416WSM on Siamese Mauser & 416/348Ackley Improved on Martini

[BlueFlyer]

On the safety front, to do a proof of concept I had an associate print one of my designed safety levers in plastic. For some reason unknown, the hole for the locking pin was missed, so I will have to drill it.

I need to anneal the bolt shroud and then modify it to accept the lever. Trials will be done without the firing pin spring as the plastic lever will not withstand the spring force.
Once I am happy with the function then I will get a few machined out of 4140 on a machining centre.

At the range on Sunday I forgot to mention that all the ammunition was crimpted using the Lee Factory crimp. I am not sure if the crimp helps to reduce the velocity variation due to a more consistent neck retention force, but the variation improved with the latest batch.
I put all 3 rounds per load charge into the magazine and fed and ejected them without any problems. That was a big relief to proove that the feed mods had been effective under recoil.

Here is the ballistic and recoil table with the headings so it is easier to understand.
Yes, the full charge 416WSM 9.4lb rifle recoils the same as my 45/70 6.5lb rifle, my shoulder can confirm.

 

[Rule 303]

That safety seems to be coming along nicely.

Thanks for printing the tables with the headings. Seems like the 416WSM is good for Buff and Elephant.

 

[BlueFlyer]

Seems like the 416WSM is good for Buff and Elephant.

Given the $, it is more likely to get the Aussie big 3, Banteng, Buffalo & Scrub Bull.

 

[Rule 303]

Given the $, it is more likely to get the Aussie big 3, Banteng, Buffalo & Scrub Bull.

Well you wouldn't go wong if you got an albow as well.

 

[BlueFlyer]

I annealed the M98 bolt shroud by putting it in our electric pizza oven @ 400C for 30minutes and then pulled it out and heated the safety area with the propane torch until it was cherry red. Then back in the pizza oven @ 400C and took an hour to slowly turn the oven down and get it to a point I could pick it up (65C).
Then I drilled and tapped the safety pivot screw hole M4. ( the cap head screw is just for this trial).
I used a slitting saw to machine the slot in the shroud for the safety.
Then a 4mm slot drill to machine the recess for the "safe position". This can be neatened up for the next shroud.
The safety is printed plastic for this trial - if successful then it will be machined from 4140.

Safe and bolt handle locked.

Safe

Fire

Safe and bolt locked

Safe

Fire

Safe and bolt locked

Safe

Fire

When used in the 416WSM Siamese Mauser, with the bolt pushed forward and the cocking piece on the sear, the safety lifted the cocking piece off the sear when moved from fire to safe.
Then when moved from from Safe to Safe & Lock the cocking piece remained clear of the sear = perfect function.
The access to the lever is excellent and natural. When pushing the safety off with the thumb, the thumb then naturally falls into the grip position.

Next step is to get a steel version and actually trial the bolt locking function.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Nice work! So this is not the Chapman safety which is on the right side. Very similar otherwise. However, I was under the impression Chapman's design was only 2-position?

I installed a left hand scope relief wing safety on my right hand Springfield 03A3. Ordered it from SARCO (which supplied your scope base I presume). I carved off the safety's retaining ear and used a set screw through the top of the shroud to secure the safety shaft. Once the hole is drilled and tapped, I seated the safety and marked it with white paint through the screw hole. Then removed the safety and secured it in drill press chuck. Fired up the Dremel tool with cutting disk, turned on the drill press, and cut a groove in the safety shaft at white mark for set screw to set into. Works okay but I had to cut off the Springfield's trademark knurled striker booger for my thumb to reach the notch in safety lever on left side. Also cut the knob off using the drill press and Dremel cutting disk.

I did some trimming on my Mauser's SARCO base to make it look more sexy. Note how some of the edges are beveled. The forward edge is not beveled because edge is too close to a screw hole.

When I changed to 30mm scope tube, I switched to an old discontinued Weaver 3-hole one-piece base for commercial Mausers. It's lower than SARCO base but did require some modification. Had to carve out some clearance on underside for stripper clip hump and the notches had to be made deeper for locking pins on Warne QD rings.

Correction: Underbelly carving was on the SARCO base. They only sold 1-piece steel bases in commercial 98 Mauser ( = no stripper clip). Military 3-hole bases could be had in aluminum only. You can see the carving for clearance for stripper clip hump.

 

[BlueFlyer]

However, I was under the impression Chapman's design was only 2-position?

Yes the Chapman is a 2 position safety. I does lock the bolt, but then you cannot disassemble the bolt.

I installed a left hand scope relief wing safety on my right hand Springfield 03A3.

I am not at all familiar with the Springfield action, I have never handled one, so I am struggling to fully understand all your good work from the photo.
If it works, then you have to be happy.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

Yes the Chapman is a 2 position safety. I does lock the bolt, but then you cannot disassemble the bolt.


