Would like some advise on ideal barrel length. I will be using Federal Prm. ammo.

You'll get a different answer from nearly everyone that posts, mine was 23" when I had it, seemed like a good compromise between a full length 24-25" factory barrel & a 20-22 " shorty. It handled well, muzzle blast was reasonable & velocity was little if any compromised. Some like to go shorter for handiness in a tight situation, ie dense bush & scrub, others longer to keep their velocity up there. You pays your money etc.
Steve

This is the caliber of my dreams one day I change my 375 H & H Magnum (Magnum Ceska 550) by another of the same model but in the 416 Rigby. I know that the ammunition is expensive, but also I know that calibre is a blunt. I hope you enjoy and take advantage of the large caliber you have.

Regards,

Oscar.

All my hunting rifles have names. My Pre-64 Mod 70 in 375 H&H is called "Thunker" and my Ruger Mod 77MKII in 416 Rigby is "Thumper". I love them both, Thunker shoots better than Thumper but Thumper is less stressful to travel with so usually gets the nod for airplane travel. Both are decked with Leupold 1.5x5 glass.

I have read in other post here that the difference between the caliber 416 and 375 size is not as abysmal. Is that true?.

Thank you,

Oscar.

quote:

Originally posted by ovny:
I have read in other post here that the difference between the caliber 416 and 375 size is not as abysmal. Is that true?.

Thank you,

Oscar.

Oscar, not quite sure what you mean here but if you are referring to recoil, then yes there is an appreciable difference, there has to be, as a 416 Rigby pokes out about 25% more energy than the 375 H&H but 416s are often built on slightly heavier actions & this is not so obvious. A lot of it comes back to the weight of the firearm & the fit as well, I've shot a 7mm magnum which bothered me a lot more than my 416 did,a purely nasty little rifle to fire, the 416 was on a Brno ZKK602 & was not uncomfortable to shoot, I would say that most shooters could learn to deal with it.Practice makes perfect.
Steve

Like Shinzo said, you'll get lots of answers, but "ideal" jsut means the balance of compromises. A longer barrel (even up to 28" on the one extreme) will give you increased velocities from such a monstrous case, especially with today's slow powders. A shorter barrel (down to 20") will give you "plenty" of power and speed in a handier package, quicker to the shoulder and easier in the bushes.
No one but you can say where along that continuum is "ideal." I have a couple of 26" barrels, and while I don't do any army crawls through briar patches, I've never noticed much of a difference from my 24" barrels. Go from that to a little 19" 6.5 Swede, and yeah, there's some choices to be made.
My opinion: there's way too much powder room in that case to sensibly burn in a 22" tube. Might as well go with a Remington or even 416-338.

quote:

or even 416-338.

Yeeeuch, surely you mean a 416 Taylor or I guess if I'm being pedantic a 416 Chatfield-Taylor. I think in fact that A-squared have legitimised this & called it the Taylor by the position of their shoulder. It just ain't right.
All joking aside, its my next build, for the very reasons you mentioned, so I can go with a 22" barrel, also less powder, & hopefully a bit less recoil, a wimp thats me.
Steve

I am biased, but the 416 Taylor is an ideal cartridge between the little stuff and the big boomers, and can be made into a light and handy rifle.