Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats what does it take to make a 375?

i got this mauser action (brno), and i'd like to convert it to a 375 h&h. can it be done? i've already got the new shroud and trigger in place. still can't seem to find a 'smith to put the new bolt handle on (doesn't anybody do this anymore???)...

anyway, is a 375 h&h feasible on a brno mauser 98? yes, i know i'll put more into it than buying off the rack... that's ok. i still wanna do this.

Big time,

Without trying to talk you out of it, I'd like to point out a few things that you should know. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

1: It would almost be cheaper to buy a Chas Daly action meant for the .375 length case.

Your action must:

*Have the bolt face opened to .532" (Magnum size)

*Have the feed rails altered to feed magnum (fatter) case.

*Have bolt stop ground to extend bolt travel.

*Lengthen magazine for longer case.

*Grind out front of the magazine well opening to feed longer case.

*Drill & Tap for scope

*Weld on new bolt handle.

When you can buy new Chas Daly actions for $250, it would seem an excerise in futility to spend all that money for machine work to your aciton. (I feel obgligated to point out that first five items listed would be unnecessary if rebarreling to a cartridge with .473" bolt face and .30-06 length case.)

But hey! It's your money and you asked! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Good luck!...the9.3Guy

It's also not exactly the safest modification you can try to do. Even Frank DeHaas recommends against it.

Start with a different action like 9.3 guys says..

I do bolt mods, both the handle and the face. He forgot to mention you will also need to alter the extractor.

do a 9.3x62 instead, or a 375 howell, or a 375 taylor.

Who sells magnum length Charles Daly actions for $250??

Inquiring minds wanna know!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Second Avagadro's request (even if he is an Aggie!) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Inquiring minds want to know!!!

Lobo <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It was done for many years. Nothings changed, but attitudes.

so... converting a 98 into a 375 h&h is ok for some, not ok for others... if it is safe to do, i'd like to pursue it. don't care about the extra work involved, just safety w/ full-tilt loads.

ok, fine. what kind of a cartridge conversion can i do if not to 375? i like mags, so is something like a 264 win or 8 rem out of the question? or do i need to stick w/ something tame like a 25-06 or 280? since these actions are so heavy, i'd like to have the gun chambered to something w/ some thump on it to justify the weight...

How about a .35 Whelen? That'll give you some punch and not risk blowing a lot of steel into your face. Keep in mind the '98's were built for either a 7mm or 8mm mauser cartridge with pressures of around 38,000 CUP. Those were pretty tame compared to more modern ammo of today. Compare that with the .35 Whelen which is more like 49,000 CUP and you can see what a difference even THAT makes. Right now I can't find any pressure notes on the .375 H&H in any of my books (why, I don't know) but I'm betting it's a lot higher than that; maybe close to 60,000 CUP.

There are a few '98 magnum actions out there, expressly built for the heavier pressures but be ready to pay a HUGE premium if you can even find one.

I'm sure you can find a gunsmith willing to take that chance. I, for one, will not. Lawsuits by remaining relatives can be VERY expensive..

I don't know of a $250.00 source for the Charles Daly 375 H&H Length action, but I can give you a contact to get it for $330.00 Shipped.

That would of course include the complete bolt already turned with the shroud.

You could probably sell your action with bolt and offset some of that cost and get what you want.

If you want to build off off your existing action how bout the 375 Taylor. Take a look at the recent thread regarding the Taylor. Might get you pretty close to your H&H and let you use your existing action...

I've got an Interarms Mark X in .300 mag so most of the work is already done. I would be willing to sell cheap! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'm off to Colorado tomorrow for a combo elk and mule deer hunt, but will be putting this rifle up for sale when I return.

Lobo and Avagadro,

Ok! So I open my big mouth and insert foot...so to speak. A call to my buddy, the Gun Doctor netted me the fact that he routinely sells Chas Daly Standard actions for $239. Magnum actions go for $269. And H&H length he no got and can't get! His supplier got six in and he got two. Both were immeadiately sold. He sold those two for $299 (I think is what he told me. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> )

So I guess if one can buy one for $330 Shipped, that would be the best option.

So please accept my apologies. I know not of what I speak. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> (At least I've been told that before.) ...the9.3guy

9.3 would that be the boys at Guns Galore or Williams? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Big Time,

I would make this rifle a .376 Steyr, several shooting correspondents have done so and all are happy with the results.

jim

Converting a standard Mauser 98 to .375 H&H is probably a losing proposition; but it has nothing to do with pressures. First -- I sincerely doubt that .375's are loaded to 60,000 psi -- cartridges designed for service in the tropics were never loaded that strenuously -- that's one reason they're all so doggone big. Secondly -- I suspect any solid 98 Mauser action is perfectly capable of handling pressures generated by any modern, high-intensity cartridge with reasonable loadings. They certainly are not limited to 38,000 psi or some such -- you are thinking of 93-95 Mausers. Millions of Mausers have been chanbered for .270, .30-06, 7mm Mag, etc without problem, and will continue to be so long as the supply lasts. Don't make the mistake of believing that a cartridge with "magnum" in its name is necessarily loaded to higher presssures than a "standard" cartridge.

That being said -- the .35 Whelen is a wonderful choice, and you don't have to alter the bolt face or the feed rails. If you want bigger bullets, try a .375 Scovill. Or take a look at the Howell line of cartridges. If ya just gotta have a belt, a .358 Norma Magnum should give you enough pounce to count.

Ah....Neither!

The Gun Doctor is a retired Deputy of my acquaintce. And yes, he actually works on guns. But is fairly unknown. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> ...the9.3guy

P.S. Speaking of Guns Galore, I was over there today... My buddy just had to have a LVSF in .204 Ruger. I successfully managed to resist all temptations... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Look real hard @ the .376 Steyr...

I have one part way in the works on a Mauser.

Pat

Have your dealer contact Jerry's sports center. He had them listed at $259 in the last flyier IIRC

A dealer here sold a Whitworth in 375 HH for about $750. The stock on it was a work of art. It had cross bolts, excellent bluing, express sights - everything.



It's your money but I would not push an old Mauser into something that big.



This is what they look like.



Whitworth



In 7mm RM they are quite rare.



Got to stop looking at these auctions. I can hardly keep up with all the guns and data that I have.