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But the fact is that the original 416 Rigby was designed for temperature sensitive cordite powder and as such requires an overly large action, and the orginal Rigbys were overly large rifles.

...while the ability to use a shorter action may seem like nit-picking on the rifle range, when you are under stress it really is noticable.

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Phil, I have to admit I'm somewhat nervous about disagreeing with any of your opinions as I'm aware of your reputation and experience and I know I'm not nearly in the same league.

But, in my personal opinion, lightweight rifles are over-rated. I don't find my CZ550 Safari Mag objectionable. And it's a joy to shoot (5,000 ft/lbs at the muzzle and it coddles me!). But then, I'll occassionally hunt with my Garand or M1A. My attitude is that if it feels too heavy, I need to work out. Not get a lighter rifle.

I suppose I owe a debt of gratitude to the Marines. One of the early tortures the DI's put you through at Aviation Officer's Candidate School is a rifle run with a de-mil'd Garand they issue you as a drill weapon. Three miles in deep sand on the beach at Pensacola. Most people are dying by the end. Your arms feel like somebody filled them with lead and are about to fall off. But, if you don't get weeded out, at the end of your training the DI's take you on a "celebratory" rifle run. And it's the funniest thing; your Garand is light as a feather. It's lost at least 50 pounds since the first time you ran on the beach with it.

I'm not in that kind of shape anymore, but I haven't let myself go to the point where the difference between a Ruger .416-sized action and a Rigby-sized action is a deal breaker.

As far as bolt-throw goes, I am under impression a lot of people develop bad habits at the range that they take into the field. I don't baby the bolt. If you saw me shoot, you'd probably think I hate my rifle.

It's important to develop muscle memory. The bolt is going back until it stops. I figure if the lugs can withstand whatever amount of pressure the cartridge generates, they can take whatever force I can deliver to them.

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