Recomendations for BRNO 602 conversion to 404 Jeff

[RR 314]

Dennis Olsen
currently has my 602 for .404J conversion…..

Or what was left of it after Dan Petersons’ sorry ass sent it back from Arizona after 2 years!
View attachment 553147

I have complete confidence in Dennis Olson.

What was the original caliber? Is Dennis addressing feeding (given note above)? I have a .375 action I want to get converted to another .404.

 

[deewayne2003]

What was the original caliber? Is Dennis addressing feeding (given note above)? I have a .375 action I want to get converted to another .404.

Original caliber was .375H&H and feeding is on the work order.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

What was the original caliber? Is Dennis addressing feeding (given note above)? I have a .375 action I want to get converted to another .404.

It's interesting that when I picked up the Mauser after Dennis put on the barrel, he asked me if he was supposed to do the do the feeding modification. He had only agreed to thread, ream, and head space the new barrel. I was somewhat surprised to see he had fitted the new barrel to the stock. He probably would have done the feeding but that would have required another trip back to Plains from Columbia Falls where I was staying in a camper (with two dogs in 90 degree temps). Dennis did correct one of the issues with bolt caused by previous owner overheating it when welding on the bolt handle. And when asked he readily agreed to drill and tap the barrel for the iron sights I had in my bag of tools. Gave him my drill bit and taps because his were shot. Dennis also gave me the tip for modifying the follower to make the last round chamber. It makes sense when you think about it. If the rails let shells jump properly when rounds are stacked in the magazine, just make the guide on the follower emulate shape of another shell underneath the last round. Dennis said he sometimes does get gripes about asthetics of altered follower: "I just tell them 'You wanted me to make it work and it works. Do you want a rifle with pretty guts or one that cycles perfect?' "

I have to say, I was not overly impressed by our initial phone conversation. Perhaps I caught him on a bad day? Meeting him in person was actually a delightful experience (don't tell him I said that ). I think he was maybe a bit impressed with the work I had already done to the Mauser. And my Springfield was in the case for him to see that work as well. Mentioning my dad's best friend who was well known in the Montana gun crowd probably helped break the ice. My brother was also along and EVERYONE likes that guy (we are opposites - the mailman must have been an asshole). I can see from his shop that Dennis was a very busy guy. I'm lucky he agreed to put that barrel on with such short notice. It came from Lija also in Plains so maybe that had something to do with it. Not cheap. Altogether getting the barrel made and mounted was $1,000 US. But I got it done in time (sans bluing) to make the trip to Africa. Too bad the buffalo didn't cooperate but that's hunting.

A word of caution. Dennis is ... how should I put this ... hmm ... inclined to political extremes (not exactly the word I was looking for). Govern yourself accordingly.

 

[Bob Nelson 35Whelen]

Didn't have my coffee when I wrote this. Carving on the follower instead of receiver to make the last shell in magazine feed is less risky than carving on receiver. If the stacked shells feed through the rails, then don't mess with changing the receiver. Last shell not feeding was the problem and it was clearly a problem caused by the follower underneath it. Follower can be replaced if too much is carved away. Carve off too much on the feeding rails and shells won't stay stacked in the magazine. Then the action is toast. My follower isn't very pretty now but I don't care. The gun works.

@Ontario Hunter
As long as all works who care what the follower looks like.
As long as it looks OK with the bolt closed. Ha ha ha ha
Bob