My question today is whether it is possible to build a .375 CheyTac lever gun. (Please, no one answer with an "anything is possible.)
I know it would obviously have to have a detachable box magazine because of the .375 CT being pointed and it would probably also require a Browning BLR-style geared lever-and-bolt action to handle the high case pressures.
The case is also pretty big (but so are calibers like the .475 Turnbull, 300 win mag, 358 Winchester and 50-110 sharps which are all used in lever action rifles) (and the box magazine should make length more manageable)
So, could it be done ?
Thanks in advance ! (Sorry for any formatting mistakes, again, I'm new here)
Unfortunately "Anything is possible" is the answer, unless you are looking for someone who has already done it, and want a step-by-step of what they did. The 375 CheyTac isn't a typical cartridge that lever action enthusiasts are after, so you would likely be among the first to attempt it.
One of the redeeming qualities of a lever-action rifle is rapid fire. One of the compromises is a less rigid lock-up and, therefore, reduced accuracy potential. The various Cheyenne Tactical offerings are built around the premise of truly extreme long-range performance, where rapid fire is not indicated, but accuracy is an absolute requirement.
Many things do not exist in this world, and most often it is for very good reason.
Nothing is impossible.....but maybe paying the bill.
You're right on the rotary bolt action (Win88, Sako, BrngBLR, etc.
You're right about the box magazine, too.
The shortcoming of the lever-action is the lack of mechanical advantage. You can't close a tight bolt or extract a tight case because you only have about a four to one advantage. (M98 is 400:1)
I don't even know what case this thing is made on but if bigger than .535 head diameter, a new action would have to be made from scratch.
Just increase a BLR by 20% by CNC. An original would be scanned, compiled to drawings, written to a new CNC program and have it machined in pre-heat-treat 4130 bar stock. With some creative spacing, the original trigger, lever and firing parts could be used.
The Sako Timberwolf uses gears to retract the rotary bolt and might be a good donor design, too.
The box magazines would have to be made from scratch along with follower and base-plate. The barrel would be machined for whatever extension or receiver system is used.
I'd bid it in the mid six figures, but would want money up front!!
The .375 Cheytac is based on the .408 Cheytac which is in turn based on the .505 Gibbs which has a rim diameter of 0.640” which requires an oversized bolt (and action).
I doubt a Martini extractor design would have the required strength to extract large long straight walled fired cases but I could be surprised I guess.
I've only had one in the shop in 50 years. That belonged to a retired Army officer that bought it in Europe. It is rotary bolt with a rack and pinion system for cycling the bolt, re-cocking, ect. They're very finely fitted and finished as would be expected from Sako.
When ABU-Garcia took over the importation of Sako, there was a catalog item called the "FinnWolf", but no pictures and it didn't show up for sale in the USA.
Sako introduced the Model VL63 around 1963-64 & it was marketed as the "Finnwolf". It was dropped from production around 1972 about the time or shortly after Garcia took over importing from Firearms International. There was never a Sako "Timberwolf" that I know of & I've been collecting them for 40 years. The Finnwolf was imported and available in the USA from it's initial introduction. Finnwolf was not the "later" name for it. There are NO "Timberwolfs" available on gunsinternational, but there are several Finnwolfs. Unfortunately, Sako seems to be one of those guns that is cloaked in misinformation. Repeating that misinformation is not helpful to those trying to gain knowledge about these fine rifles. When you present things as fact, please make sure you have the facts correct. If you can produce evidence of a "Timberwolf", or proof to back up any of your other statements, I will be the first to congratulate you. Sako does make a bolt action rifle based on their current Model 85 that is called Wolf or Timberwolf, but that is a completely different rifle.
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