I'm in the planning stage of my first real big bore rifle and am hoping to call on some of your expertize.

If you have one please post a photo.

Thanks in advance for the feedback.

Question:
For good balance & handling - what barrel length would you choose for a 416 Taylor?

Choices:
20 inches
22 inches
24 inches
other opinions

 

My Taylor has a #5 contour Douglas barrel, finished at 23". I think the barrel length is PERFECT!

Its the top rifle in the pic below...


The other is my 470 Mbogo with a 24" barrel.

Cheers,
Canuck

Depends entirely on the barrels contour. You can get the same weight and balance out of any of those lengths by tweaking the contour.

I'd lean towards 22" as short enough to be handy, but long enough to keep the muzzle blast in check.

you could wait 6 months and do the 416 ruger...it will be far more popular in time than the taylor. but if you are bitten by the taylor bug...paul h hit the nail on the head. good luck and keep us posted. (PUN INTENDED)

Twenty three +/- an inch for anything .400 and up. Too many folks argue over 2 to 3 inches of barrel length,......
I can see the point when one compares 25" Churchill 12br to 30" tubes of another bird gun, but here.....

I have a Taylor built on a MarkX action with a 22 inch barrel, Sideswing safety, Williams Peep-sight, Ivory bead front ramp. Built with an English style Stock. QD button sling swivels. This is a DGR Iron sights only rifle, but is an honest to god hammer of thor on anything I point it at and is scary accurate.

Pic links attached:
http://www.imagestation.com/8382977/3968550437

.416 Rigby above, Taylor below.

This was my first attempt at stocking and checkering...But my Taylor is by far my favorite Rifle, quick pointing and handling, easy to carry all day, big and powerful enough for anything on the planet.

Hansel

Make everyone happy, put 23" tube on it!

Most likely will have difficulty getting velocity (2400 fps/400 gr.) at less than 22".

My second Taylor is almost done. It will make you cry!

My CZ 550 in 416Rigby is 21" I also have my Brno 602 in 375 cut to same length. Factory barrel with NECG Universal front ramp (it has elevation built in) with red flourescent bead and barrel band swivel. Stock is a Brockman. It worked very well on Elephant my last trip. In fact the tusks are from that elephant.

quote:

Originally posted by Hansel:
I have a Taylor built on a MarkX action with a 22 inch barrel, Sideswing safety, Williams Peep-sight, Ivory bead front ramp. Built with an English style Stock. QD button sling swivels. This is a DGR Iron sights only rifle, but is an honest to god hammer of thor on anything I point it at and is scary accurate.


.416 Rigby above, Taylor below.


This was my first attempt at stocking and checkering...But my Taylor is by far my favorite Rifle, quick pointing and handling, easy to carry all day, big and powerful enough for anything on the planet.

Hansel

Nice work Hansel! I still say I like the Taylor better!

I feel it's about 23"

jeffe

I went w/ 23" on my .404j, I would be happy w/ 22" though.

quote:

Originally posted by zimbabwe:
My CZ 550 in 416Rigby is 21" I also have my Brno 602 in 375 cut to same length. Factory barrel with NECG Universal front ramp (it has elevation built in) with red flourescent bead and barrel band swivel. Stock is a Brockman. It worked very well on Elephant my last trip. In fact the tusks are from that elephant.[IMG]http://mydrive.roadfly.com/photos/pic.php?
u=125735XJP8l&i=2793[/IMG]

Needless to say....nice teeth.

Thanks for all the feedback.

Sounds like a 22" barrel is may be the way to go.

Now if I can just figure out the twist.....

heh,
allow me to present, that if you are willing to "settle" for 2300fps, the 22" will be fine, don't even THINK about hitting 2400...

why, 1x14, just like the AB barrel

jeffe

Jeffe is likely right on the velocity.

FWIW though, I get 2400 fps quite easily out of my 1-12" twist Douglas barrel at 23" finished length.

