10 January 2005, 06:43
wanna577lengthening bolt actions
Do you know of anyone who still sections and welds actions to lengthen them?I've seen a writeup in an older book about it and a local guy I know has shortened them, said it wasn't hard at all. He's a diemaker so he obviously knows what he's doing as far as machining.If the welding is kept to the rear of the action the lugs should be ok I assume, I'd think more people would be doing this as costly as big actions are and how limited your choices are for long cartridges. Thanks.
10 January 2005, 06:57
ForrestBquote:
Originally posted by wanna577:
I'd think more people would be doing this as costly as big actions are and how limited your choices are for long cartridges.
If you think magnum-length actions are expensive, just wait until you see the final bill on a "lengthened" standard action.
You can buy a magnum mauser clone for $2500, just about ready to stock. With a standard 98, you'd have to lengthen the action, plus the bottom metal, replace the trigger and safety, open the rails and polish. I'd imagine you'd have at least $2500 worth of cash or sweat invested by the time you get finished.
Since 375 length cartridges fit pretty easily in a standard 98 or M70, and 416 Rigby class cartridges really should have a larger diameter bolt, I don't see the benefit if lengthening an action in favor of buying a magnum clone these days.
10 January 2005, 07:17
jeffeossoI'm with forrest on this one....
unless the guy will do it for a song, it's going to rack up quick...
i could be done, and my ole buddy larry says
take two 98's,
cut one shorter than the other
wind up with a short and a long, once the work is done....
I think a fella could make TWO identical jigs, cut the actions with an abrasive wheel on a right angle head, swap front rings, and go from there.....
shesh, what a LOT of work...
then, of course, they'ld have to make a rig for the mags....
cn new floorplates....
trigger should work without change, though forrest..
jeffe
10 January 2005, 07:25
ForrestBquote:
Originally posted by jeffeosso:
trigger should work without change, though forrest..
You're right. My only point there was that a new magnum mauser clone has a better trigger than a military mauser. Just trying to get an apples-to-apples comparison on the price.
10 January 2005, 07:26
vapodogquote:
I'd think more people would be doing this as costly as big actions are
Hey...good idea....get the necessary metalworking equipment, a shop and don't forget to ask your personal liability insurance man about the risk and go into business.....
In all seriousness this is simply not an economical thing to do. If it was there'd be a lot of folks doing it.....and there's not.
10 January 2005, 10:37
CustomstoxThere is one more big step you guys are missing. You have to do the same thing with the bolts, cut and weld as well as firing pins.
10 January 2005, 17:04
Marc_StokeldI shorten Mausers (working on one right now-SR 98 that BARELY takes a .250-3000). Lenghtening is the same process. As posted earlier, it can delicately be called "labor intensive". The hours tend to run up, so you ahve to really want one. But some people only want a truly custom made just for them, and you can do it this way. From a pracitcal point, the GMA action is about $2200 US, and it is nice. But it is not made just for you. So horses for courses, but few people want to get on the fast one (ie-custom lengthened)
10 January 2005, 21:27
butchloci did that a couple times, my advice is don't. I have a full machine shop at my disposal & it's a hell of a lot of work. If I had to charge myself for it i'd be broke