I just got back a 30-06 Interarms Mark X, custom bedded, new trigger, with safety(Timmony) that breaks crisply at 3 lbs, with no travel to speak of. 26 inch barrel, elite 3200 scope, and, 500 rounds of 150 grain ball ammo, at about 6 boxes a box, waiting for it, custom fiberglass black stock, scope rings., etc. Work was 454 dollars...

I've had this gun since 1981.

The only problem is, it's not a 458. I LIKE that big hole in the front.

I figure my 375 should do anything the 06 does, except for cheap ammo.

Should I try and trade it for that custom Browning Safari, in 458, for 950?

It's not a salt gun, later made gun, but, it has a short barrel, and compared to a CZ, limited mag capacity(but the action was made by FN[I droollll
over FN's, can't help it!!!})

Keep in mind, the gun took about a year to have done, and, the guy doing it was VERY good, and is sort of a legend around here.

However, the 458 is one of his friends, and it's under valued...and, it's REAL pretty...

The other consideration is, it's a 30-06. With proper loads, it should drive TACKS, and, ammo is WAY cheap. I have a CZ 452 for cheap practice, in 22 lr.

Now I firmly believe that EVERY american should own, and fire, 223, 308, and 30-06...

But, I don't have the money, and with the communist gov here, I may not have a job for long.

Suggestions????

DR S

Tough call, Soc. All I can do is point out the obvious that the /06 is ten times as versatile and if you like the old /06...you may soon hate yourself for getting rid of it. I've traded off several rifles in my life that were DUMB moves and I'd sure like to have them back.

I think this .458 thing may be more of an infatuation than a love affair. For the long run, unless you actually plan on being where you can USE this caliber, I would be mighty nervous about your idea. Let us know which way you jump.

I think you are right, Pecos. I went down and fondled the rifle, and it's been in the shop for 6 years, and, it's beautiful, and underpriced.

Wonder if the guy died?

I've always said you NEVER SELL a gun that shoots one hole, at 100 yards, and, I suspect this gun may do that, now. It was about 2 inches in the old,POS stock, with terrible bedding, by a rank gunsmith.

If the 458 is gone before I can come up with the money, I'll buy a CZ 458, and never look back.

Wonder how many 458 rounds fit in those 458's reamed out to take the Ackley??

Wonder if Rob has a reamer for 458 Ackley???

And, if he does, if he would get a hold of me by email?

We'll see.

DR S

Get the Browning.You won't be disapointed.The Browning has twice the quality and twice the workmanship in it than the CZ.

Get it,and mail it to Jack Belk,who will fully bed it to keep it from cracking (mine's going to him in March).He's VERY reasonably priced.

If that rifles been sitting there for six years,it should be no problem to knock him WAY down,on the price.I'd offer $750 out the door for it.

I WOULD NOT rechamber it to 450 Ackley or anything else for the matter.It kicks hard enough as it is-trust me on this one.With 500s going 2050 FPS,even off hand it's almost at the "this isn't fun" level.And I have the heaviest one I've ever handeled (9 pounds with scope).I have handeled them as light as 6 3/4 pounds and several were 7 1/2.

Brian.

Socrates,
I'm with Brian. The 30-06's are a dime a dozen here in the states. Buy the Browning. The FN's are a great action and it should shoot great as is. I also question the rechamber. Brownings are notorious kickers anyway. I have the 6.5 pound .450 Ackley that is way past "NOT FUN" and I am restocking with 3 mercury supressors and a Limbsaver pad to add weight and make this gun shootable.
I thought you already had a .450 Ackley anyway? The .458 Win will make a nice companion.

If you want a 458 then build a real 458 caliber like the 460 Weatherby or 450 Rigby using a CZ 550. Why mess around with that generic Browning 458. Good luck.

Socs,

I would just save your penny's keep what you have and just get a cz 550 in .458 win mag. I tell you one day they will be as prized as that Browning FN.

I'd just like to say that if anyone doesn't want their "generic" Browning 458,I will gladly pay them enough to buy a new CZ.

Anyone who calls a Browning Safari Grade a "generic" rifle or compares it to a CZ,has never handled one.It'd cost about $2000 to have built to it's specs.

Brian.

Timberghost:
The way past fun is an issue with the Browning.
One of the guys at the shop fires 458 Win Mag, and he wonders if the gun would hold up. I have no doubt it would, but, it's going to need either lead, or mercury in the stock, and the pad is the original Browning pad. It's about late 60's, early 70's, not a salt gun.

30-06's are a dime a dozen, but custom bedded ones, with good stocks, that drive tacks, are not.
Still, I would have to buy another scope for the
458 Browning , or CZ, since the 3200 is not tested for such a caliber.

I should have bought a 458 CZ, but I got such a good price on a 375 H&H CZ, I HAD to buy it.

Likewise, this 22 inch barrel, light, Browning, with an FN action is a beautiful gun. It would be great for a all day packing gun, and, I suspect, with the short, light, barrel, at 22 inches would be truly brutal with full house loads. Better to use lighter mono bullets, I think, in 458.

Rechambering to 458 Lott would probably require a new barrel, and longer, and heavier, would be part of the package. Not to mention a fulltime chiropractor, and an orthopedic surgeon on retainer...

I would like two rifles. The 458 Browning for everyday protection, home defense rifle, with lighter bullets, and a 458 lott for range work,
with scope, out of a heavy CZ, with a huge mag, for backup, or that trip to Alaska or Africa.

The appeal of the Browning is it's a beautiful rifle, light, easy to carry, and, you would never feel undergunned, even with bear.

Mingo: You have a point. The real 458's, the Rigby, and the Wby 460, have the advantage of low pressure to get to the magic 2400 fps, with 500 grain bullets, vs. maxing out the Lott, or Ackley.
The down side is I don't think you will be shooting 458 win mag in a pinch...

Can you rechamber a 458 CZ to 460 Wby, and, if so, how many in the mag, and, how expensive is the work?

I've been pricing 460 WBY's, and, they are NOT cheap.

Well. More on this tomorrow.

DR S

Unless they chopped the barrel down,it has a 24 inch barrel.Should have a ramp front sight with cover and a nice folding rear.

Get the Browning.You won't be sorry.Send it to Jack Belk and have him bed it to make sure it doesn't crack (they are prone to crack-you should yank it out of the stock and make sure it's not cracked internaly already),and then you'll have about the best 458 Winchester Magnum that can be had for less than $2000.

Brian.