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Both have about the same ballistics. The Rigby is cool in that it's classic and warms the hearts of those of us that love the old guns.

But as far as any being "better" in the field, I doubt there is a nickels worth of difference. 416 bullet of 400 grains at 2350 to 2450.

Myself, .........my favorite 416 is the Taylor. Same bullet at 2350 to 2380 FPS. BUT---------- It fits on a standard length GEW Mauser. So it carry's nicely in the hand compared to the Magnum Mauser with the drop magazines (like my 404) And it uses nicked down 458 brass which is easy to get, and a lot less expensive.

From the "gunsmiths prospective" the 416 Taylor gives you a real Mauser action and all the reliability that it entails, with the same barrel as the Rigby or Remington, in a slimmer gun that you can get with the Rigby and the controlled feed you do not get with the M700. If a custom rifle has (as an example) a $3000 budget and I am asked to build a 416 Rigby I have to factor in the cost of an action that is suitable for that shell, or do sever modification on a Standard Mauser and add a very expensive drop-mag to it (Like Harry Selby's 416 Rigby was). So before I buy a piece of wood or a barrel blank I am into the action for $750 and sometimes up to $1400. So about 1/2 of the budget is already gone. Add even a plain piece of hard walnut at about $175, and a barrel blank at $150, express sights at $170 front and rear and if you want a band front sight and swivel you can expect to add not $170 for sights but about $265. Then add a pad and grip cap, forend tip and we are ready to start work, But the money left for ALL the work is now only about 1/2 the budget at best for a very plane rifle and if you go top of the line on your parts you will eat up nearly all your budget before the labor even starts.

Now if we start with a GEW Mauser at about $175, instead of a Magnum Mauser at $750 to $1400 you can see it leaves a LOT more of the budget for other parts and for labor as well as better wood, and when the rifle is done it is as slick and reliable as any the world has ever seen, shoots the same bullet at the same speed as the Rigby was so famous for, carries easier and is about a pound lighter. In short the 416 Taylor is the best value in a 416 rifle you can get, buy a wide margin. And it uses dies that cost less, uses less powder, and less expensive brass. that all means more shooting for the dollar and shooting a rifle a LOT is the thing that makes you a better marksman.

I have made a handful of 416 Rigbys and several 416 Remingtons as well as one 416 Weatherby. All of them came out very nicely. All were loved by the customers and I personally played with one of the 416 Rigbys for about a year, but having done them all, I am convinced the Taylor is the best one of the bunch for the real hunter.

Just my 2 cents worth
other will disagree. And that 100% cool. It's what keeps me in business.

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