hi all,

need some help deciding on a cartrige for my m70 project. here's the details:

i've got a brand new m70 in 458win that i want to convert to something else. i originally intended to change over to 458 lott, but after some deep thought as to how i'll use it, i think a smaller caliber is more appropriate. this rifle will be used for whitetails out to 250yds or so-- that seems pushing it for a .45 cal.

i thought briefly about 416s, but as i'm probably getting a rigby soon i figure i should choose something else-- 40 or 425?

could you guys rate some prospective cartridges and the difficulty associated with switching over for each? i'd like to pick a 'short'er magnum so i don't have to have the action opened up, but that's not a hard requirement.

looking the the a-square manual i found one called a .400 Pondoro-- looked like it might deserve a second look. never heard much about it-- just looked like an improved and necked up 375H&H.

a .425 Express might be neat too although i don't know what bullet weights are available and what the useful range would be.

thanks for any feedback

cheers,
patrick

Patrick,
Sounds like you are in a pickle.

My advice, do the lott on the 458, it's CHEAP, FAST, and EASY. You can then load 350s (and 300, but that will be nasty) to nearly 2800FPS, plenty fast for 250 yard shots, and you can load it with 500s at 2300 later. Hell, you could even load 250 grain barnes at 3100+, if you like.

Going smaller would just not be "sane" as it would be just as cheap to buy a new model 708 in 338 than to rebuild and blue one for your existing stock/action/barrel channel.

But, if you decide to not do the lott, I'll give you $50 for the barrel and sights.

if you HAVE to go smaller, 375 HH is cool, 35 STA is coolet, and you can go 7mm STW, on that action, without tons of fuss.

wanna go bigger? Easist choice is the 470 capstick.

let's look at costs
458 lott
should be less than $100 for rechamber, can shoot 458 win, and is "cool"

35 sta
$500
, will be $400 for barrel, chambered, threaded, mounted and headspaced, and then anouther $100 for bluin

same for 7stw, 416 rem, etc etc etc

470 capstick, will be another $50 for the reamer rental.

and then let's talk about easy to shoot.

again, if you take the 458 off, let me buy it from you.

jeffe

Patrick,
If you're not allergic to wildcats, then the 375 Taylor might be worth a look. You can make cases by necking the 458's down to 375. It will pretty much duplicate the 375 H&H using a standard length action. I think there is some data for it on the 416 Taylor website.

Good Hunting,

ppk

Build a 404 and you won't want or need a 416 Rigby. Should cost the same as any other barrel change.

I suggest the following:

1. Barrel it for 470 capstick. With a full power load sighted 3" high at 100 yards, it wil be 1 foot low at 300 yards. I hit an elk with mine at 300.

2. Get a Blackburn extra deep mag box and follower so that you can hold 3 shots down plus 1 in the chamber.

3. Replace the stock to accomodate the blackburn box.

4. install NECG iron sights.

5. Install Talley quick release rings and bases.

6. Install a 2nd recoil lug on the barrel.

...just my opinion.

Regarding the .375. Look at the .375 Epstein, basically a .300 Win Mag necked up, will duplicate .375 H&H.

New barrel and reamer rental, keeps everything else stock.

If you go with a longer one, rather than spend big dollars for ugly magazine box plus bucks for stock, have a deep magazine plate machined ala ZKK-602 but about 3/4" deeper.

It depends really on what you want to spend. If you want to cheap out do the lott. I actually like 500 grains idea of the .470 Capstick, sounds like a great round.

Patrick,

If you are interested in the .400 Pondoro, you should also look at the .400 H&H. They are slightly different in bullet diameter, otherwise you can expect similar performance.

Search on 400 H&H should get you several past threads.

jim dodd

Sounds like to me you really need a 30-06, sorry to be so mundane! Well you could shoot 220 gr. Sierras in it...if you just need a big bore.

I'd second the 404 Jeffrery. It will fit the action. It is a classic. Reloading for it is not too expensive because the cases and bullets are available. It reproduces the 400/450 double rifle round balistic. It was used for culling in Africa and has put down many an elephant or trouble lion. Ku-dude

guys, thanks for all the input--

jeffe, i was thinking about the lott, but then i thought i sould try to do something that didn't require opening up the action.

ac, 375 taylor sounds cool-- i'd like to check out that website you mentioned-- do you have a URL for it?

mickey and ku-dude, i just saw a beautiful 404 done on a FN mauser that i would have LOVED to purchase, but as i'm building a new race motor, i couldn't justify the $5k the guy wanted for it-- but boy was it suh-weet! i'd consider that conversion for my M70-- i'd need a new barrel and probably a bit of work on the bolt face to accomodate the larger rim right?

500, nice one with that elk! what position were you shooting from-- sticks? reason i ask is i was wondering about the recoil of the 470 and could/would you shoot it prone?

roger, that epstein sounds interesting-- kinda like that taylor mentioned above-- any websites with info about it? also i like the idea about the deep mag plate.

pc, that capstick sounds good to me too-- if i decide to go ahead and have the action enlarged, that's gotta be at the top of my list

hj, i tried to search for 400H&H and it didn't return anything but the thread that's currently visible on the main big-bore page-- i'll try google and see if that works.

ray, if i were realistic that would be my choice, but i must admit i'm "hosspowa" crazed-- with regard to both cars and guns

for now she's in the safe, 'cause my rigby's coming tomorrow and i've got 3 days to get some loads ready for opening day on monday!!

[ 11-22-2002, 06:17: Message edited by: ppk1911 ]

PPK
Do the lott anyway... Just have the barrel done, and then single feed it... It's still the first step way, and you can put 458 down the pipe.. all for like $75-100 bucks
jeffe