More horsepower

[PGC1877]

I am a big fan of the LH Winchester Model 70. I have them in .30/06, .338 Win Mag with a McMillan stock, a .375 H&H Super Express (just back from Africa last month) and two .375 H&Hs I had re-barreled- one to .404 Jeffrey and the other to .458 Lott. I also have LH Kimber in .22LR and a German made 26" .300 Weatherby with a Bell&Carlson stock. The controlled round feed left handed .375 H&H Winchester Model 70 makes a great basis for a re-barreled big bore African rifle once the trigger is sorted out. I used to have one re-barreled to .470 Capstick but after taking a buffalo with it I sold it due to the difficulty of buying ammo (and dealing with A-Square!).

 

[Royal27]

Well once you try a left handed bolt gun, you'll see what a difference it will make. My first left handed bolt was a Savage 110 in 264 magnum. Crappy rifle with a terrible bore but it was a joy to work left handed. It was about the only left handed bolt gun available to a person of normal means. Now I wouldn't have any bolt but a left handed one, and the selection is pretty comprehensive. They are so much more convenient and faster to operate.

Completely agree! I've shot right handed bolt for 30 years, and a left hand bolt for two months. As good as I thought i was at working the right bolt there is no comparison, especially with a heavy fifle, at least for me. I'm already thinking about getting another 30-06 to replace the one I've use since I was 15. And, now I understand what the cheek piece is for. Never got that before.

 

[ikeda]

View attachment 14173
Well here she is, my left hand Ruger in .458 Win. I just finished all the bedding etc. She feeds rounds flawlessly and weighs 9 lbs 6 oz with scope and three rounds of ammo. She is wearing a Weaver K3 right now but I'll change to an old Lyman 2.5x soon. I installed an internal cross-bolt in front of the recoil lug, and external cross-bolts behind the recoil lug, and in front of the trigger. The barrel is free floated in front of the chamber. Notice the barrel mounted front sling swivel base and the streamlined front sight base.

 

[enysse]

Hopefully the picture gets fixed.

 

[ikeda]

Dunno? I click on the attachment and the picture comes up.
Any suggestions?

 

[ikeda]

Don't know what happened to my picture, but if you view my "photos" you will see my new toy.

 

[B9.3]

There is not a cartridge on this planet or Venus that I would swap for my 9.3x62. A 250gr North Fork SS at 2700fps with RL17 is an amazing combo. I am buggered if I can tell any difference between it & the 375 H&H with a 270gr. Of those 2, I prefer the 9.3.

 

[B9.3]

I wanted a bit more than my 9.3x62, I rebarlled my Winchester Model 70 Safari Express 375 H&H with a 24" Shilen in 375 Ruger. It is now more. If I was going more again I think it would be a 458 Lott or 416 Rigby in a big CZ.

 

[classicsafari]

375 is a pretty marginal increase from the 9.3 If you need more, you need more. Get the 458.

+1. I'd go with a 404 or 458. Hey, in fact I already have a couple 9.3's and a 458...

 

[ikeda]

I'm mighty pleased with my 9.3x62. But no matter how you slice it, it ain't a .458. So now I have one of each, in the same action, the only difference is that I have a 4x scope on the 9.3 and a 2.5x on the .458. I think this combo should serve we well.

 

[spike.t]

Don't know what happened to my picture, but if you view my "photos" you will see my new toy.

hi ikeda had a look on your photos , just wondering why no iron sights or do you only use scopes ?

 

[ikeda]

hi ikeda had a look on your photos , just wondering why no iron sights or do you only use scopes ?

Up until about a year ago I hunted with nothing but iron (aperture) sights. Didn't even own a rifle with a scope. But age is finally catching up with my eyes. This past February I took my first Buff, in the rain, fog, and pretty dense brush, and I was very glad I had a scope. The .458 has a NECG banded front sight base and will have a large gold bead front sight. I have a detachable peep that mounts on the rear scope mount base, very similar to the rear peep on Rugers "Scout" rifle. Nice set up. The Ruger rings remove quite easily with a coin, and the rear sight attaches just as easily. So if I need/want to change over it can be accomplished readily.

