Gunsmith recommendations & dream gun project

[LVD923]

I think as fun as it is picking up all the different calibers and rifles I can track down, and filling up the vault. I am starting to wonder the feasibility of a dual cartridge takedown rifle. Im sure the idea isn't unique. Just wondering if anyone has seen gunsmiths convert CRF actions specifically into an interchangeable takedown package.

The hope is to have my Model 70 chopped. So it could be effectively swapped between 300 h&h and 375 h&h. Or if I get so lucky as to find a confident gunsmith. even something like a 404 Jeffery/300 WSM combo. Reaching out to a hand full of machinests I found online, but I dont anticipate a quick response. In the meantime thought it wouldn't hurt to fish for gunsmith recommendations on here, im in the USA by the by. Hard to find good smiths that take a random guy seriously, and have the time & skill for something a little unorthodox. Ideas for other actions, and caliber combinations would be great also. The idea is to have a handy globetrotter that I can use to handle anything from Pronghorn and Impala, to Cape Buffalo and Brown bears with confidence. A Proper custom heirloom quality piece(s), that I can hopefully make stories with.

 

[STD]

I think as fun as it is picking up all the different calibers and rifles I can track down, and filling up the vault. I am starting to wonder the feasibility of a dual cartridge takedown rifle. Im sure the idea isn't unique. Just wondering if anyone has seen gunsmiths convert CRF actions specifically into an interchangeable takedown package.

The hope is to have my Model 70 chopped. So it could be effectively swapped between 300 h&h and 375 h&h. Or if I get so lucky as to find a confident gunsmith. even something like a 404 Jeffery/300 WSM combo. Reaching out to a hand full of machinests I found online, but I dont anticipate a quick response. In the meantime thought it wouldn't hurt to fish for gunsmith recommendations on here, im in the USA by the by. Hard to find good smiths that take a random guy seriously, and have the time & skill for something a little unorthodox. Ideas for other actions, and caliber combinations would be great also. The idea is to have a handy globetrotter that I can use to handle anything from Pronghorn and Impala, to Cape Buffalo and Brown bears with confidence. A Proper custom heirloom quality piece(s), that I can hopefully make stories with.

Hey LVD293
I have been trying to achieve a similar goal here in Australia and currently have a Sauer 404. I originally bought the rifle in 7mm Remington Magnum. I then purchased a 243 kit and then a 404 Jeffrey kit. I have since sold the 243 kit as it was not getting used and recently bought a 300WM kit with fluted barrel and Sauer muzzle brake. I decided on a 300WM barrel even though I had the 7mm Mag as I suggest that ammunition is more widely available if I was to lose this en route. I am heading to South Africa in May and will take the 300WM barrel and maybe the 404J.
In November 2024 I travelled to Mozambique with only the 404J and hunted Cape Buffalo and opportunistically a Sable and Nyala. I also used the 404J on a Water Buffalo and pig in the NT. My rifle has a synthetic stock with adjustable comb as that is where my budget took me.

400gn Woodleigh SP are the projectile of choice for the 404J and I am currently finalising handloads with 200gn Barnes for the 300WM.
Both scopes are Swarovski with a Z6 1 - 6 and a Z5 3.5 - 18 BT.

 

[channelkat]

Following

 

[RR 314]

Matt Roberts and Aaron Little would be my starting point. Duane Wiebe made a couple takedowns with curved mating point, but I don’t think he is taking work. Sounds like you want to build, but there are Dakota 76s readily available (I have a .375/300 H&H). If you want to go full custom, you can find someone.

.404J and .300 WSM would be a nightmare. Swapping out for .300 RUM would be simple.

 

[Killo]

I think as fun as it is picking up all the different calibers and rifles I can track down, and filling up the vault. I am starting to wonder the feasibility of a dual cartridge takedown rifle. Im sure the idea isn't unique. Just wondering if anyone has seen gunsmiths convert CRF actions specifically into an interchangeable takedown package.

The hope is to have my Model 70 chopped. So it could be effectively swapped between 300 h&h and 375 h&h. Or if I get so lucky as to find a confident gunsmith. even something like a 404 Jeffery/300 WSM combo. Reaching out to a hand full of machinests I found online, but I dont anticipate a quick response. In the meantime thought it wouldn't hurt to fish for gunsmith recommendations on here, im in the USA by the by. Hard to find good smiths that take a random guy seriously, and have the time & skill for something a little unorthodox. Ideas for other actions, and caliber combinations would be great also. The idea is to have a handy globetrotter that I can use to handle anything from Pronghorn and Impala, to Cape Buffalo and Brown bears with confidence. A Proper custom heirloom quality piece(s), that I can hopefully make stories with.

 

[Killo]

300 and 375 H&H

 

[Hunter4752001]

G'day @STD Where in Oz did you get the 404 Jeff kit? I didn't know that you could use a standard length cartridge in a magnum length action. Not interested in a .243, but 308 is always a good round.

 

[BonUm16]

It’s coming so I’ll just get it out of the way…. buy a Blaser R8.

 

[MacJenkins]

I have a Weibe takedown in 500 Jeff that is fantastic. Shame to see the post above he is not taking work. Then Ralf Martini built a takedown on a GMA action for my wife in 6.5x55. Now he’s at H&W. I don’t have any recommendations other than the various big European makers that you see build them occasionally.

Others will be a long with some other builders on our side that I’m sure will take the build.

I would consider something other to go with you 404 Jeff however. The Wisem I would think will not work in the box made for a Jeff.

