Hello,

My brother has a model 70 classic 338 and has caught big bore fever. I told him it would be a easy rebarrel to a 458 win.

Is this correct? has anybody done this and would there be a better caliber.

Should work,
so should a 416 Taylor, 416 Ruger, 425 Express, etc
(.532 bolt face)

My model 70 is being chambered in 400 H&H by Jim Kobe right now. Can't wait to get it.

Went to that caliber due to the fact that I had 200 rounds of properly head stamped brass, dies and about 400 .411 bullets in both 400 & 300 grain weights around here. (Long story) Guess a 416, 458 or 404 J (my original first choice) would all have been great cartridges for the rifle.

Just booked a buff hunt in Mozambique (while there last month on a PG hunt) so now I have a need for it!

Another option would be for him to sell it as a lefty W70 .338 should bring a price close to $900, maybe more if in really pristine shape and then use the money towards a Ruger 375.

Would suggest he try shooting a rifle over 40 caliber before he decides to purchase one.

If he's going to get it rebarreled, I'd be interested in the 338 take off barrel...

I have a LH M70 in 300 win mag. I am going to have Gary Stiles convert mine to a 375HH Mag. He said he can make it work. I have not gone into detail with him yet on any alterations that need to be done.

I read once that D'Arcy Echols preferred to start with a start his 375 HH M70s from standard action 30-06s and go from there. I think it was in Rifle magazine. I will have to look to see if I still have it.

My plan is to have a "super Grade" type African rifle built. This project is a few years down the line. I need to get my LH 7x57 back from him first.

quote:

Originally posted by ghostrider272:
If he's going to get it rebarreled, I'd be interested in the 338 take off barrel...

ghost this is just in the talking stage right now.

What he really would like is a 404 jeffery but the LH 375's are spendy. I should have my RH 404 back soon (hope,hope), so he can shoot it.

I like Snowwolfe's idea. Was a day I'd hardly look at anything but an M70 but I'm really getting to be a fan of the Ruger rifles and cartridge.

Were I to build on that M70 it'd probably be a 416Ruger...

With that action, all I would consider is a 416 Taylor or a 458 Win Mag.......guess a 416 Ruger would be ok too, I'm just kinda into more of the older "Classic" type chambering right now.

Gents! I had a lefty model 70 in 300 win mag and had the barrel changed to 458 win mag but had problems with the second cartridge not feeding correctly. I could not get it to stop so i changed it to 375 ruger and now it feeds smooth as butter and shoots 300 grain round nose bullets 1 inch at 100 yards. If you still want a 458 i wish you luck. I would concider the 416 ruger if you want a big bore. No magazine lengthening required.

FAST996,

You have a PM....

Roger QSL

the only answer: the instantly classic ruger 375 or 416.

Rich

Well, if he wants to punch it out to 458 Win, you might as well tell him to go the whole way and make it a 458 Lott. You still have the option of firing 458 Win ammo in the Lott chamber, and you only have to do slightly more action modifications to achieve the capability. That'd be a great big bore!

I agree with Snowwolfe. Sell the .338 as is, to someone who needs a great .338 rifle. Then buy a LH model 70 Safari Express...I know they are hard to find and expensive, but I think they are the best factory big bore made. That's because they were made to be a big bore...
I have one in .375H&H that is a factory tack driver. This one will not be for sale until my wife sells it upon my passing.
There is more to the Safari Express, than just a big hole in the end.

Just my opinion...I'm no expert
ND