.300winmag, .300H&H, etc to .300Weatherby conversion?

[arizonaguide]

Okay, here's my problem.

When I was 17 I traded my .300weatherby Remington 721 that Dad had given me for an M1Garand...and to this day I never will hear the end of making such a dumb move. (the rifle had irreplacable sentimental value).

It was a Rem721 that was originally in .300H&H and had been "converted" (bored out shoulders?) to fire .300Weatherby. Then his best buddy had carved a handchecked/scrolled stock. He gave it to me...and I traded it.
(GOD please forgive me!)

So, I would like to give my Dad a replacement for his upcoming 85th birthday...and I'm wondering about my options.

If I can't find the right .300H&H model 721, I may have to work with a model 700. To my knowlege neither are factory available in .300Weatherby, so I will HAVE to have a conversion done.

Is this still DONE? If so, is it ONLY the H&H that's a simple conversion, or would it be easy to convert a .300winmag as well?

ANY words of expertise are GREATLY appreciated.

ALSO, anybody have any recommendations on who's the BEST handcheck/scrollwork craftsman in this day and age? (I have a year and a couple months to get this all done).

Thanks for ANY help folks!

 

[ants]

Last year I spoke with my friendly neighborhood smith about a caliber conversion on a Rem 700. It was $100 to set the barrel back, $80 to ream the chamber, plus $100 and change to reblue.

But I found a suitable rifle in the caliber I sought, for only $350. So I didn't bother to do the conversion.

 

[highlander 5]

If you have access to a loading manual,look at the dimensions of the 2 cartridges and call around to ask how much to convert the rifle. IIRC Remington makes makes there 700 in 7mm Shooting Times Westerner which is based on the 8 mm Rem mag,that action could be rebarreled to 300 Weatherby without a problem.

 

[arizonaguide]

My problem is I don't think any of the Remington's ever have been produced in .300Weatherby...so I'm stuck with having to convert something.
Thanks for the pricing info though, Ants. I appreciate that.
At least it gives me a ballpark idea of what that'll run.

Also, thank you Highlander. I will get a manual and start looking at dimensions also.

 

[oneounceload]

Check your bolt size to see if there are any differences as well. There are a LOT of very good stock folks - Montana Long Guns, Wenig, and a slew of others. Google it and start checking web sites and making calls

 

[Jim Watson]

From 1981 through 2005 Remington offered the Model 700 Classic rifle in a different caliber every year.

http://www.gun-data.com/Remingtonclassics2_arms.html

1983's was a .300 H&H which could be simply rechambered like Dad's 721.

1989's was a .300 Weatherby. No gunsmithing required.

FINDING a low production rifle from 21 years ago might be a challenge, though.
But here is one for sale RIGHT NOW. Move fast, price is dropping and interest is gaining.
http://www.longrangehunting.com/forums/f25/classic-remington-700-300-weatherby-53735/

 

[ants]

Sorry, I forgot your other question.

My FNGS (friendly neighborhood gun smith) showed me the dimensions on 300 WinMag, 300 H&H and 300 Wby. You can start from either Win Mag or H&H to ream out to 300 Wby. The Weatherby is a darn sight longer at the shoulder than either of the others. The $100 lathe charge sets the barrel back slightly so you can cut a new chamber (he said he might rough cut the chamber first, then set the barrel back the right dimension, then finish ream to set head space).

Bolt face is the same for all three.

 

[ants]

Don't worry about the gunsmithing cost, worry about the ammo.

Have you priced the ammunition?

I bet you can get a 300 Win Mag rifle and recut the chamber for less than it costs to buy your father 2 boxes of factory Weatherby cartridges to go with it.

 

[arizonaguide]

Fantastic posts, folks!
Some options I didn't even know existed.

Yup, I know about the ammo. $60/box last I checked (last summer).

Ants, that's GREAT news about the .300winmag being an option. That gives me LOTS more to choose from if I can't find a 721 in .300H&H.
I know they're out there...but they may NOT be in a couple monthes when I get the $$$ together.
But lots of .300winmag 700's out there.

And to be able to find one with FACTORY .300 Weatherby stamped on the side (ie: a 1989 classic) would be GREAT!

 

[whiskey3]

There is one in the classifieds on LongRangeHunting.com

Remington 700 Classic{New in 1989} in 300 Weatherby. Rifle is Very Clean,Honest 95%. Stock Has two Small Handling Marks about 1/4."It Also Has Had Less Than a box Of Shell Shot Through it. Bolts is very Smooth. and looks new..Comes with Factory Trigger.{That Hasn't Been Mess With}. No Box or Papers. But Does have redfeild Bases and Rings. $600 Shipped to Your FFL from Non-FFL.IHave Know Idea How to Post Pics Here. Put will get you Some if Interested. Thanks

Rifle, Base and Rings . $575 Shipped to your FFL. From Non. If It Dosen't Move in a Day or two.I'm Gonna Tear it Apart.

 

[NCsmitty]

arizonaguide, please don't be offended, but your father is going to be 85 years old, right? Does he plan to shoot this rifle or is it just the point of giving him something nostalgic to admire?
Like I said, no offense intended, but that rifle does have quite a recoil, and most 85 year old men would not like to subject their body to the harsh recoil.
I was just curious about the scenario, and realize that your father could be in excellent shape for his age.
I hope you find what you want.