 

[SaintPanzer]

You did not mention budget, but Parkwest Arms does this... "Same Caliber Family" means exactly something like .300 H&H and .375 H&H.

SD-76 Dark Continent Take Down Rifle for Dangerous Game

Discover the SD-76 Dark Continent Take Down Rifle, designed for hunting dangerous game with precision and power. Elevate your outdoor experience today!

parkwestarms.com

 

[JMM]

I would contact Todd Ramirez. Custom rifle maker who does custom heirloom quality work.

 

[Sarg]

I had a Post 92 CRF Win Model 70 Stainless Classic made to TD in .300Win Mag & .458Win Mag, used the Leupold Classic QTO mounts with 3.5x10 VXIII & 1.5x5 VXIII,

The builder here didn’t get the barrel latch just spot on & that bothered me so sold it meaning to get another but never got enough money in one spot again !

 

[LimbNoMo]

300 and 375 H&H

You did not mention budget, but Parkwest Arms does this... "Same Caliber Family" means exactly something like .300 H&H and .375 H&H.

SD-76 Dark Continent Take Down Rifle for Dangerous Game

Discover the SD-76 Dark Continent Take Down Rifle, designed for hunting dangerous game with precision and power. Elevate your outdoor experience today!

parkwestarms.com

I held the takedown model yesterday at the TTHA show. While I wasn’t impressed with their brand ambassador skills, I was very impressed with the feel of the rifle. Parkwest would be my starting point for a takedown rifle.

 

[Rumrunner]

About a year ago there was a Sauer Hatari take down in .458 Lott and 300 Win Mag for sale on GB. They’re out there but difficult to find. Still kicking myself for not getting serious about acquiring that setup.

 

[Safari Dave]

If your willing to pay the big bucks, then I'm sure there is a competent gunsmith who will do it.




Or, like Bonhm16 said, you can just get a Blaser R8, and be done with it.

But, then, you will have a push-feed rifle, and will be assuming ambient temperature as soon as you shoot at a DG animal.

 

[LVD923]

Really hoping that one of the people I reached out to is up to the challenge. Albeit parkwest is looking like an amazing "deal". Always liked the dark continent set ups, but we will see if they are willing to do something that matches my expectations.
Aside from that the WSM is a pipe dream, but I have some hope for the Super form. WSM's are after all derivatives of the 404 Jeffery. So a boy can dream... and if it comes down to it I'll just stick to the venerable H&H magnums.

As far as Blaser and Sauer go. I like the idea of modular systems, but they just are not what I want. So I will keep those on the back burner if all else fails. Not like they are bad, have a buddy who runs a Blaser with a bunch of different cartridges, and he adores it. Seen it work with 7mm STW and 375 H&H and both shoot sub-moa all day. If and when I manage to get real world numbers though, im happy sharing what I spent. This is a fun way to jump back into debt once my trucks payed off.

 

[LimbNoMo]

Pardon for the thread derail.

Went back to the TTHA show and spoke with Parkwest at the again Saturday. Second time was better than the first.

@PARKWESTARMS joined and messaged me on here as well. Now I’m impressed with the people and the rifles.

Welcome to AH!

 

[uplander01]

ParkWEST would be a good way to go, otherwise you're going to spend 50k or more and wait 2-3 years. Life is too short unless you are curating collector items for the future or family heirlooms. Every example I've seen of Duane Weibe takedown system is beyond excellence and he actually did it quite a bit, seems like he didn't rub off on any younger guys coming up though, don't know anyone in the USA doing what he is able to do in a takedown system. Really surprised he didn't have a couple apprentices. There are definitely guys in Europe that could do it if you want to go that route......everything would circle back around to Parkwest if it was me, just my opinion

 

[rookhawk]

I think as fun as it is picking up all the different calibers and rifles I can track down, and filling up the vault. I am starting to wonder the feasibility of a dual cartridge takedown rifle. Im sure the idea isn't unique. Just wondering if anyone has seen gunsmiths convert CRF actions specifically into an interchangeable takedown package.

The hope is to have my Model 70 chopped. So it could be effectively swapped between 300 h&h and 375 h&h. Or if I get so lucky as to find a confident gunsmith. even something like a 404 Jeffery/300 WSM combo. Reaching out to a hand full of machinests I found online, but I dont anticipate a quick response. In the meantime thought it wouldn't hurt to fish for gunsmith recommendations on here, im in the USA by the by. Hard to find good smiths that take a random guy seriously, and have the time & skill for something a little unorthodox. Ideas for other actions, and caliber combinations would be great also. The idea is to have a handy globetrotter that I can use to handle anything from Pronghorn and Impala, to Cape Buffalo and Brown bears with confidence. A Proper custom heirloom quality piece(s), that I can hopefully make stories with.

Gunsmithing is VERY expensive and VERY slow. For the costs you're going to incur, you would have a much better rifle at a much lower cost if you just bought a Dakota or Parkwest traveler.

They need to have the same bolt face and roughly the same case geometry for reliable feed and extraction. The most popular combos would be 300H&H /375H&H or 375H&H/458Lott. Other neat combos that work include 257 Roberts / 7x57.

I think a brand new traveler will set you back $14,000. Worth every penny compared to a one-off gunsmith made take down that may not work and will be cloodged together.

 

[STD]

G'day @STD Where in Oz did you get the 404 Jeff kit? I didn't know that you could use a standard length cartridge in a magnum length action. Not interested in a .243, but 308 is always a good round.

Private sale from NSW. Unfired.