Cheers,
Canuck

I was under the impression you could only get about a 50fps increase per additional inch of barrel.

That is, in most cases.

Is this way off?......you are with a 24" barrel I could possibly jump 200fps?

I am a reloading neophite - thats why I ask.

Riodot,
2300 in a 22, and not 2400 ... so 50fps..

Chris, your barrel is firelapped, our is that Dave's?

So, if a 24" 416 taylor is huffing and puffing to make 2400, taking 2 inches puts you at 2300...

jeffe

I've got a recently installed A&B 416 Taylor barrel on a Mark X - still at the supplied 24".

It has had about 50 rounds through it so far, 20 Beartooth cast lapping loads at 700 fps, and the remainder Nosler 400 grainers at 2210-2225(64.5g of 3031). Haven't tried any 350's yet, but do have a box of the inexpensive Speer's on the bench.

The barrel is too long for me...and I'm getting ready to cut it.

I have no problem going an inch at a time for the sake of science, but it might take me a month depending on weather to do the chrono testing after each cut. I hate to totally trash the barrel, but if it really gets slow at 22", I may need to abort before hitting 20". Funny how much you get attached to a $73 short chambered barrel...

If somebody has a favorite(not max load - as I'm ready to start cutting this thing) 350 grain load, let me have it and I'll try to load some up and test this week for comparison - otherwise it would be with the 400's exclusively.

quote:

Chris, your barrel is firelapped, our is that Dave's?

No, that's Dave's. I am not sure how long his barrel is, but I think 24".

Mine is just a Douglas premium. Can't explain why it does so well, but as I have mentioned here many times, it does 2400 with less powder than most and with absolutely NO signs of pressure. Must be Bill Leeper's exceptional gunsmithing.

Considering I have had trouble with the bores on a few rifles, I am very, very pleased with this one.

For most normal barrels though, I still agree with jeffe...shoot for 2350 from a 24" barrel.

ps: I have verified my chrony MANY times with other cartridges/loads, and on the same days as clocking my 416 T...I am sure its not fast.

Cheers,
Canuck

I also bought a 416Taylor A&B bbl from Midway and I am in the process of waiting for my smith to finish my rifle. It is a Parker Hale rebarreled to a 24" 416Taylor. Any suggestions on sights? I need to get him some next week to mount.

I have a 22 inch Douglas barrel, with good handloading I am chronographing just shy of 2,400 ft/sec with 400 grain pills, without pushing the pressures. However my Standard 400 grain load is a chronographed 2,350 ft/sec, and I am getting at least 4-5 reloads per case and still have tight primers.

However, My standard load is a 350 grain pill at 2,500 ft/sec, Again, pleasent to shoot, and easy on the cases and my shoulder, plus it hits like thors hammer on everything I have pointed it at.

I would point out for the purists...The .404 Jeffery established itself as a potent weapon at a mere 2,250 ft/sec with 400 grain bullets. if you just "settle" on 2,300 ft/sec with a 400 grain solid, you still have a round that you can count on for anything short of the paleolithic period, in an easy to handle package!

Hansel

quote:

Any suggestions on sights?

NECG Masterpiece ramp barrel band front site and adustable rear.

Cheers,
Canuck

quote:

I have a 22 inch Douglas barrel, with good handloading I am chronographing just shy of 2,400 ft/sec with 400 grain pills, without pushing the pressures. However my Standard 400 grain load is a chronographed 2,350 ft/sec, and I am getting at least 4-5 reloads per case and still have tight primers.

Good to hear. You know, MOST of the people that have posted their 416T loads here have reached or came just shy of 2400 fps with no pressure issues. Will, Dave E, Me, RIP, etc etc....

Cheers,
Canuck

I made mine with a 25 inch barrel. works well

I would suggest a sweated on front ramp with Ivory bead.

And a Lyman or Williams rear peep if this is an Irons only rifle like mine!

Hansel