I came across an odd rifle today that I've never seen and still has me scratching my head. It was a left hand Remington 700 in 375 H&H, at least according to the stamping on the receiver, but it had a CRF Mauser style bolt in it. I've never seen such a thing. Does anybody have any idea what it might be? And no it's not 798. The bolt shroud and safety kinda looked like a Model 70 but had a standard 700 style bolt handle on it.
Doing a little research I'm not finding anything so my best guess is that somebody converted the action to a CRF bolt off of something else. I should've taken a picture of it but didn't think about it until I got home. Any ideas?
Edit: If need be I can swing by and take some pics of it.
A picture would be helpful.
Butch Searcy converted a few 700’s to a CRF system similar to the pre64 M70. These were done in the 70’s maybe early 80’s. He stopped when he began building double rifles.
Seen a couple of those here in Alaska
Chet Brown's shop use to do that conversion back in the early '80s(?). Quit after he had some come apart when fired.
Thanks for the info guys. With a better idea of what it is, did some more searching and found other guns done the same way. The owner was into custom work cause there was another 700 that wasn't for sale that had a bunch of gawdy custom work done to it and not very attractive to my eye anyway. This one was more tastefully done and workmanlike. I'm half tempted to pick it up and shoot it a little bit then move it down the road.
The conversion by Brown Precision was not a CRF. Rather it was akin to the original Ruger M77 extractor.
Probably right. I'll TRY to post an 80's catalog pic of it later on. Looks like he kept the factory Remington plunger ejector and removed some of the rim on the bolt face some. Don't see how the cartridge could crf feed over that plunger. Can't remember where I read about the problem he had with the conversion but I do remember he decided to stop offering it. Could have been in a old RIFLE mag.
You learn something new every day. I have never seen or heard of one. I would love to see a few photos if possible. Nothing is impossible with the right mind and machining capability.