27 November 2002, 08:45
HenryC470416-404 Wildcat
Is there such a thing as a 404 case necked down to 416 caliber? What is it called?
I figure the advantages would be a larger selection of cheaper bullets with slightly higher (no flames please) sectional density.
Just curious.
H. C.
27 November 2002, 09:25
Paul HThere is one that is also shortened to 2.5" and called the 416 Howell. I'm sure there is a full length version available as well, but I don't recall a name for it.
27 November 2002, 09:39
fla3006The 416 Howell can deliver ballistics similar to the Remington or factory loaded Rigby on a standard length action.
27 November 2002, 10:40
D HumbargerHenry it make perfect sence to me. There are a lot more .416 bullets to be had than .423. Less expensive too.
27 November 2002, 11:06
RobgunbuilderHow about the .416 Ultramag. I think Z-Hat makes one .-Rob
27 November 2002, 11:17
Zero DriftAnother .416 based on the .404 is the .416 Dakota. It squirts a 400gr pellet at 2550fps. Case OAL is 2.850".
27 November 2002, 15:27
Ku-dudeHenry,
I have one of these. It started out full length, but I have reduced the case length to 2.5" because of the cannelure location on stock Hornaday bullets. Performance is from 2100-2400fps with 400gr bullets.
Given the availability of 423 bullets today (I have a 425 Express too), there is no reason to go to the 416. I think you'd be better served with the .404. Ku-dude
30 November 2002, 13:56
Brent MoffittI plan on building a 300 Ultra necked to 416, a switch barrel for my 700 action. Going to try a couple WSM's too. 416 WSM sounds cool too.
04 December 2002, 17:48
AtkinsonIf I was going to play with the 404 Jefferys I would just neck the case down to 416 and keep that wonderfull case design..It may not be a case design that the balisticians like because of the obvious, but the obvious was designed by a man who understood the needs in a dangerous game cartridge, not case capacity, efficiency Yakaty yack...it will feed and it will extract a stuck case by design, it is a torpedo, has a long neck for long bullets and good purchase...
I did build a 450-400-3" double rifle that shot 416 bullets. It was a nice gun...I still have the dies, if anyone wants them, they are quite rare these days..450-416-3" In fact it is the only set of dies in existence as far as I know.....
All that said, I am satisfied with the available bullets in .423...I use Woodleigh, GS Custom, Barnes X, TCCI, Rhino, Stewart, and a couple of others that come to mind. I think North Fork is tooling up for 404's....I know that long neck will sure handle the long monolithics well. a 400 gr. Barnes X takes up NO powder space, something most of the others bent up 404's forgot in their case design using 404 brass.....