OK guys, I've been toying around with building a custom rifle for a while. I'd dearly love one of D'Arcy's Legends, but I just can't fund one. So, I'm looking at three calibers to play with:
404 Jeffrey
9.3X62
375 H&H

From what you experts have told me, the 9.3 is the easisest to accomplish in a standard mauser action like a 1909 for example. Also from what I gatehr, the 404 is a bitch to build as it is too long for some and too short for other actions. The 375 H&H needs a long action from what I gather, but what I understand, it can be built on a 1909 with extensive mods.

So can some of you learned gents give me a quick primer on what actionis best for each of the calibers mentioned? Right ow, I have access to a 1909, a Charles Daly Zastava and a pre-war 300 H&H action. Thanks for your inputs. jorge

Jorge

You already know this but I will mention it anyway. There is one action that is suitable for all of the calibers you mention and that is a current Model 70 classic action, which is readily available. D"Arcy builds all of his rifles on that action, as does David Miller build all of his rifles on that action. If those two build all of their rifles on that action, and both build some pretty big boomers, then it must be pretty good.

I would sell the Charles Daly and look around for an older Classic under the G300000 range. Those tend to have the screw holes straight, etc. Many of the rifles that came with the Boss system will have those lower serial numbers. Winchester was even offering the .404 on that same classic action.

quote:

Originally posted by jorge:
I'm looking at three calibers to play with:
404 Jeffrey
9.3X62
375 H&H
So can some of you learned gents give me a quick primer on what actionis best for each of the calibers mentioned? Right ow, I have access to a 1909, a Charles Daly Zastava and a pre-war 300 H&H action. Thanks for your inputs. jorge

The 1909 argie will handle the 9.3 X 62 nicely.
The Zastava wasn't specified as to being a 30-06 length or a 458 mag model...but it'll work for the 9.3 X 62 (if it's a 30-06 type)...but none of your choices use the magnum well if it's that...

The 300 H&H M-70 action will make a .375 H&H nicely with (likely) only a rebarrel. This will (with minor work) feed the 404 Jeffery as well.

Yes, it's always fun to spend the other guys money isn't it!!!

Jorge,
you have access to a pre-war 300HH model 70? How much do you want to spend? I would start with this action, go 375 HH, have a griffin and howe barrel pattern made for it. Bauska can make you a pre-war 375 winchester barrel...

have a very very trim guild style stock, or a mauser type B stock made for it, and have an 8# 375. with making your stock, you have have it at your LOP, with some cast off, and nice checkering...

I do NOT suggest a bauska barrel for a high grade custom, though...

dan pedersen can make your barrel... will take about a year, but could have intregal quarter rib, front sight, recoil lug and sling stud... about 2200$ for the barrel.

of course, Ed Shilen is chambering all their barrels these days, so you would have a great accurate place to start.


jeffe

Jorge,

I like the 1909 for eitehr the 9.3x62 or the .404 J, I really like my 1909 M98 .404 J they are a compact sweet handling big bore but as others have said need to be done right and they are not cheap.

Those military mausers are nice, and 400 gr at 2100-2150 fps does get your attention in an 8.5 pounds rifle

what am I thinking!?!?!?


Jorge
the 1909 in 10.75x68 .. sure, you'll be in it for a reamer, but that will MORE than offset the gunsmithing/custom metal work of the 404

jeffe

Thanks for all the inputs so far guys. I think the 404 is just too hard to do based on the reading I've done and some great insghts from a GREAT smith who posts here on occassion. The 404 is a tricky one to work with unless the smith has a great knowledge of magazine geometry and a bunch of other mods one needs inorder to get that 404 case to feed reliably. hmmm maybe I just should go "whole hog" and go for oneof the big 45s instead. jorge

Doesn't Parker Hale offer a factory .404 on a Mauser action? Or are they still in business?

IMO, If a Mauser action was your choice a 9.3X62 would be hard to beat.

On a M70 a .375H&H would be my choice.

I just just recently intruduced to the .404 J. I would love to own one.

10.75X68? sounds interesting too. Are componants avalible?

Terry

jorge,

ONE of EACH my good man!

Jorge, eventually you'll build all three rifles - but you have to get started somewhere. I'd build them in this order:

1. 375H&H on your pre-War M70

2. 9.3X62 on a M98

3. 404 on a M98 (preferably a magnum length M98)

This line-up gets progressively more difficult and progressively more costly. You'll learn a lot about what you want in a custom rifle as you move through the line-up and there will be progressively more decisions to be made as the complexity of the build increases.

Whatever you decide to build, just get started. I'm ready to see some pictures!

FWIW if you really want a 404 Jeff you might trade the 98 argie and the zastava off and get a magnum length 1999 MRC action. Mine was specifically for the .375 H&H and it feeds the 404 Jeff nicely with no alterations. Just open the bolt face a few thou and walla...you have a fine 404....

Jorge,

If a M98 is the action, I would go for the 9,3x62. It CAN be made to work with the .375 and .404, but it is time consuming and - a bit silly, IMO. Yes, it was done by the big brittish gunhouses, but that was because they did not have any other actions. Today we have more suitable actions.

Jeffe hit the nail dead center with the 10,75x68, even though that was not on your list.

Still, a .458WinMag is better than ever and fits nicely in a M98 - and is available all over the world.

Wow, great replies folks. Thanks. Hey Forrest, any chance you posting that pair of beauts you showed us a while back? I think it was a match pair of 375/300 H&H? jorge

Here's a link to a photo album:

Pair of Mausers

absolutely magnificent. Thanks for sharing. jorge

regarding the 10.75 X 68



and here's some load data.....


347 RWS SP IMR IMR-4198 58.0 2,411
347 RWS SP Australian Rifle AR-2207 60.0 2,404
347 RWS SP IMR IMR-3031 63.0 2,213
347 RWS SP Australian Rifle AR-2206 63.0 2,208
347 RWS SP Hodgdon H-335 64.0 2,344


It's not a 460 weatherby.....but it'll do for a lot of very nasty stuff!!!!

Jorge, pm sent.

375 mod 70. If a 98 action, why not the 9.3x64 Brenneke, which can be loaded up to 375 level or down to 62 level. when I get my 7 mashburn project done, a 9.3x64 is next.

Jorge:

Somewhere out there is a .300 RUM in a Winchester Classic action. I just had mine rebarreled to .404 and the only mod to the gun needed was to swap out followers.

As I posted earlier, I found my M-70 action, NIB, with a great stock for only $700. I'm a blind hog, I guess. I should receive the gun this week.

I'll post pictures.

You know I love my 9.3x62's, though. Decisions... decisions???

I see that Chic sent you a P.M. He's a guild member and does wonders with wood and a nice fellow to boot, btw.

I have a Hoffman 10.75x68 I bought from Ray Atkinson and It shoots 380gr. GS custom FPS at 2200-2250f/s and I think that it is well within the pressure envelope for that cartridge. I am toying with the 404 Dakota as an alternitive. It would produce similar velocities and with less pressure. With the trouble Dakota is having, that might not be as viable an option now.

ForrestB, thanks for that Alblum! It was much inspiration.

Jorge, I'm thinking that of what you've listed the 9,3x62 would be the easiest to build and feed as well as the most fun to shoot. If you haven't had one yet it's an itch that someday you'll have to scratch so why not now?....................DJ