New Custom Build - Need Input

17 November 2018, 04:13

touchdown88

I ended up with this stock that is cut for a Mauser rifle but I need some help with what caliber I should build the rifle in.

I will probably make the jump the jump across the pond sometime and hunt Africa so I want the rifle to be in a classic safari caliber. It doesn't need to be a big bore because I have a 470 for DG. I want express sights and low profile scope mounts but other than that I would like to hear what you gentlemen think I should build on this stock?

Mike

Legistine actu quod scripsi?

Never under estimate the internet community's ability to reply to your post with their personal rant about their tangentially related, single occurrence issue.

What I have learned on AR, since 2001:
1. The proper answer to: Where is the best place in town to get a steak dinner? is…You should go to Mel's Diner and get the fried chicken.
2. Big game animals can tell the difference between .015 of an inch in diameter, 15 grains of bullet weight, and 150 fps.
3. There is a difference in the performance of two identical projectiles launched at the same velocity if they came from different cartridges.
4. While a double rifle is the perfect DGR, every 375HH bolt gun needs to be modified to carry at least 5 down.
5. While a floor plate and detachable box magazine both use a mechanical latch, only the floor plate latch is reliable. Disregard the fact that every modern military rifle uses a detachable box magazine.
6. The Remington 700 is unreliable regardless of the fact it is the basis of the USMC M40 sniper rifle for 40+ years with no changes to the receiver or extractor and is the choice of more military and law enforcement sniper units than any other rifle.
7. PF actions are not suitable for a DGR and it is irrelevant that the M1, M14, M16, & AK47 which were designed for hunting men that can shoot back are all PF actions.
8. 95 deg F in Africa is different than 95 deg F in TX or CA and that is why you must worry about ammunition temperature in Africa (even though most safaris take place in winter) but not in TX or in CA.
9. The size of a ding in a gun's finish doesn't matter, what matters is whether it’s a safe ding or not.
10. 1 in a row is a trend, 2 in a row is statistically significant, and 3 in a row is an irrefutable fact.
11. Never buy a WSM or RCM cartridge for a safari rifle or your go to rifle in the USA because if they lose your ammo you can't find replacement ammo but don't worry 280 Rem, 338-06, 35 Whelen, and all Weatherby cartridges abound in Africa and back country stores.
12. A well hit animal can run 75 yds. in the open and suddenly drop with no initial blood trail, but the one I shot from 200 yds. away that ran 10 yds. and disappeared into a thicket and was not found was lost because the bullet penciled thru. I am 100% certain of this even though I have no physical evidence.
13. A 300 Win Mag is a 500 yard elk cartridge but a 308 Win is not a 300 yard elk cartridge even though the same bullet is travelling at the same velocity at those respective distances.

17 November 2018, 17:03

slivers

The geometry of the buttstock. particularly the drop at the heel, will determine what style of sights are suitable. Most open sights require more 'drop' than a scope sighted rifle (the measurements I use are in my note book, not committed to memory. Seems to me I use 3/4" drop at heel, with LOP established, for a receiver sighted RI Springfield that I re-stocked, but I'd have to refer to my notes.). With having just a pic and no measurements it isn't possible to determine if this pre-inlet is suitable for express sights. Put 'her' in a heavy hitter, with the heel too high, and 'she'll' smack your cheek hard every time. And, you will have to 'work' to use the sights, instead of having them line-up for you naturally. Proper stock fit is as important as proper metal work. Not an answer to your question( what cartridge to chamber for), just an observation from the pic.

17 November 2018, 18:59

MARK H. YOUNG

Touchdown 88,

I think your logical choice would be the 375 H&H. It can legally be used for all the Big 5 so it can be a back up for your 470. With a good medium range variable power scope it is perfect for cats and large PG. Add a few solids for your ele plus the little guys and you really have it all covered. A lesser caliber will work for the cats and PG but it won't be legal for the Big 5.

