Identification and value of a 458 bolt action

[thuskjaer]

Hello AH

I am a new user to this forum, but i have checked the site out a couple of time (a lot) before joining

I found this rifle on an auction site in Denmark where i'm from.
All the information I am given about this rifle is that it is Withworth in .458 and it is a Leupold scope that sits on it.

Can anybody help me get some knowledge about the rifle, and about how much it is worth? The auctioneers have valued it to about 850$.

My dream gun would be a 404 jeff, so another big question would be how much work is recuired to fit a 404 jeff in the action if I decided to change the caliber for this rifle? that way it would also be a nice chance to get some open sights on it!

Here are some photos

 

[CAustin]

Beautiful rifle!

 

[rookhawk]

I don't think it's a .458.

It looks modified. The base of the barrel was lathe turned after manufacture and not blues again. Like they were covering up proof marks or caliber marks.

Then the odd muzzle break arrangement. I'd have it checked over very carefully.

 

[cpr0312]

Welcome aboard, I cant help you with gun value advice, but plenty on here can!

 

[Rob404]

The action is a Zastava CRF which is a good action, I have a Whitworth in 375HH and it is a great shooter and very reliable. Myself, I'd pass, the grind marks on the Barrel means it could be a re-bore because thats where Whitworth stamps their caliber, also the Muzzle break turns me off, I'd suggest a CZ550 in 375HH or 458Win which can be purchased new or look for a used one I had a CZ in 375HH and had it re-barreld in 404J also they are Magnum actions with a larger Round capacity

 

[sestoppelman]

Yes it started out as a Whitworth Express and as Rob404 says, a very good action and rifle if not all cobbled up like that one. Price is not bad but I would pass, there are better options. The work/money required to further cobble it into a .404 would have you with more in it than the cost of a fine rifle that started out as a .404J. Find a CZ Safari. Based on the serial number it looks like an early Whitworth as well. Mine was made in '84 and its number is B270.***, so guessing this is from the early to mid 70's.

 

[thuskjaer]

Thank you very much for the advise! I will not make any offers based on your opinions and I will contact the auction site about the risks of this rifle not being a 458 after all

 

[Ray B]

Thinking about what would have caused someone to buff off the cartridge designation and install a muzzlebreak leads me to conclude it was likely reamed to make it a 458 Lott. But the apparent lack of quality of workmanship would cause me to look elsewhere for a rifle to take into a life threatening situation.

 

[Rob404]

If you are patient you can find a used CZ 375HH in the 7-800 dollar range, most heavy caliber rifles become closet queens because of the stout recoil