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Conference vmsnet::hunting$note:hunting

Title:The Hunting Notesfile
Notice:Registry #7, For Sale #15, Success #270
Moderator:SALEM::PAPPALARDO
Created:Wed Sep 02 1987
Last Modified:Tue Jun 03 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1561
Total number of notes:17784

714.0. "H&H / Big Bores" by NRADM::GERMANO () Wed Aug 01 1990 14:57

    I just read the Outdoor Life article about the .700 H&H Nitro Express.
    It was okay if you like Carmichel. The importance of this article to me
    is, is this Holland & Holland's last hooray? Until March, the .460 
    Weatherby was the biggest-of-the-big in the modern field of production
    rifles. Now H & H has taken that lofty post (although I'd hardly call
    any H & H a production rifle, let's say obtainable hand held sporting
    rifle) and no comments from the .50 cal. club. 
    
    There are no Rhino's to hunt. Elephants are probably once in someone's
    lifetime. Some African countries still have generous bag limits on Cape
    Buffalo. Lion's and Leopards should be out of a .700's question. Would
    these situations warrant a new caliber? Nay. But, if anyone should end
    up with the "biggest", H & H would probably be the most deserving. I
    know, I know, I said no more new. But this seems fitting at a time when
    game fields are dwindling, laws are obstructing, the old names are
    dieing. One last hooray.........whyyyyyyyyyy not!
    
    Question. Has anyone ever built or had built something in the .404
    Jeffery or bigger range. If so, would you share sources, materials,
    things to avoid. I like something in a 400 bore but could'nt bear the
    expense of something already made. I want to stay away from the .458's.
    This includes the Ruger .458 single to .470 conversion. Too blase.
    Does anyone know a source for the old Enfield 17 action?
    
    Pg
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714.1Sounds like an interesting project!DECALP::HOHWYJust another ProgrammerThu Aug 02 1990 05:3948
	I am presently having a .416 Rem Mag put together, but it
	is a standard item (A-Square) so I have not really had a
	lot of control over what will go into it. The rifle is also
	(to my mind) pretty expensive, although not nearly as 
	costly as some of the new big bore rifles from McMillan,
	Kimber et al (about $ 1700 vs. maybe $ 3000).

	I don't know where Enfield actions can be had, maybe it would
	be possible to scavenge an old military rifle ? Although,
	I have to admit that I don't know if the no 17 action
	is available on military rifles?

	Otherwise, how is about: Royal Arms Int (22458 Venture Blvd #E,
	Woodland Hills, CA 91364, Tel: (818) 704-5110, FAX: (818) 887-2059)
	sells new magnum mauser actions (3 pos. safety, adjustable 
	trigger, double square bridge, *huge* magazine capacity etc) 
	for $595.00. That is pretty cheap in the context of a magnum
	Mauser... With this action, you could build anything which
	you wanted: .416 Rigby, .460 Weatherby, .505 Gibbs - you name
	it, this action will hold it!

	I think I once heard that Parker Hale sells a ready made
	bolt action in .404 Jeffrey. With a new trigger that could
	become a fine, practical rifle, Spanish mauser action and all.

	The .416 Taylor could be made by re-barrelling (sp?) a .458 Win Mag.
	This could be your cheapest bet, if you could find a used
	.458 (assuming you don't want to leave well enough alone,
	and shoot 500 grs bullets instead of 400 grs :-).

	Likewise, any .375 H&H could be re-barreled to the .416 
	Hoffman or the .416 Remington (almost twins). In any event,
	it is not as expensive to come up with an action which
	will take a .458 or a .375 H&H length cartridge/bolt face.
	A Mark X mauser (say $ 260) springs to mind. I have to say,
	that unless the barrel was finished, it would almost seem 
	a pity to re-barrel a .375 H&H (just a personal opinion).

	Finally, one could also consider the Remington M700 Safari
	in .416 Rem. I believe they sell for around $ 900. I am not
	so hot on the Remington action for this size cartridge,
	but that is all a matter of personal opinion (some people
	like claw extractors :-).
	
	Let us know if you venture into this.

							- Mike
714.2I don't *need* one, but...HEFTY::CHARBONNDin the dark the innocent can't seeThu Aug 02 1990 08:304
    There's the new improved Winchester Premium (the re-issued
    pre-'64 type action) which I believe is available in 416 Rem.
    from W.'s custom shop. Claw extraction, smooth bolt. (I mean 
    smoooooth.)
714.3Think twice about KimberBPOV06::J_AMBERSONThu Aug 02 1990 09:203
     Speaking of Kimber, I heard yesterday that they just filed Chapt 11.
    
    Jeff
714.4I hope this is not true!DECALP::HOHWYJust another ProgrammerThu Aug 02 1990 10:3712
RE:                    <<< Note 714.3 by BPOV06::J_AMBERSON >>>
                         -< Think twice about Kimber >-

>>     Speaking of Kimber, I heard yesterday that they just filed Chapt 11.
    


	This is indeed sad news! They truely have some fantastic
	products.


							- Mike
714.5model 70 super gradeKNGBUD::LAFOSSEThu Aug 02 1990 11:3613
    re: re-released pre-64
    
    I think, it's chambered for only 3 cartridges; 7mm Rem Mag, 300 Win
    Mag, and the 338 Win Mag.  Its the Winchester Model 70 Super Grade.
    It's actually (god forgive me) better than the old pre-64 Winchester,
    incorporating the best of both worlds.  I think it's selling for
    approx $1000, maybe someone can help me here on the cost.
    
    lets hope thay don't both this one up  8^)
    
    Fra
    
    
714.6DECALP::HOHWYJust another ProgrammerThu Aug 02 1990 14:1521

	Fra, I think the new Winchester Super Grade is available
	from the Custom Shop of US Repeating Arms Co. in the heavy
	calibers: 375 H&H, .416 Rem and .458 Win. The price for 
	these chamberings is listed as $ 1995.

	In addition, the Super Grade is available as an off the shell
	item in 7 mm Rem Mag, .300 Win Mag and .338 Win Mag for
	something like $900. Or, if your tastes run in the direction
	of the more refined, in the same short magnum chamberings from
	the USRAC Custom Shop for something like $ 1595. The latter
	version is supposed to have a hand lapped bore, bolt and
	follower engine turned by hand (?) and internal parts 
	hand-honed. All this info from the latest USRAC catalog.

	I would like to have just one of the "normal" ones,
	thank you very much! :-)


							- Mike