rechambering to a medium bore

[bigrich]

i would like to know if anyone has gotten grief from WLB over rechambering/rebarreling a rifle from say 308/30-06, to a larger medium bore . i have a planned project going up from 308 to 338-06 and am wondering if anyone has had issues doing such a thing . i've had rifles rebarreled in the past , but with the current situation with WLB and higher energy cals i'm second guessing the viability of my project . would appreciate any opinions

[Billo]

What has your gunsmith told you ?

[bigrich]

What has your gunsmith told you ?

I doubt any of them know what WLB are going to do . He’s a older fella out in a regional city, so I’m not sure he’d be up on the latest whims of licensing, as he might not have done a rebarrel up to a medium bore for a while. You pose a good question though. I’ll give him a ring to see what he reckons. He’s rebarreled plenty of rifles for me previously, but the 338-06 might draw a “please explain “ from WLB. Personally, I think rebarreling is a way around some of the hurdles others have faced with PTA’s . But I want all the latest facts before I commit to spending my money

[Billo]

What has your gunsmith told you ?

I doubt any of them know what WLB are going to do . He’s a older fella out in a regional city, so I’m not sure he’d be up on the latest whims of licensing, as he might not have done a rebarrel up to a medium bore for a while. You pose a good question though. I’ll give him a ring to see what he reckons. He’s rebarreled plenty of rifles for me previously, but the 338-06 might draw a “please explain “ from WLB. Personally, I think rebarreling is a way around some of the hurdles others have faced with PTA’s . But I want all the latest facts before I commit to spending my money

Looking at what Allan swan has rebarreling recently, plenty of big bores, but a few would be for interstate customers. Last couple of barrel swaps Ive dont I havent even marked the barrel yet oh that rifle, its a 223

[Wapiti]

Rich I reckon your best bet is to ring WL Qld.
They are pretty good to deal with, and they'll know exactly what the story is, I reckon way better to know before than afterwards when the job is done...
As for gunsmiths knowing the story, if they do this stuff regularly in Qld, they'd know surely?
But again, it's going to be WL that are making the decisions.

[bigrich]

Rich I reckon your best bet is to ring WL Qld.
They are pretty good to deal with, and they'll know exactly what the story is, I reckon way better to know before than afterwards when the job is done...
As for gunsmiths knowing the story, if they do this stuff regularly in Qld, they'd know surely?
But again, it's going to be WL that are making the decisions.

yeah, i'm of the opinion i won't poke the bear ill talk to my smith first, but reckon i'll go ahead with it , i've got a 7x57 barrel that is first in line for a new home ATM .i was in rebel gun works today picking up a new trigger for my 222 , and they reckon WLB have backed off with regards to bigger cals . guy at my range who shoots big game comp had issues 6 months ago and got shooters union to raise the issue with the police minister. he also got his local MP involved . his PTA was promptly approved afterwards

[Wapiti]

Thank goodness that Shooters Union have made such an effort over this.
I still cannot believe the badmouthing and innuendo from "fellow" gun owners that they are just winding people up to get more membership. It's pitiful really, there's nothing as dangerous to a gun users future than other gun owners - making this stuff bagging SU up to cover for the embarrassment they feel for sitting down to p*ss.

Personally I've been involved with two farmers who have had assistance from SU when they were denied their license renewals for classes that the city gun owners can't have, and they got behind them and got it fixed. One was a member, one wasn't. I can only shake my head thinking about how they would've gone looking to the NFF or SSAA, both were completely disinterested. And the city based shooters couldn't give a stuff about farmers either. B@stard farmers, they are rich and can have C,D,H and we can't so stuff 'em. Unless they want a farmer to open the gate for them to have a shot for free. Not even lip service in most cases.

[bigrich]

Thank goodness that Shooters Union have made such an effort over this.
I still cannot believe the badmouthing and innuendo from "fellow" gun owners that they are just winding people up to get more membership. It's pitiful really, there's nothing as dangerous to a gun users future than other gun owners - making this stuff bagging SU up to cover for the embarrassment they feel for sitting down to p*ss.

Personally I've been involved with two farmers who have had assistance from SU when they were denied their license renewals for classes that the city gun owners can't have, and they got behind them and got it fixed. One was a member, one wasn't. I can only shake my head thinking about how they would've gone looking to the NFF or SSAA, both were completely disinterested. And the city based shooters couldn't give a stuff about farmers either. B@stard farmers, they are rich and can have C,D,H and we can't so stuff 'em. Unless they want a farmer to open the gate for them to have a shot for free. Not even lip service in most cases.

