Gents,

Are reloading dies for the 400HH available yet from the die manufactures?

Thanks,

Roger QSL

Roger,

You are going to have to call the die supplier and ask them. Such calls are what gets them going. Often dies like this start off as a custom proposition, and only later get added to the standard list when orders arrive in quantity.

jim dodd

Jim,

I take that as no commercial dies available yet.

Too bad, won't help the 400HH to take off as it should.

Thanks,

Roger QSL

400 and 465 H&H are listed in the new Cartridges of the World so that might help as will requests as previously mentioned. I believe there is one gunsmith gearing up to make rifles in this caliber they may tell you where they got their dies.
Jason

John Ricks is gearing up to build rifles in this caliber, he may be able to help. His website is below.
Jason

http://home.earthlink.net/~rifles/

Well, yes I am "gearing up" for the 400 H&H and later the 465.

I have both a chamber reamer and a resize die reamer, so die making is a part of the plan.

I have several other rifles to get out the door, then I will have a bit of breathing room to dive into the 400 and the 465.

I look at both cartridges suiting a purpose for those wanting something a little differerent.

How is it said: "Tradition".

John,

I have a Left Handed, stainless A-Bolt by Browning, in 375HH. Can it be re-bored to 400HH, or does it need a new barrel?

Roger QSL

Well, a couple of things about A-Bolts, my apology in advance if I ruffle your feathers.

I will not work on the Stainless A-Bolt. The barrel is just about impossible to remove without damaging the receiver threads, as the dummy's that make the rifles do not understand anti seize compounds on stainless threads.

By the time you pay someone that knows what he is doing to rebore the barrel, you may as well buy a new one.

For a DGR: The A- bolt has a poor trigger, is not CRF, and the magazine arrangement is not suitable for fitting to other cartridges. True, it possibly may be done, but I will not attempt this.

After many of the things I have seen with push feed rifles, and the M700 Rem triger problems, J-Lock problems, etc, I am at the point of limiting all my big bore work to CRF actions with a proper safety that locks the firing pin.

John,

One more question for ya. I've been requesting help from the various forums as to the case forming for the 400HH. Can once fired 375's be fireformed in the new chamber. How about factory loaded 375's?

Roger QSL

John,

No feather problem here.HI Was just curious as it's just laying around. I know that it isn't the right platform for a DG rifle, but would make for a good testing gun for the round. Didn't realize the A-Bolt was held in such poor regard.

Thanks anyway,

Roger QSL

You can use once fired 375's or 416 Rem's, but this depends on how large the 375 or 416 chamber is. Most factory chambers, and most chambers cut by 'smiths using SAAMI reamers, are big ahead of the belt and the fired case is too large.

Simplest is to use new Norma basic Cylindrical brass, formes real nice and the neck comes out to the correct dimension. Not so with 375 or 416 brass, the neck wall winds up thinner than I like.

As this 400 H&H thing moves on I will have a headstamp die, so I can properly headstamp the Norma basic brass.

John,

I talked with Cliff LaBounty today. He shares the same thoughts about the Stainless A-Bolt as yourself.

Very, very difficult to remove a Browning stainless barrel without some threads being torn loose.

I called him to see if he could re-bore the 375 out to 400HH. He won't touch it. Says about 60 percent work and that's not good enough for him. This also applies to Winchester Stainless. Will do Remington's and a few other brands.

Looks like I'll just keep the Browning as is.

Roger QSL

As the 400 H&H is a cartridge based on years of
"Traditional Lore", it is fitting to use a Mauser action. There is a slight degrading of the Traditional Feelings by use of a M70, but at least a M70 is a CRF.

Due to the absolute fact that such a large number of graves will shake if a 400 H&H is built on a non CRF action, and the resulting danger from the extreme ground movement leading to Earthquakes of Mass Proportions, I refuse to use any other than a proper CRF action for the new Holland cartridges. After all, we cannot have a tidal wave (I refuse to use that new word) wiping out all the beasts in Africa.

We must preserve fine English Tea, Crumpets, Pith Helments and the use of Mauser actions for the sake of Tradition. Going hand in hand with this concept is the proper use of a Crome Moly barrel instead of a Stainless Steel barrel.

Ah, I hear the music now: What was the name of that movie with a funny little guy running all over roof tops and playing a fiddle? And songs about "Tradition"?

Hmm. Fiddling on the roof.

Must be Fiddler on the Roof.

Great movie.

Tradition!!!

John,

How much tradition gan you have when you can't even buy dies for it? HI

As to Sasquatch, tell us about it. If not this thread, create one. I'm sure all would love to read about it. There was an extensive post about the "Big Boy" at Marlin, some time ago. Very fun reading.

Roger QSL