I am having a .416 made for African hunting. I respect the opinion of the forum as much or more than any "expert". Which .416 does the forum believe is the "best"?

The .416 Dakota. It has Rigby like performance in a standard length magnum action. You can safely push a 400gr bullet at 2550 fps or a more docile 2250 fps.

assuming bolt gun..
your 5 choices are
416 weatherby
416 dakota
416 rigby
416 remington
416 taylor...

and just to confuse the issue
404 jeffery

If you gave a price range you wanted to spend, that would make your choices easier

choices off the shelf

for 700-1000
win model 70 416 rem
cz 550 416 rigby

1000-1600
ruger rsm 416 rigby
cz 550 404

and UP
custom rig (just about any rifle will be above the 1600 if you have it built) expect 2k for starting

dakota in 416 dakota.

etc...

"Cheap route" (it aint)
rugger 77 in any mag, rebarrel to 416 taylor, restock, sights, and blue...
cost.. 400 on action, 200 on barrel, 200 on sights, 150 on bluing, 500 for stock, 300 for gnsmithing... $1750.. and that's if a local guy does it

jeffe

Well I'm no expert by any means. I built a 416 Taylor after a meeting with one of the gun writers. Based on his comment of 2400 with a 400gr. Well in my 24" it never happened. Best I could get with REAL flat primers was 2250. Not saying others weren't getting 2400 but I couldn't. Gun currently on long term loan to a friend in Alaska. He loads down to 2100 and loves it. Just sold the makings of a second one.

Jeffe pretty much layed it out. There is just something about a 416 Rigby that the Dakota, Remington don't have. If it were me I would look real close at the CZ 416 Riby. Spend a few $$ with a good smith add a low power Titan and quick release mounts and away I'd go.

Are you a reloader?

I don't reload so I selected the .416 Remington Mag. Factory ammo quality is very good and cheaper than factory ammo for the Rigby.

Regards,

Terry

I recommend a rifle for which you can obtain factory ammo from more than one source. Setting aside the hyper velocity cartridges, this leaves you with .416 Rigby and .416 Remington. Personally I like the Rigby better, even though the ammo is expensive. The Rigby allows you to achieve a true 2400 fps at low pressure, while the .416 Rem requires high pressures to achieve the same result.

Champlin Arms has a nice .416 Riby for under $10K:



If you like the classic .404 Jeff cartridge, which also achieves 2400 fps at low pressure, there are fewer options. The only cheap way to get a .404 Jeff is to rebarrel a M70 chambered for one of the ultra mag calibers. There is no such thing as a cheap .404 Jeff on a Mauser action, because no one makes a suitable magazine box for one.

Here is a nice little .404 at the Westley Richards store for $4500:



And one from Champlins at about the same price.

500grains, man you post some of the nicest eye candy please keep it up.

Personally I would opt for either a 416 Rigby or the 404 J. With a bit of a nod to the 404.

I just got a CZ a few weeks ago and after a bit of the usual stuff (bedding, safety, trigger, pad, etc) it is a really nice rifle for under $2500 bucks.

The rem is a bit too high a pressure case to make it suitable in Africa (please it’s only my opinion) but it is a great NA game getter (elk, bison, bear).

If you don't reload I think the 416 Rigby would be the way to go simply for ammo availability sake.

John

I like the idea of using a standard length action if possible, the 404Jeff, 416Rem, less cumbersome (and expensive) than magnum-length Mausers.

I like the 416 dakota best

If you prefer the traditional: Rigby.

If you would rather the practical: Remington.

I have both.

I would have to say that I am .416 Rigby fan as that is what I first tasted in the way of .416's but I would reccomend it....in Oz at least components seem easier to find for the Rigby varient.

I also own the .416 Rigby and the .416 Remington. My favorite is the Rigby, not only for nostalgia's sake, but also for the case capacity which allows the Rigby to be loaded up to higher velocities or keep low pressure at recommended velocities of around 2300 to 2400 FPS. If you don't handload however, the Remington is cheaper and more practical! Actions for a custom rifle are probably easier to find for the Remington as well.

I vote too for the Rigby. I love mine.It is a CZ that Jim Brockman worked over a bit. It shoots dang well for a big boomer. WIth the 325 NF bullets for plains game it shoots plenty flat out to 300 yards and MOA all the way if I do my part. The 400 gr SAF and Barnes X bullets are great out to at least 200 yards. Brass comes high but once bought it seems to last forever. Wiedmanshiel. D

416 Rigby

Hog Killer

I have several 416's and a 425. The Rigby exudes class. However, it recoils a lot harder than the 416 Taylor, for instance. That big case uses a lot of powder. Even though the pressure is low, the recoil isn't. The powder charge, due to its exit velocity being much higher than the bullet MV, contributes to significantly higher recoil.

When its all said and done, my favorite heavy medium is the Taylor. Load it down to 450/400 velocities (which seems to be everybodies golden child right now) and it gives identical performance with light powder charges and really light recoil with moderate pressure. Load light bullets to higher velocity for longer ranges on plains game. Forget duplicating the Rigby (which takes higher pressure) and duplicate the 450/400. Pressures are less than 40K and recoil is a pussycat. Headstamped brass is readily available now and I haven't shot a factory load of anything in 20 years anyway.

quote:

500grains, man you post some of the nicest eye candy please keep it up.

You do post the most beautiful rifles
in existance.

Another vote for the 416 Dakota.

I like the 416 Remington, ammo is available almost everywhere I have been and it makes up into a lighter slimmer rifle than the Rigby IMO..

I had one for sale that I just made but Cabellas bought it..it was really nice.

Rem