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ALF....I was aware of most of the above except for the 2.5 case length being taken to Win by Watts.I always just assumed that it was their idea.Learn something new every day.

All correct,exsept that the 450 Alaskan was designed by Harold Johnson and a Seattle machinist (can't recall name),and Watts had no hand in it's development.

Also,both Elmer Keith and Jack O'Connor credit Montana gunsmith Jack Ashurst (sp)with the first 45 on the 375 case,called the 450 Ashurst.

I think this is kind of like Warren Page saying he developed the 243 and the 7mm Remington,even though Fred Huntington was responsible for the 243 and the 7mm was from Les Bowman,who was inspired by a 275 H&H Magnum (7mm on 375 case)that Jack O'Connor gave him.

Back in the early 1900s there was probibly 20 people in the firearms industry who claimed to have deisgned the 30-06 or 30-30 WCF.Today people squabble over who designed the Ultra Mag or the Short Mag or who discovered the wheel.

Sorry about the ranting folks.Got a little away from me there!BTW,the 458 Winchester is one of my favorite cartirdges,and I just got done loading a batch with 500 grain Hornady RNSPs for my Browning Belgium Safari Grade.

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"Only accurate rifles are interesting"

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I'd really like to hear about how Watts "Originated" the 416 Taylor.

For someone with a 416 Taylor webpage, I know little of it's actual history, other than what Ken Waters has written.

Thanks!

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Brian
The 416 Taylor WebPage!

Brian,

I flipped through a book on James Watts at Great Northern Guns, but the $35 price seemed a bit steep, $15-20 would be more reasonable. I believe there was some metion of the 416 Chatfield Taylor.

Brian,

You have probably already seen it but there is a Wooters and Hagel article in the Wolfe Publishing Wildcat book and these articles go into the history somewhat.

As I remember there was some connection with Winchester who made one rifle in 416 Taylor.

I have always thought that if you had all those 45/70 type bullets in 416 caliber that the 416 Taylor would have been just about the best all around big bore going.

Mike