Help Pricing a 30/30 Lever Action Winchester Rifle converted to 458/2

[Wldfire]

Good day to everyone. I was not sure if it was okay to ask here about prices of rifles or not, so if its not okay I am sorry.
My dad years ago had a gun smith convert a 30/30 Lever Action Winchester Rifle into a 458/2. It was a dream of his for many years after reading about it in a very old gun magazine.
I do not really shoot anymore and do not reload or anything so thinking this should maybe find a new home where someone will enjoy it like he used to.
Its a real cannon, but works great.
I would really appreciate an idea of what this might be worth, I know he had the best parts they could buy for it used when the gun smith made it.
I will include a couple of pictures of it beside my 30/30 for reference.
Thank you kindly

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

That one is a nicer built unit compared to the '94 an old friend of mine built up back in the 70's. With careful handloads kept within or (preferably) lower pressure levels than the .30-30, a standard model 94 of the period could handle the conversion ok. The fun bit was anchoring the fore end proper to handle the recoil.
Me amigo Devcon glued his fore end on his rifle. It worked sure enough, but it also earned him the nickname "Billy Devcon" which he be remembered as ever since in our circle.

The 458x2 is a good cartridge in a light rifle like the 94 and folks wanting a fresh one can get 'em in .450 Marlin which is pretty much the same round but with a wider belt to help keep folks from chambering a hotter 458x2 load into a Marlin rifle when it was introduced. The Winchester Big Bore 94 action is the better choice in my books for the thumper rounds like the 458x2, 444 and 450 Marlin as it is beefed up in the receiver walls to take higher pressures.

As for a value on your one, I'd reckon a fair price in the $800-1100 range depending on condition. She looks to be a sound unit fer sure.

 

[Wldfire]

Thank you very much for your reply and information.
I remember my dad having this rifle and he had a bolt action one also, they we could shoot the really hot loads out of.
I used to joke with my dad that if he ever hit a deer with this, he would probably gut it at the same time. lol
I appreciate getting an idea on pricing as with this one, I had some ideas that it would be worth around what you mention, but at the same time was not sure.
I like to be as fair as I can in selling things, but it also sucks when you sell something to find out later its worth way more.
Thanks again.
Ken

 

[SHELL SHUCKER]

You're welcome. My old friend Bill also had a Remington 600 in 458x2 that he used for his hot loads. That rifle had a Contra Jet muzzle brake on 'er which gave both meself and another amigo ear damage when Bill torched off an unannounced shot at the range. We were standing on either side of him and chatting without our ear defenders on when he up and let one go.

I've not been a fan of muzzle brakes ever since then.

Good luck with selling the thumper. If I was still into hunting, I'd want 'er meself fer sure.