hey Guys,
I am thinking about straightening both my bolt handle and bottom metal. I've got room and time, but wednesday will be too late.

Let me be fair, I LIKE the dogleg enfield handle, as it lets me get "ahold" of it.

I think i can get 3 or 4 in it with a straight bottom metal

And, if the vote goes out for "bending" bottom metal, does anyone have one, or do I just need to get to work?
jeffe

[ 12-31-2002, 07:31: Message edited by: jeffeosso ]

My .404 has a straight Oberndorf style handle and looks as good as it feels. Having the handle at a right angle to the bolt gives the perfect leverage, especially on an artillery piece.


[ 12-31-2002, 07:37: Message edited by: KurtC ]

Jeffe,
I have several Enfields and on the whole I like the "doglegs". However I must make one thing clear,On my 416 Rem the bolt smacking my fingers so hard as to nearly think it was broken was not something I want to repeat with my 500A2. I made that point very clear to my 'smith. I will also specify a non-standard bolt on my 30-378 that will be ready about the same time. My 30-06,35whelen,the 458,303,and 375Taylors I have no problem with the dogleg. Something to consider.
Your mileage may vary.
RE, the bottom metal...I bought an old copy of the book Williams(of reciever sight fame) put out for years for help in sporterizing Milsurps.
The page regarding the Enfield's is quite helpful in detailing the conversion from hogbelly to flat. If you like I can try to scan the page and e-mail it to you directly.....45nut

Buy a Remington 30 triggerguard from Numrich. Hurry though, they are scarce items.

Here is a link to a nice bolt handle -- this is what I am shooting for (pun intended):

http://www.guntailor.com/html/rifle_stocks.html

I think it's a little long though, which along with the hole in the end makes me think it is the original handle heated and straightened. I'm going to use a Talley at the same angle down and back, just a tad shorter.

Take care,
Todd

One more thing, I have to say I don't mind the dogleg, but I think one that is straighter and sticks out just a bit more (ball a little higher too) would facilitate faster working of the bolt -- that's why I'm doing it. I'm at enough of a handicap with the cock-on-closing spring resistance (I believe I already told you about my bad experience with the cock on open kit).

Todd

Todd,
thanks, did and done. Got the stuff on the way from Numrich.. 300hh mag box (i'll try it for $8.50) and a 30 "triggerguard"

jeffe

My first 458 lott had the std dogleg, and when my buddy first fired it, it drew blood by opening a cut he'd had on his finger. So, straight bolt is the way to go, and as soon as I recieve my 500 from Mr Ricks, I'll be doing some cutting and welding to remedy the situation.

I might have to get ahold of those parts from Numrich as well!

Being a lefty, the dog-leg bolt handle of the 1917 Enfield doesn't bother me at all! Jeffe if I get a chance I'll take some pictures of my mag box and floorplate on my 470 MBOGO for a reference for you. It worked out great! Watch the box dimensions for the 500 Jeff though!-Rob

Rob, and everyone,
Thanks tons.. I think i am going to leave the bolt, and then use straightened floor...

Rob,
PLEASE send the pics on the 470...

I am getting excited!!
jeffe

KurtC, Tell me about your 404-action, smith etc.
lb404

IMHO that broken leg needs replacing with the handle style in the pic of the 404 Mauser. It just adds another "Touch of Class"

lb404
I e-mailed some info. If you didn't get it let me know.

KurtC- I got the information. Thanks

Straight, like God and Paul Mauser intended.

okay, the numrich parts arrived.. the mag box will work modified, but the m30 bottommetal is 100% pitted. Looks like a cast iron cleat on a shrimpboat. It's going back.. perhaps the next one will be better.

testing fitting with follower, though, shows i MIGHT get the bolt closed over 4 down, but 3 down is easy peasy.

jeffe

Sorry to hear about the Numrich misadventure -- one of my R-30 tg's was pitted, but salvageable, the other was okay. The machining and finish on them is atrocious (equivalent to my M-48, which looks like it was 'stoned' with a brick), gives you even more respect for good old PPM and his 98.

What do you think of the sheet metal box? I decided to go with a P-17 box instead. After reading the extractor thread on Gunsmithing, I think I will go with a P-17 extractor too.

Todd

Forgot to ask -- what follower are you using? I might try the standard P-17 follower for my Lott -- the other option is the PME follower.

Todd

Todd,
at this second, i think I am going to use the sheetmetal box, but I'll 'glass it in quite a bit and it's a tad too long. just mods I need to do.

For today, as well, it's going to be the p17 follower, but I am having some ideas that I might need to make a custom one. I am worried about the WIDTH of it, as I think I would like to expand the lower 1/2 of the box mag, as that might give me enough space for a 4th one down.

Am I being greedy, want a 4 shot jeffe?

I am sending my trigger to timnet tomorrow, and thinking about going ahead and straigtening the bolt handle. This week is probably going to be very slow on mine, as I am going hunting on friday!!

cheers
jeffe