I came into a siamese mauser of unknown caliber, it appearsto be a factory barrel, and I was told it was a wildcat based on the 350 reminton mag necked to 8mm, but, I cant find anything on such a critter. I've seen hundreds of them in 45 70, but I got to thinking and doing a bit of looking, a 348 would be cool, but, a 45 90 or a 405 would be even cooler. The two questions I have are, if the bolt was opened to a magnum face, it should still be ok for a rimmed cartridge correct? Number two, who would I look to for the work at a reasonable price if I did something with it? I don't need it, but it is kind of a shame that this thing is just holding up the wall. A carbine length or short rifle something would be cool. Any help is appreciated.

Rim dia. of the 350 Mag is .532", .608" for the 45-70. So, your proposal will work depending on the chambering you choose. Had a 45-70 for while, currently have one in 30-40 Krag. Open the bolt face and a rebore might be an option.

I had one I turned into a .45-70 back in the day ('70s). Sent it to McGowen to barrel, bend bolt handle, D&T and bead blast blue for a princely sum of $125. Put it in a Bishop semi finished stock.

Thanks Craigster, I figured it should work. I should call Jesse at JES and ask if he does any bolt face work, but if not, I'm sure I can find someone local to do it. Finding a reasonable priced .45 cal barrel would probably be easiest if a guy wanted to re-barrel. Course I have something in all the calibers I mentioned except the 45-90, and in 348 and 45-70 there are multiples, lol. A 405 would be cool though. Tmitch, ya, this one is sitting in an aftermarket stock already, but it is thick. I'd prolly go after it with a grinder to hog off a bunch of wood, then finish it out once I get it slimmed up.

Curious, will the 45-90 be too long with the bullets you’d use?

Have also seen a couple in 7.62 x 54R.

I wondered the same bugger, but they do say the 45 90 will work. I guess the other thing is, how much feed rail and mag box will be needed, and, how big of an issue will it be to find someone to do the work, and, be reasonable. A 450 or 50 alaskan would work too.

Ya, I've seen those too craigster. Just recently saw one in 33 wcf too.

The 450 Alaskan should be the ballistic twin to the 45-90 and the rim size is similar.

So now I'm thinking about this stupid rifle again so I pulled, it back out. Barrel kind of looks military at the shank, but tapers nicely to the muzzle. Almost makes me wonder if it was turned down. Only marking is at the shank in front of the action, 323 mag? I've looked but haven't found anything. Anyone with any ideas? Sucks the bore is fantastic! I dont need another rifle by any means but it sure sucks to have it ,eating against the wall and not doing something, lol.

I probably need to talk to Jesse, he's done a few for me and he's good to deal with.

You may be able to neck size 350 RemMag to 8mm/.323 and be good to go. Have you done a chamber cast ?

https://www.shootersforum.com/threads/wildcats-based-on-the-350-rem-mag.230879/

https://www.shootersforum.com/attachments/thumbnail_cart-209-20-2016-jpg.95391/

https://chtoolanddie.com/calibers/8-350RemMag

I haven't craigster, but I could. The only wsm cartridge that ever really interested me was the 325, and I have a custom mrc in that caliber so I really didn't consider even messing with this rifle as it is. However, I did think it might be a pain to locate dies as well. Great, more to think about, lol. I guess out of curiosity, any one have any idea as to what a siamese action is bringing now days?

The Siamise has risen steadily in value as folks realize that it is a 98 Mauser created for a rimmed cartridge by Arasika Arsenal of Japan for the Siamise Gvernment in the 1930s. It gives the owner a 45-70 repeater capable of duplicating the 458 Win Mag start loads. In other words, a #1 capable repeater. Last time I checked the actions were $450-500.

The rims are stacked forward, so the 45-90 is long for the action as a repeater.

This is the Express rifle I built a few years ago in 45-70. A 300 JHP will do 2,700 fps and shoot 3/4" at 100 with open sights. It is a big hog, hammer that I carry when I see big veg can size tracks.