yeah mate , i've talked to people that have been helped by shooters union and heard first hand how they've bent over backwards to help . i've been a SU member since the NSC collapse . i've met grayham up at my gunsmiths and had a good chat with him . nice bloke . it's not just shooters union helping either . their doing it for financial reasons as well, but the boss of NIOA , jade cleaver and a few others in the retail industry have had meetings with the police commissioner and head of WLB and read them the riot act

i think your right about city views on farmers, myself i don't have those views . the hard work , commitment and constant worry over the millions of things that can go wrong or jobs to be done are too much for a lot of people . a lot of farms are lucking to break even these days . two things keep this country going , farming and truckies . a lot of people these days are ignorant idiots . the proof is the net zero joke and green policies . more mining , ship the ore overseas to have it manufactured into a "green" product , ship it back again . the infrastructure and emissions to support this is immense , the dumb ass who buys their new tesla car only thinks of the end result of their zero emission car . not what goes into creating it . sorry i've gone off topic again

i'm gunna order a barrel soon as i get the funds . gunna ship my m77 ruger to tom at t bone shipwright today for it's new 7x57 barrel . i am having a good look at the 338-06 vs 35 whelen debate again building on a mauser 98 action for a medium bore, the whelen has a shorter COL which would suit the 98 action better i think . stay tuned.....

[Wapiti]

Has anyone been adventurous enough to chamber a hunting rifle in 338 Lapua? Or 338-300 Rum (necked up 300RUM)?
With a 1-10 or 1-9 twist?
Talk about awesome fun that'd be.
The issue is the massive bolt face needed for the LAP's wickedly large case and allowing for the extractor still?

I've been casually looking for a Remington 700 that was originally a "Sendero" type factory rifle that came originally in 338LAP, they have had a claw extractor replacing the tough little clip extractor, and an opened up boltface, as well as proper feeding worked out for this fat case.
With a fluted 26-27" No.5 barrel and a HS Precision sporter stock, threaded for a brake, say, M18x1 like a TRG has, it would be a toy for the real men that's for sure.

[bigrich]

Has anyone been adventurous enough to chamber a hunting rifle in 338 Lapua? Or 338-300 Rum (necked up 300RUM)?
With a 1-10 or 1-9 twist?
Talk about awesome fun that'd be.
The issue is the massive bolt face needed for the LAP's wickedly large case and allowing for the extractor still?

I've been casually looking for a Remington 700 that was originally a "Sendero" type factory rifle that came originally in 338LAP, they have had a claw extractor replacing the tough little clip extractor, and an opened up boltface, as well as proper feeding worked out for this fat case.
With a fluted 26-27" No.5 barrel and a HS Precision sporter stock, threaded for a brake, say, M18x1 like a TRG has, it would be a toy for the real men that's for sure.

factory actions for that cal would save a lot of money getting a smith trying to make it work . if cost is not a issue why not mate if cost was no issue for me 375 H&H would be something worth looking at . but i'm trying to be practical and cost effective within my uses . boring i know , but common sense over rides desire for me , most of the time

as for toys for real men , get yourself a 55 cal boys anti tank rifle and call it good . no i wouldn't help you carry either rifle , but you might find a cheap bren carrier to mount it on

[Wapiti]

Yeah I know some cartridges are expensive, but who goes hunting and blows off 50 rounds? 20, or even 10?
For pest work, yep we'll use a more than adequate cartridge like a 308, boring maybe but that means those guns can do all the heavy lifting and the others are for fun.

105gns of 2217 in a 300 RUM or in a 338 L is a drop in the bucket as to all the other costs involved in a deer or pig hunt, everyone forgets the fuel, tyre wear, servicing, broken camping gear, time off work etc for 50c of powder extra. Primers and projectiles are the same as a cheaper cartridge, we reuse our brass etc.

Trying for some ultimate efficiency, lower cost for calibre used, whatever the excuse to even dream up a Frankenstein improved or necked existing cartridge has already been done. No Robinson Crusoe's there.

Whatever floats your boat, we don't have to justify our decisions to anyone. I s'pose if I was someone who hung out for a hunt a couple if times a year and the time in between was spent scheming to find a better mousetrap? I have many timeless declined offers to participate in donkey, camel and wild cattle shoots, someone else can do that. I have to do enough myself, for myself, so I'll just stay in my lane.
There is great satisfaction in throwing all the efficiencies and cost savings out the window for a change and doing a real hunt every now and then, instead of the unsatisfying job of culling. Then an extra 50gns of powder is no consideration.

[bigrich]

. I s'pose if I was someone who hung out for a hunt a couple if times a year and the time in between was spent scheming to find a better mousetrap?

yup, that's me !

time between hunts spent dreaming up new schemes . bit like wylie coyote

do ACME make a 338-06 ......

[Wapiti]

I hope you didn't take that the wrong way mate...
I know that when I have idle hands (like rainy periods), I come up with some weird ideas... as my missus will attest to

[bigrich]

I hope you didn't take that the wrong way mate...
I know that when I have idle hands (like rainy periods), I come up with some weird ideas... as my missus will attest to

no mate , i've got a good sense of humour and try not to take things to seriously , criticism, and especially myself

my firearm projects are a throwback to my petrol head days, i like tweaking and custom building/modifying things . as with cars, i've learned a lot jumping through hoops and taking on challenges and projects with firearms . i don't really drink these days so i try to keep myself busy, and first hand knowledge through doing rather than dreaming is golden