I am not at all familiar with the Springfield action, I have never handled one, so I am struggling to fully understand all your good work from the photo.
If it works, then you have to be happy.

Springfield military safety is essentially the same as Mauser 3-position military flag safety. Buhler first pioneered the aftermarket two-position scope relief wing safety for both rifle designs. True Buhler safeties did not require modifying the bolt shroud. Dayton-Traister wing safety is very similar to Buhler but I found mine was faulty. Jiggle the bolt and the safety disengaged. Buhler safeties haven't been made for decades but I think Timney may still be making copies. SARCO wing safety is left side whereas Buhler, Timney, and D-T are on right side of the action/scope. The SARCO safety works reliably after modification. But all scope relief wing safeties are inherently unsafe once the scope is removed. In the above image the safety is engaged and next to the scope's ocular bell. However, remove the scope and the wing safety when engaged is sticking up in space where it's easily caught on stuff (e.g. clothing) and disengaged. I'm exploring other options. Winchester Model 70 bolt shroud with 3-position side safety threads onto Springfield bolt but I'll need to find someone who can machine a new striker/firing pin. As far as I know all scope relief wing safeties for both models of rifle are 2-position. The safety must be disengaged to cycle the action. No position two.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Springfield military safety is essentially the same as Mauser 3-position military flag safety. Buhler first pioneered the aftermarket two-position scope relief wing safety for both rifle designs. True Buhler safeties did not require modifying the bolt shroud. Dayton-Traister wing safety is very similar to Buhler but I found mine was faulty. Jiggle the bolt and the safety disengaged. Buhler safeties haven't been made for decades but I think Timney may still be making copies. SARCO wing safety is left side whereas Buhler, Timney, and D-T are on right side of the action/scope. The SARCO safety works reliably after modification. But all scope relief wing safeties are inherently unsafe once the scope is removed. In the above image the safety is engaged and next to the scope's ocular bell. However, remove the scope and the wing safety when engaged is sticking up in space where it's easily caught on stuff (e.g. clothing) and disengaged. I'm exploring other options. Winchester Model 70 bolt shroud with 3-position side safety threads onto Springfield bolt but I'll need to find someone who can machine a new striker/firing pin. As far as I know all scope relief wing safeties for both models of rifle are 2-position. The safety must be disengaged to cycle the action. No position two.

@Ontario Hunter
ALL rifle safeties are inherently unsafe, dang even the hunter is inherently unsafe at times.
The only safe safety is an empty chamber and an open bolt. That way it can't go bang.
Safeties are only as safe as the person using them and even then that can be questioned.

I have a BRUNO 22lr that I don't trust at all. If the rifle is cocked and the safety is on, fine. BUT as soon as you release the safety the firing pin falls without even touching the trigger.
I carry that with the mag in and the BOLT OPEN. That way I know it's 100% safe. Can't go bang with an open bolt.
Bob

 

[Ontario Hunter]

@Ontario Hunter
ALL rifle safeties are inherently unsafe, dang even the hunter is inherently unsafe at times.
The only safe safety is an empty chamber and an open bolt. That way it can't go bang.
Safeties are only as safe as the person using them and even then that can be questioned.

I have a BRUNO 22lr that I don't trust at all. If the rifle is cocked and the safety is on, fine. BUT as soon as you release the safety the firing pin falls without even touching the trigger.
I carry that with the mag in and the BOLT OPEN. That way I know it's 100% safe. Can't go bang with an open bolt.
Bob

Correct. However, when on the track stalking game I prefer to have a cartridge in the chamber. Birds won't wait for me to load my shotgun before flushing. Usually I hunt big game solo with the rifle fully loaded. However, with the scope removed from my Springfield in rough terrain or bad weather I will have the chamber empty. Too easy for the unprotected wing safety to become inadvertently disengaged. I'm hoping to replace it with a Model 70 style 3-position safety on the side of the bolt shroud. Those are much more secure. Pretty much impossible to accidentally disengage those safeties.

In the above photo, conditions dictated putting the scope in my daypack. Note that the striker was also in the fired position. Presumably I tripped the trigger on the empty chamber. Otherwise if the safety became disengaged while the rifle was slung on my shoulder, it's possible the unlocked bolt could become opened without me knowing it.

 

[BlueFlyer]

True Buhler safeties did not require modifying the bolt shroud. Dayton-Traister wing safety is very similar to Buhler but I found mine was faulty. Jiggle the bolt and the safety disengaged. Buhler safeties haven't been made for decades but I think Timney may still be making copies. SARCO wing safety is left side whereas Buhler, Timney, and D-T are on right side of the action/scope.

Ok, now I fully understand your issue. I have a Timney safety on my 93 Mauser. After my experience using it, that is why I am looking at making a better alternative.
The 3 position Winchester type is the best design, but the only company that makes a version for the Siamese Mauser will not export out of the US.