Win 70 Mag follower length for Magnum length

[letzhunt]

Looking for the length measurement of the follower in a Win Model 70 in .375 h&h, 7 STW, 300 Weatherby or .416 REM Mag. Better yet to find one! Hard to source one so I am planning to Tig some to the rear of my shorter one to better fit the mag box and prevent bind. It's for my 458 WM+.
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[22250imp]

That is what I did to my old 300 mag.
I actually took out the little spacer in the box so I could seat my bullets out next to the lands. Then extended the follower as you are about to do. Welded it up followed with some grinding and polishing. Worked fine.

 

[letzhunt]

That is what I did to my old 300 mag.
I actually took out the little spacer in the box so I could seat my bullets out next to the lands. Then extended the follower as you are about to do. Welded it up followed with some grinding and polishing. Worked fine.

so what length is your follower now. Haven't got a reply from anyone with the longer one to know about where to go. Easy enough to make it fit though by grinding. Was your follower Stainless?

 

[MagnumManiac]

Magnum (375H&H) follower is 3.5", standard length (458WM) is 3.34".
Both measured as they sit in their spring.
I tried to get a new FN Herstal magnum length follower and was told it is a 'Restricted' item for sale.
My solution was to use a Kimber from a Talkeetna, not cheap…

Cheers.

 

[Greyfox]

Depending on the age and amount of use of your 458, you might also want to check/replace the magazine follower spring. My 458 Model 70 was having feeding issues. Turned out it was due to a WEAK follower spring. Perfect feeding was restored by replacement. I believe the the weight of the heavy 458 cartridges routinely loaded to capacity in the magazine caused the follower to loose/change tension, causing binding/feeding issues.

 

[NotLongRange]

You might look at this one. I have never personally purchased anything from them. Maybe give them a call:

Magazine Follower - H&H Magnum Cartridge

The H&H Magnum follower is used for .300 H&H Mag, .375 H&H Mag, and other "long magnum" cartridges. This is an original Winchester part in excellent condition. The pre-war followers have the top-side relief cut. Post-war followers do not have this feature. We use the NRA Modern Gun Condition...

pre64win.com

 

[MagnumManiac]

I believe the the weight of the heavy 458 cartridges routinely loaded to capacity in the magazine caused

Want to hear a funny story…
On CZ550 Safari Magnum actions, they come with 3 distinct spring weights, heaviest spring is used on ALL belted mags, medium spring is used on 404 Jeffrey and 500 Jeffrey, the lightest spring is used on 416 Rigby, 450 Rigby and 505 Gibbs.
The reason is due to WHERE the weight is in each cartridge. Had a lengthy conversation with CZ USA over this when I was developing and using that action for my 416 Rigby Improved wildcats. For my application, I needed the medium spring because bullet weight was less than 410g in 90% of my wildcats.

Cheers.

 

[22250imp]

so what length is your follower now. Haven't got a reply from anyone with the longer one to know about where to go. Easy enough to make it fit though by grinding. Was your follower Stainless?

I will try to get a measurement this evening and ,no, it was not stainless.

 

[letzhunt]

The one in my gun is certainly not aluminum......pretty sure it is stainless of some sort. I didn't weigh it but its fairly heavy for the size. I changed the spring and it feeds well but I want to make it 100% as it is for a buffalo gun. I will store it with the floorplate open also to help keep the spring uncompressed as long as possible. I know a gentleman that Micro welds and hopefully he can determine what the metal is so I can shape a part to have welded in. Being that it is only 0.16" short it may not take much at all to just add a bit at the back to keep it from pushing back. Easier than I originally thought it would seam.

 

[asd9055]

Call Weatherby and get a couple of MKV 300 Wby followers. You might have to trim a little. They are not metal so it is easy

 

[letzhunt]

Thanks. I may try that.

 

[asd9055]

Thanks. I may try that.

This is what I am in the process of doing,because I want to load longer bullets in my 300WM. Still need some more trimming on the long side with the sanding block

 

[letzhunt]

Just ordered two and also bought a spring just in case that needs help also. Thanks for the help asd9055!

 

[asd9055]

Just ordered two and also bought a spring just in case that needs help also. Thanks for the help asd9055!

Update. I just sanded along the long left edge until it fit just right in my 375 H&H. Will install it in my 300 WM with the modified mag box.