Howdy all,

I need a shop mule/test rifle for developing 458 Win Mag ammunition.

What is a fair ball park $$ to: enlarge the magazine box, install a long-chambered Lothar Walther CM barrel and make sure the rounds feed well from the mag into the chamber.

Oh yeah, it will need scope base holes threaded and tapped (in 8-40). I have some Dakota Safeties and aftermarket triggers "in a pile"; the above work should cover it.

As always, input, kvetching and sardonic comments are always welcome.

lawndart

Just buy a Winchester and be done with it.

1. I gots no money (wa, wa, wa).
2. I do have Czech actions (ya, ya, ya).
3. I can get the barrel for $222.00
4. Reality is harsh, but it does not hold a candle to Mrs. McFadden, my second grade teacher/inquisitor/tune-up specialist/knuckle smacking (with a metal ruler)/part-time papal attack dog.

You would probably be off cheaper with the factory one, lots of work to get it to feed along with bolt mod, extractor, follower, etc.

These kind of projects are best done by yourself; having to pay real gunsmith labor will quickly result in costs exceeding a factory 458. And just use an A&B barrel for 100 bucks. And if you are just testing ammo, why do you need it to feed from the mag?

Good points. I want to get at least a comparison clue about accuracy, and I want to batter some rounds in the magazine to asses durability in the workplace environment.

Finally, I am at present too ill to safely manage my mill, lathe or grinder (not that torching off .458 Win Mag rounds will speed healing).