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Shooting & Reloading - Mausers, Big Bores and others >> Big Bore Rifles

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EDELWEISS
.375 member

Reged: 22/11/05
Posts: 608
Loc: Gettysburg

Conversion project 338WM to 458WM
#87650 - 23/10/07 11:47 PM

I have an old style tang safety Ruger M77 in 338WM, thats driving me crazy. I bought from a friend when he was closing his shop and I just cant stand the cartridge. Its too big or too small for anything Im likely to want to hunt. My hunting is pretty much limited to East Coast (US) Whitetails and Wild Boar.

I still dream about Africa and Alaska, so I want a DG rifle. If this was 375 H&H, Id never look back. If 375Ruger truely takes off that may be a consideration; but Im not sure if it will work with my bolt. The 458WM has the advantage of being available, whereas the 375Ruger has limited availability.

The Conversion is "simple enough", and while not cheap I can ease into the costs to avoid the dreaded "Wife Tax". 458WM may not be a perfect DG cartridge but it fits the action I have. I tried selling it locally at what I thought was a give away price, without any interest.

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If it's not custom, it's just borrowed

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475Guy
.400 member

Reged: 22/08/03
Posts: 1088
Loc: Kali, US

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: EDELWEISS]
#87652 - 24/10/07 12:17 AM

The bolt face will work for the 375Ruger. If you're bound and determined to go 458 WinMag, a rebarrel, #5 taper and new magazine box may be needed. You'll then have to widen the rails for the fatter cartridge. Shouldn't be hard for the two cartridges mentioned.

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Lo do they call to me,
They bid me take my place among
them in the Halls of Valhalla,
Where the brave may live forever.

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hoppdoc
.400 member

Reged: 02/03/06
Posts: 1791
Loc: Southeastern USA

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: EDELWEISS]
#87668 - 24/10/07 07:52 AM

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think the older tang style rugers were not CRF but merely had a large extractor.The new Rugers are true CRF mauser style actions.
This in a 458 could certainly work as a DG gun, but if you really want CRF for DG then you want a different rifle/action type.

If a big bore is wanted the 375 Ruger may be the best option for the conversion requirments with its standard length cartridge. No flies on that conversion.Should require alteration of other rifle components as well.

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An armed man is a citizen of his country, an unarmed man just a subject.

Edited by hoppdoc (24/10/07 09:24 AM)

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EDELWEISS
.375 member

Reged: 22/11/05
Posts: 608
Loc: Gettysburg

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: hoppdoc]
#88246 - 05/11/07 08:37 AM

Thanks all! Im still pondering the conversion. I may consider the 375 Ruger, the issue of ammo availibility bothers me. Thats why 458 is more appealing. Im checking various sources for barrels and the smithing. So far Ive heard ER Shaw more than once, with good recommendations.

Any other suggestions?

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If it's not custom, it's just borrowed

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Tatume
.400 member

Reged: 09/06/07
Posts: 1091
Loc: Gloucester, Va USA

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: EDELWEISS]
#88248 - 05/11/07 10:07 AM

Quote:

I have an old style tang safety Ruger M77 in 338WM, ... I still dream about Africa and Alaska, so I want a DG rifle.

Actually, Jim Carmichel considered 338 Win Mag "performance very close to that of the larger .375 H&H." Indeed, the cartridge was designed to give 375 H&H performance from a standard length action. Carmichel considered it well-suited to large bears and cape buffalo (although not legal for buffalo in many countries). As Carmichel is one of the very few gun writers who can actually shoot, I consider his opinions worthy. As a stopping cartridge the 458 Win Mag is superior, but as a hunting cartridge for game from deer to (but not necessarily including) buffalo, the 338 Win Mag is better.

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9.3x57
.450 member

Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5521
Loc: United States

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: Tatume]
#88251 - 05/11/07 11:32 AM

Hoppdoc is correct. The old tang safety rifles are not CRF. They are pushfeeders and must be to allow the cartridge case to seat ahead of the plunger ejector.

