .458 win as well as modding the boltface. After drilling scope mounts I blued the barreled action, installed a Timney trigger and some Iron sights from NECG. I added a fixed 2.5X Leupold scope on Warne mounts.
The gun weighed in a little over 7.0lbs when done and would shoot one hole groups at 100 yrds. About a year ago I made the mistake of letting a friend shoot it. He would not let go of it, money changed hands and away it went. Damn fine combo in my book. If you start with a commercial FN action you could same some work as well.-Rob

GaryVA - could you describe what you did to your M70 416 Remington ?

I ask for two reasons: one, these ideas might apply to the 458 question by yukon delta and two, I have the same M70 safari express that I would like to shave weight from.
Thanks
KMule

Thanks for all of the recommendations on coatings, contours, stocks, etc.

If I were to use the model 70 action I already have, of course it would make sense to do the Lott since the length is already there. I may go that route but only if I use that action.

I do like the trimmer mauser actions but they do require more labor.

Rob, I like your ideas but you just won't build them for me!

Interesting that the Montana came up. What are the negatives on using that action? I know the resale isn't as good as the M70 action but what else are you hearing? I know it's supposed to be an improved M70 but I heard there were some grumbling out there?

The reason I ask about the Montana is that I was looking at a gun that was very close to what would be perfect for me...the one thing I wasn't sure about was the action.

458 Lott Stainless Synthetic: built on a Stainless Montana action, control round feed 3 pos. safety. Shilen stainless steel bbl, custom 1/4 rib, custom swivel stud, banded front sight fiber optic bead. McMillan stock, limb saver pad. Sunny Hill drop box bottom metal. Capacity. 4+1. Stainless steel blackened.

Is the Montanta you are looking at in the weight range you want? I have heard (hearsay only) that they can be a bit heavier than other actions for a given caliber.

My option #1 is to go with a good, SS Ruger 77 MkII, synth stock and a #4 contour barrel cut at no more than 21"

For sure, a rifle designed to take punishment

quote:

Originally posted by 465H&H:
I think I would pick up a old model Ruger (thumb safety). Put a good quality synthetic stock on it, have it coated to help with rust prevention and install necg open sights. It will be a push feed but so what?

465H&H

Yes! I follow every word!

The Montana actioned Lott came in under 9 pounds so it's about right. I have heard the same comments about their weight.

I don't think I'll get that gun but it was interesting. I might have that 'smith build up something similar on my M70 action.

quote:

Originally posted by Dr B:
Find a commercial FN mauser, they are about $300 on gunbroker. Then have Kevin Weaver put a SS barrel on it, coated with Mr Birdsongs Black T coating. Then have Kevin bed and stock it in a rimrock stock.
DR B

I know Kevin and his work very well.
He is top notch.

I'd use a Ruger M77/MkII stainless/synthetic in say .338 WM as my base rifle... Then rebarrel it to .458 WM with a medium weight bbl of about 20" and whatever sights you like. Reinforce the stock/action if necessary and you'll be in business.

quote:

medium weight bbl of about 20"

If I was building a .458 WM, I would put at least a 24" barrel on it.