Opinions on good action for 300 H&H project

Something that would be interesting would be a Kimber 8400 rebarreled to .300 H&H. The mag box spacer could be taken out or one from a Caprivi substituted. The bolt stop and ejector are already positioned far enough back for the magnum length case. Do it on a select grade with French walnut and you won't need a custom stock to look classy. If you wanted a tiny bit more weight put it into the barrel. It will even hold 4 down.
 
Dogleg said:
Something that would be interesting would be a Kimber 8400 rebarreled to .300 H&H. The mag box spacer could be taken out or one from a Caprivi substituted. The bolt stop and ejector are already positioned far enough back for the magnum length case. Do it on a select grade with French walnut and you won't need a custom stock to look classy. If you wanted a tiny bit more weight put it into the barrel. It will even hold 4 down.
Click to expand...

Now that sounds like an idea! I like things that are a little different. I've never owned a Kimber. I've handled a few though and they seemed nice. So I would need to find a 8400 magnum for a donor?
 
Rembo said:
I'd just build it on a Rem 700. The 3.70" mag box will come in handy.

But then I'd just chamber it in 300 Wby.

I had a factory 721 300 H&H and it was nothing special.
Click to expand...

I've hunted with my 721 since about 1966 and its still an excellent shooter.
Today I use it mostly for testing .308 bullets for my F-class rifle, if it makes bug-hole groups with a given match bullet, so it will in my match gun, if not they become plinkers / barrel foulers...
 
blueoval56 said:
Now that sounds like an idea! I like things that are a little different. I've never owned a Kimber. I've handled a few though and they seemed nice. So I would need to find a 8400 magnum for a donor?
Click to expand...

Yes a 8400 magnum would work. Even one in .300 win. ( pause for that in sink in��) the stocks have an uncanny resemblance to the rifles Al Bieson used to make for Jack O'Connor, and there are some other similarities like the kimbers floor-plate being a whole lot like the straddle/ inside the bow release plates that Bieson used to fit to M70s. Google jack O'Connor .270 #2 and compare it to a Kimber select grade. The lines are unmistakeable, with about the only difference being the Kimber doesn't have a cheek piece.

Dang, now you have me thinking about a 7mm/ 375 H&H switch barrel. ��I'm a sucker for m70s and kimbers, I'm up to five of the latter now.
 
Kevan said:
I've hunted with my 721 since about 1966 and its still an excellent shooter.
Click to expand...

Is that the rifle you got for your 40th birthday?

Dogleg said:
Yes a 8400 magnum would work. Even one in .300 win.
Click to expand...

Still require either a new barrel or a hell of a long set-back to clean up the WM chamber. Probably way easier to go with a new barrel.
 
Last edited:
BigUglyMan said:
I'd look for a long action M70 Classic with a magnum bolt face. Mag box and follower swap and you're in business. Well, once you get a new barrel screwed on and do some minor tweaking on the rear of the feed rails. Should be no trick for a good 'smith.
Click to expand...

A little more too it than that. But it's a start.
 
chuck nelson said:
A little more too it than that. But it's a start.
Click to expand...

I neglected to mention the mod to the ejector.

I did this mod a few years back when I had a 300WM built by ATRS. After the build I decided to try long heavy bullets that would not fit in the mag when seated to touch the lands. New mag box and follower, some cautious filing on the rear of the feed rails (they come from the factory rounded in the corners from the milling and have to be squared up) and notch the ejector to allow the rounds on the left side of the mag to ride up enough to be caught by the bolt face. Voila, magnum box.
 
Dogleg said:
Yes a 8400 magnum would work. Even one in .300 win. ( pause for that in sink in��) the stocks have an uncanny resemblance to the rifles Al Bieson used to make for Jack O'Connor, and there are some other similarities like the kimbers floor-plate being a whole lot like the straddle/ inside the bow release plates that Bieson used to fit to M70s. Google jack O'Connor .270 #2 and compare it to a Kimber select grade. The lines are unmistakeable, with about the only difference being the Kimber doesn't have a cheek piece.
Dang, now you have me thinking about a 7mm/ 375 H&H switch barrel. ��I'm a sucker for m70s and kimbers, I'm up to five of the latter now.
Click to expand...

I just looked up Jack O'Connor's rifle and the Kimber 8400 and you are definitely right. The 8400 is a beautiful rifle and would make for one of the easiest transitions as I would just swap the barrel. I know I could just buy one in 300wm and use it but I'm not straying from the H&H. I just have to find somewhere locally that has a 8400 to see if the stock fits me very well.
Very elegant lines to the Kimber though.

How is the the action for smoothness? I'm an absolute sucker for a smooth action.

The Model 70 is still in my mind but it definitely sounds like the Kimber would be less work and just as nice of an action to use.
 
cam1936 said:
Like this one?:
IMG_36561.jpg
Click to expand...
Nice rifle! ........ Which fixed Leupold is that?
 
blueoval56 said:
I just looked up Jack O'Connor's rifle and the Kimber 8400 and you are definitely right. The 8400 is a beautiful rifle and would make for one of the easiest transitions as I would just swap the barrel. I know I could just buy one in 300wm and use it but I'm not straying from the H&H. I just have to find somewhere locally that has a 8400 to see if the stock fits me very well.
Very elegant lines to the Kimber though.

How is the the action for smoothness? I'm an absolute sucker for a smooth action.

The Model 70 is still in my mind but it definitely sounds like the Kimber would be less work and just as nice of an action to use.
Click to expand...

There's some variation. My first one in the early 2000s, was a bit sticky until it wore in a bit. The last three made me grin when I worked the actions right from the start. They seems to get the same response from others that handle them. Like most CRF actions they benefit from use and there are gains to be made by a little judicious polishing. One thing that is a little different than many actions is they have a detent ball, so the bolt "snaps" in and out of position when lifting and lowering. That's a different sort of feel; it reminds me of throwing a toggle switch. The fondle factor is quite high.
 
Dogleg said:
There's some variation. My first one in the early 2000s, was a bit sticky until it wore in a bit. The last three made me grin when I worked the actions right from the start. They seems to get the same response from others that handle them. Like most CRF actions they benefit from use and there are gains to be made by a little judicious polishing. One thing that is a little different than many actions is they have a detent ball, so the bolt "snaps" in and out of position when lifting and lowering. That's a different sort of feel; it reminds me of throwing a toggle switch. The fondle factor is quite high.
Click to expand...

Right on. I think I found a place in Calgary that keeps Kimber in stock, so I'll go check one out. If it feels good in the hands and if the "fondle factor" is as high for me then I think that's the route I'll go.
 
I remember a friend having a 721 in .300 H&H. It was a really nice, good shooting rifle.
I've never considered a .300 H&H, but it is certainly a classic. Pretty sure I have enough push feed M70 parts to assembly a magnum faced bolt in a magnum receiver.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom