Just picked up a Browning Safari BAR in .338WM, what all is involved in turning one of these into a .458WM? I read somewhere about Jack Lott converting one of these as such, I would assume it would involve some spring work, feeding ramp work and magazine work, as well as obviously changing the barrel. Has anyone done this or have any helpful little tidbits? Thanks

Search this forum and Gunsmithing. I vaguely recall a thread or two on this very conversion.

George

I actually had that one back in the 80s and I luved the concept,but it jammed to often,so I sold it!BUT,since then,Dave Clay in Texas who has been conveting levers for years to moster calibers(I had several) is now doing BLR's and BAR's!! ..He has mine and Bigdoggys for a year now and is getting close...we had a choice of 458 Lott or 50/110!...Looks like we are starting with the Lott for now...Give him a call and mention Savannah Tom sent ya...Dave Clay 817 783 6099 Great Guy!

other than they can't go to africa, a perfect platform for a pig killin machine, in 416 ar/taylor/458AR/winmag..

An M1A in .458 WM is probably not only doable but a superior platform...I nominate Jeffe to begin work immediately...

it would work.. and hell no..

quote:

and hell

Hell what...???

.. Who was it , Andrew McClarin or Ganyana , , someone had a client last year who hunted with a Garand in 458 Win Mag .. They had a favorable report on it , some guy in Washington builds them ...I saw one (BAR) in Great Northern Guns or in Sitka , about 20 years ago .......If reliable it would be great for Bear ......

quote:

Originally posted by gumboot458:
.. Who was it , Andrew McClarin or Ganyana , , someone had a client last year who hunted with a Garand in 458 Win Mag .. They had a favorable report on it , some guy in Washington builds them ...I saw one (BAR) in Great Northern Guns or in Sitka , about 20 years ago .......If reliable it would be great for Bear ......

Maybe like this from Mcann Industries

As a ex- Garand builder I gotta say this is one of those ideas that should cause you to lie down till it goes away! The Garand was designed to work specifically around the pressure curve of a 30-06 class cartridge and even then, I've seen broken and cracked bolt lugs and op-rod overrides. Do you know why most Garand actions show a Two-tone coloration in the Parkerizing? It was because they had receiver heel fractures and the receiver heels had to be re-annealed to prevent it.
Now mod the gun for a .458 win mag with a totally different pressure curve requires way more than a new gas port hole and a stronger set of springs. You still have the weak bolt lug,shortened op-rod thing to deal with. Yes, before someone reminds me, a garand action was tested to 85Kpsi and survived, however just how many of the early Garand action would have survived? Bottom line is this remains a poor idea. Even though on the surface I'll admit it sounds cool. I would not ever shoot one. Anybody know if any of these guns were Proofed and at what pressure and how many times?-Rob

I saw a BAR 458 here about 20 years ago or so. It would not handle the factory 510 load from the magazine. As I remember it was converted from a 338. You would think that there would be more or them out there by now if they really worked well.

Very interesting idea.

I think if I was going to do it I would start from scratch building this semi-auto 458lott. It seams easier than fixing other peoples issues.

Gents, thanks. I would certainly not do a M1 garand in that caliber, I've partaken in that conversation before. Interesting idea non the least, however that action it would be iffy. Now a M1A in 35 whelen...that's what I'm talking about!
It's been a idea I've been toying with for a very, very long time and really am just getting started to get off my ass and do it. Kinda just dove into the project I guess. But regardless, thanks for the info, I have a feeling I'll be diving into this kinda blind. I'll let you gentleman know how it goes as progress is made. Thanks!!