bipbigbore
(.224 member)
02/10/08 01:43 AM
416 w 20" Barrel

All,

I have been thinking for some time about how to build the ultimate buffalo rifle.

My most recent inspiration is this:

Take a Brno 602 Magnum Mauser (That I already have), Glass Bed it, Tune and Jewel the action, add two cross bolts and add a 20" barrel. It will carry express sights and wear a Swarovski Z6 illuminated in 1-6x.

Now, for the caliber. In order to make the short barrel work, my thought is to build the rifle in 416 Wby, but then load it only hot enough to get traditional 416 ballistics (400gr at 2370fps - 2410fps) out of a 20" barrel. Essentially, it will be a loaded down wby or a souped up rigby depending on how you look at it.

Thoughts?


9.3x57
(.450 member)
02/10/08 05:13 AM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

Why not the .416 Remington?

Cheap cases and {?} maybe one more round in the mag.

The .416 Remington seems like a perfect match for your project.


bigmaxx
(.375 member)
02/10/08 05:57 AM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

what about the new Ruger in .416 ruger thats on the way? Probably retails for eight or nine hundred. Steve Hornady whacked a lion with it on Tracks Across Africa.

bipbigbore
(.224 member)
02/10/08 09:43 AM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

I am going to Tanzania next September. Do you know when it hits the market?

bigmaxx
(.375 member)
02/10/08 02:22 PM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

Havent heard yet. I have a Hawkeye African .375 ruger that I just did a Zimbabwe Safari with. It performed flawlessly. I used the Warne QD rings on mine. I am a long time fan of the M77. I like the dependability and rugged reputation they have. They are well built. I have several of them in calibers from .30-06 to .458 lott. I have never had a bit of trouble with any of them. My .30-06 has fired thousands of rounds and killed countless deer. They are relatively inexpensive as well. The .416 ruger will be my next M77.

zimhunter
(.333 member)
02/10/08 03:05 PM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

Funny thing about that. My CZ550 in 416Rigby has had the barrel cut to 21" a NECG front ramp with elevation adjustment and a flourescent bead. Barrel band front swivel installed. Brockman laminated stock fully glassed with a Kick-Eze pad (wouldn't use another one, too soft, deforms from sitting in safe) Scope is a Swarovski 1.5x4.5 in CZ rings. Last loads used were 410gr Woodleighs in Mast brass with 100grs of RL22 and Federal 215 primers. Bolt handle has been straightened and knob slightly reshaped with the hole filled in with a checkered wood plug from a piece I picked up in camp in Zimbabwe. My last elephant was killed with it and he didn't seem to notice the load or the barrel length. It is a very handy gun and makes getting in and out of the cab of the truck so much easier.

shinz
(.300 member)
02/10/08 06:32 PM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

Quote:

All,
Now, for the caliber. In order to make the short barrel work, my thought is to build the rifle in 416 Wby, but then load it only hot enough to get traditional 416 ballistics (400gr at 2370fps - 2410fps) out of a 20" barrel. Essentially, it will be a loaded down wby or a souped up rigby depending on how you look at it.

Thoughts?




Unless you particularly like the Wby round, you can achieve the same with a 416 rigby, plenty of boiler space to load it to get your desired velocity & still have relatively mild pressure.You wouldn't be "souping" it to any appreciable amount to achieve this as you're probably only dropping 60-80fps over a 24" barrel & that is easy to achieve in the Rigby case, which all said & done is really only a beltless Wby or should that be the Wby is a belted Rigby. With a barrel this short you might want to try loads using the faster of the suitable powders, ie 4350s, RL19 etc to try & cut down on the flame thrower effect. With a 416 Rem you might be pushing the pressure limits to achieve the same.
Steve


bigmaxx
(.375 member)
02/10/08 07:48 PM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

A good point you make. I took my Hawkeye African with the 23" barrel and would have been quite happy with a 20". I carried it in the cab of the toyota landcruiser for quick access, with the muzzle in the floorboard so it would be pointing AWAY from the trackers in the back. The buttpad rubbed the backrest causing the screw at the toe to pull through. It didnt affect the use of the rifle but was a nuisence. A shorter overall length would be nice. I cant wait to get hold of the .416 ruger. The main drawback is availability of ammo in the event your bags and rifle case becoming seperated. I was lucky and mine arrived together. Hopefully someday the airlines will improve too.

Huvius
(.416 member)
03/10/08 08:28 AM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

Been thinking about this - mainly because my 416 Rigby has a 25" barrel and a magnum length action so feels rather long.
What, in the collective experience, is the reasonable short barrel length for a 416 Rigby/Rem./Weath?
And, if 21" is acceptable, what is the opinion of using a standard length action over a magnum to decrease the overall length of the rifle by 3/4" or so. This is one of the arguments DG hunters use to bolster the double rifle cause since you can have standard length barrels in an overall shorter package than a bolt gun.


chuck375
(.333 member)
03/10/08 09:18 AM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

I was thinking a 22" barrel for my 470 Capstick. I should still be able to get a 500g bullet moving at 2300 fps.

Chuck


bigmaxx
(.375 member)
03/10/08 11:54 AM
Re: 416 w 20" Barrel

Thats exactly what Ruger did, a .375, and soon to be .416 in a standard long action rifle.


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