After having thought about it for quite a while I have decided that I want (as opposed to need�) a 458 win mag for moose hunting (and just maybe a visit to Africa). I�ve narrowed down the possible actions to two of the same make, Brno. If no one beats me to them I have the choice of either a ZG 47 or a 600 with an integral diopter.

They are both in about the same shape with the 600 being ca $80 cheaper. This is not easy for me� The ZG 47 looks a little bit better (among other things the bottom metal) and the 600 has the diopter. Regardless of which one I choose it will eventually get a new safety as both of them work backwards. Both of them are in 30-06 and the old barrel will if possible get rechambered to 300 win mag and the gun will be set up so that the barrels will be interchangeable.

I do of course have the choice of using an FN action or a Husqvarna 1600. Doesn�t really make things easier�

Could some kind soul please give me some advise on the subject (or at least air your opinions�)?
K9

K9,
I hope I read your post wrong. You cannot
interchange a 30-06 (.473 boltface) with a
300 Win mag (.532 boltface).
Also, my choice for big dangerous game would be the 416 Rem mag.

jack1k

jack1k
Fortunetly you did read it wrong...
The idea was to rebarrel to 458 win mag (and to open up the boltface etc) and be able to use the old barrel (rechambering from 30-06 to 300 win mag ) instead of just throwing it away (it would also give me a "new" caliber to play with...!!).
When I read my post again I can see why you got confused by it - it wasn't very clear.....
I have thought about the 416's but as I've always liked the .458 bore size that is my choice. The idea is to have a sort of super charged 45/70 to use on moose with a trip to Africa in mind (more like a dream actually.... ) Cheaper bullets for practicing is available and practice I will!
K9

Hej K9!

Some thougths from another Swede

If I was building the rifle the choise would be very easy. Buy the ZG 47!!

I have a old ZG 47 in 9,3X62 and I love it The stock is replaced with a classic style claro walnut stock.

The trigger is a lot better on the ZG 47 than on the 600 model. Yes the safety work "the wrong way" but there is not a big problem to get used to it. I replaced mine with a Weisner Win. type after some five years of useing the original one.

The floorplate is a lot better looking to on the ZG 47 as you point out. I have just put my rifle together after a polish and reblueing job this summer. The rifle looks really good now. The ZG 47 action is a bit "ruff" on the outside just like the 600.

I don�t think you will be able to fit a .300 Win in a 30-06 length action without some advanced modifications. The .308 Norma Mag will fit though. You have to enlarge the boltface so it accsept belted magnum brass in the 30-06 action you plan to buy. There may be some work needed on the action as well to get it to feed the .458 rounds properly.

If you choose a HVA action like the 640 or 1600 there is other problems. The 640 have the military style floorplate, not very good looking or easy to operate. The 1600 is useally equipped with a painted alloy floorplate, not very nice on a custom gun. There is some 1600 with steel floorplates but they are rare. The trigger is another problem on the 1600. Useally not good at all and the safety is a part of the trigger so replacement is not easy.

Go ahead and buy the ZG 47, I don�t think you regret it!! It will make a really nice base for a custom gun.

Stefan.

PS. It�s only 11 days left until moose seson is open here in northern Sweden DS.

I bought my first BRNO 600 because I thought that "pop up" sight was so neat! Apart from thatthough each action has it's strengths and weaknesses.
One of the 600s main strengths is just that, strength. It is a somewhat more robust and stronger action than the ZG47. The magazine box is longer and the 30/06 action makes into a fine 300 Win. I would also choose the .308 Norma though just because I think it is a better cartridge.
The ZG47 has the advantage when it comes to esthetics. It is a more attractive, better finished, smoother working action. The mag box is shorter but adequate for the 308 N. I like the trigger system on the ZG47 better although the 600 trigger can be set up well. I dislike the set trigger as it comes for the 600 but some like it fine. I like to reposition the standard trigger closer to the rear of the guard. I am not bother by the "backwards" safety. In use it is no different than the movement used to bring a 94 Winchester to full cock.
In the end if I had the choice for the same money and I wanted to build a nice sporter I would go for the ZG47. I would use the 600 if it was a bargain. Regards, Bill.

K9,I believe the 600 is stronger than the ZG, and there is that nice pop-up peepsight I have always liked.Yes the system can use a bit of polishing and on a 458 the original trigger is no use.Can the barrels really be interchangeable in this kind of system?
Hugh.

That the ZG 47 is a really nice action I�m already convinced about�. Some years ago I bought a ZG47 in 30-06 with a broken stock with the intentions to have a new stock made. I left a note with the local gunsmith stating what I wanted. After having waited for some months it was finally finished and I went to get it as soon as I could.

I didn�t really find what I expected�.. Contrary to my wishes it was stocked in montecarlo fashion with a too short length of pull (I�m not very tall but the stock measurements was for one of Snowhites friends�!!!) The gunsmith had handed it over to another guy who made the stock and my note was still in the shop�.. Every time I fired the rifle my thumb hit my nose with bloodshed as a result � I sold it a couple weeks later. The guy who made the stock passed away a couple of days after I received it so complaining wasn�t much use�..

I�ve always thought of making a rifle on a 600 action (with an integral peep) but as they are fairly uncommon I haven�t found one until now. I want a standard caliber and don�t think I can stand up to the added recoil of a 458 lott or so (I know of a brno 602 ,with the peep, rechambered to 458 lott for app. $530 which isn�t that bad�). They are a little rough and I�m not sure I like the trigger so I started to think of the ZG 47 again remembering that I liked it very much. So now I don�t really know which one to choose even if I�m currently leaning towards the ZG 47 because of the looks. The rifles would set me back ca $200 / $280 so there isn�t much difference� Since this is Sweden I can�t buy them both which I would have done otherwise!!!

I also know of a barreled FN action in 458 win and a complete rifle (also FN with Bell&Carlsson stock) that are for sale for the price of a new barrel and that is also rather confusing. I have used an FN in 9,3x62 for the last 8 years or so and are very satisfied with it (except for the floor plate arrangement).

The choice of rechambering to the 300 win mag was made with the intentions of taking the rifle abroad and find factory loaded ammo for it �on the spot�.

Stefan
I�m not really sure as why the 300 win would be harder to fit in a 30-06 action than the 308 norma. They are both of the same max length (for loaded cartridges)??????
As for the 1600 with steel floorplate being hard to find I�m not really sure as I only have to open my gun safe to look at one�.. The local gunshop has at least one more for sale. The one I have is probably a very early example even for having the steel bottom metal. And please don�t tell me that the moose season is soon to begin as we, here in the south, have to wait another month to get out there� .. I had some plans to try and find some hunting up north this year but the new pup came in the way. She�s a nice little thing but she steals every available moment from other activities��

Hugh
If the gunsmith is competent enough he can fit the barrel so well to almost any action that you are able to remove it and then put it back on your self (with the help of a barrel vise of course). I�m rather sure that Stefan knows more about this than I do.

Thanks all for sharing your thoughts with me!!!
K9