I want to make a 416 remington on a pre 64 winchester action. Do I have to use a magnum action like a 300 H&H or 375 or can I use a 30-06 length? Was thinking of getting a 300 H&H and changing the barrel but leaving everything else the same. Is that possible??

Gunny,
great question, and here's some answers, but i'll start with the conclusion

it's 950 bucks to go buy a brand new model 70 classic safari in 416 remington, and it's done, and feeds, and has an excellent stock.

yes, you could take a pre64 action, and, as there is one one length pre-64, you could start with anything, from 22hornet to 375hh. the 375 would be easier for the smith, as all the metal is already trimmed properly.

but there is no good reason to go through all this, other than just the preference of a pre 64 vs a classic.. and the classic is a "better" engineered action, at least in gas handling.

your cost on a pre-64 starts at ~800 for a beater (read, new stock required) 30-06, 500 for barrel work, 500 for a new stock, 200 for sights/install, unknown gunsmithing fees....

or 950 for one done, and if it don't feed, send it back to winnie for fixin

jeffe

quote:

Originally posted by gunny:
pre 64 winchester action.


Was thinking of getting a 300 H&H and changing the barrel but leaving everything else the same. Is that possible??

It would work fine, but it would be a sin to remove the barrel on a Pre 64 Mod 70, chambered for 300H&H Magnum. That rifle is a classic rifle that shouldn't be fornacated with, IMO!

I agree with Jeffe, get a new Mod clasic 416 Rem Mag, then go find the Pre 64 Mod 70 300H&H to go with it, and head for Africa!

Good replies but I guess Im just a pre 64 kind of guy. Not looking for a cost effective project just want the 416 to match the rest of the rifles I hunt with. I have a prewar 30-06 action so I guess I will have the gunsmith look at it and see what he thinks. For some reason I was thinking the magnum actions were longer. What about the bolt face??

You could look into the one for sale on Guns America right now.GA# 976591404. If I haden't just bought a pre '64 in 375 yesterday I'd certainly think hard about this one.

There is also a .416 Rem on a pre-64 Win action by NECG in Cabelas gun library for under $5k.

I have seen pre 64's that have been refinished that sell for half as much as an original and since Im going to change the barrel it wont matter to me. There is a source that is close to me that hits all the gun shows and occasionally gets a .375 thats been rebarreled or cut down and that would work as well.

Gunny,

Overall action length was not any different for the magnum vs. standard cartridges. However, the magazine well was larger on the magnums to allow for the 375 length cartridges. The front and rear receiver bridges were scalloped for lack of a better word to fit the 375. Bolt face was of course larger, mag box and follower. A standard length action can be made to accommodate a 416 but it will require less smithing if you start with a 300/375 "length" action. By the way, the 458/338/300 Win Mag had an action that was in between the Magnum and Standard size.

You can use any pre 64 action for your 416 Rem, and considering the difference in price on a magnum action and the cost of opening up a 06 length action, its about a push...I much prefer a pre 64 action to the new actions that seem to have a quality control problem witnessed by the many off center barrels, and off center drilled scope holes..Tally has seen a number of these problems as have other scope companies...resale on a custom pre 64 is much more also.