I have been after my gunsmith to try this for a while. What are the steps? We are trying to get a 300 H&H length action. Our first thought was two triggerguards cut, welded and machined down into a single long one. Are we on the right track? I am not interested in buying one we are just looking for a challenge. I know that he is up to it in ability, we just need to know the best steps to take.

The spacing between the guard screws on a H&H length and normal M98 are the same. The magazine box itself is the only thing longer.

quote:

Originally posted by ramrod340:
The spacing between the guard screws on a H&H length and normal M98 are the same. The magazine box itself is the only thing longer.

I realize that, but how do go about getting it?

Besides lengthening the box you need to widen it too.

Most simply cut the front and/or rear of the box off and weld on a new wall to the outside of the box.

What action are you using? Most '98s are opened in the rear but if you have a Mark X, Whitworth or Chas Daly it is lengthened in front. If you can find a picture on the net of a MkX, it's easy to see how they bend a u-shaped extension and spot weld it to the front of the original box. Just reverse the idea if you open the rear.

It's true that the CD's & Interarms are opened only to the front.

But, you cannot open soley to the rear. It has to be a combination of both front & rear. Go to the rear as much as possible then remove the remainder from the front. Don't forget you'll need bolt stop work.

If you can get your hands on a copy of the book Riflesmithing by Jack Mitchell, there is a chapter in there, with photos, that speaks to exactly what you are asking.

How FN, MK X modified the 30-06 box to a long magnum.

Recut the rear of the box wall from .118" to .050" thick

Then recut the front of the box wall out to accept a .050" thick U shaped piece of stamped metal. This was spot welded in place to form the NEW LONGER front of the box for the H&H cases.

The WIDTH of the box is still a 30-06 which can cause some feeding problems depending on the cartidge used. Also only allows three cases in the box due to the narrower width.

Jim Wisner
Custom Metalsmith