I've got a Husqvarna small ring commercial Mauser in .30-06 (Model 4100 lightweight, model 1640 action I believe). As you probably know these actions are hell for stout. They have a 3rd locking lug just in front of the bolt handle. Can this action be opened up to accept and reliably feed .338 Laupa or .338 Norma mag? Who does this kind of work? Hoping to do a coastal Brown Bear hunt in a few years and I'd like a .338 Magnum of some sort.

I remember (somewhat) reading an article years ago of a gun writer touring the Norma facility. He said a very large percentage/number of their pressure test actions and barrels were done on 96’s.

I am in no way endorsing your project. Just food for thought.

338 Lapua or 338 Norma. No. Never. Nada. Nyet.

338 Win maybe.

They could probably take a .338 win mag with skilled modification. Another option is a 9.3x62, which is gaining popularity.

For the cost of putting it together though, I'd look for something purpose built, and not try to shoehorn a caliber into an action that wasn't designed for it.

Another vote for 9.3x62. It's all you need for that lightweight.

You would have plenty of stomp with the 9.3x62 and a good bullet loaded right. another option is the 35 Whelen Ackley Improved. I used one for 20yrs with the older 250X and 200X. later in life, I loaded the 310 Woodleigh to 2400fps with R15! Good luck to you pard!

Another vote for something in the 9.3x62, .35 Whelan, .375 Scovill, .400 Whelan range. All the power you will need without significant modification to the action.

The HVA action may look like "just a model 96" but it's not and can easily handle standard magnum cartridges.
The factory offered them in 7mm Rem. They would handle the .300 & 338 Win or 358 Norma, which are plenty for any bear.
But so is the 9.3x62 others have mentioned, and unless yours already has a magnum bolt face, that would be a simpler, cheaper and more sensible route.
Or, if it is already a 30-06, just load up some 180 or 200 grain premium bullets from either Barnes, Nosler, Swift, Northfork or any other premium bullet and you will have a rifle and ammo suitable for the largest bear on the continent! I just sent the bolt for my Husqvarna 30-06 off to John McLauhlin in Helena yesterday so he can install one of his striker mounted peep sights on it !

New rifles are Always fun


!

Easy rebore to .338-06 or 9.3x62mm and pretty cheap way to go. Nothing wrong with the .30-06 but then again nothing wrong with making it what you want

The factory offered the 1600 series in 7mm rem and .358 Norma. That said, the magazine is too short and too narrow for the 338 Lapua. An you'd most likely have to make a new bolt stop/ejector.

I just rebarreled one to .264 WM.

Will the extra weight of a striker mounted peep sight slow down the lock time?

Yes.

I have a 7mm Remington in a "Husky" 5000 Series, something of an 'econo' model' in dull finish and quite plain stock. Doesn't stop it from shooting very nicely! Also have a Husqvarna 1600 series in 300 Norma Magnum. This was never a "factory chambering", but mine really looks factory! The point, it handles the NM quite well. I'd also follow the advice to stay both in conventional short mag chamberings and also not exceeding such "standard diameter". Were it me, I'd seek out one of those Husky 5K actions as a good, non-complex start toward building your rifle!
Best!
John

The actions are well made with good steel and good heat treatment. Early examples, with steel bottom metal, are more desirable. Trigger sux. Bolt stop could be better. I would stick with the 338 Winchester. A 375 Ruger would be pretty good too. GD

It will also make a heavier firing pin fall, but for a a lightweight, iron sighted stalking rifle I doubt it should be much of a hindrance

338 Win mag

I'm having a .338 WinMag built on a small ring g33/40 action right now. Duane Wiebe is doing the work. We did send the action off for hardening. I wanted a lighter weight mountain rifle, so went with the small ring vs large ring mauser action. The rifle is almost finished - at the engravers right now.

Mike TX
I suggest conservative loads for your 338. Don’t push pressures.

Being a small ring means the barrel shank diameter is smaller. The wall thickness of the small ring barrel gets pretty thin when the chamber diameter increases from .473 to .532”. With hot loads it is possible to expand the barrel’s chamber area enough to crack the receiver ring. Case hardening is done primarily to eliminate lug set back but doesn’t add any hoop strength. Either Jim Borden or Dan Lilja has written an engineering analysis of the issue.

There have been many 416 Rigby’s assembled on M70 actions. They are OK since if the original pressures are kept very low but I have seen them have trouble loaded to “modern pressures”. Again the issue is because the wall thickness of the barrel shank is pretty thin.

You should be good to go if you keep your 338 loaded down to 338/06 type performance and as a benefit you will decrease recoil and have great brass life.

I own four high end rifles built on G33/40’s and the material is good but not nearly as tough as the steel in those Husky actions.