Hi all, out of curiosity would or could this just be a rebarrel from 375H&H or is there more to it with regards to mag box etc?

Cheers,
Mark.

Bolt face, mag box, etc. There are more knowledgeable folks than me that can go thru on the details. I do know starting for an Ultra Mag is the easiest route.

I'm just having one finished up now by Bijou Creek Customs. I used the 300 RUM M70 as a base. It will look like its Big Brother in 458 Lott.

Thanks guys, but the M70 in the RUM cases never saw much daylight down here. So the bolt face needs openning slightly, does the mag box from the 375 not work?

Cheers,
Mark.

Re-barreling to a 470 Capstick is a lot less work, more power too!

Mark - check this mag box out.

http://wyattsoutdoor.com/produ...d272ea260369aa14bdb4

It's designed to extend the cartridge length with minor machining of the bottom of the receiver. It's cheap enough and their site says they will export.

I looked at the bottom metal of two pre-64 M70s; one chambered for 375H&H, one custom built to 404J. both looked the same. I loaded some round nose 400 gr 404s in the 375 mag. It held three. The top two popped right out of the mag and headed for the chamber (stopped before the bullet hit the front of the chamber) several times; but the last one (the first cartridge in the magazine) would hit the side of the feed ramp and wouldn't chamber. this was curious because the third cartridge in the stack was also on the starboard side of the stack and pushed forward from the same spot, but didn't hit the side of the feed ramp.
Based on my observations, a 375H&H could be rebarrelled to a 404J with a change of the mag follower- to put the first cartridge a little closer to the center, and then removing a slight amount of metal from the boltface and extractor to accommodate the slightly larger 404J rim. Otherwise, it should be fine.

quote:

Originally posted by JFE:
Mark - check this mag box out.

http://wyattsoutdoor.com/produ...d272ea260369aa14bdb4

It's designed to extend the cartridge length with minor machining of the bottom of the receiver. It's cheap enough and their site says they will export.

Isn't the 404 slightly oal than a 375H&H??

Cheers,
Mark.

It can be done on the mod. 70 action..I would opt for a RUM and turn it into a 404 Jefferys, its the easy way to do that..Its a wonderful caliber, one Ive used most of my African hunting career..I also like the 416 Rem. as well, but the 404 has nostalgia, and that counts with me..

In some cases, depending on the action, its best to open the magazine up in the rear as much as possible and as little as possible in front. you may need to modify the bolt stop also. Much less to be done by using the RUM, and much less expense.

Would anyone know offhand if a 404J could be built on the Model 70 in .458?
I am yet to get alook at the rifle but my concern is the length of the action ??

Mark, the gunsmith could always do what's been done to a standard Mauser action...make a cut in the bridge to allow for ejecting a loaded round. It became pretty routine when the availability of Magnum Mauser actions dried up.

The 458 magazine has a shortening spacer in it, that if removed or the box replaced by one that is open full length, the 404 would fit. the follower may need to be replaced and the boltface/extractor opened slightly, but otherwise, I'd expect a rebarrel from 458 to 404 without much difficulty.

fr8liner,

my Lott, same coal +/-, is built on a classic M70, with a Blackburn bottom metal package feeds flawlessy with softs. solids, and cast.

I also have a 458 RUM, on an OM 70 that Jim Kobe did the metal work on. He would be my first choice to talk to.

quote:

Originally posted by Biebs:
I'm just having one finished up now by Bijou Creek Customs. I used the 300 RUM M70 as a base. It will look like its Big Brother in 458 Lott.

Biebs do keep building these things so you can just sell them below cost.

Mine done on an M70 Classic action in 300 RUM. Rebarrelled with a Pac Nor, added NECG sights and cerakoted. AFAIK, bolt face nor mag box required modification.

the RUM is about a 98% clone of the 404 J. Blow out the taper, sharpen the shoulder, and neck up or down to suit. Oh yeah, to eliminate a different rim diameter, reduce the 404 from .543 +/- to .532, standard magnum bolt face diameter.

It really is simple, since oal is about the same.

The exception; the 338 RUM is a little shorter for some silly reason.

I had my 404 J built on a 375 H&H M70 Stainless donor rifle. Installed a 25" Lilja Match grade barrel. I think the twist was 1/14

quote:

Originally posted by p dog shooter:
Biebs do keep building these things so you can just sell them below cost.

Yeah, when does the .404 go up for sale?