ruger 77 bolt rsi in 400 whelen,any thoughts?

[adirondacker]

i have a stainless ruger 77 in 280 that i don't use,i am real fond of the rsi and always wanted a big bore with full length wood.i would replace the factory synthetic stock with a ruger factory mannlicher style,and related hardware.rebarrel with a 40 cal 18 1/2" stainless barrel turned to a contour that would work with the factory forend cap.anybody foresee any problems,i would like a .406-.410 dia barrel as i shoot alot of cast and already have another rifle that caliber,i would think 300 to 350 grn bullets on the business end.help me spend some money,thanks,adker

[superdown]

Sounds really cool but i think i would trade for a 30-06 RSI and rebarrel that so you have the the stock and end cap taken care of would be alot less trouble unless you have your heart set on SS . Superdown

[Catfish]

I have a .411 Hawk which would be about the same thing, parent case 06 and I form my brass from .35 Whelen brass. I shoot .411 bullets and with the case minimum taper I have .009 0f shoulder, and that doesn`t give you much of a shoulder and it is very easy to bump back to far. The .411 does push a 300 gn. bullet to the same velocity as the .375 H&H with less powder and a shorter action. Take a look at www.z-hat.com. I really believe than the .375 Hawk would be a better choice, but I got this one used and cheaper than I could have built it.

[GatCat]

Sounds like a good project; I would be a bit concerned about stock splitting from recoil. Maybe glass bed and/or install crossbolts??
Mark

[adirondacker]

i have to do some more research to make sure muzzle dia will work with the forend cap.i will probably use this as a cast bullet gun,also the 18 1/2 barrel will cut down velocity/recoil,i think the stock will work fine with the bullet velocity combo i am planning.
  the 280 i have has been cut down to carbine length,i thought i would like it better,but never really carried it afterward.i seem to gravitating towards bigger heavier bullet guns.
  the only problem i have is the lack of a qualified local gunsmith.i have a lead on one but need to do some more research.

[Catfish]

If your going to use it foe cast bullets I can recommend the the Lead Head 260 gn. gas checked bullets. I did not crono them, but the load I used should have pushed them to 2,700 fps or a little better and I got no leading with them and accuracy was real good also. I may get around to seeing how fast I can push them, 3,000 would be real nice, but don`t know if the bullets will take that much velocity.

[adirondacker]

cat,what barrel length do you have,i doubt i would acheive that kind of velocity from a carbine barrel,adker

[Catfish]

Mine has a 24 in Barrel.

[Mikey]

adirondacker:  where are ya?  Your handle would indicate upstate NY.  Mikey.

[adirondacker]

johnsburg ny,20  min north of lake george 5 min se of gore mtn,whay do you know someone in the area?

[Mikey]

pm sent.