Thread: parker hale safari project

long story short-
I have an older parker hale safari 7x57 (my guess is no later than 1980) so either old Mauser but more likely Santa Barbara Mauser action, with a crap barrel that I am chasing a bolt for.
Therefore I don't know how it will shoot and as the barrel condition is junk really, not worth headspacing unless I luck out with bolt.
Sooooooo... this will be a budget build as funds allow (not now later) so probably a 2nd handy barrel from something else and rechambered etc to suit to keep costs down.
Didn't really want something I have to dick around too much with floorplate or guide rails etc otherwise I very briefly considered a 300wsm.
Not really sure of what to go for here and have another p14 303(bsa model E rejig) for a 7mm rem mag or bigger for later on so not after that sort of thing.
Maybe stick with 7mm and go 7mm08 until I do the 7mm rem mag (which wont be soon either) or maybe a 250-3000. I was inspired a little by a gun in that calibre for sale in the buy sell section. I always wanted a 2506 too but not a lot of 25 barrels around at a guess.
Anyhoo sounds a bit vague I know, but considering how often I get out and the ranges I would shoot at I am well aware that I don't need any calibre that didn't exist before the mid 90's or rare expensive etc.
Apart from the same parker hale rifles, what rifle actions would be a good donor for this-does anyone have an old suitable barrel floating around?
Maybe overthinking it and go smaller to 22-250 (that damn 250-3000 pops up again dammit)?
Looking for inspiration-boring old 308 would probably work admirably and probably a lot of perfectly good 308 barrels around for that but would have to get my head around that.
Thoughts everyone?
Edit-while I also rate the 270 highly and it would be fine, just not interested in one of those.

I have a Parker Hale Safari DeLuxe in 308W, with a 1-3X Weaver, in original Weaver rings.
10 twist barrel, 22" long.
Still has original rear flip up leaf sight and foresight (visible in scope) on barrel.
CXXXX serial #.
Don't see the need for anything else in the local hills - or on a NZDA/ fun shoot range.
It'll most likely shoot better than I can out to 250-300M, plus I'm shooting FT/R long range - also 308W/7.62x51 NATO, so dies, bullets, primers, brass are fine.
No doubt someone on the forum has a PH barrel that they've changed out for the 'latest/greatest calibre', built on the M98 action. @Timmay might know of one - or could point you in the right direction/forum member.

Cheers WallyR.
I agree-don't need anything weird-wonderful or expensive and I have a potential candidate for that for later. As posted boring old 308 perfectly adequate and nothing wrong with it at all.
I also have a 243 so don't need one of those either.

@timattalon might know of something as well.
You being in SI, some of the GC's down there, might know of something.

While I don't know of anything in particular, I will keep it in mind. As mentioned Gun City, Gun works or Andy at Shooters supplies could all be worth asking. I know Andy had a heap of 303 stuff that was discounted, but I have no idea what other goodies he has.....

The Parker Hale either x-military or Santa Barbra are still good actions I have had both current Santa Barbra action is in 6mm Remington
.308 is good but with the standard length action 30/06 is a better option, check out the NRA target shooting crowd for used match barrels
set back and re-chambered they have a lot of barrel life left if there are F class shooters local to you 6.5 and 7mm barrels are a possibility

cheers people.
If I went to a 3006 length for it, I'd probably do a 2506-always liked them but never got one. if I went 7mm I'd do a 7mm08 over a 7x57. I do like 7 rem mags but that can come later on for the bsa action I have.
6.5 is a definite option-always rated the 6.5x55 so something along those lines would be a definite possibility.
all these come down to cheap barrels too.
Still considering going smaller but nothing jumping out-if I went small it would have to be viciously accurate and that's a bit of a lottery on a tight arse budget.

as for the gun city thing, that's why I was asking about other actions. I believe remchester barrels are completely different threads diameters etc. is there enough meat to machine them to suit?
What else fits the mausers? There are some cheap weatherby V barrels there, would they fit as then it would just be a rechamber and headspace?

Mauser is only mauser, 1.10inch x 12tpi 55degree thread for the parker hales from memory. Neither metric or imperial but a cross over.

bumpity

If you find out wether a K98 Bolt will fit,I can likely help you out.

I have a safari delux 308. The whole rifle with scope is yours for $650. Good barrel and stock. The last inch could be cut as has a small amount of pitting but hasn't effected shots to 300mtrs.

I find if it's got a thumb cutout it will be a k98 if it hasn't its a santa barbara

Santa Barbara has the post-48 FN cut, through the left side of the receiver collar whereas an exmiltary action will have the full C-ring collar. Do not get too wrapped up with the extra cut in the receiver issue! I used to do the firearm safety lecture and test with a Santa Barbara action that had been chambered for .25-06 and blew up after the second .308 Winchester cartridge was fired through it. Shooter got a well-deserved surprise but his eyesight was not affected AND the receiver ring gave way in exactly the same place that you would expect from the best Mauser 98 action you could buy.

P.S. I have seen a (cast) stainless steel Tikka action (pre-T3), also chambered for .25-06, that shattered into many pieces with a single round of .308 Winchester being fired in it.

P.P.S. Absence of thumb cut is not a reliable indicator of origin. Military receivers sometimes have their thumb cuts welded up during the sporterising process.

@norsk-not sure yet, still at mates place over the hill with a couple of other firearms I didn't get. next month or so I'm heading over and will get it and I can do some proper forensics. isn't there a thing about safties on the bolt and action? Santa Barbara has it on the action not the bolt? @300wsm for life-Yup if I wanted a standard rifle I have seen a couple around for that sort of money-good deals but cant justify that when I can chip away at this here and there.
It owes me nothing at present so no harm no foul so far. Hate to see an otherwise complete rifle go to the parts bin. If the barrel wasn't so dodgy, I'd just get a bolt and have it headspaced and be done with it but not paying to do that just in case it doesn't shoot, then that cash could've gone to fitting another barrel.