I'm still pondering this project, and would like some opinions on which action to use. I would think either the CZ or Ruger originally in 416 Rigby would work well - which would you choose and why? I'd like to have some idea on what to keep an eye out for, should something come my way.

I'd go with the CZ...personal preference. I shoot only CZ's in centerfire bolt rifles. The action is plenty big for the A2 round...don't know if the Ruger is big enough...Jeffe & others will know. CZ will be less expensive to start.

If cost is the issue, the CZ is the starting point... send it to pac-nor, if starting with a 416, and have it rebarreled, chambered, sights installed, and blued. should be about 800 for the action and 800 for the work.

the ruger.. now... you can get a 416 ruger, send to cutrifle (dan peddersen) and have it rebored and chambered for about 1400 for the ruger, and 300 for the work.

jeffe

CZ 550 is the way to go. I've built two and its probably the easiest real big bore conversion you can imagine. The only trick is the metric threads and thats a piece of cake for any competent machinist. -Rob

If you like the integral 1/4 rib, barrel band swivel and front sight of the ruger, having the ruger bored and chambered my be dollars ahead of a similarly configured CZ-550. Figure $400 to fit a barrel, 1/4 rib, sling swivel and front sight are a couple hundred in materials, and say a couple hundred in installation, so now your up to $800, then add in a hundred or so in blueing and call it an even $1000 over the cost of the donor rifle. If you can get a Ruger say $1200, add $200 to bore it out, and $100 or so for chambering, and your up to $1500. If the Ruger has a nice looking stock blank, your $'s ahead with a nicer rifle.

Are you looking for bottom dollar functional 500 A2, high grade custom, or something in between? How much do you want to spend all said and done?

AHR built mine and they started with a modified and spiffed up CZ 550 Magnum action. I am very happy with the finished rifle.

It feeds without fail and holds three down. With a Wisner floorplate, I'm pretty sure that I could get four down. The CZ is a real workhorse of an action, and beats everything else out there on price by big margin.

MRLexma
My AHR will be here soon.. After reading Your post ..Anticipation is..
AK

ak, I am sure you will not be disappointed.

Thanks for the input. I was thinking a CZ would be a better choice. I was kinda of surprised that the Ruger .416 barrel could be bored out to a .510. There is enough meat on there for this? Would this result in a barrel that is too light?

What kind of barrel dimensions/taper would one want for a 500 A2? How about overall gun weight? Don't worry, I'm not even going to ASK what the twist should be...