318 WR Build - Question

[KSummers207]

I recently bought a Mauser Type B in 8mm for what I thought was a great price with what appears to be a shortened barrel. My plan in purchasing this rifle was to use this as a donor for a 318 WR. While I know some will try and steer me in the direction of another caliber (and I get it), let’s proceed as if this is a done deal in terms of my decision. Aside from Lothar Walther, I am not finding many options for blanks here in the U.S. My question, for those who may have gone before me, is have you typically bought the barrel blank and had another gunsmith rechamber the blank? My gunsmith says he doesn’t do rechambering so it sounds more or less like I need a drop-in barrel for installation. Any guidance or suggestions you can share is much appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Ontario Hunter]

What kind of gunsmith "won't" ream chambers? Nothing terribly complicated. Also threading, cutting, and crowning a barrel is something any genuine gunsmith should be able to handle easily ... if he has genuine gunsmith knowledge and machining tools. Reamers can be rented from various sources surprisingly cheaply.

Lija in Plains, Montana made my 404J barrel and Dennis Olsen also of Plains cut, crowned, threaded, reamed, and mounted it in the action. Altogether it was just over $1K.

A bigger issue may be finding bottom metal with mag box that's the correct dimensions. Your 8mm box is too small.

Incidentally, I think your caliber choice is fine. I'm contemplating the same build with a P14 action.

 

[Rem700stw]

Krieger barrel is an option.

 

[Hogpatrol]

I've used multiple Pac-Nors and they do that cartridge. Rechambering sounds like a conversion from an already chambered barrel. Starting from scratch, blanks need chambers reamed and whatever machine work is required to fit and headspace the barrel to the action..

Chambers – Pac-Nor Barreling –

 

[Hogpatrol]

Southern Precision Rifles does excellent work but I'm not sure they do Mausers. Would be worth a call.

Custom Rifle builds and prefits

At Southern Precision we build the finest and more accurate bolt action rifles possible. Hunting, tactical, long-range hunting and ELR we can deliver a complete rifle or just the parts you need to complete the most accurate rifle you own.

www.bugholes.com

 

[HunterX]

318 WR fits in a Standard length Mauser action. The case is shorter than the 30-06, and around the same length in total.

 

[roklok]

As HogPatrol said, PacNor offers this chambering and barrel, so that is your "easy button." I have had PacNor rebarrel a rifle and am very happy with their work. Send barreled action to them, $675.00 and you will have a .318 WR barreled action.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

318 WR fits in a Standard length Mauser action. The case is shorter than the 30-06, and around the same length in total.

You are correct. The shoulder of 318WR is 0.005" wider than 8mm Mauser. Is that significant? It seems not. I was able to use 416 Remington bottom metal for 404 build. 404 shoulder is 0.043" wider than 416 Remington. The narrower magazine worked without modification.

 

[SkullKeeper]

Indeed, PacNor will make a barrel chambered in 318WR. Be advised though that the throat will be too short for the COAL of 3.35”. I know because this happened to me. I got Manson to build me a throater to fix the issue and PacNor happily did the work without a charge. I elected to go with a JTL of 60 thousandths and it shoots wonderfuly. The great thing about PacNor is they have an option where you can design your own barrel for a small fee. They will also copy a barrel to spec if you are replacing a barrel for an existing stock.

 

[rookhawk]

I'd encourage you to source brass, dies, and bullets in 318WR before you jump in on this endeavor. My opinion as to whether your idea is good or not isn't as relevant as proving to yourself you can actually source the essential components.

If I wanted the properties of a 318WR and I wasn't trying to keep a storied, vintage rifle working, I'd get a 338/06 and save yourself a world of troubles. The brass/dies/bullets are available everywhere for that ballistic twin caliber.

 

[Hedge774]

@HunterX would be the first that I spoke with about reloading this cal. Good luck!

 

[HunterX]

Let’s make some future vintage rifles, those 100 year old rifles weren’t always that old. I’d be happy to share what I have found. I’ve done all the legwork and have plenty or brass, bullets and even a large back order of dies with CH Tool and die. They now have enough orders to do a run of around 15-20 die sets and forming / trim dies if you what to roll your own from cheap 30-06 brass. They will do a run in December for early spring. They also have two machines coming that will enable them to do quick changes and run batches as small as two.

I found bullets online for target shooting at 180grains, for $14 for 50!! And Hawk, Hammer and others are expanding their availability as well for bullets.

I would love nothing more than to be a part of bringing this lovely vintage cartridge back to life. And with the short cartridge and long throat you could fit some very high Bc bullets in there if they were made. A classic
Reborn. Why not?

 

[HunterX]

Look up CH4D on Google. They are still taking orders for the next run.

 

[HunterX]

Oh, and the blame lays squarely on @SkullKeeper, he is the first person to tell me about the cartridge and I have been obsessed ever since. I mean look at those groups! That’s a dime!

 

[HunterX]

I'd encourage you to source brass, dies, and bullets in 318WR before you jump in on this endeavor. My opinion as to whether your idea is good or not isn't as relevant as proving to yourself you can actually source the essential components.

If I wanted the properties of a 318WR and I wasn't trying to keep a storied, vintage rifle working, I'd get a 338/06 and save yourself a world of troubles. The brass/dies/bullets are available everywhere for that ballistic twin caliber.

Desert Tech Munitions is importing 318 WR Bertram Brass from Australia if you are running low.

 

[HunterX]

Phil knows what he is talking about. Look at that beautiful cartridge.

Great article

.318 Westley Richards: Almost Forgotten, But Still Cherished

A genesis in the golden age of African safaris, the .318 Westley Richards Accelerated Express is all but a historical footnote.

share.google