Converting a M-70 (M-99) to .410 shotgun

[desidog]

Hello,

I have a left handed CZ model 3 (made by Montana Rifle Co) in .300wsm. It duplicates my M70 Winchester, so i would like to have it rebarreled to a 3” .410 shotgun, similar to the .410 Enfield conversions, but with a modern screw in shotgun choke.

The bolt faces are both .535” and I can cycle a .410 shell from the mag halfway into the chamber, so I'm not worried about feeding issues. However, the 300wsm is a rebated case, so I can’t just have the barrel bored out. It's a truly custom job.

Does that sound legit? Who could/would do this custom barrel work?

Thanks, Desidog

 

[troy fairweather]

Go buy a old Mossberg bolt 410 or a new break action 410.

 

[desidog]

Minor detail is I'm left handed... and already have a .410 Enfield, and an old .410 SxS.

 

[Bill M.]

What would one use a .410 on a precision rifle platform for?

 

[Jim Watson]

Savage sold auxiliary .410 barrels for Model 99 lever actions.

But if you want a .410 left handed bolt action, it is physically possible.
The trick is finding somebody to make and fit the barrel.

 

[desidog]

What would one use a .410 on a precision rifle platform for?

Upland birds, rabbits, groundhogs.

I figure that I have a left handed bolt action collecting dust, and I shoot a lot of .410, so why not marry the two. The sizes of the bolt faces being the same is serendipity. I've never seen a left handed bolt action .410, and I'd be tickled to have such a unique set up. When I take my Enfield .410 in the field, being left handed, the limitations of the .410 and the time it takes me to unshoulder the gun to re-rack the bolt....I basically can't make an ethical effective second shot. This set up might allow me to do that. Further, I'd keep the .300wsm barrel in reserve, so I could go back to it...or just save it for when my m-70 gets shot out.

 

[desidog]

The trick is finding somebody to make and fit the barrel.

Yup, most guys I've talked to either have 18 month leade time or they "don't have the tooling." (I understand that it's a pretty looney request, but still.) Other replies have mentioned the lugs on the action...which makes me think I wouldn't want to use that guy anyway, cause the action can take a .410 any day of the week. It doesn't have half the PSI as a WSM, and the same bolt face...

 

[gobsauce]

That sounds interesting. I dig it. You already have most of the bits, you just need the chamber and barrel. Do you want it to be rifled? Or smoothbore?

 

[Bill M.]

One wants what one wants. I can not help but think you could sell that gun and buy a really nice left hand stocked .410 O/U for the field and get the second shot off in good time. But...if a $2000 plus bolt action .410 bird gun is what you want then I guess you will just have to find a gunsmith and have at it. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[Scooter22]

For the money I,d sell the M70 and get a lever action .410 and pocket the change. Or buy a bunch of .410. Henry currently makes one. Marlin and Winchester also did. Should work for a lefty. Good luck. Look a thread is currently running on the Henry. Ahhh only takes a 2 1/2" shell.

https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?threads/henry-side-gate-410-shotgun.899201/

 

[desidog]

But...if a $2000 plus bolt action .410 bird gun is what you want

I picked up the gun for a song, at the time it was less than a bare action. The gun was made by MRC, but marketed as a CZ, and being lefty it didn't improve it's marketability. The shopkeep was happy to see it finally go out the door.

What do you guys think the .410 barrel and install would cost? I was thinking a few hundred dollars; keeping my overall cost under $1K.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Recently saw a .410 AR15. Maybe the barrel, sans extension, could be adapted? Maybe a 45 Colt contender barrel could be adapted. Or a 45 cal rifle barrel blank with the rifling bored out.

Cost for relining a barrel is $200 give or take so I dont think your are too far off.

 

[12Bravo20]

Interesting idea for sure. I have a Mossberg bolt action 410 and it is a pain for fast followup shots since I also shoot left handed.

 

[Bill M.]

Is there a strong desire to bird hunt with a bolt action? Or a .410? That is what they make 28 gauge field guns for.

 

[BigBlue 94]

Is there a strong desire to bird hunt with a bolt action? Or a .410? That is what they make 28 gauge field guns for.

Some people do have a desire to shoot birds with a .410. Others dont. Why use a 28g when you can use a 20g? Just personal preference. I started on a 20 and still have a fondness for it.