I've seen this "conversion" mentioned at least 3 times now on different boards.

Someone gets a rifle chambered in a 300 RUM - which is a .404-based cartridge and, except for bore size, is dimensionally identical, I believe. Then they get rid of the barrel and have it replaced professionally by a high-grade .404 (.423) tube of whatever length (23" or 24").

Supposedly, beginning this "conversion" with the 300 RUM eliminates a lot of tweaking with the magazine box, mag spring, feed-ramp, etc., since these issues were already resolved when the gun was first built in 300 RUM. (I assume the .404's mag capacity would be the same as the 300 RUM's, but I'm not for sure on that).

Now, does anyone know if Savage still makes their Safari Express rifle in 300 RUM? Ideas, ideas ....