Pre 64 H&H Action Build

[grand veneur]

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.

I own a rifle caliber 300 H&H Magnum and also one caliber 340 Weatherby Magnum. The cartridge 340 Weatherby Magnum, as well as surely also the cartridge 358 STA offers, due to their much heavier bullets weigh, somewhat better terminal ballistics than the cartridge 300 H&H Magnum, especially when shooting larger game at longer ranges. The main problem with all these cartridges, including the 300 H&H Magnum, is the limited availability of factory loads. Nevertheless, if I had to choice between the cartridge 300 H&H Magnum and the cartridge 340 Weatherby Magnum or the cartridge 358 STA, I would for a lot of reasons choose one of the latter. Of course, you also have to consider what you are hunting or intend to hunt, you don't need to be over-gunned.

 

[BlackRhino]

A classical action requires a classical round: .35 Newton! Cases can be made from Ruger brass.

 

[Ontario Hunter]

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.

Interesting. I wondered whether the longer H&H box would handle shorter 404 cartridges. Surprised to learn the bolt face didn't need modifying. I presume the extractor had to be slightly modified? Will your gun snap over on cartridges dropped in the chamber? Be careful trying it if extractor wasn't modified. Might be too tight to jump over the rim.

Considering above, a 404 build would seem to fit the right hole in OP's collection. And with minimal modification = very minimal cost.

 

[Wyit76]

300 rum and 300 prc come to mind depending on what a guy wants to do with it. 338 rum is also an option if you want a little more mass down range. 6.5 and 7mm STW should also work with you length and bolt face. It started life as a PG rifle might as well keep it that way!

 

[dlmac]

Hmmm.. how about a 404 jeffery or a 500 Jeffery? You said you like recoil!

 

[PanhandlinPat]

Interesting. I wondered whether the longer H&H box would handle shorter 404 cartridges. Surprised to learn the bolt face didn't need modifying. I presume the extractor had to be slightly modified? Will your gun snap over on cartridges dropped in the chamber? Be careful trying it if extractor wasn't modified. Might be too tight to jump over the rim.

Considering above, a 404 build would seem to fit the right hole in OP's collection. And with minimal modification = very minimal cost.

I can’t say I’ve tried to snap the extractor over the rim. I’ll look if I think about it.

 

[HunterX]

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

318 WR would be a great round…even better on a Mauser Action.

 

[HunterX]

358 Norma Magnum? If it already fit a 300 H&H, how about a 350 Rigby?

 

[steve white]

I will illustrate your choice with this story: A salesman for Kenetrek boots was fitting me for purchase, but first he asked me a thoughtful question. Which of our boots would you end up wearing the MOST? In other words, he didn't want to sell me the heaviest insulated mountain boots if I were only going to wear them in Texas, and for really only a few hunts per year. He wanted to know which boot I might wear for months on end and really get my money's worth.
That's what I would consider on your rifle. You MIGHT use a 505 Gibbs, but more than a few times in your life?! Why not chamber it in what you will reach for most of the time? That might be 35 Whelen, and it might be 25'06 or 270. It might even be more fun to choose a small caliber that you would literally wear out on varmints and prairie dogs....heck, it might even be a Creedmore. Nevermind, I just went too far.

If I didn't do any of the above, I would pick a caliber with a lot of range of application/bullet choices.
I might also consider my golden years, when I might want something that would not beat me up as much.