I am always on the look for suitable Left Handed rifles/actions to make into large calibers. I been kicking around the idea of a 458 Lott. Winchester offers a 375 H&H LH rifle that probably is ready just to rebarrel and maybe reinforce the stock. I can pick one of these up new for about $900. Or I can find a used Left Handed rifle for probably about $500. The H&H factory version does appear to have a much more suitable stock for the conversion. Suggestions are appreciated.

find yourself a 458 you like - then all you have to do is to run the lott reamer into it. easy and cheap

I'm also a lefty so I've looked into it too. I've pretty much concluded that any big bore gun I want will have to be built on the left handed Montana Rifle Co. long action, as that's one of very few left handed 375 length actions available right now.

If you modify a Win Safari Classic, my 375 H&H has the second recoil lug and two crossbolts already so it shouldn't take to much stock work.

Butchbloc, we can't buy lefthanded 458's from the factory so finding any 458 Win is a challenge.

I would assume the second recoil lug on the barrel? I don't know of anyone doing any reboring so the rifle would have to be rebarreled. Any other thoughts? I do have a spare Rem stainless Ultra Mag Left handed action and the grey laminated stock.

quote:

Originally posted by Snowwolfe:
I would assume the second recoil lug on the barrel? I don't know of anyone doing any reboring so the rifle would have to be rebarreled. Any other thoughts? I do have a spare Rem stainless Ultra Mag Left handed action and the grey laminated stock.

Yep, the second lug is welded to the barrel about half way up the forearm. IMHO, I would say definately re-barrel it rather than rebore because the Win barrel could be awful thin and light in 458.

Don't let anyone here hear you say Remington and Lott in the same sentence.

Use the Winchester Model 70 .375-length action. It should be a simple conversion; re-barrel, sights, cross-bolts, bedding, secondary recoil lug of some sort, and whatever remediation the feeding requires.

I don't own any MRC actions, and unless the Lott is going to be used strictly at the range, I wouldn't bother using a 700 action (low resale).

George

Seems to be the most economical way to go. Winchester does sell a Safari Left Handed Rifle in 458 Lott but the MSRP on it is $3,100.

snowwolfe,

If you really want to drive the nostalgiacs crazy, build a .404 Jeffery on that 700 RUM action. Stainless steel, laminated stock, push-feed, AND left-hand!

George

I once owned a Teflon coated 700 Left handed 450 Ackely complete with kevlar stock. But it only weighed about 7 1/2 pounds and kicked my teeth out.

snowwolfe, i am also wanting to convert to a lott. I already have some 375s and was thinking to rebore one to 458. I know a guy that is awaiting a ruger 338 that he sent to delta gun shop(i think thats the name) that he is having rebored a 458 and they told him that there will be enough barrel to do this. I am not sure about the safari express but the classic stainless has a very thick barrel and would have plenty of barrel left..The only downside that people have told me is that it will be way too light? I also checked out montana rifle co. and it looks like i could the a stainless 458lott barrels action for 900, then just buy a stock...not sure what i am going to do either..

I believe howa (weatherby) also makes a lefty.

your cheapest route is to get an appropriate length m70, and I wouldn't waste my extra $$ on the safari, as the "classic" long action can be the same action, with a little smithin'

barrel, sights, add-on barrel lug (if you are doing your work, you can do an intregal one)

jeffe

Having had a lightweight 458 Lott, 8 1/2#'s, I would agree that a light Lott is not a good idea. Shoot for 10#'s on the nose, and you'll be much happier.

See if you can find a Ruger #1 458 take off barrel, that's what I used to make my latest lott. The smith cut off the rear 2" of the barrel, so the rear 1/4 rib holes wouldn't be over the chamber. I ended up with a heavy but well balanced 22" tube, barrel band sling swivel and barel band front sight for a very nominal cost. I used the front 1/4 rib holes to mount the rear sight. If I really wanted to, I could get a Ruger 1/4 rib, cut it down and fit to the action, something I'm still considering.

First off, I need this rifle like I need a hole in my head,lol. Second, after owning a 7 1/2 pound 450 Ackley which is within 50 fps of the Lott I will neverrrrrrrrrrrr own a rifle that light in a similar caliber again. Before I got on this kick I owned and sold a Left handed W70 in stainless with the mag bolt face(stupid me). But after looking around I think I can find a LH Win 375H&H with the good stock and add another $600 or so for barrel, extra lug and maybe sights for a possible grand total of $1,300-1,400. And as soon as I finish the project I am sure Montann rifles or CZ will offer a Left handed long barreled action at half of what I spent.

Hey, if we only bought rifles we needed none of us would be happy. I own a left handed 375 H&H and I live in Bakersfield, CA!

Monday it's going pig hunting with me!

quote:

Originally posted by Fjold:
Hey, if we only bought rifles we needed none of us would be happy. I own a left handed 375 H&H and I live in Bakersfield, CA!

Monday it's going pig hunting with me!

Hey Fjold, where are you heading to? Parkfield? Just curious . . .