Please advise me:

I'm thinking of trading on a 458 Lott with a heavy Shilen barrel, a MPI stock, and a 1917 Remington action which cocks on opening.

In your opinion is this action suitable for the Lott? Any other advice concewrning this?

Thank you,

Bill

I would NOT use an MPI stock ... I would use a boyd lam in the classic (used to be JRS classic)

heck, leave the rear sight on!

The Remington is considered the best of the three.
My first 505 Gibbs was built on one. They are very strong, and the action and mag box (with a bit of work) have the length. My 550 Gibbs is built on one, as is the 577 BME.
A restock with cross bolts and bedding and you are ready for African (or any other) DG hunting.

Get it!

regards,

Rich

Jeffeoso: Thank you for recommendations. Unfortunately, it already is stocked and the ears are gone.

Rich: Thank you for your input. The stock has been glassed, but I see no crossbolts.

I'm trying to trade my MK X in 375 H&H for it. Asking price on theirs is $895.

Thank you both,

Bill

Bill,
the good news is that a classic is only 92 bucks to replace the MPI ..

the MPI doesn't require xbolts .. its plastic fantastic ..

i think you are taking a bath on this deal, honestly, for trading a mark X -- you could sell the markX and buy a properly done, with factory service and warranty, for about the same deal .. and it will hold a handful, and the stock+barrel will be fitting, it will shoot, and you have a MUCH nicer rifle ...

Thank you for your advice. Actually, I've tried for months to sell the MK X 375, but since someone before me decided to chop the barrel to 18 1/2, no one either at AR or at Gunbroker seems interested.

But now, I'm confused. If the 1917 is not suitable, why has Rich in this very thread- and some in other threads-made such positive remarks about the 1917 as a good action for large bore conversions?

I've owned a few bigbores: Rugers m77 & #1s in 416 Rem, Winchester (Controlled) also in 416, Custom Mauser in 450 Ackley, pre 64 m70 in 375, ZKK 602 in 458 and CZ in 375. I trade a lot!Currently have a gorgeous (IMO) Whitworth in 458 I'm trying to sell and a Rem 700 in 375 Ultra which is a keeper because I feel so alive when it goes off .

That doesn't make me an expert as I just occasionally shoot these. I sit in my chair and dream of hunting a cape buffalo. But I likely will never get any closer to Africa than my presently working by distance with the South African Theological Seminary. I supervise a number of masters and one PhD students of Theology . My doctorate also is from an SA public university (University of Zululand)

I confess I'm pretty ignorant though of how to judge 1917s or big bores in genera--though I read some on such.

But I like the appearance of the rifle I'm trading on. It comes with a quarter rib pictanny rail installed, the metal is parkerized, it has been accurized (they say), and glass bedded, and has had trigger work. But it does weigh nearly 12 lbs!

I have a three day inspection, so if I can see a fault, I'll return it.

Thank you again for spending time giving me your opinion. I feel right at home at AR though I'm a novice in just about anything discussed here.

Bill Grover

Bill,
it boils down to "what happens if" and which is a better rifle .. an enfield CAN be suitable for nearly anything, and a lott is a great choice for it...

if, and ONLY if, its done by a good big bore smith, NOT if its a local barrel and bed guy that happens to have built ONE ...

big guns are breeds to themselves, and there's a steep learning curve to master the basics .. and a 308 hunterclass master rifle builder, who's never built one, is as much a novice as the "gunsmith" at gander mountain ...

the cz, for a couple more dollars, is a perfected big bore, with proper work done, and its designed from the ground up ...

its just my opinion, but even being as cheap as I am, i am not likely to build another enfield in an available caliber ... the price curve is too steep ...

quote:

Originally posted by jeffeosso:
big guns are breeds to themselves, and there's a steep learning curve to master the basics .. and a 308 hunterclass master rifle builder, who's never built one, is as much a novice as the "gunsmith" at gander mountain ...

Would you mind elaborating on this point? Thx.

Jeffeoso

Thanks again for your counsel.

I am told that this particular rifle was owned by an experienced American rifleman who traded this and several others in on a spendy double rifle.

While I don't know for sure who built it, I have reason for thinking it may have been Ken Lloyd (in Texas?). There are three nearly identical rifles on this seller's website. One is expressly said to have been made by that gunsmith. But the three are exceedingly similar:

*Each is on a Remington 1917.
*Each is described as "accurized."
*Each has had trigger work.
*Each has been converted cock on opening. *Each is parkerized.
*Each has an MPI stoch in the same color!

My hunch is Lloyd made all three.


Calibers vary: 338 Win, 375 H&H, and "mine" is 458 Lott.

Unlike like the others, mine also has have a 1/4 rib ,ie, a picatinny rail.

Possibly the rifle is bad ; I don't know. But I don't think trading my MKX in on it is a mistake $$$ wise.

Thanks again;I really appreciate the opportunity of learning here.

Bill

You know Bill, I considered your rifle quite a bit. You are right that the short barrel was the problem.
I had thought seriously of putting a new barrel on it. Around $300 to have my local smith do so. A bit more to also change the sights and another 200 to add a checkered stock.
You could send your own .458 to Dennis Olsen to have it opened to Lott.
I own several '17 conversions including a .510 and feel they are solid rifles with the weight needed for a Lott. I did have work done on all the safeties back when I was able to get it done inexpensively.
I have had a Lott in the RSM and for the small difference in the cost it is worth going that route.
Send Jeffe a PM about his.
Frank

Maybe I am missing something here....

But if you already have the 375, which you apparently don't want....why don't you just have that rifle turned into a 458 Lott?

I suppose my Whitworth 458 could be made into a Lott. I hesitate to change it however as it seems so perfect as it is- except maybe for the muzzle brake. Even priced at $1195, I've had nibbles on it elsewhere. And should I put a Lott into a very fancy, highly figured stock?

In regard to changing the MK X with the 18 1/2" barrel and full Mannlicher style stock, which is not cross bolted, am I wrong to think that a new stock, a new barrel, and action work might cost upwards of $7-$800 or more?

You see my problem is I'm trying to play with the big boys, but I have a little boy budget. I'm 70 years old, and did not plan well for retirement. To get a new toy, I need usually to give up an old one.

Also,I'm addicted to trading as I like having new things.

Thanks to all for your comments.I hope you old timers in this forum realize the significance of the potential learning opportunities for folks like me which your input achieves.

Bill

Oooh, ok. I DID miss something lol. You are right on the conversion costs of the MkX if you have to add a new xbolted stock as well as the barrel work, probably would be around 7-800.

I see nothing wrong with a wood stocked Lott, there are more then a few around. I think the whitworth would be a good candidate. I would think the only changes needed would be a new magazine box, possibly bottom metal, and a rechamber job. Possibly feed work, not sure on that one, though. I don't see a problem with the brake as well, might be welcomed on the Lott lol. Or you could chop it off?

If you can get a rifle sold for around 700-1000 though, I would just as soon purchase a new or used CZ550 in 458 Lott, seems like the easiest solution.

I'm curious about the short mannlicher 375 though, do you have a link to the for sale thread? Id like to see it! And I would be interested to know what you were asking for it

Dan

Hello Dan

I have bought a number of AAA stocks from Great American for about $500 average unfinished and not completely inletted. The wood on the Whitworth easily compares to them. I'd worry about breaking it.

I can send you a number of pics of the MK X 375 if you like. While I plan to ship it tomorrow or Mon, I think the seller of the Lott would just as soon have $$$.

If you wish to see the MK X 375, which also has exceptional grain in its full, Mannlicher stock, then I need your email.

Thank you,

Bill

I was asking &750--I think.