Well friends here we go. Since I began the shooting sport at the age of 10 with my father and a fantastic S&W model 27 (which I now have), I have always dreamed of hunting something reallllly big. As I rapidly approach the age of 40 I realized that I needed to get on the ball! So I have put on layaway, very loooong layaway, a fine rifle in 416 Rem. mag.
I am mostly a practical person with modest tastes but I decided that if I was going to hunt dangerous game I needed everything I could get.
My first choice might not have been the 416 Rem. but my gunsmith already had one made for another client that wasn't picked up.
The rifle is based on an old Remington Express action, it has a Douglas bbl and a completely custom stock. The wood is nice walnut AA grade with fine checkering and superb attention to detail.
The gunsmith is Alan Dees of Havre Montana. Perhaps some of you that subscribe to Handloader or Rifle magazine might recall that name. A very nice little takedown rifle he did was written up by Finn Agaard.
Anyway the rifle is what I call a "fine" grade, not as expensive or superfulous as a "best" grade, but definitely a cut above any production rifle you might meet.
I am only having to pay 2,500.00 for the gun. Think I got a good deal? Any thoughts on the caliber?
I have to say that thanks to this forum and you guys and gals I am well hooked on that Safari someday.

reverenddan,

Welcome to the forum.

The 416 Remington magnum is good for anything you might wish to hunt in the world today.

If you like that rifle, go ahead and buy it,

I consider the 416 about the best of todays African cartridges...

Brass has not been discontinued as far as I know, but production gets behind from time to time..I buy my brass by the case for it and I have several thousand cases on hand, I think...

I don't know the gunsmith, so cannot comment on him. the Enfield action when properly converted is an excellent action...

You won't keep it on lay away to long as you will just have to have it in your house, if your any thing like me.

RD - Welcome to the .416 club and the AR forum. You could not have selected a better caliber for African big game hunting (sorry .375 fans). Seriously, the .416 is very versatile and combined with a .338, there is nothing that roams the planet that you should be afraid of. Let us know when you start setting the gun up to shoot. You will find a lot of knowledge around here that might keep you out of trouble and offer lots of useful information.