35 Mag - what is it?

[Zcarp2]

Went a pawn shop yesterday and looked at a 'custom' gun in "35 Mag".  Are any of you gentlemen familiar with this one?

The action is a 1903 Springfield, S/N 1,4xx,xxx.  Looks like the action was slimmed a little and the bolt face opened.  Drilled and tapped for a scope, but no mount present.  Mag well also lengthened.  Follower about 3/8" short for the hole in front.  Trigger REAL nice.  Stock not especially well fitted, but high class for a garage tinkerer.  Older style Monte Carlo after market type with 1/2" black rubber recoil pad.  No identifying marks on stock or pad.

At first thought, I figured 350 Rem Mag.  Now, I am not sure.  Way overpriced ($350) not knowing which cartridge and no dies.  What is your take?

[PeterCartwright]

.358 Norma Mag?

[waverace]

I have an enfield action chambered in 35mag its a unique chambering that so far, this one included I have only found 2 plus another that was designated 35-340. Weatherby magnum which is essentially the same thing, let me know if you bought the rifle or if you know where it now is?

[Bigeasy]

Lengthened mag well and opened bolt face makes me think belted cartridge, not based on the 30-06.  Could be a 358 Norma, 35 Ackley mag., could be just about anything.  The only way to really know is to do a chamber cast, and see what comes out.  Sounds like an interesting rifle.
 
Larry

[Zcarp2]

7 year old thread -wow.

I left it at the pawn shop thinking it would stay & i could negotiate it lower.  Someone else bought it. So i still don't know what it is.

Thanks for the ideas. I still go to that shop & it didn't return.

[Lloyd Smale]

being the mag well was lenghtened id doubt if its a 350 rem mag. my guess would be a norma mag but i wouldnt touch it with a 10 foot pole until a REAL gunsmith checked it over and determined that it was safe and what the actual chambering was. TO MANY basement gunsmiths did conversions on old military guns and when its in pieces at the range with some of those pieces in your face its a bit to late admit you made a mistake.

[iiranger]

My buddy the gunsmith was in WW II military and went to smithing (like father before) when he got back to put gravey on the taters. Point: he told me that Norma, to make money and sell ammo, came up with the .308 Norma to heat up a Springfield '03 performance  (which rifle the government would sell you for $18.00 delievered to your doorstep or was it $18.50??? When they ran out they started delivering 03A3's he said. Ammo with the gun was $0.01 per round... mil ball of course.)  Norma would rent a reamer to about anyone and some did the conversion with a T handle and long rod thru the action... (Can be done but takes a very good machinist who would have access to a lath anyway...) POINT part b). I believe the .358 Norma reamer was also available. Obviously you needed to add a .358 barrel... In a gun of this age, this would be my first guess. You can always cast the chamber in sulfur. And measure the cast. Cheap. quick. Like that. Gone? O.K. Price seemed a bit high. Happy trails.