Interarms Mk X Alaskan .458 WM

10 November 2010, 09:22

gunslinger55

Hello, I thought I would run a few things by you as I picked up a NIB unfired Mk X alaskan .458 from an estate auction. I got it cheap and want to dump some cash in it to make it a usable DG rifle.

Overall the fit and finish look good (enough). The stock looks nice. I have the adjustable trigger which I immediatley put down to a usable weight. I pulled the stock to see how it was lugged, and it had a barrel lug and a receiver lug, all very tightly glass bedded. (nice surprise). It is very tight. It has one stock crossbolt on the forward lug. I cannot tell if it is real or fake, as there are no holes or hex's in the caps. I cannot tell how they are fitted. The recoil pad sucks, thinking decelerator. It does not have a barrel band swivel mount. Sights are OK, decent, not worried about them. It has 6x32 holes tapped for a scope. The action is not smooth, I would like that worked over. Also I was considering a M70 winged safety and new trigger, but that is not top of the list.

What I am looking for is what do I have? What do I need to do to make it a good rifle, or can I just shoot it as is and not worry about it> )(except maybe truing the bolt lugs and smoothing the action) ?

Thanks!

10 November 2010, 15:03

idahoelk101

buy some dies, powder, primers, etc. and shoot the h*ll out of it before you do any work to it. 150-300 rounds will let it settle in and show you what YOU need to make it perfect for you. good buy!

10 November 2010, 18:02

fla3006

Those are good rifles. You might replace the pad, possibly the safety with a M70-type that locks the firing pin, trigger should be fine. For cosmetics, you can slim the stock, remove the comb and shape a pancake cheekpiece, steel grip cap, barrel band swivel, express sights, ebony tip, new checkering, but not necessary.

10 November 2010, 19:19

mstarling

That rifle has most of what you need already. Hand cycle the action a bunch and it should smooth out some.

Put together the stuff required to reload for it and shoot it a bunch.

Decide if you really want an M70 style three position side-swing safely and (I would) have that done and the trigger changed to a Timney and adjusted to a reliable 2.5 to 3 pounds if that is safe for you. At the same time, have the pad changed.

Good working rifle. Enjoy it@

10 November 2010, 20:41

gunslinger55

Thanks for the input. Good stuff here. Sounds like shoot it first and go from there. Winged safety and trigger sound like a good option if and when I get some work done.

What about enlarging the scope mount holes?

Decelarator or the like pad will be tops, and maybe lapping the bolt.

Should be a nice thumper!

10 November 2010, 21:08

fla3006

No need to enlarge scope base holes, Decelerator pad good idea, bolt will lap itself with use.

10 November 2010, 21:38

458Win

I used my MkX 458 hard for over twenty years with the little Leupold 2 1/2 compact scope mounted with the original size 6 screws and never had a problem. They make a great rifle.

10 November 2010, 22:11

Frank Martinez

If you change the safety you will have a large gap where the old safety is unless you leave it as a sort of stalking safety. I think you will find with use the thumb safe is better anyway. You can unload by dropping the floor-plate and cycle any loaded round carefully.
I agree with the above, don't do anything till you shoot it some. These are very accurate for big bore rifles. Be sure to test some 350 grain loads as well which opens it up to a great bear and elk rifle besides DG should you go to Africa.
If you decide to add the Decelerator, I will buy your old pad.
Depending on the work done you may want to keep it in case you wanted to sell the rifle later.

Frank

10 November 2010, 23:27

gunslinger55

Thanks for the info. Sounds like it is a good rifle. Should I leave it alone for collectibility?

11 November 2010, 02:56

458Win

It is not exactly a collectable at this time but I guess it could be some day . They are certainly useable as designed.

11 November 2010, 03:10

mstarling

If you find that you really like the slide lever safety, you can replace the somewhat complicated Mark X trigger with a Bold trigger that also has the side safety. Almost exactly the same quality of trigger pull as the Timney.

11 November 2010, 03:34

gunslinger55

Frank, roger that on the pad.

458 I didn'[t really think so, I just need some excuses to shoot it!

As for the trigger, timney is in town and install while you wait, so that is a tempting offer. I'll check the other trigger out though. Got the stock one to 4 lbs, but I like them lighter than that.

Question: Barrel band sling mount? yes no, doesn't matter?

Thanks again!

