It's been a few years now and all the hype has pretty well faded. I'm curious what those of you who bought the Safari model now think of them. I've a little experience with the Interarms models of years gone by. I really liked them. Did the finish hold up like the old Interarms versions, did they smooth up, how about those multilayer stocks, do you still like them? Just curious.
Bfly

Mine was 458WM and it went 100 round or so. Now it is 458AR which was the reason for buying it. Price was right. Factory bedding compound was crap, so needed replacing. Aluminum bedding block and crossbolts made it usable for what I wanted. Action and bolt did need some fine abrasive and polishing to smooth up a bit. Laminated stock seems durable. Trigger is adjustable, but not a great trigger. Bolt knob smacked trigger finger in recoil so it got straightened out. Are they as nice as the old Interarms Mark X's?, no, but do I like it?, yes.

Good rifle, really like it. .458 Win. mag., but not the Safari model, it had a 26" barrel, reduced to 23" and lost the iron sights.

4sixteen,

how do you like the floorplate release on that model?

I purchased one of these rifles in 375H&H for my son's 18th birthday present. It seems to be a good working rifle. His actually has a nice piece of wood (or better stated pieces of wood). The action is a bit rough but no more so than a CZ. My son likes it with iron sights but that rear sight is a bit on the cheap side. One point of interest is that the insert in the rear sight that allows for POI adjustment, broke and fell out. This left a rather large "U" shaped opening to the rear sight. It actually simulates an "Express" sight in that configuration so he has left it that way and it works fine.

The only other problem we have had with the rifle is that the half band type, front sling swivel came off and was lost somewhere at the range. I drilled the stock and mounted a standard sling swivel stud in the forend to replace it.

quote:

Originally posted by jsl3170:
4sixteen,

how do you like the floorplate release on that model?

Works just fine, no issues.

I wish the floorplate release were somewhere else. I imagine it could be hit inadvertently. Here some pic of mine

quote:

Originally posted by Dan416:
I wish the floorplate release were somewhere else. I imagine it could be hit inadvertently.

If it bothers you, you can always grind it down so it is flush with the outside of the bow like the military guard it was originally designed for. That way you need to press it with a tool or bullet tip and can't be acidentally pressed. Or just half way in between so you really need to get it there with you finger. That and/or a stronger spring.
Don

Don, Good ideas. And not too hard to do. I thought about the time old Mbogo started the charge I'd accidentally hit the release which would make for an interesting situation. Although the chances of me getting to Africa are just a little better than me winning the lottery.

I've had mine a couple of years now. Have fitted a 3 position wing safety and usually use it open sighted. The barrel band stud on mine has been re-tightened and glued in place. Bolt is still pretty rough but is slowly getting better.

Cheers,
Mark.

Mark, What caliber? And no laminated stock?

458WM and this is still a laminate. They call it their "Real Wood" stock and has a strip of another timber through the spine of the stock.... I quite like it

Cheers,
Mark.

Couple drops of a decent 2-part epoxy on the floor plate release will ease your mind. Might just be me of course, but that's a feature which has always impressed me as a "solution in search of a problem".

Here's my 458 as purchased:


It been a work in progress for 2 years. So far, I had the barrel cut down from 26" to 23", recrowned and refitted the front sight. Also had the front sling swivel on the laminate stock moved from underneith the forearm to the front of the forearm, the action polished, the bolt jeweled and added a cheek piece pad:







Plan to keep it iron sights. Haven't taken it hunting yet, but am getting good groups at 50 yards on paper.

quote:

Originally posted by Dan416:
Don, Good ideas. And not too hard to do. I thought about the time old Mbogo started the charge I'd accidentally hit the release which would make for an interesting situation. Although the chances of me getting to Africa are just a little better than me winning the lottery.

Well I am sure that will make the buffalo sleep a little better. If I can figure out how to post it, I have a little video of Dan416 shooting that rifle in competition. He is faster with a big bore rifle than ANYBODY that you will ever meet and deadly accurate. It is a pleasure watching him shoot.

quote:

Originally posted by RaySendero:
Here's my 458 as purchased...

Plan to keep it iron sights. Haven't taken it hunting yet, but am getting good groups at 50 yards on paper.

Nice work! Mine is a good hunting rifle, just the one to be carrying when you encounter a 1200 lb. bull moose in the bush...

I have two. a 375 H&H and a 458 Win Mag.Thats TWICE the fun!!! I had a Smith smooth up the actions,adjust the triggers,and install barrel bands. He also installed Williams Gold bead front sights. He hasn't put on the front sight guards yet. Leupold quick detachable rings that were hand lapped. A Leupold VariX 111 2.5-8 on the 375 and a Leupold VariX 11 1-4 on the 458. Both rifles are a blast at the range and shoot .75 groups with my handloads!!!

Mine in action

Cheers,
Mark.

Mark did you use Alloy bases or Steel with the Leupold quick release rings, I've just got a 9.3 & wanted steel but can only get 1 base, may use Alloy ?

Sarg, Pretty sure they were steel. Can't remember as they were only on for a short time??
I can try and source some and send them if you like? Are you down south still or heading north (or in N.Z.)?

Cheers,
Mark.

Thanks Mark, just wanted to know how they stood up for you, rings & mounts both on the 458Win, I will work out the bases, thank you for the offer !
Im down South for now, then up North in a bit.

Cheers

Leupold (or other Weaver style) steel bases and QRW steel rings work fine. Also have them on my 416RM.

I need a favour mate. Down south.... Tas or Vic?

cheers,
Mark.

Tas, Highlands !