Chet's 458WM build IT'S FINISHED!!!!

[chet]

Figured I'd let you guys know what I'm up to these days......
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It started life as a '87 M70 300WM green laminate.
The stock was rough, urethane flaking off everywhere.
The metal was fantastic, the bore had seen better days.
Then I found a barrel on ebay!!!! A 22" 458WM, brand new in the white!
The work began!
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Here, I am tightening up the barrel for initial headspace measurements:

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I lapped the lugs and trued up the bolt face. The headspace was .50 tight!!! I rented a reamer and got it perfect!
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Here, I am bedding the beast:

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And then I stripped the crappy urethane off and rubbed in a few coats of tru oil:

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I glassed the front lug real well!:

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At this point I decided that it would be best if the first few firings were done remotely..... pull the trigger with a string while I hide behind a brick wall!!!! :lol: So the cerakote plans are on hold until I have proof fired the gun. (I Don't want it falling off the bench and bangin up a nice paint job!) Here, the gun is re-assembled. Note the limbsaver "grind-to-fit" pad:

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Last night I annealed 10 pieces of 300WM brass...... tonight I'll be fireforming them into their new identity. And hopefully this weekend I'll be testing this baby out!!!!!

 

[DrMike]

Very nice project, Chet. It certainly looks good. Firing it should be fascinating. The Limb Saver pad is a wise idea.

 

[Guy Miner]

That should be an excellent rifle. The laminate stock will give it a lot of strength, and a little weight. Did you consider using any crossbolts, behind the recoil lug? I know that's pretty much standard with a .458 in a wood stock, but laminate is so strong, it might not be as important.

The .458 is actually a pretty neat cartridge. I've only fired one a few times, but found that it can be loaded, like the .45/70, from real mild, to OUCH.

Neat project, thanks for taking us along!

Guy

 

[Elkman]

You did a great job. There should be no problems in the testing. Nice work !!!!

 

[chet]

Did you consider using any crossbolts, behind the recoil lug? I know that's pretty much standard with a .458 in a wood stock, but laminate is so strong, it might not be as important.

That's what I'm hoping for! And I don't plan on loading too heavy for it!

 

[Guy Miner]

"And I don't plan on loading too heavy"

I've said that with some magnums too... :grin:

Seriously, that's got all sorts of potential, I think you've put together a winner!

Regards, Guy

 

[SJB358]

Awesome work Chet! Looks first class the whole way. You'll have to school us on the entire build when it's complete. I'm thinking it should be an awesome shooting rifle too!

Great pictures.

 

[Hegland]

Looking good so far! If I may ask, what did you use to grind the pad down to fit?

 

[JD338]

Very nice project Chet.
I bet she is going to be a shooter.

What glass are you going to mount?

JD338

 

[chet]

To grind the pad I used 120 table top belt saander.

I'm planing on a leupy vx-r 33mm

 

[Oldtrader3]

Nice project Chet, it looks as though it is falling together nicely. That Model 70 in .458 should be a stomper!

 

[chet]

Fireformed some brass last night from 300winmag.
Large magnum pistol primer (cuz i don't load for 44 mag anymore, gotta use the extras)
12 grains of win AALITE (fastest powder I had)
Small peice of tissue (didnt want the powder to mix into the c-o-w in case I dropped one)
topped it of with cream-o-wheat
pushed the neck into a bar of irish spring.
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It was WAY louder than I thought it'd be!!!
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[SJB358]

Wow, great work Chet. That is some cool fireforming. I am digging this project a ton. You are blazing a cool path for us.

 

[chet]

I fired the gun today!!!! It was amazing!!!! I'll post some pics on Monday

 

[chet]

PROOF FIRING
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OK, so I drove out to the hills and strapped this baby down!!! HAHAHA I know it looks funny, but I have personally witnessed a gun blow up! And I know a guy that has a Weatherby stamp in his face! So forgive me if I'm a little cautious! 8)
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The best powder I had on hand for the beast was Benchmark. Starting load was 71 and max was 79. So I loaded a 71, 73, 75, and 77.
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I pulled the string on the 71gr load while I hunkered down inside the truck!
KABOOM!!!!!!
IT SURVIVED!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!
The bolt unlocked, and the brass looked great!!!
The second shot went much like the first! AWESOME!!!!
Then the third shot (75gr load) I decided to shoot while actually holding the rifle.
HOLY MOOSE NUTS!!!!!!
This baby has got some mega power!!!!!! I think my feet slid four feet backwards!
Still no signs of pressure, so I fired the 77gr load as well.......
WOOHOO!!!!!!!!
OK..... that's enough of that..... I can't feel my brain!
Such an awesome feeling!
just like drinking your first home-brew, or catching a trout on a fly that you tied yourself!
so freakin' cool!
Now it's back to disassemble and prep for the cerakote..... almost done!

 

[DrMike]

Sounds about like eating some chili I remember from west Texas. Great stuff, Chet.

 

[SJB358]

Very cool! That's alot of HP!

 

[wisconsinteacher]

Very cool. I really enjoy the pictures and details. I would love to have to skills to do something like that. You should be very proud.

 

[Guy Miner]

That's great. THANKS for the progress reports.

Guy

 

[nvbroncrider]

Way cool Chet. Did you have lathe to chamber it or what did you use?