The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores used 458 win mag costGo | New | Find | Notify | Tools | Reply | |
| one of us |
I think I will be buying a 458 win mag. I prefer a Model 70 Pre 64 blued with a wooden stock. It is going to have a 20" barrel and only peep sites. I want it for my work rifle as I am a PH in South Africa seasonally. It does not have to be pretty but must be 100% functional. What will a good used rifle like this cost me? jj ------------------ | ||
|
Moderator |
Jim, Your probably looking $500-700 if you can find one. With the colectors value of the pre-64's, it might be a bit tougher to come by. You might also consider a whitworth 458, essentially a mauser 98, and you could have the 3 position safety fit to it. I'll let you know if I come across one. I'd also suggest having it re-chambered to 458 lott, you can use either win mag or lott ammo in it. The win mag is kinda sluggish out of a 20" tube, the lott will do 2250 for sure from a 20", mine was doing 2280. | |||
|
| one of us |
Damn JJ I was just pulling your string on that other post to stir you up, didn't think you'd actually do it!!!! Anyway thats good advise on the Whitworth Express..They cost around $800 in that caliber and have express sights and the barrels are wonderfull...I have never seen one that wouldn't shoot an inch and you got a full blown Mauser with control feed... ------------------ | |||
|
| one of us |
Ray I have the use of a 500 jefferys and a 458 win mag when I work in SA. I also have used a 458 lott, or maybe it was a watt? anyway I decided to aquire my own because I hate to have a problem with another PH's rifle or ammunition. I will be working in Alaska this fall for the last time instead of going back to South Africa this fall. I promised the Outfitter in Alaska I would guide for him this one last time. So I will not need the 458 until the spring of 2002. I just figured I would start hunting for a nice rifle now so it will be ready when I need it next season. I wonder what the loss of velocity is from the 20" barrel. The one I have been using there has a 20 inch barrel and it is such a nice handeling rifle. He claims 425 grian rhino bullets at 2300 fps? I have no loading experience with the 458 Win mag. I only shoot stuff with it.jj | |||
|
| Moderator |
A real pre'64 M70 in 458 is a very expensive rifle. They were made only in the Super Grade model and I've yet to see one priced under $2000. They also are notorious stock splitters and every one I've seen that has been shot much at all will have a crack in the grip area. For a working rifle I'd buy a new model crf M70 and have it gone over properly, or just have someone like Rifles, Inc build you one the way you want it. | |||
|
| One of Us |
I agree with John. If you buy a good Pre 64 and then butcher it(which you will have to do to get a 20 inch barrel, unless you remove the original barrel), then its collector value status will have dropped. Pre 64s have some nice touches for a custom rifle like a 1 piece bolt, but they are very sloppy compared to any of the post 68 actions. Kind of like a Mauser. Pre 64s a sort of like the 375 H&H caliber. We all love them but for sheer function there are better things. Very nice 458s are the Super Grade push feeds with the black forend tip. They have an extremely slick action. I saw on of those on the Amercian gun auctions in top condition for $850US. The had 22 inch barrels. I wonder if there was an increase in the injury and death rate of African PHs in the 30 year period where 458 M70s were push feeds What about a BRNO 458? Mike | |||
|
| one of us |
Why not just get one of the new M70 classic safari .458's for about $800 and let it go at that. Spend a few hundred bucks and have it gone over by a good gunsmith and you'll have a better rifle than what you could get for the same price on the used market. It'd be pretty cheap to get it chopped to 20" and crowned, although I think a 20" barrel is pretty useless, but whatever floats your boat. If you want nostalgia get an older rifle but if you want functionality then get a new one and have it worked to your specifications. | |||
|
| one of us |
Well guys I thought a used .458 would be less then new. I'm not a gun expert I'm a PH so I was thinking a used gun would be cheaper? Live and learn I guess. I will probably buy a new .458 Classic and then change it to work as I need to. As far as a 20" barrel being "useless" I guess you have never worked in the Jungle rainforst of Kwa Zulu Natal, My shooting with this rifle will probably not be over 100 yards and likely not over 60 yards! Thanks all for the input.jj ------------------ | |||
|
| one of us |
JJ, Another alternative and one I depend on is too buy a pre-64 Win action (still the best) for about $400.00 and a stock for $100 and rebarrel it to 458 Win. I use Walther barrels or Douglas, either one..You can get into one that way for about $750.00 ready to roll.. In fact I have a couple of actions if you want one of them and I'll toss in a usable stock if your interrested, then all you will need is a follower and a barrel. Thats a better gun than a new one for your business IMHO....$400 plus postage...anyone interrested. ------------------ | |||
|
one of us |
JJHACK, I picked up my Whitworth Express like new for $500. While looking I found two Winchester M70s with Leupold 1-5s for $850 each. If you look there are lots of great buys out there. Good Luck! | |||
|
| one of us |
JJ, Are thoes 458.Win M-70's pre 64??? if so I'll take one or both.... ------------------ | |||
|
| one of us |
Correction thats Over 40 not JJ above ------------------ | |||
|
| one of us |
Ray, Sorry, push feeds. But still nice rifles. Good Shootin | |||
|
| Powered by Social Strata |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
The Accurate Reloading Forums THE ACCURATE RELOADING.COM FORUMS Rifles Big Bores used 458 win mag cost
Visit our on-line store for AR Memorabilia
