The issue with the early, low-numbered Springfields was the reason I didn't get the Wundhammer before Michael. A friend found it and it was very reasonably priced and he called to see if I was interested. I told him yes but to see if the guy was negotiable on the price. My friend offered a lower price and then added that those early Springfields had a reputation for problems. The owner/dealer was surprised and then decided he should not sell it at all to prelude any possible legal repercussions. And he held on to it for a couple of years and would not budge !!! Until Michael offered him almost three times the money he had originally wanted and signed a notarized statement that he would never fired the rifle and if he did the seller was not responsible.

I don't think the issue is, or ever was, as bad as most folks now think and makers like Sedgley almost used low numbered receivers exclusively but simply had them re heat treated and I have seen a number of them chambered in magnum calibers like 300 Win, 358 Norma and even 375 H&H. Sedgley even made them in 375 H&H.

I know of a number of people up here in Alaska still using Springfields chambered in all sorts of magnum calibers from 7mm Mag to 458 Win and have never seen a problem.