Guest elwskw Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 Recently I picked up a couple of Santa Barbara 98 large bolt face complete actions. I'm wanting to build a magnum load but don't know what calibers I have to choose from. I'm new to this and need help!! Is there a chart or something somewhere I could use to get this info? I'm also looking for information about the small actions, I'd like to build a 308, 243 or 30-06 but have heard that you have to use the small actions... Did Santa Barbara build a small action and how hard are they to find and what would the cost be, or is there another Mauser action I could use?? Thanks for the HELP!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemson Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 There are a lot of potential candidates for your magnum Santa Barbara actions. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it is representative of cartridges that should work with a minimum of fuss: .264 Win Mag 7mm Rem Mag .300 Win Mag .338 Win Mag .458 Win Mag The other cartridges you mentioned use a "standard" bolt face. Most do not require a "short" action. A standard length Mauser action can be made to work for any of them. Clemson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailormilan2 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 Another candidate would be the 375 Ruger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemson Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 Another candidate would be the 375 Ruger. Ha! I forgot about the 375 Ruger, and I even have that reamer! It is a real thumper! Clemson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailormilan2 Posted January 7, 2011 Report Share Posted January 7, 2011 Do you have headspace gauges too? I am giving serious consideration to changing my 376 Steyr to 375 Ruger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gun nutty Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 257 Weatherby Magnum 270 Weatherby Magnum 7MM Weatherby Magnum 308 Norma Magnum 350 Remington Magnum (if you want a 35 Whelen equivalent) 358 Norma Magnum 416 Taylor 450 Marlin 458 American (458 X 2 Inch) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clemson Posted January 8, 2011 Report Share Posted January 8, 2011 Do you have headspace gauges too? I am giving serious consideration to changing my 376 Steyr to 375 Ruger. Yessir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzRednek Posted January 9, 2011 Report Share Posted January 9, 2011 Are you sure the bolt face is for a magnum? I bought two and my friend bought one apx 10 years ago from the same merchant in Texas. My two are marked mag but otherwise identical looking and same size as my friend's non magnum action. Beside the obvious "mag" stamping the only difference is the bolt face. I still have one unmolested action in my vault. It has been begging for a 375 Rugar barrel. The one I did build I made into a 338 Win mag. My buddy never built his but traded it away to somebody that was going build either a 338/06 or 35 Whelen with it. Chances are slim you will find more. From what I've read on the internet. Santa Barbra built the actions for a rifle maker but the deal fell through. Some of what I've read says the rifle maker the actions were built for was Parker Hale. SB dumped the actions on the US market I believe apx 20 years ago. The only way you might fins another is somebody like me having one tucked away somewhere. If you have a question about what will fit the action and we can't answer it here. Call Chris at Shaw Rifle barrels. He is throughly familiar with the SB action. Chris is usually the person that answers the phone there and will help you even if you're not going to use one of their barrels or their services installing it. The above picture is my in-the-white SB action next to a Parker Hale mfd rifle for JC Pennys using the SB action. Below is a picture of my completed 338 Mag with the SB action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ewlskw Posted January 23, 2011 Report Share Posted January 23, 2011 Azrednek, There is a dealer here in our area who came across quit a few of the SB Magnum actions. These are new and in the box and are selling for $250.00 each. They come with an adjustable trigger and have the base plate (I'm a newby, not sure what you call the magazine bottom cover). I'm really looking for a Ruger M 77 action in Stainless that's a standard length action (for a 308 or 3006). Yhanks for all the replies!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sailormilan2 Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Pray tell, where might this Mauser Mecca be? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenpo Joe Posted January 24, 2011 Report Share Posted January 24, 2011 Azrednek, There is a dealer here in our area who came across quit a few of the SB Magnum actions. These are new and in the box and are selling for $250.00 each. They come with an adjustable trigger and have the base plate (I'm a newby, not sure what you call the magazine bottom cover). Yes, tell us. I would travel to this Mecca just to get my hands on a couple. Back on mute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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