As for the .338 vs. the .458, my vote goes for keeping the .338 also. Here in Idaho that .338 is one of the most useful cartridges ever designed. Obviously the .458 is the one to choose for certain limited DG uses, but the .338 is arguably one of the most versatile cartridges for all North American game and for 90% of what is shot in Africa also.

You have a real winner in the .338.

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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CptCurl
.450 member

Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5284
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: 9.3x57]
#88726 - 12/11/07 12:11 AM

I am also a fan of the .338 Win. Mag. It is perfect for any North American game and any African plains game. I don't think you would be allowed to use it on Cape Buff, though.

I have two rifles in .338 Win. Mag. One is a custom FN Mauser in a synthetic stock. That rifle has provided yeoman service for 20+ years.

The other is a NIB Win M70 Classic Super Grade I bought some time ago. I have it put away. It is just waiting for now. Hasn't had a scope, and hasn't been fired. A beauty for sure.

Curl

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RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

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Geronimo
.275 member

Reged: 14/04/04
Posts: 83
Loc: Michigan,USA

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: CptCurl]
#88751 - 12/11/07 09:01 AM

I too am a great fan of the .338 WM. I have used it in the US as well as Russia and Africa. It has never failed to impress me. The caliber hits a lot harder than it's ballistics would lead you to believe. In fact, two years ago when my son was 14, we were able to convince the game scout to look the other way while he took a 38" cape buffalo with one shot with my .338 WM. The 240 gr. North Fork broke both shoulders and took out both ventricles. The buffalo staggered about ten feet then fell. Dead as canned lobster. Don't sell the .338 WM short !

Geronimo

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CptCurl
.450 member

Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5284
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: Geronimo]
#88816 - 12/11/07 11:40 PM

Canned lobster?

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

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Marrakai
.416 member

Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 3598
Loc: Darwin, Top End of Australia

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: CptCurl]
#88821 - 12/11/07 11:55 PM

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Marrakai
When the bull drops, the bullshit stops!
--------------------------------
www.marrakai-adventure.com.au

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9.3x57
.450 member

Reged: 22/04/07
Posts: 5521
Loc: United States

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: Marrakai]
#88832 - 13/11/07 01:01 AM

Somebody poke that thing in the eye and see if it blinks!!

Quote:

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What are the Rosary, the Cross or the Crucifix other than tools to help maintain the fortress of our faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?

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CptCurl
.450 member

Reged: 01/05/04
Posts: 5284
Loc: Fincastle, Botetourt County, V...

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: Marrakai]
#88968 - 14/11/07 11:00 PM

Quote:

Well, I'll be damned. Never saw canned lobster before. Guess it's pretty dead!

Curl

--------------------
RoscoeStephenson.com

YOUR DOUBLE RIFLE IS YOUR BEST FRIEND.

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Geronimo
.275 member

Reged: 14/04/04
Posts: 83
Loc: Michigan,USA

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: CptCurl]
#89099 - 16/11/07 01:11 PM

That's pretty good! I don't know where you guys find this stuff. But I think you get the point.

Geronimo

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Paul
.400 member

Reged: 28/08/07
Posts: 1031
Loc: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Re: Conversion project 338WM to 458WM [Re: Geronimo]
#89111 - 16/11/07 05:35 PM

Yes, stick with the .338, one of the best designed cartrdges I can think of.

Considering some of the links we've seen on the forum lately, I would keep the .338 and take it to Africa for the plains game, as Elmer Keith would do. If caught in a tight spot, I hear that .338 300-grain FMC bullets will completely penetrate an elephant's head. And, as the Zimbabwe PH trials suggest, converting rifles to other calibres for dangerous game IS a dangerous game.

The .338 Ruger is a favourite of sambar hunters out here as it seems the barrel profile in that calibre makes an ideal carry weight. Use it as pretext to take an Alaskan trip - I certainly would.

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