11 November 2010, 03:55

Frank Martinez

I did a Bold and found that the angle of the stem is greater than the original. I did not find it to be better and if you have already been able to adjust it I would not fiddle with it yet.
As far as collectible, you would need to find the English imports which really only add a couple hundred in value. They had a few nice additions but overall I have found them all to be great shooters and the best value for price in the express rifle lineup.
If you leave it unfired it may be more valuable to a purist collector but won't do you any good in enjoyment.
Most of the early Whitworth imports came with Ebony forends so check carefully before you replace.
Frank

11 November 2010, 05:13

458Win

The MkX trigger is a steel copy of the older Sako trigger and I have used them on the 458 as well as numerous other rifles here in Alaska and never had a problem with them. I have had two position safeties put on most of my rifles along with the Mk X triggers.

11 November 2010, 15:39

dirklawyer

quote:
Originally posted by gunslinger:
As for the trigger, timney is in town and install while you wait, so that is a tempting offer. I'll check the other trigger out though. Got the stock one to 4 lbs, but I like them lighter than that.

Question: Barrel band sling mount? yes no, doesn't matter?

Thanks again!

Barrel band on 458, yes. As far as the trigger goes it's a good trigger and IMO a crisp 4 lb trigger on a big bore is spot on.

11 November 2010, 16:46

BEGNO

I have two whitworths in .375 & .458. I love them. Used both in Zim this year. I bought them to hunt not collect and changed them as follows:

Full length glass bedded, timney trigger ( 3 lbs)with the safety (which I like much better than the original), double cross bolted (one of the cross bolts was fake), decelerator recoil pad, changed front sight to bigger white bead, talley QD mounts. Both handle and shoot great.

11 November 2010, 17:29

buffalo

quote:
Originally posted by dirklawyer:
quote:
Originally posted by gunslinger:
As for the trigger, timney is in town and install while you wait, so that is a tempting offer. I'll check the other trigger out though. Got the stock one to 4 lbs, but I like them lighter than that.

Question: Barrel band sling mount? yes no, doesn't matter?

Thanks again!

Barrel band on 458, yes. As far as the trigger goes it's a good trigger and IMO a crisp 4 lb trigger on a big bore is spot on.

well - only if you use a sling... I never do in Africa..

11 November 2010, 18:04

jro45

Well welcome to the big boars. You will get good infomation here.

11 November 2010, 20:29

gunslinger55

Thanks, I thought the crossbolt looked fake, as there are no means to actually turn them (smooth circles). Were yours glued in or something? What type of front sight? The bedding job looks pretty good.

Looks like decelerator, crossbolts, possibly trigger and winged safety and maybe a front sight and barrel band. The first two for sure.

quote:
Originally posted by BEGNO:
I have two whitworths in .375 & .458. I love them. Used both in Zim this year. I bought them to hunt not collect and changed them as follows:

Full length glass bedded, timney trigger ( 3 lbs)with the safety (which I like much better than the original), double cross bolted (one of the cross bolts was fake), decelerator recoil pad, changed front sight to bigger white bead, talley QD mounts. Both handle and shoot great.

11 November 2010, 20:30

gunslinger55

Thanks! Saving me a bunch of time already!

quote:
Originally posted by jro45:
Well welcome to the big boars. You will get good infomation here.

13 November 2010, 02:48

Masterifleman

quote:
It has 6x32 holes tapped for a scope.

I would be very surprised if these were not 6 X 48's.

13 November 2010, 17:57

gunslinger55

yeah thats what I meant

13 November 2010, 18:51

Fury01

I bought a new Whitworth with barrel band etc. in 1982 or so intending to go slay Cape Buffalo with it. It had beautiful wood and was lovely to carry. The only bullets I ordered and loaded were the 500 Grain Hornady Solids. I shot a couple of hundred of these before moving back East where I learned it was of sufficient power to take whitetail as loaded with said solids. It sat unused until 1992 when upon shooting it a time or 10, I saw a crack in the web between the magazine and trigger. Calling Interarms, I was directed to send it back and they would replace the stock. Received it back and pulled it out of the box to the worst plain Jane wood and ultra poor bedding job you can imagine. I called Interarms and spoke to the manager of the shop and told him I would prefer the old stock back and I would fix it. He assured me that was not necessary and asked me to send it back and he would handle it personally. In about a month I had my rifle back with another beautiful piece of wood and absolutely flawless bedding. I now doubt that I will make it to Africa, so I turned it into a cast bullet gun with 425 grain GC bullets in front of SR-4759, mounted a Shotgun scope, and it is now my “antlerless” whitetail tag filler. I love to carry and shoot it across the plains of KS. It’s not too hard to turn a whitetail doe into a Cape buffalo if you get your imagination is engaged! It is also my go to gun for “elephant hunting” which is what the boy and I call the days he and I feel the need to take him out of school and wander the spring or fall prairie, reliving our minds of the burdens of book learning and walls. We have not found a 100 pounder yet but we are hopeful. Enjoy yours whatever mission you find for it.
dmw

