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Forum Index > Rifles general discussion > Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win

Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win

20 Dec 2018
@ 05:03 pm (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Not sure why, but I just bought myself a Christmas present.

Half the fun is finding out that it wasn't a mistake.

Replies

1
21 Dec 2018
@ 05:58 am (GMT)

Joshua Mayfield

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
Tell the story, Paul. How did this come about? Pure impulse or had you been mulling it over for a bit? I have never heard of this rifle before but am intrigued.
21 Dec 2018
@ 04:57 pm (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
Not much of a story. I am always looking for the weird and wonderfuls. Happened to come across this one on Tradex, it was the only one they had. It was the right calibre, and it had a rotary magazine. And I wanted another rifle. And thanks to the stringent gun control laws in our country, it should be arriving in the mail in about four days. It looks interesting and very unique. I'll put up some pics on this post when it shows up.
21 Dec 2018
@ 04:59 pm (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
I did find some internet forums where it was pictured, but because I wasn't a subscribed member, all I could get were the thumbnails. And their pics were of the next generation, from the second manufacturer. So not really sure what's going to show up.
24 Dec 2018
@ 12:34 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
Is this it Paul?

<a href='https://postimg.cc/GHTL3vMk' target='_blank'><img src='https://i.postimg.cc/GHTL3vMk/Screenshot-2018-12-24-00-24-56.png' border='0' alt='Screenshot-2018-12-24-00-24-56'/></a>









Looks good for sure. Hopefully it's what you want.
24 Dec 2018
@ 05:44 am (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
It looks like it. I can't get the photo links to work. All I get is the thumbnails.

Does the bolt have nine lugs or six? If nine, yes.

The bolt handle looks a little different, too, but they had two styles. But the mag release looks right. The butt stock - not sure, maybe.

Is that a suppressor? If so, that's not legal here, so no.

Bases look good.

Could be.
24 Dec 2018
@ 07:29 am (GMT)

John Smith

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
Where are they made? How much do they cost?
What calibers besides .308?
24 Dec 2018
@ 10:03 am (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
John, information is sketchy at best. The following link is one of the more reasonable (to a point) sounding.

https://forums.gunboards.com/showthread.php?75261-Lakelander-M375
24 Dec 2018
@ 11:47 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
No Paul. It's an old fashioned target alignment device. I think our ancestors called it a foresight. Not to be confused with after sight from a regrettable decision. I'm sure that your Christmas present will be funtastic. You know that with the knowledge we've been gifted from the "Book series". You have the skills to make it a real gem. You have the winter months to get it sorted mate. I just hope that Rudolph don't smell it in the sack during its delivery flight.
24 Dec 2018
@ 01:42 pm (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
Thanks, Warwick. I couldn't really tell from the pics. Apparently, the one that's coming has had "sights removed", but from another forum, it was noted that the hole spacing front and rear are drilled for a variety of different sight manufacturers.

A bit of bad news, it won't be here until the projected date of Jan. 03. Backlog at the Post Office, I guess. Just as well anyway, don't want Rudolph and Olive (the other reindeer) getting a glimpse of what might be their undoing.

25 Dec 2018
@ 12:01 am (GMT)

Warwick Marflitt

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
Phew they can stop trembling in their hooves and enjoy their Xmas hay..
You know that it's only Vampire slayers that really worry about Miss Stakes!!!!
Ha ha haaaaa Fang-a-tastic.... enjoy your Christmas pudding.


05 Jan 2019
@ 04:20 pm (GMT)

Paul Leverman

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
Well, it showed up. Not as nice as I hoped for, but not a total wreck either.

The "good to very good" description was a bit of a stretch. The "shiny" bore was definitely shiny, where the rust pits weren't. The stock was cracked in the mag well, but the wood was almost microscopically thin there, so it may have just been from drying out.

The good news: I kind of figured I was buying a donor action, but trying to be optimistic. The action appears to be well made, machined from a single billet. A half round, half flat style. The bottom of the action was milled from end to end and still measures flat. The trigger is fully adjustable. Two position safety that locks the firing pin. Nine lug bolt head, of which get a good wear pattern on at least two lugs per set. Three action screws.

Magazine internal length is 2.912" usable. There is a floating spacer in the front that may come out, but it's being a bit of a puzzle. Quite possible that they used the same magazine for the 30-'06 or longer, without the spacer.

The stock will be easy enough to replace, with some millwork and shaping.

The barrel is where the challenge lies. I've been trying to research twist rates for the 308Win, and they go from 7.5 to 12.5:1. 12:1 seems to be the normally accepted, with the others filling in specific use niches.

I have other 308 cal rifles that use heavy for calibre bullets, so my thought was to use the 178 and 168 TMKs, and see how they work out. With these weights of bullets, am I correct in using the 1:12 twist?

I'm going to try the original barrel (21-1/2") and see what's what, but I don't expect any miracles.

07 Jan 2019
@ 11:14 am (GMT)

Nathan Foster

Re: Lakelander TAP-375 in 308 Win
Hi paul, if possible, go with an 11 twist. This will put you right in the middle. It will be perfect for 168-178gr bullets and still very accurate with 200 grain bullets and heavier. The trick here is to not get mixed up with target shooting. You are not going to be shooting through the transonic barrier so there is no need for this level of stability. Its a killing rifle so thats where the focus needs to remain. To this end, if you get the urge to run the 200gr ELD-X, the 11 twist will stabilize it out to a distance at which the ELD-X can no longer expand.

The mag length you quoted will give this rifle a bit more breathing space if you want to play with 200gr bullets and heavier. Should be quite versatile in this regard.

If there is a block, there is every possibility that this might be a medium length action shortened up via the block. But do note, if you remove the block and are still only around 3.34", then it may not be the best for obtaining full horse power from the .30-06. Having said this, it might still be a good candidate for this cartridge.

Yes, the trouble with shiny bores. Its a major problem here in NZ. Collectors are some of the worst offenders. they want to own the rifles but they don't know how to look after the bores, using the typical thin oils made to ensure that the shooter will not hydraiulic the bore - useless for long term preservation. Its an absolute shame to see the bores rusting. I really hope the maintenance section of my third book helps long term to turn this around.
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