Custom build…cartridge conundrum

[HunterX]

So I picked up a Saturn Custom Mauser rifle with a beautiful roll over stock, with great western diamond checkering. The wood is in great condition with a few minor scratches that I’ll refinish.

It is currently in 300ICL which was a proprietary cartridge that doesn’t seem to have a following. So, I’m going to rebarrel it, so it can get back out there as the western rifle it could be. So, cartridges I’m thinking about would be in order: 338 Win Mag or 308 Norma in a classic blues steel barrel…or go a different direction and do a classic modern mashup with a proof research Carbon fiber barrel in 7PRC or even 300 PRC.

What are your thoughts?? Is there an even better cartridge like .264 WIN MAG Inshould be considering? (It has a magnum bolt face).

Thank for the advice.

 

[kdenn]

I vote steel barrel with that stock. 7 RM, 300 or 338 WM. And I like your choice of 264 WM. What ever you choose will look great.

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

Why not just keep it as the 300ICL, can fire form 300H&H in it , maybe loose the muzzle break, but your choice
Gumpy

 

[Mekaniks]

.338 WM or .416 Taylor

 

[HunterX]

Why not just keep it as the 300ICL, can fire form 300H&H in it , maybe loose the muzzle break, but your choice
Gumpy

The thought was to make it more accessible. It is nearly impossible to find 300 H&H brass, so to find that and then fire form it is a lot for the average person. That’s why it lingered on the shelf for a long time. I get it if it’s a classic cartridge like 318 WR. But I don’t know many people who have heard of 300ICL.

 

[HunterX]

.338 WM or .416 Taylor

I was thinking about the .416 Taylor to maybe this a DG rifle. It is control round feed. But, it isn’t “safari” style. Would .416 Taylor be accepted in a Western themed rifle with roll over stock? It’s a beautiful stock with nice figure and the checkering is fantastic. I know the 338 is very popular as a bear cartridge all around western round.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

You need to keep OAL and shoulder diameter in mind. It is easy enough to swap barrels but bottom metal, feeding rails, and loading ramp need to be compatible with your new cartridge choice. It may not be that difficult to change bottom metal (though pricey) but changing the rails can be tricky. Going from a fat cartridge to a narrower one could require adding metal to the rails and then reshaping them. VERY tricky ( = $$$). Same problem choosing a new cartridge with different shoulder placement/diameter.

 

[cash_tx]

Beautiful rifle, as well as the glass that sits on top of it; and I don't think you can go wrong with 308 Norma, 338 WM, or 300 H&H. I'm personally biased towards the 308 Norma Mag since that is the only one of those three that I currently own.

I'm curious - in doing some research on ICL cartridges, there appears to be a few different variations of the 300 ICL. Which one is yours? Based on which cartridge it is derived from, that might influence my choice of caliber for the rebarrel.

ICL cartridges - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Grumpy gumpy]

The 308 Norma may be the one with the least work needed to make it work, could possibly even feed as it is.
Gumpy

 

[HunterX]

So, it isn’t listed exactly what it is. But, it is in a standard length action with magnum bolt face. I am having Tim Ditmore of Matrix Gunsmithing do the work, so the feed rail changes, ramp, etc aren’t a concern. I most concerned about future resale, since I am a terrible collector and lose interest quickly. She will probably be released to the wild again to make room in the safe for other silly projects. It’s an affliction. I have 8 other projects to in progress and just couldn’t help myself when I saw this.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

The 308 Norma may be the one with the least work needed to make it work, could possibly even feed as it is.
Gumpy

I dunno. 308 Norma is considerably shorter OAL. Might need to change the bottom metal. Shells wandering in the magazine during recoil can result in variations in OAL = changing accuracy. Crimping loads might be a fix. Shorter OAL also means the bolt face picks up the cartridges differently on a case by case basis (pun intended). That could affect feeding. Might be able to fix both potential issues by adding a spacer inside the box and shortening the follower.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

So, it isn’t listed exactly what it is. But, it is in a standard length action with magnum bolt face. I am having Tim Ditmore of Matrix Gunsmithing do the work, so the feed rail changes, ramp, etc aren’t a concern. I most concerned about future resale, since I am a terrible collector and lose interest quickly. She will probably be released to the wild again to make room in the safe for other silly projects. It’s an affliction. I have 8 other projects to in progress and just couldn’t help myself when I saw this.

I can assume the locking ring and ejector haven't been modified on this standard action because 300 ICL is almost identical overall length as 404J. I fit 404 in standard 98 Mauser without changing either. So you might want to keep OAL below 3.53" or Matrix will have to carve on the ring and ramp. Not a bad thing, just more expensive.

Have you cycled any cartridges in it?

Sounds like you need to get into a program for your addiction.

 

[AZDAVE]

Since it is a classic style rifle I would use the 338 WM as brass is easy to source and has the same basic standard mag bolt face and shouldn't require any rail or magazine work. Or very little.

On the 7 and 300 PRC build them on the modern style action and precision world stock setup.

 

[HunterX]

I can assume the locking ring and ejector haven't been modified on this standard action because 300 ICL is almost identical overall length as 404J. I fit 404 in standard 98 Mauser without changing either. So you might want to keep OAL below 3.53" or Matrix will have to carve on the ring and ramp. Not a bad thing, just more expensive.

Have you cycled any cartridges in it?

Sounds like you need to get into a program for your addiction.

I have not. I just picked it up.

 

[HunterX]

Since it is a classic style rifle I would use the 338 WM as brass is easy to source and has the same basic standard mag bolt face and shouldn't require any rail or magazine work. Or very little.

On the 7 and 300 PRC build them on the modern style action and precision world stock setup.

I understand for this classic roll over stock and diamond checkering. But…I’m curious if there would be any interest in the Safari community to have a classic rigby style stalking rifle, but with a carbon fiber barrel and modern round like the 7prc or even .280 AI. I have been playing with the idea of building a custom stalking rifle on a Voere Mauser action, with a tang safety, British style stock and 24 inch proof research barrel. I’d love one on 7x64 Brenneke and on in 6.5x55 Swede. I have a number of Turkish walnut wood blanks that are stunning and could be used and I have two Voere’s that I picked up from Simpsons that need stock replacements anyway. What do you guys think? I have attached some of my various blanks. One is going to be a 416 Rigby, another a 318 Westley Richard’s. I may have over bought wood…so i might end up selling one or two.