Newsgroups: rec.crafts.metalworking
Subject: New Magnum "Mauser" Actions
From: Robert Bastow <"teenut"@ hotmail.com>
Date: Thu, 20 Jan 2000 21:52:23 GMT

I made the following general announcement today....


As some of you are aware I have been investigating the possibility of building
an oversized Magnum Mauser type action.

This is now much closer to reality than I ever dreamed when I began the
investigation process. Yesterday I plunked down several hundred
thousand dollars and bought a complete, working, Machine/Tool and Die shop!!
7000 square feet, ten employees and a bank of CNC
machining and turning centers plus Sinker EDM, wire cut EDM, plasma
cutting,welding and heat treatment facilities.

Obviously, my main priority will be to sustain and increase the current work
load on the shop...My Family and Employees do like to eat
regular meals.

However, this is a golden opportunity to put my dreams to work. When machinery
like that is standing idle between jobs..anything you can
put on them gets machined, virtually for FREE!!

So I intend to tool up and produce my Super Magnum Actions..in fact a whole
range of custom actions!!

First will come a Double Square Bridge, solid side wall, Mauser "Clone" with a
bolt diameter of .750" and a magazine length of 4". This will
take care of the Gibbs 505 and wildcats based on that basic case. I plan to
contract with a brass maker, to produce a Gibbs Basic cylindrical
case, 3 1/4" long..ie 1/8" longer than the standard Gibbs. It will have a
"Generic" headstamp.

Next will come a larger version, slightly bigger all round, with a 800" diameter
bolt and a box length of 4.25"!! This should satisfy the
masochists among us!!! This will be suitable for the standard RIMMED 3 1/4" .577
Nitro Express. A suitable magazine box for the rimmed
round will be available.

The traditional Mauser "Inner Ring" breeching will be standard, as, of course,
will the mauser third safety lug, guide rib and long "Controlled
Feed" claw extractor. One variation will be the ejector, which will be of the
Pre 64 Model 70 style, angled BENEATH the left hand locking
lug..instead of passing through it. Bolt stop will be traditional Mauser, but
the underside of the action will be reinforced for rigidity...a la Model
70. Triggers will also be Model 70 style "over-ride" type.

For the experimenters among us, I will be marketing, at reasonable cost, a basic
rimless case, based on a 50BMG case redrawn to a .700"
rim diameter (from .800" ( I have the punch presses, the toolmakers and the
expertise to be able to do this. I hope to offer these cases at
$1.50 each!!!

I will also be developing, along with a well known quality bullet maker and a
maker of high grade CUT rifled barrels, a NEW CALIBER..the
550" 3 1/4" Rimless Nitro Express. Arrangements are already in hand for the
first barrels and full patch, steel jacketed bullets in a grain
weight of 650.

Finally I intend to produce Custom Quality STANDARD sizes of Mauser
clones..Double square bridge, solid side wall etc. Single square
bridge and thumbcuts, with clip slots will be an option. These will come
initially in Magnum and Kurtz lengths. Solid bottom, single shot
"Bench Rest" actions will be available too.

Additionally I plan to manufacture and sell a range of Mauser type bottom metal
with hinged, straddle, floor plates. These will be suitable, for
instance for those who want to build a .500 Jeffery on a standard 98
action..without needing to have the ugly and persnickety single column
magazine. I have already made several of these for myself and the staggered box
works perfectly!!

Other products will include TAKEDOWN versions of the above actions. Plus, custom
grade, folding leaf express sights, barrel swivel bands,
and front sight ramped bands, side swing safety shrouds for mausers etc.

Eventually I will supply complete barrelled and headspaced actions, they will
come with the option of being "In the White, unpolished", ready
for you or your gunsmith to do the finishing work. This will keep the prices
down enormously!!

Prices????

Not finalised yet..but I see no reason why they should not be held to a
seasonable level. The custom action makers have been gouging us
too long!!!

I would welcome any constructive comments and ideas..Nothing is set in stone
yet...EXCEPT the fact that this IS going to happen!!!

No I am NOT taking orders yet..I will let you all know when THAT happy day
comes..Hopefully within the next three months. I would welcome
though, on a direct email basis any expressions of interest
etc..teenut@hotmail.com

Robert Bastow, The Express Rifle Company/ER Tool and Die, Atlanta, GA

Sometimes when reality sets in and the Jack Daniels wears off we can have a change of heart.....after all....the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Six years is long enough to have made a product introduction I think!!!!!

I should let someone else answer who has personal knowledge, but I believe that the man in question passed away and the product did not come to market. I think 500grains was one of the people in line for an action. If you search here under Barstow and Teenut (or Teanut) you will find some old posts.

Charles has it correct, Mr. Bastow passed away from cancer and initially his wife and the workers were going to keep going. It is unfortunate all the way around, the prototypes looked quite nice.

Mark

I wonder what happened to the prototypes, the tooling, and all of the drawings? The reason I wonder (its really none of my business) is because I remember Rusty (I think thats his name, the fellow that is having the pair of .404s built) mentioned that he had opened a new machine shop for his business and down the road he wanted to make some actions. Who knows, maybe if Rusty could track down these plans, prototypes and tooling it might save him an hour or two in desinging his line of actions.

Yes I own a machine shop on Odessa, Texas.
CATMACHINC.COM

I'd love to be able to make Mauser Clones or better yet Double Rifle Actions.

Truth is, I don't have the machine time. Even with the new Okuma Captian L470 I'm still covered up.

As I'm sure Stuart and Butch will tell you getting an action to market isn't just push the button on the CNC!
I can promise you that the return on investment isn't that great for actions of any kind.!

My dream is to produce actions, my reality is on time production of what we do now.

I wish all great success in their ventures!
For now, mine is just dreaming!