Okay, I've finally decided on the .416 for my new Montana leftie. George, what are the differences between your Hoffman and the Remington? Is the Rem shootable in the Hoffman (in case of lost ammo in Africa)?

Oh, and does anyone know if Sterling has a Hoffman reamer?? Or do you have one, George, that we can 'farm out?

At this point, it looks like a left-handed Montana action, .416 Hoffman, Lothar-Walther barrel, and probably a D'Arcy Echols Legend stock. WooHoooo!

The 416 rem is a 8mm rem mag necked up. I don't recall what the Hoffman was based on, but do not that the Hoffman chamber will hold a rem mag round.

So you get the best of both worlds in a Hoffman, nostalgia, and the ability to use factory fodder in a pinch.

Postdriver,
I just put my order in for a Montana LH long action today, also in 416. I'm in the same boat as far as the exact caliber, I don't know enough about the Hoffman to make a decision. The ability to chamber and shoot the Remington would be a definite plus in case of lost ammo. Perhaps we can get a definitive answer as to this ability and any velocity loss in this case (Shooting a Rem in the Hoffman).

Ggentlemen:
To answer some of your question, The Hoffman is about .030 longer to the shoulder with slightly less taper than the Remington. Therefore, the Remington factory ammo will work in the Hoffman chamber. In fact I use to size my Hoffman ammo on a remingtion die and use it that way. I had a number of clients that used the Remington and if something happened to need extra ammo then they could use some of mine. Sterling has my Hoffman reamers at the present time, and will use them for my rifle. Everone that wishes, can have Sterling use those reamers. Speaking of dies. I am sure a set of Hoffman dies will be a custom job. I think you could get by useing a set of Remington dies. This will work, because the headspace works off the belt and the shoulder has no place as far as headspacing goes. I ting Sterling Davenport, is one of our premier gun makers today, I have looked at a lot boltactions being made in the U>S> today and cannot find any flies on his work. Futhermore he is much cheaper for his work than the rest. Some of his peers have critized him for not charging more. I for one am glad that we have a artist such as he. He does metal work and wood work. I saw a .600 he made on time for a client, it fed like silk. That takes some skill in my book. I think he also, built a .577 Bolt rifle for Mark Sullivan. I cannot afford a Darcy Echols,(one of my good friends)or Miller,Holehan,etc. All good gunmakers
However to my eyes, I think Sterling equals any of these. Thanks
George

[ 03-04-2003, 04:28: Message edited by: George Hoffman ]

George,
Thanks for the information on your cartridge, if I could bother you just a bit more. What is the parent case you use to form your cases? Is there somewhere that has dimentional drawings of this cartridge and load data? I've been interested in your creation since I read about it, thanks for any info you can steer my way.
Lewis Wheeler

George H. Can you give the contact info for this Sterling Gunsmith?

Lewis,
Thak you, The deminsions are registered with SAAMI
and I think you will find the drawings in Art Alpins, "Any Shot You Want" reloading manuel. Likewise, the Barnes Manual (not the new, but previous) had case drawings etc. I have Reamer drawing from Clymer and J&G as well. However, I am taking cancer treatment in Dallas and am not at home. My orginal case was the .375 Weatherby case with a 25degree shoulder. The .416 Remington is simply their 8MM mag case necked up.
After the 8mm came on the market I used that case

to make the Hoffman Cases. In fact, had that case been avaliable in 1975 I would have done the
same thing and would not have had to fireform thousands of rounds from .375 H&H brass. Factory loads from Remington can be used as can Rem. brass
In fact I just ordered a 100 cases this past week from
Midway, for 35.00 much cheaper than Rigby.
George

[ 03-04-2003, 05:09: Message edited by: George Hoffman ]

Hawkeye47
You can contact Mr. Sterling Davenport at the following address:
9611 East Walnut Tree Drive
Tucson, Arizona 85749

Tele. 520-749-5590
George

George,
Thanks for the information. I hope your treatments go well, I know they can be exhausting.
Lewis Wheeler

Thanks for educating us George. Very interesting. We wish you well with your treatments. You are in our prayers.