As some of you know I've been doing a bunch of switch barrels for some time now. It started out as a way to get a bunch of calibers in a less expensive package. Well that thinking was flawed as to get a properly functioning switch barrel takes some serious work and machine skill.

That said I'm planning on doing a bunch based on some of the more standard parent cases. Thought I would ask your thought and advise also if there are any that I missed. Feel free to say I'm nuts. I already know that but it's an itch I've got to scratch.

As of now I have functioning versions on the 600 Ok case
A 550-600
510-600
475-600
458-600
On the 378 Wby case
I've got
550 mag
500 A2
475 A&M
460 Wby
416 Wby
378 Wby
358-378 wby
338-378 wby
308-378 wby
7mm-378 wby

On the 375H&H
470 Capstick
458 Lott
416 Rem
375 H&H
358 STA
340 Wby
300 WBY
7mmSTW
6.5mm STW
6mm STW
257 STW

All have several stocks so that I can use appropriate barrel contours for each chambering. The WBY based cases have 3 stocks to cover three different barrel contours


I'm planning on doing a set on the 416 Rigby, 470 Mbogo, 458-416 Rigby, 375-416 Rigby, 358-416 Rigby, 338-416 Rigby, 308-416 Rigby, 7mm-416 Rigby, if I can go to .505 or .510 on the case I will but I don't think there will be enough to headspace off of.

One on the 30-06 case 416 down to .243

One on the 308 case .375 down to 223

One on the 223 case .375 down to 17

One on the 222 case .308 down to .17

I know this may seem really stupid but I really enjoy it and the people I meet at the range really get a kick out of it.

What are you thoughts on the concept in general?

Any parent cases I missed that would make good candidates?

I've got the feeding worked out to a science so that is well not easy but workable. I can switch a barrel and stock if needed in under a minute with only one spanner wrench and a screwdriver. The recoil lug is all worked out and makes for one stout rifle.

I've been using Talley mounted scopes and when you swap out the scope that goes with the barrel it’s off my no more than a 1/2" at 100 yds usually much less. So much so as to have no effective difference.

Rifle and a set of barrels can be shipped as a take down and it just looks like an over sized briefcase or guitar case.

Well let it rip.

Especially some new case ideas. I need more of those for sure. I was thinking one on the 300 H&H. The case head is used already for some of the others but was thinking about a more traditional set. What about the 7X57, or 7mm Rem mag. Please hold nothing back, these are a lot of fun to do and I have finally got all the bugs worked out.

I will probably have a bunch of these when I'm all finished but it sure is an easy way to have a timber elk rifle and an open ground antelope rifle all in the same camp and only need a minute or so to switch it all out.

Well, let me know what you all think. Questioning my sanity is fine as well jut try to keep it in the good spirit of the post.

Thanks for all your comments and ideas.

Johnny Mac

quote:

Any parent cases I missed that would make good candidates?

You might want to consider the 7MM Mauser case and in 9MM to 6MM offerings. It's a very popular case that combines such favorites as 6.5 X 55, 7 X 57, 6MM Remington and .257 Roberts to name a few.

I'll second Vapodog's suggestion and add that RWS now offers a 5.56x57.

I don't personally think you're nuts. Every man has to have a hobby and it sounds like you definitely love a good challenge.

My only question is, how the devil do you make all this feed properly? Interchangable magazines or something simpler?

Tex

John,
you are simpley amazing!!

on the rigby based stuff and more or less common names
470 mbogo
450 rigby
378 weatherby beltless!!!
35-416
338 lapua
30x416 ?
smaller stuff, like *I* would know the names!!

awesome work, can't wait to see it
jeffe

feeding is simple. Just switch over to a single stack and it all works perfectly. Of course, all cases need to be the same basic body diameter and shape but I make sure of that.

jeffeosso

what is a 378 wby beltless. Thats sounds interessting. Who makes rifles.


Burkhard

It's effectively what a 416 Rigby necked down to .375 caliber would become.

Jeff is giving me the accepted names for all my concoctions.

quote:

Originally posted by fritz454:

On the 375H&H
470 Capstick
458 Lott
416 Rem
375 H&H
358 STA
340 Wby
300 WBY
7mmSTW
6.5mm STW
6mm STW
257 STW

You forgot the 8mm Remington Magnum! Doesn't anybody like it anymore?

I will eventually add that one as well but with the 338 so close it seemed a bit redundant. Fear not I'll add one some day.

I will also do a barrel in 300H&H h=just because I love that chambering.

John

Also:

.458 Winchester Magnum
.416 Taylor
.375 Taylor
.358 Norma Magnum
.338 Winchester Magnum
.308 Norma Magnum
7mm Remington Magnum
.264 Winchester Magnum

Sign me up for one of those!