I will finally get to play with you boys over here on the Big Bore forum for real!

Dropped off my pre-64 at the smith today. Going to blast off the nasty coating the last owner put on, remove the bent factory (but not original I believe...don't think Featherweight 264's came with 26" tubes?) barrel and will be screwing on a 375 barrel once I get it in hand.

Going with a 375 Ruger, as I don't want to open up the existing action. Plus its got some rust pitting, so it'll never be "pretty"...so might as well make it a modern work horse rather then something to fondle and gaze at with a classic chambering.

Got a few things figured out, I know I want a barrel band sling, banded/hooded front sight and probably NECG leafs of some sort. Going to coat it carbon black, probably 22" barrel.

Still have to figure out the bottom metal (didn't come with any) and the stock. I'm leaning towards an Accurate Innovations laminate, possibly a bamboo.

Something I've been putting off for FAR too long!

Won't the body diameter of the Ruger ctg. require opening the action?

belt diameter of a Win Mag case = .532

body diameter of a Ruger case = .532

Its not overly fat with a rebated rim like the WSM/RUM/SAUM lines

Hoping for something like this, but with a hood and likely laminate stock

http://weaverrifles.com/Rifles/375Ruger/375Ruger.htm

FWIW all .264 pre 64 70's, unless special ordered, came with 26" barrels.

It sounds like this barrel was used as a field expedient tire iron/jack handle. Perhaps you can get those pits MIG welded up and then ground down. If you do not have bottom metal, you might want to consider the .375 H&H. From a "practical" stand point (whatever that is), consider an NECG/Recknagel sight with one standing leaf at 100 yards, and one folding leaf zeroed for 200 yards. Beyond that, well even in my youth it was hard to use a 300 yard sight and still see much of the target.

It is your rifle how ever, and your plan is a good one, and right for you.

L/D

If I read the post right, he is going with a paint finish (carbon black). There are fillers in those systems that clean up a pitted receiver really easily. You can't tell the difference if it is done with a little care.

I used high temp JB weld on a pitted Mauser as a filler and then cerakoted it. Turned out really well.

Just a thought.

Jeremy

Lawn dart - thanks! I'm checking out those sights now. The gun will be scoped with something low power, but I really want open back ups. I'm thinking just one zeroed for 100 would be fine, for a gun like this. Anything beyond the 100-150 range would be done with the scope.

farbedo - thanks as well!! I'll speak to the gunsmith about this.

Hey Milehigh..if you dont have one I have a threaded and unchambered 375 Mcgowen 1-10 twist CM barrel if you want.

Ed

Ed - is it already threaded for a pre-64?

yep, I was going to put it on and do a 375 ruger, but threading it to bed the action is as far as I got.

Ed

PM on the way

Hey Milehigh,
The photos off of the Weaver website are of a .375 Ruger Kevin built for me on an '.06 pre-64 action. Just had to open the bolt face and add a Kreiger barrel in a Hi-Tech stock. Then topped it off with a Leica 1.75x6 in Talley detachable rings!

In fact I just got back from a 10 day safari with it and it's performance was over the top! Two buffalo, sable, nyala, hartebeest, all the way down to a small red duiker and from 35 yards to 225 it worked it's magic! Here is a picture of the rifle doing what it's supposed to do, where it's supposed to do it. On the trail of buffalo!


I like the .375 caliber in everything from the original H&H to the Ruger and RUM. Great choice. You will enjoy it!

And BTW, Kevin does great work at reasonable prices. I am very pleased with the rifle.

Bwana very cool! What are the odds I find a random picture online, post it, and the owner comes back with fresh blood lol.

How did you go about piecing it together? Like the sights, the band sling, bottom metal? Barrel length?

MH,
I found a pre-64 Winchester in 30-06 sitting on my favorite gun shop's rack for $575. Like yours it was a bit rough. Had researched Kevin Weaver and gave him a call. We decided on a 24" Kreiger stainless #5 contour barrel, NECG front and rear sights and barrel band swivel. At the time Kevin was high on the Bansner-type Hi-Tech stock so we used one with a 14" LOP. Cerakoted the metal flat black and used his brown pebble painted finish. Then had him adjust the trigger to 40 ounces! Like any DGR the proof is in the feeding of the cartridges through the rifle. Slick as she can be... I put three rounds in this bull in just a few seconds dumping him on his nose with the third shot!

I had $575 in the action and around $2900 in everything else. Ended up with a rifle that works well in the nasty weather of Alaska or the swamps of Mozambique...

Hey guys, great thread here, and great looking rifles.

Milehigh...you are going to have a great piece when all is said and done. I have a similar project in the starting stages....FN Mauser action with Wiebe bottom metal that should comfortably hold 4 down. For a barrel I think I'll go with the LW H&H profile tube cut to 23 inches. Stock will be a McMillan glass. As far as scope, rings, and bases, I've still not decided on that.

Bawana..thanks for sharing your rifle with us.