Would I be better off buying a CZ 404 or just the action in 416 and starting from scratch?

thanks guys

Depends on what you want to do, but the CZ is nice the way it comes. I suppose if you could get the donar (.404 or .375, didn't read the .416 part ) action really cheap, why not go from scratch?
A CZ550 would set you back what, $1000? If you could get an action for $400, barrel for $300, wood stock for $1000, sights & misc. another $300, you are already at $2000. The factory rifle is shootable as is w/ a bit of bedding & smoothing. You can always add new sights or 1/4 rib later, restock if you want, etc.

I would try something different...you can probably get a used 375H&H for around $600. If and this is the only drawback, if the barrel has enough diameter, I would spend another $300 getting it rebored and chambered for 404. Under a grand, don't have to fool with new sights. If it doesn't work out, you can have it rebarreled and still probably be under the cost of a factory 404. The bolt on a 375 is very close to the 404 and might work without modification. The 416 has a much larger rim diameter than the 404. I had a Mauser in 300 H&H and it would feed 404 rounds from the magazine...I used dummy rounds of course!

quote:

Originally posted by Cowboy:
Would I be better off buying a CZ 404 or just the action in 416 and starting from scratch?

thanks guys

You can't use the .416 Rigby bolt face as it is for a .590" rim diameter.

.404 Jeffery is .542" rim diameter.

.375 H&H and .458 WinMag are .532" rim diameter and easy to open up a skoash.

I would recommend rebarreling rather than buying a factory .404 Jeffery from CZ. It should be an easy project to get feeding.

Go with the .375 H&H, then try a Rigby box if any feeding issues need ironing out, before opening up a can of "feed job." You can also try the Dakota 76 African follower.

CZ makes a ribbed .375 H&H box, and a flat sided .416 Rigby box.

any thoughts on who you would recomend to open the bolt face and feed job?

Dennis Olson

Tip Burns, He built my two 404 Jeffery rifles.
BURNS GUN REPAIR