I just took in trade a Winchester M70 with a custom 8mm Rem Mag barrel. The medium weight 26" barrel has NECG (Recknagel) express sights, nicely done, but entirely inappropriate for this caliber. A laminated stock with a monte carlo has been fitted. The gun has upgraded bottom metal, Sunny Hill I believe. I don't need it, so I plan to sell the gun. I have my doubts that I can maximize my profit with the current caliber. For $350 I can have the gun rebored and rechambered for one of the following calibers:

.416 Remington Magnum
.450 Ackley Magnum
.458 Lott
.458 Winchester Magnum
.470 Capstick

Would you folks with experience with big bore rifles provide recommendations as to the best caliber for resale of this rifle? Would I increase my chances of selling the rifle rechambered in one of these calibers at a cost increase of $350, or just sell as is?

Thanks for your input.

The Lott is the current darling for creating painful shoulders. A lot (no pun intended) of rifles are sold in 416 Rem Mag every year. It is much milder to shoot (400-grain bullet versus a 500-grain blivet - pun intended).

Also, transforming into a .416" bore will leave more metal, hence better balance than going up to .458". Also, check and see how much metal (diameter) is left with opening up to the .458" bore. 0.120" is probably a safe minimum. Subtract 0.458" from the present outside diameter. Divide the difference by 2 to get that number.

My two cents, which are worth somewhere between what you're paying for them and what I'm valuing them at......

458 Lott if the barrel is thick enough; 416 Remington if it's not. The Lott has some advantages over the Win Mag and is a factory cartridge, which the 450 Ackley is not.

LWD

I wouldn't sell the 8mm Rem Mag short. If you look for original Remington BDLs in 8mm Rem Mag, you'll see that they sell for significantly more than those in more "normal" calibers. It is developing something of a retro following....maybe because Boddington shoots one.

I forgot the 8mmRemMag existed.This is a mean cartridge-220gr@3200fps. Lion medicine,IMO.I remember pondering over this cartridge back in the late 70`s while checking out Peterson`s Hunting Magazine and dreaming about hunting.

I wouldn't put another $350.00 in it. The 8mm mag is a bang-up elk, moose, bear cartridge. It might not appeal to everyone, but you only need one buyer. If I was going to rebore it I would go to a 375 Weatherby which is becoming fairly popular and wouldn't eliminate hunters in the lower 48. I'd bet you can sell it as is easier than you think.

quote:

I wouldn't put another $350.00 in it. The 8mm mag is a bang-up elk, moose, bear cartridge. It might not appeal to everyone, but you only need one buyer. If I was going to rebore it I would go to a 375 Weatherby which is becoming fairly popular and wouldn't eliminate hunters in the lower 48. I'd bet you can sell it as is easier than you think.

This is a good point. Most of the few 8mm Rem Mags you see on Gunbroker are in average to poor condition and relatively overpriced. Maybe it's worth taking a stab at selling it first? The caliber does have a cult following. Rebore later if needed.

LWD

I normally find that adding cost to a firearm most likely doesn't increase the value as much as the cost.

If you brought the rifle at such a low cost that adding 350 well not hurt.

Then you should beable to price it in 8mm mag to sell it fast and still make a profit.

If you paid to much for the 8mm mag then you should have is really adding 350 worth it.

The 8mm mag is a really nice elk banger ect.

I put it on gunbroker. It was not germaine to the instant discussion, so I didn't mention that it was left handed. I won't post a link but you can find it if you are curious. Feel free to comment, including price. You won't offend me.

If it doesn't move on gunbroker, you could also put it up here in the classifieds, or at 24HCF and I bet you'll get some bites sooner then later. Left hand M70 Classics always seem to go quick around here if for nothing but doing customs.

I might just order a set of dies and a box of brass and experiment with the caliber before it sells. That might be an eye opener.

Probably will be an eye opener. It's an outstanding and highly under appreciated heavy hitter and long range round.

My favorite 8mm is the German 8 x 68mm. It is just one short half step behind the 8mm Remington Magnum. I think you will find the recoil to be quite bearable, and the rifle to be quite flat shooting. Nosler and Swift make some great bullets. The traditional bullet was a 220-grain pill back in the day of mainly cup and core bullets. With the modern uber bullets, the standard is now the 200-grain item. It is a true cross canyon capable rifle.

I saw a right handed version in a store recently for $895.00. That information may or may not be helpful to you. I think having a left handed variation makes your rifle very saleable.

Good luck.

Juan

Back in the 90's I rebarreled one of those to 7mmSTW. Took it to Africa and wacked a lot of critters with it out to 400 yards or so. Made a great gift to the PH.-Rob

If it doesn't sell to an alaskan or someone out west,rebore to 416 Rem

quote:

Originally posted by Vol717:
I might just order a set of dies and a box of brass and experiment with the caliber before it sells. That might be an eye opener.

Vol:

I used to shoot and eight mag and frankly, I think it is a fantastic caliber. Great for long shots on elk and moose and I also think George is right, if it is legal, great lion and plains game medicine. Mine just loved 220 Swifts. If you are looking for dies and brass, PM me. I think I have both.

My Pa and I both shoot the big-8. I am a big fan, and it seems they always sell quickly when I see them advertised, so there must be a reasonable following out there.

Cheers,
Canuck