14 November 2010, 00:08

Abob

Get you some good polishing compound & work the bolt a couple hundred times while watching TV

14 November 2010, 03:21

458Win

Just don't close the bolt too many times (if at all) as that will wear the lugs and change the headspace.

Jim, you back in town? Rocky and I are back and forth between the valley and Talkeetna helping Tia build a cabin. Give us a call.

14 November 2010, 05:35

GaryVA

I like the older pre-Speed Lock Mark X with the adjustable trigger. For a hunting trigger, it is heck for stout and well built with ample adjustment within its range of 3 1/2 to 5 pounds. The safety has more than a trigger block. It also locks the bolt and it lifts the sear off the trigger when engaged. I think it a better trigger than the Timney or Bold if running a hunting trigger pull weight.

My 35+ year old pre-Speed Lock Mark X Magnum.

Pure durable simplicity.

14 November 2010, 07:25

gunslinger55

Great story.....Thanks!

quote:
Originally posted by Fury01:
I bought a new Whitworth with barrel band etc. in 1982 or so intending to go slay Cape Buffalo with it. It had beautiful wood and was lovely to carry. The only bullets I ordered and loaded were the 500 Grain Hornady Solids. I shot a couple of hundred of these before moving back East where I learned it was of sufficient power to take whitetail as loaded with said solids. It sat unused until 1992 when upon shooting it a time or 10, I saw a crack in the web between the magazine and trigger. Calling Interarms, I was directed to send it back and they would replace the stock. Received it back and pulled it out of the box to the worst plain Jane wood and ultra poor bedding job you can imagine. I called Interarms and spoke to the manager of the shop and told him I would prefer the old stock back and I would fix it. He assured me that was not necessary and asked me to send it back and he would handle it personally. In about a month I had my rifle back with another beautiful piece of wood and absolutely flawless bedding. I now doubt that I will make it to Africa, so I turned it into a cast bullet gun with 425 grain GC bullets in front of SR-4759, mounted a Shotgun scope, and it is now my “antlerless” whitetail tag filler. I love to carry and shoot it across the plains of KS. It’s not too hard to turn a whitetail doe into a Cape buffalo if you get your imagination is engaged! It is also my go to gun for “elephant hunting” which is what the boy and I call the days he and I feel the need to take him out of school and wander the spring or fall prairie, reliving our minds of the burdens of book learning and walls. We have not found a 100 pounder yet but we are hopeful. Enjoy yours whatever mission you find for it.
dmw

14 November 2010, 07:26

gunslinger55

What type polishing compound? I heard JB works?

Should I get the lugs squared?

quote:
Originally posted by Abob:
Get you some good polishing compound & work the bolt a couple hundred times while watching TV

14 November 2010, 07:30

gunslinger55

Thanks, I'll have to see what I got.

What type of sights are those? Also what stock?

What year did they switch to speed lock?

I have that cool little manual, came with the unit, also a paper telling to be careful if you remove the stock due to the tight bedding. They weren't kidding!

Any idea about the crossbolts? Are mine fake? I guess I should post a pic.

Thanks!

quote:
Originally posted by GaryVA:
I like the older pre-Speed Lock Mark X with the adjustable trigger. For a hunting trigger, it is heck for stout and well built with ample adjustment within its range of 3 1/2 to 5 pounds. The safety has more than a trigger block. It also locks the bolt and it lifts the sear off the trigger when engaged. I think it a better trigger than the Timney or Bold if running a hunting trigger pull weight.

My 35+ year old pre-Speed Lock Mark X Magnum.

Pure durable simplicity.