I know there was some discussion in the past about converting a browning BAR from 338 to 458 win mag. does anyone know of a gunsmith who would do the work,.and is it safe.

The only magazine article I saw on the conversion was in the early 80's and written by Jack Lott. Jack's not with us anymore--- so I would not have a clue. I do remember he said it was very difficult to regulate the gas system in the article. If I remeber correctly it was published in guns and ammo.

ive looked into converting 1 to a .416 taylor... none of the major barrel makers (that normally offer chambering and barreling services) would do 1... most declined because of the way the barrel is attached to the receiver...if you look in a brownell's catalogue, there's several different components for the gas system available....and i'm sure it could/would be worked out...i'd still do a .416 taylor... i like the cartridge....there is a place that does .458 win mag conversions of a garand.....google it...

The 458 should be safe, if you can get it to feed.

The regulator is just a 9/16-24 ultra fine thread bolt with a hole in
it. If FALs have adjustable by pass gas, BARs have fixed jets.

a) 7mm Mag is .066" hole
b) 300 Mag is .077" hole [p/n B3176146]
c) 338 Mag is .059" hole
d) My home made is .078" hole

If the gun jams, the hole is too big.
If the bolt slams the frame and the empty cases fly too far, the by pass gas hole is too small.

As the gun should be tuned up to not jam with the wimpiest expected ammo, then the hottest ammo will eject a little harder. The extra energy is partially absorbed by the buffer:
recoil buffer [p/n B3176065]

I remember reading an article in Gun Digest on converting the BAR to .458. I think it was from the early '80s. There was another article in either Gun Digest or Guns Illustrated in the '90s on converting the BAR to .416 Taylor.

I think the Gun Digest Treasury contains an index by subject and author.

Stryker60

I found this on another forum from last year:

"Cy from Cy's Sporting Goods on Kodiak had a BAR chambered in .458 WM"

Cy's Sporting Goods:

http://www.kodiak-outfitters.com/


Stryker60