I like your plans. The problem is, when your rifle is finished, it will be so handy, you might render your 300 magnum obsolete.
Jesse Occumpaugh down in Oregon, will rebore your original barrel for much cheaper than buying a new barrel. The pre 64 barrels drill out nice and clean!
http://www.35caliber.com/8.htmlThe 9.3x62 Mauser would be ah dandy, especially if you'll keep heading back to Africa.
Mine sent 300 grain A-frames into moose and caribou at distances as long as 400-500 yds.
Do you dare go "full timberman" and afix a fixed leupold 2.5 ultralight?
I live in Michigan so I would have to ship to Jesse but the idea of just reboring the barrel is worth considering.
The barrel on my 1952 Win Model 70 is 24" long and farily heavy contour with hooded front site. It is classic "old school" and makes the stock gun quite heavy for a 30-06
I am hoping that I can rebarrel and restock and still keep the abilty to keep the original stock/barrel and be able to put them back for collector purposes if they don't need to alter the action any. Not sure if that is possible? Maybe if I take Mathman's advice and keep it as the .30-06???
As far as the 2.5 Leoupold I have one in my safe...on detatachable Talley Mount as a backup to the 1x-5x Leupold I have on a Win Safari Express .375 H&H...so it is something to consider. I will be taking that rig to Africa for Cape Buffalo next summer.
I kind of like the 2.5-8 option just in case I find myself needing to do work at 200-300 yards. The versitilty seems to be worth the additional weight over the straight 2.5 but certainly is worth consideration once again.