 

[spike.t]

Up until about a year ago I hunted with nothing but iron (aperture) sights. Didn't even own a rifle with a scope. But age is finally catching up with my eyes. This past February I took my first Buff, in the rain, fog, and pretty dense brush, and I was very glad I had a scope. The .458 has a NECG banded front sight base and will have a large gold bead front sight. I have a detachable peep that mounts on the rear scope mount base, very similar to the rear peep on Rugers "Scout" rifle. Nice set up. The Ruger rings remove quite easily with a coin, and the rear sight attaches just as easily. So if I need/want to change over it can be accomplished readily.

i was wondering why the sight base was there, thats you sorted anyway

 

[ikeda]

Ok, I'm vacillating a little bit here. I hate variable power scopes so that is not an option. More complicated mechanism, and invariably set at the wrong power when you need it quickly...So
From guys with some actual experience...
Which would be better on my new rifle, a fixed 2.5x or a fixed 4x?

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

Ok, I'm vacillating a little bit here. I hate variable power scopes so that is not an option. More complicated mechanism, and invariably set at the wrong power when you need it quickly...So
From guys with some actual experience...
Which would be better on my new rifle, a fixed 2.5x or a fixed 4x?

4x would be my choice. 2.5x is hardly worth having in my opinion unless you're in really thick stuff and the shots are short.

I have nothing but variables on my rifles. Until I have decided to shoot something, they're always set on the lowest setting. I simply don't leave the truck or camp without checking to be sure as part of my routine that includes making sure there are rounds in the magazine. I don't dial up the scope until I'm on the target and want to get closer. I never use my rifle scope as binoculars and thus I've never had a problem with being over magnified when I pull the rifle up.

 

[B9.3]

4 is good. For me 2.5 is too low. I had a beautiful Zeiss Victory Diavari 1.5-6x42 #8 on my 9.3 but I would never use it below 3x as I found it very distracting seeing
barrel in the scope. Optically it was amazing. But I sold it for a 2.5-10 Zeiss Victory Diavari #4. This scope is perfect for any kind of hunting that I am likely to do.
I like this scope so much that I put one on my Winchester Model 70 Safari Express 375 Ruger in Warne Quick Detach Rings. They too are perfect & sit atop all my rifles.
Always Zeiss in Warne.

 

[spike.t]

on a .458 i would go for one of the compact 1-4/5x24 up to x32, these will give you all the distance you will need with a .458, but also work for close up fast shooting. you dont have quick detachable mounts and you wont have time to start unscrewing the ruger mounts in a lot of situations. just keep it on the 4x and turn it down if you need to follow up an animal in thick/close up situations. i use these type of power scopes on my 9.3`s and have never needed anything bigger. for what you will be using a .458 for they are perfect.

 

[Red Leg]

Nice looking looking rifle! I second either the Swarovski or Zeiss low 1.2 x 4 variables. They are just about indestructable and that lower end works on an elephant at 20 yards while the higher end makes that eland possible at 175. Warne makes a lever detachable ring that would be ideal for mounting your scope. Hunting for a coin or screw driver could be a bit embarrassing in a stern chase on a wounded buff. They really work and return to zero very consistently. If I read this right, you started with a .300 stock and action? What weight did you end up with? My guess is that you have a very light .458. Might want to consider sub-contracting sighting it in! Again, congrats on a fine looking weapon.

 

[ikeda]

Nice looking looking rifle! I second either the Swarovski or Zeiss low 1.2 x 4 variables. They are just about indestructable and that lower end works on an elephant at 20 yards while the higher end makes that eland possible at 175. Warne makes a lever detachable ring that would be ideal for mounting your scope. Hunting for a coin or screw driver could be a bit embarrassing in a stern chase on a wounded buff. They really work and return to zero very consistently. If I read this right, you started with a .300 stock and action? What weight did you end up with? My guess is that you have a very light .458. Might want to consider sub-contracting sighting it in! Again, congrats on a fine looking weapon.

With a 2.5x fixed scope and three rounds of ammo it tips the scales at 9.4 pounds.

 

[spike.t]

With a 2.5x fixed scope and three rounds of ammo it tips the scales at 9.4 pounds.

plenty heavy for a .458, heavier than either of my lotts, so wont be a problem sighting it in.