NCsmitty

 

[ants]

I thought of that too, Smitty. It is a valid consideration.


Before my Dad died, it was only about giving him gifts that touched his heart. He couldn't shoot any more, but he loved being able to if he wanted.

 

[arizonaguide]

No offense taken Smitty! Valid question.

He is in great shape, and yet will probably never shoot it. (but I will! )
It's as much for me as him, but it's MY way of letting him know that I realize that I made a young/nieve/stupid mistake in trading off his old 721 that held so much sentimental value (for BOTH of US!).

It's my way of trying to make up for that mistake (30years later/smarter) and showing him the HONOR and RESPECT that he deserves by making an effort to re-create the gun with which we shared so many memories. The "warning shots" from that .300 (and my .243) ran off the biggest bear I'd ever seen up along the Talketna river when I was 12years old...maybe 40yds from our tent.
Many moose went into the winter storage freezer because of it.

Guns, I have found as I have gotten older, have a way of holding memories in their iron and steel. (And now polymer. <cough>)

YES, They are a tool, like many other tools, but just like a favorite hammer (that I left out in the rain when I was 7years old...and also still hear about 30years later) they can become something that ALMOST has a life of it's own.

And, this also lets Dad know that (even though he's getting older)...In MY eyes he'll always be able to swing that hammer (and sink a 16penny in one swing), or man-up to a .300Weatherby. So, it's the memories tied to that gun that requires me to make the effort.

Plus, I LOVE the round. Take a look at the ballistics of that puppy!!!

 

[arizonaguide]

Also, I have to mention...about that recoil,

Dad would tell you "just pull it REAL tight into your shoulder...you won't feel a thing."

As he taught me, if you hold a rifle "real tight into your shoulder" you don't feel the recoil (much) because your shoulder becomes "part of the gun" and moves WITH the rifle when it recoils.
He would have NO PROBLEM with it still.



ANTS, rest in peace to your Dad. Blue skys and tailwinds.

 

[Bore Rider]

I have a Remington 700 Classic in 300 Roy. It came mounted with a Leupold VXIII 3.5-10 x 40 scope, with ammo and a case for $650. It's a keeper however. I had a buddy that had the 1990 version in 25-06. Talk about odd.

 

[sage5907]

arizonaguide, you need to read whiskey3's note above. He has the big answer to your problem. BW

 

[homatok]

300 H&H to 300 Weatherby

The 300 Weatherby was originally based on a blown out 300 H&H case. As mentioned, the 300 Winchester Magnum can also be bored out to accommodate the 300 Weatherby (if the action chosen is long enough). One word of caution---the Weatherby rifles have a bit of extra freebore cut in so that you can take advantage of the larger case capacity and use more powder. If you go ahead with getting a non-Weatherby rifle bored out, be sure to get the Weatherby freebore cut in as well or you may experience dangerous pressure, even with the use of factory ammunition! Your gunsmith should know the proper amount or he can get it from Weatherby. With respect to the ammunition, you can just fire 300 H&H ammunition through the Weatherby chamber to get reloadable brass BUT you cannot do the same with 300 Winchester magnum ammunition because it is too short! If you blow out 300 H&H cases, you must measure the interior case capacity compared to the factory 300 Weatherby cases because the 300 H&H will (likely) be smaller inside.

 

[GooseGestapo]

But.....
By the time you factor in gun costs, gunsmith costs, and chance that it'll get "botched" (btdt), I'd just recommend that you go to the nearest LGS that will order you a Weatherby Vanguard in .300WbyMag and buy it and 3 boxes of .300wby loaded with the Norma 180gr bullet ($35.00/20 last I priced them); mount a scope of your choice and give it to him....

The Vanguard even uses the same scope bases as the M700 and in my experience will even "out shoot" the Remingtons.....
All for about $500.00 including scope bases and ammo......

I saw a Vanguard in .300wby recently "on clearance" at Walmart for under $300.00....... (it wouldn't sell because of price/availability of ammo). Should have bought as it was gone when I went back three days later..... but, I already have a .257wby Vanguard and a Savage M100 in .300RUM. "Didn't NEED it"......

 

[X-Rap]

I think words will speak louder than deeds, one of my kids has already parted with a few guns that I have given him so I now realize that I need to have that talk with all of my kids so they know enough to pay attention to the stories behind what I pass on to them. We haven't lost anything of sentimental/heirloom value yet but in your case a heartfelt gift of anything personalized to him like a knife, holster with a note or simply sitting down and expressing your remorse for trading the gun will have much more meaning than trying to replicate the gun.
It's worth while for all of us to pass down the stories of our guns as we shoot, fondle, clean our guns so our heirs understand that some have value greater than money.
Between my father and I we have a lot of guns that we have never even shot and could care less if they are sold, traded, or given away when we cross the great divide but there is a core that have part of the story of our family in them and it is my job to make sure it is taught.
Sorry to ramble on and get off track but I feel for your dilemma.

 

[dougwx12]

I picked up a KS 700 Custom Shop in 300Weatherby (circa 90's) last year. Watch gunbroker and such and they pop up pretty regularly.

 

[dougwx12]

Heads up: http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.aspx?Item=277796746