Pre 64 H&H Action Build

[woodsman1991]

Have a shot out old 300 H&H AI, late 50’s era. Factory stock is in good shape but has been redone with the wrong finish.

What would you guys recommend building with it? I already have a nice far more original 300 H&H, as well as an original 375 H&H. Debating putting a new 416 Remington barrel on this one, but I already have a 416 Rigby build planned for next year on a Magnum Mauser action. Having two 416s seems redundant. 358 STA is calling my name but goodness knows the last thing I need is another wild cat to load for… There’s also the 358 and 416 UMT wildcats that intrigue me. I have a healthy supply of 375 H&H brass as well as 300 RUM brass so could go either route. Looking for ideas / suggestions.

 

[Schüler Jumbo]

Thor’s Hammer: .340 Weatherby

 

[Ontario Hunter]

404 Jeffery. It should easily fit in a 300 H&H action. Not sure about bolt face. I'll have to check that.
Edit: Yes. Bolt face would need to be opened slightly. That works. Can open bolt faces ... much more difficult to shrink them. Would also need to modify feeding rails and follower. Loading ramp should be plenty long enough. Might need to modify box dimensions but that's always doable. I used 416 Rem bottom metal when I built my 404 on 98 Mauser and it worked fine without modification.

 

[skydiver386]

I think the world needs more 300 H&H magnums.

 

[lkydvl]

470 Capstick

 

[RedTag]

.358 Shooting Times Alaskan on a pre-‘64 H&H action would be an awesome rifle indeed. Then again, so would .458 Lott, and arguably a more practical addition to your existing collection.

 

[Monski]

Another vote for 458 Lott

 

[woodsman1991]

While I love the idea of the 458 Lott, I’ve already got a good one on a custom Montana 1999 action.

358 STA or 375 Ackley are both in that tempting sweet spot of hard hitting and able to reach out 3-400 yards if needed. I’m a glutton for recoil and either would scratch an itch.

 

[jruby]

358STA - the real question is what do you plan to hunt and where.

 

[Mtn_Infantry]

404 Jeffery, I almost did this same build myself. I’ve also thought about doing a 318WR build on an old Pre64 Action

 

[ROCK53]

That late 50s shot out 300 H&H probably a Winchester 70 or Remington 721/700 era is a classic belted magnum action plenty strong for rebarreling into something fun without needing a beefier setup.
Since you've got a pristine original 300 H&H and a 375 H&H already, plus a 416 Rigby on deck, I'd skip another .416 Rem Mag or wildcat like UMT it's redundant ballistics wise both push 400gr at 2400 fps, Rigby has more tradition lower pressure, Rem easier cheaper brass, but same punch on DG. The .416 UMT on .375 RUM brass gives a bit more velocity potential but still overlaps your Rigby plan heavily.
The .358 STA jumps out as the sweet spot here it's a proven wildcat necked up 8mm Rem Mag or similar, pushes 250gr bullets 2900-3000 fps with serious energy over 5,000 ft lbs muzzle, hits way harder flatter than your 300s for elk moose bear African plains game, and isn't as brutal as full .416s. Brass forms easy from 8mm RM or sometimes 375 H&H fireformed, loads are out there Nosler, Hodgdon data, and it's not super obscure plenty of guys run it without drama. Recoil's stout but manageable in that heavy classic stock action.
If you're set on using your 375 H&H brass stash, a .358 on that parent like a variant or just neck up could work but STA edges it for case capacity velocity.
The .358 UMT straight neck up from 300 RUM is tempting insane speed 225gr at 3200+ fps, 250gr 3100, flat trajectory, huge energy but it's more of a handful higher pressure, recoil beast, brass is pricier harder to source than STA, and it's rarer for data support.

 

[zephyr]

275H&H
Lots of 7mm bullets
Easy to make Brass

 

[BFaucett]

275H&H
Lots of 7mm bullets
Easy to make Brass

Doesn't that use .287" diameter bullets?

Bob F.

 

[Aaron N]

Could you shoehorn a 505 Gibbs into it?

 

[woodsman1991]

Just realized I failed to specify, the action is a 1950s model 70 H&H. 358 or 375 AI are looking like the winning options. What would I hunt with it? Mostly stuff in North America would be the plan. Obviously the 375 AI could take on anything in Africa too. Don’t have a specific need, beyond an action that deserves to be brought back to life as something interesting.

 

[jruby]

Never been to Africa but have heard that the ammunition head stamp needs to match the gun. May be a consideration.

 

[PanhandlinPat]

404 Jeffery. My ‘48 h&h action and magazine fit a 404 like it was made for it. The magazine has steps to accommodate the more slender h&h cases, on my rifle they fall directly infront of the 404 shoulder, allowing the Jeffery cases to stack beautifully. Bolt face clearance was a non issue as well. Feeds 400 grain cutting edge solids like a dream with no modifications at all.

 

[zephyr]

Doesn't that use .287" diameter bullets?

Bob F.

Nice Catch ....,
I stand Corrected...

 

[SaintPanzer]

Nice Catch ....,
I stand Corrected...

Hawk Bullets makes .287s, and Woodleigh offered them. Not sure Woodleigh's current status/intent to offer...

I only know this because I have an FN action and I'm considering a .275 H&H... I just can't make up my mind!

 

[SaintPanzer]

I was thinking about this a bit more after I posted. Here's my thought:

You have an action that is designed for a .300 H&H. This tells me it's long enough for magnum ammo, and the bolt face is designed for a 0.513" base.

Sticking with that base diameter (i.e. the .300 H&H family of cartridges) would be easiest. .300 H&H, .275 H&H, .375 H&H, .244 H&H, .400 H&H, .470 Capstick. I'd look there, first.