New build 458 mag

[Gtek]

Thanks 303, looked pretty good in the machining of notch. Guess I will need to make a lug and sweat one on now.

[GregLaROCHE]

Sounds like you used the original barrel. That surprised me. Good luck with it. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.

[303carbine]

Sounds like you used the original barrel. That surprised me. Good luck with it. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.

The 98 Mauser 458 was a custom build with the single rear lug, the Model 70 458 was the rifle with the factory forward recoil lug.

[HumptyDumpty]

Have any of you tried black powder loads. I have toyed with the idea of a bolt BPCR gun for a while and the .458mag seems like it would be a perfect platform.

Yes, I know it would not qualify for BPCR matches. I don't compete so it doesn't matter.

Sent from my SM-P613 using Tapatalk

I load my 458 Win Mag with black powder, just for shiggles and gits. I get just under 1200 fps with 80 grains of ffg under 500 Grain lead bullet. Finaggling in 90 grains didn't result in an appreciable velocity gain. Recoil is downright mild.

[HumptyDumpty]

Since this thread seems to have attracted some people with experience in this area, I do have a question. My current rifle if a right-hand model, and IO would greatly prefer it to be left-handed. To save money, my idea is to find a LH action somewhere (or complete gun in some other chambering), and just have the barrel swapped. Are there any pitfalls to this approach that I should be aware of?

[303carbine]

Since this thread seems to have attracted some people with experience in this area, I do have a question. My current rifle if a right-hand model, and IO would greatly prefer it to be left-handed. To save money, my idea is to find a LH action somewhere (or complete gun in some other chambering), and just have the barrel swapped. Are there any pitfalls to this approach that I should be aware of?

If you find a suitable leftie donor rifle or action, the swap should be easy for a competent gunsmith.

[charlie b]

Since this thread seems to have attracted some people with experience in this area, I do have a question. My current rifle if a right-hand model, and IO would greatly prefer it to be left-handed. To save money, my idea is to find a LH action somewhere (or complete gun in some other chambering), and just have the barrel swapped. Are there any pitfalls to this approach that I should be aware of?

And if you have a nut barrel (eg, Savage) you can do it yourself.

Be aware of case rim dimensions. If you find an action in, eg .223, and want to go to .308 it means changing or machining the bolt head. Again, if you have a Savage the fix is easy, just use your current bolt head.