So I have been forced to realize after a recent property "shopping spree" that a full custom is not in the cards. At least not before next years Africa trip. But I still have some desires for my armament that I will have to adress from a more budget conscious perspective.

So here's my conondrum, I have a remington 798 Safari in 375 H&H. It would do the trick as is but just doesn't have the bells and whistles I would like to have. I bought it as a practice gun and also for bear and since it rains quite a bit around here, the realwood laminated stock seemed appropriate at the time.

If it had a three position safety, soldered barrel band as apposed to the clamp-on half barrel band it came with, express rear sights and more classic stock I would be content with it. I would have the action polished a bit as it it still a little rough but other than that, that would be the list.

I have priced this with a local smith (No Duane Wiebe, but probably OK)and even if I buy a semi inlet from Accurate innovations or Richards or Gunstocks.com, the price tag is still a couple of grand. For that or not much more I can buy an older used custom in decent condition or a new Kimber.

I keep waffling back and forth on what would be the better choice so I would like to open it up to your opinions...

See if you can find a take-off stock from a 375 Whitworth. The acion should drop right in. Then do your metal work.

Just a thought.

Keith

This is a conundrum. If you find a used custom within budget that has every bell and whistle you want within your budget, then jump on it and enjoy. Me personally, I think even the used customs of the rifles I want are still a little pricey for me.

I might suggest, outfit your current rifle with all the things you want in regards to metalwork. You can save up and have a nice stock made for it (and you) later on down the road. In the meantime, get a wood rasp and start shaping the laminate stock to look the way you want.

Thanks for the suggestions. The whitworth stock occurred to me, if I could find one. I wonder though, would that leave me with a cut out in the whitworth stock where the sliding side safety was? I guess I could forego that wish and at least end up with a nicer stock.

I also thought of sanding down the Monte Carlo on my stock but I'm concerned that it would drop the comb too low. Thoughts?

Oops, thinking faster than i type. What i meant was, If I forego the desired three position safety... Just to clarify.

I would definitely not spend $2000 upgrading a 798. A quick search on gunbroker turned up:

Whitworth 375s

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti...x?Item=307100994#PIC

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti...x?Item=306809915#PIC

CZ 550 375s lots, liked this one

http://www.gunbroker.com/Aucti...x?Item=307135440#PIC

Gunsinternational

Whitworth 375

http://www.gunsinternational.c...cfm?gun_id=100281212

Or why not a brand new Winchester Model 70 in 375 H&H?

Here's what I did to mine.


shortened forearm, Ruger front sight and barrel band, NECG rear, straightened bolt shank and larger knob, glass bedding replaced, polished bolt with 320 then 400 grit paper

Chuck, definitely sound advice. But, they just don't float my boat. While both the CZ's and the Winchesters are strong actions and accurate rifles, the stocks leave much to be desired in my opinion. I think I might be leaning towards a used custom and that seems like the concensus here as well. Or a kimber...

Dan, are you blessed with the gift of craftmanship or are you like me forced to relent in that department and have others do it?

Chuck I gotta ask....why NOT spend the money upgrading a 798? Especially since you mentioned Whitworth....they came from the same factory, did they not? Same as the Mark X Charles Daly Mausers, and IIRC at least one other importer who took the same action and put their own name on it.

I have owned several Mark X Whitworths and sold several 798's. There's no comparison. The Whitworths are twice the gun. I prefer the slide safety on the Whitworths as well; it's much better suited for dangerous game hunting from a speed aspect.

You can find alot of used guns that are a huge improvement over the 798 for $1500 or less.

But it's your money.

Done deal. Just pulled the trigger on a used custom mauser in 375 H&H. I bought it off gunbroker so we'll have to see if it looks as good in real life.

Pics!

quote:

Originally posted by Rick O'Shay:
Done deal. Just pulled the trigger on a used custom mauser in 375 H&H. I bought it off gunbroker so we'll have to see if it looks as good in real life.

Congrats!

I should have it in a few days. I'll post as soon as I get it!

Now I just have to decide which other rifle is coming to Namibia...

AAAHHHH, the beauty of the 375.... Only need one rifle!

But Flipper, need has nothing to do with it...

There's no guarantee that a used custom rifle won't need work to function properly.

Dave

True, but there's no guarantee a new one won't need work either ...

Not to be nagging, but I do seem to recall a fellow forumist's request for pix and they have yet to appear...

My apologies guys! Vacation and then whole lot of work and starting a new business came in between... I will figure out how to post pictures right away. A question though, I only took one picture of the new rifle, next to my other 375 before dropping it off at the smith for some work. Will gunbroker be up in arms if I post the pictures from the auction?

Well, Rick, I was in the same boat as you. I've always wanted a 375 H&H and was really liking the Sako Kodiak. Perfect for Alaska, stainless, short barrel, good iron sights, but I just had a hankering for a mauser style gun.

I got a good deal on a near new 798. It shoots great. In fact it shoots so well, it's a shame to replace it, but I want a lighter contour barrel. So I'm going to pull the barrel off and put a new stainless Lilja, probably about as short as the Kodiak (21 inches), but perhaps an inch or two longer. I plan on giving the action and bolt a weather proof finish like cerakote or NP3. I like the short Kodiak stock, which allows for the proper barrel band placement.

All of which will cost me much more than the Kodiak or many of the used Winchesters on GB, but it will be done exactly the way I want! Look forward to seeing your photos. BTW, you can usually post the link to the auction from GB and it will remain available for quite a while.

I hear you Dave, having it done "your way" is woth the extra cost. I'm still working on the photobucket thing. It is taking a little while because I have to make sure it is safe as I have some sensitive information in my computer, and I I have to ask others what is OK or not. I will freely admit that I am not computer savvy enough to determine that myself.

In the meantime I'll tell you what I'm having done. The front sight, barrel band and quarter rib were bolted on it turns out. I'm having them soldered on instead. Consequently I will have to have it reblued. I am also having the bolt jeweled. Overall I'm quite happy with my purchase. It isn't exhibition quality but quite well made. I suspected it was an FN action but was kind of excited to see that it was an FN action made for Husqvarna. Not that it makes any difference really but since I am swedish I thought that was kind of fun.

Next step is to figure out what kind of rear base I need to go with the quarter rib.

OK, first attempt. Hopefully there will be an image below here.

Crap!

one more try

Woohoo, it worked! OK here are a few more.

Last couple of pictures. The custom next to the 798.


And the husqvarna logo on the receiver ring.

Nice job! I saw that one for sale and it looked real nice. Glad it worked out.

Beautiful!