When you get ready for Africa give me a call.

BTW A beautiful piece wood!

Mark

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19 November 2018, 15:02

Mike McGuire

quote:
Originally posted by touchdown88:
quote:
Originally posted by Mike McGuire:
quote:
Originally posted by wildmansix:
Since you have a DG rifle, how about a 300 H&H

That is the one.

I talked to Grandpa today, who has a 300 H&H not getting enough use, and I'm going to buy it from him.

My dad's collection includes a 375 H&H so I have access to tha caliber if needed. I think that a 300 H&H, 375 H&H, and a 470 would make a classic three rifle battery for a trip to the dark continent.

Nice trio.

If I had the money (need a lot) I would have the following

300 nd 375 H&H and from H&H

30/378 and 378 and a blank cheque to Weatherby. Very expensive.

300 Wby and 375 Wby in D'Arcy Echols Legends

The 300 Wby Echols would undoubtedly the main using rifle

23 November 2018, 21:26

lee440

What type of wood is that? 350 Rigby is a great choice, but brass is hard to come by unless you have a lathe to make your own brass out of 375 H&H. Bertram has outrageously priced brass of mediocre quality. Quality Cartridge here in the states is a bit more reasonably priced and is excellent quality, but he only makes it when he has enough orders to make it worthwhile, I would start now on that.

.318 Express-WR, another great choice, brass is easy to form from 30/06 . My first safari was with a Rodda 450/400J double and a Vickers .318 WR in a Mauser bolt rifle. Worked great. Classic Woodleigh 250 grain softs are readily available and Graffs carries Hornady made .330 diameter Interlok 205 grain spire points that are great for practice and deer to elk sized game. Lothar-Walther made my barrel for my custom .318, I believe Krieger still offers barrells, but with all odball stuff, may take awhile.
Custom dies are needed for both of these classic English chamberings. I have both and recommend either, but your expense factor jumps up considerably with either. The 350 needs a 375 length mag box and action mods, the .318 needs a bit longer mag and slight action mods.

While not a "Classic" safari chambering, a .338/06 with any premium 210 grain bullet is an outstanding performer on plains game and easy to build and get components for. Good Luck with your project, that is half of the fun!

DRSS(We Band of Bubba's Div.)
N.R.A (Life)
T.S.R.A (Life)
D.S.C.

24 November 2018, 05:04

touchdown88

quote:
Originally posted by lee440:
What type of wood is that? 350 Rigby is a great choice, but brass is hard to come by unless you have a lathe to make your own brass out of 375 H&H. Bertram has outrageously priced brass of mediocre quality. Quality Cartridge here in the states is a bit more reasonably priced and is excellent quality, but he only makes it when he has enough orders to make it worthwhile, I would start now on that.

.318 Express-WR, another great choice, brass is easy to form from 30/06 . My first safari was with a Rodda 450/400J double and a Vickers .318 WR in a Mauser bolt rifle. Worked great. Classic Woodleigh 250 grain softs are readily available and Graffs carries Hornady made .330 diameter Interlok 205 grain spire points that are great for practice and deer to elk sized game. Lothar-Walther made my barrel for my custom .318, I believe Krieger still offers barrells, but with all odball stuff, may take awhile.
Custom dies are needed for both of these classic English chamberings. I have both and recommend either, but your expense factor jumps up considerably with either. The 350 needs a 375 length mag box and action mods, the .318 needs a bit longer mag and slight action mods.

While not a "Classic" safari chambering, a .338/06 with any premium 210 grain bullet is an outstanding performer on plains game and easy to build and get components for. Good Luck with your project, that is half of the fun!

I don't know what type of wood it is. But I'm hoping it makes a good rifle. I've been scouring the web for potential rifles to start building off. I'm also trying to vet my grandpa to pet with his 300 H&H ut it might take a while to get that rifle away from him.

Thanks for the input. I didn't know you could form 318 brass from the 30-06.