My original plans fell through to get a Left Handed 375 H&H M70 and I became the winning bidder on a new sealed in the box Left handed M70 in 7mm mag for $449. If I remember correctly this mag length M70 can safely handle the length of the 458 lott if I change out the magazine box and follower. If a few of you Winchester experts can offer advice I would appreciate it. My smith offered me a douglas chrome moly barrel fitted and chambered to this action including a second recoil lug for $380 with stainless being an extra $50. All that is left is either to find a used Left Handed Safari Stock or a suitable synthetic. I want the finished weight to be 9 1/2 - 10 pounds. What barrel contour and length would you recommend? If I went with a syn stock would McMillian be my best choice?

snowwolfe,

I'd have to measure the ejection ports on my LH M-70 .300 Win. Mag. and .470 Capstick to be certain, but they may be of different dimensions. The port may need to be opened up a bit so that a loaded Lott round will eject cleanly.

Have you considered building a .458 Win. Mag., instead of the Lott? It might be a bit simpler and less expensive conversion, especially if you don't make a habit of hunting Cape buffalo and elephant.

I don't think you can go wrong with a McMillan synthetic; just order it as soon as you decide on a barrel contour, because unless they happen to have one on hand, it takes them forever to run off LH stocks (like 4-6 months).

Also, a McMillan stock does not require a second recoil lug; it is tough enough to deal with the Lott's recoil.

I'd pick the Douglas #5 contour in a 22" barrel for a .458WM, and 23" for the Lott (to add a little more weight). Consider your twist rate carefully, as some folks here have reported much better penetration with 1-10" twists (not normally available from Douglas), instead of the usual 1-14" or 1-16".

If you hunt in wet Alaskan weather often, stainless steel may work out better for you than blued chrome molybdenum steel.

Another issue is the hole spacing for the rear scope; using the 7mm magnum receiver, you will need the bases with the .860" spacing (not the .330" spacing).

George

Ahhhhhhh skip it,lol. I went ahead and bought the 375H&H also. I will use the 7mm for something else. I really like the wood stock with the 375. Seems to balance the rifle better than a syn stock would.

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
Ahhhhhhh skip it,lol. I went ahead and bought the 375H&H also.

That's my motto! Anything worth doing is worth overdoing!!

Good choice, snowwolfe. I have LH M-70s in .270 (walnut/stainless), 7mm STW (one by H-S Precision for the USRAC Custom Shop, one walnut/blued steel), .300 Win. Mag. (walnut/blued steel), .375H&H (walnut/blued steel), and the .470 Capstick in the photo below.

I was planning on converting the .300 Win. Mag. to a .458 Win. Mag., and the 'regular' 7mmSTW to a .416 Rem. Mag., but came to the conclusion that they superfluous, with a .375H&H and .470 Capstick already on hand.

George

Well........I sent the ffl off with payment for the LH 7 mm but I havent heard back from the seller on the H&H yet. Seems like a price that is to good to be true. $795 for a LH NIB. Now what should I do with my Rem 416 from there custom shop?lol

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
Well........I sent the ffl off with payment for the LH 7 mm but I havent heard back from the seller on the H&H yet. Seems like a price that is to good to be true. $795 for a LH NIB. Now what should I do with my Rem 416 from there custom shop?lol

Damn, I paid around $960 for mine a year ago, so that's a hell of a deal. (I was looking for almost 2 years so I didn't mind paying it)

I watched them for a few years myself Frank. Found this one on Gun Brokers. Auction started at 750 with a buy it now price of 795. I said screw it and clicked buy it now,lol. I'll let you know if the seller comes through