Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Custom Rifles & Wildcats Off the wall question....maybe

Ok , bear with me. Ohio has allowed certain straight walled rounds to be used for deer hunting this year. I've been contemplating several options. One of which is rebarreling a Remington 700 ADl in 7mm RM to either .444 Marlin or .460 S&W. I'm not worried about feeding issues as I will put a single shot follower in and just use it as a single shot. Would this be possible? My only concern is the head dimensions, .532 for the 7mm, .520 for the .460 and .514 for the .444 Marlin. I assume the .532 is not going to work well, is there some way around this? The other option is rebarreling a Ruger #1 I have, but I'm not having much luck with any of the gunsmiths I've contacted.

Id pursue the #1, or if its no dice on that look at a handi rifle or encore

The #1 is a pretty easy and straightforward conversion, hardest part is getting the contour a perfect match for the quarter rib. I would personally not consider the 700, too much chance of a goatroap. Personally I would sell the 700 or the #1, whichever you are least attached to, and buy a Marlin in 444. Should be a pretty much straight across deal $$$ wise if you shop around for a good used 444.

Precisely

Well, I was leaning towards the #1, but so far none of the smiths I've contacted have got back with me. Any recommendations on a gunsmith to work on a #1?

Why limit yourself to a single shot when there are SO many good 444 lever actions out there? Does the new law also specify a single shot only rifle? I am not being a smartaleck, I am asking an honest question. The older Marlin 444's are beautiful looking rifles, too. I think a guy could buy one with about what it is going to cost to re barrel a Number 1.

Sell 700.

Buy Ruger 77/44.

If suppressor's are allowed to be used on game in Ohio, have it suppressed.



Travis

Possibly a stupid question: is there a significant trajectory advantage between the straight wall cartridges you mention and the newer shotgun slugs or muzzleloader options? I've shot most of the straight wall cases at one time or another and was never overly impressed with their trajectory. I've not run the numbers in a drop chart but wonder how much you'd really gain.

Also, in the areas I've hunted in Ohio (SE and NE), shots weren't over 100 yards max - except in the crop fields in the NE. But then again, none of the rounds mentioned is going to enable you to have a realistic chance of killing a deer at 4-500 yards across one of them.

I'm curious how your conversion goes - keep us posted.

Does a belted case count as 'straight walled'? If so, I'd just rebarrel to 458 Win and load to the power level you want.

THAT is a darned good idea, pointer! And there are some pretty decent BC pointed .458 bullets out there now. Same would work with a 458 Lott, 458 Ackley Magnum etc. but might be a bit of overkill....

I appreciate all the feedback, all valid points. I had actually planned on the .458 idea, but that is not a round allowed. The .45-110 is fine, but the .458 is a no go. I really want to go with the #1. I have a great deal of sentimental attachment to it for several reasons. The barrel is just about done and I had been thinking of rebarreling it anyhow. So I don't mind putting the money into it. It's just finding a gunsmith to do it. Which I have had a couple get back with me. The 700 project is my second choice, but honestly is seems like that may not work out.

I have looked into those. I think they would be pretty slick, and I already load for the .44. You have one?

My buddy built one. It was bad-freakin'-ass.



Travis

I see they don't list the 450 Marlin but do the 45/70. Sweet Jesus, who comes up with these things. I'm guessing they had a phonecon with some from Indiana and said 'Watch the shiet we are coming up with'

Contact better gunsmiths. Ruger made the #1 in 460 S&W so there is no problem using that cartridge in that platform.

No doubt. Don't understand the logic but at least its better than a slug gun. I wouldn't worry about it, but i have family in Ohio and hunt there quite a bit.

Well then, a 45/110 in a Number one would be pretty cool, and could still be loaded with a pointy bullet if one thought that doing so would give them a practical advantage.

Heck, a Ruger number 1 in 45/110 would be mega cool even without the Ohio regulatory crap.

I have been talking to JD Jones at SSK. He is happy to do the conversion on the #1 and says the .460 should make a nice round in a rifle. I know SSK has a pretty good reputation, anyone here deal with them before?