I have engaged Rich Reiley of High-Tech Customs to build
the following. If you see something I have missed, I've got
time to change it.

416 Weatherby
Dakota long African action
26" Lilja stainless barrel
NECG banded front sight
NECG windage and elevation adjustable rear sight
Barrel band
McMillan "express style" stock 14 3/8 LOP
Teflon coating
Color: Black on black (combinations confuse me!)

As to optics, I am seriously considering a U.S. Optics
1.4-8x in either the SN-3 or SN-4. Any of you have any
experience with these scopes?

I am currently telling myself that this is it! I'm going to
sell my others and this will be my only rifle.

Wes

change this to cz550 action and 416 rigby....

but, it sounds great for what it is

jeffe

I have to second Jeffe on the CZ and 416.

And besides what would an ole Oklahoma boy need with such a fancy rifle like that for anyway

Unlike jeffe I would prefer to have the Dakota action over the CZ even if only because of the Model 70 style receiver and trigger setup.



In the style of rifle you are talking about, that is, stainless barrel, fibreglass stock, teflon coating I would prefer the 416 Wby to the 416 Rigby. If it was going to be a blued/walnut rifle then I would have the 416 Rigby and would probably move from Dakota to one of the Magnum Mauser actions.



However, for a "one rifle that does all" I would prefer either a 378 Wby or a 460 Wby and especially if you like to play about with loads and the 378 would be my choice.



Mike

First, this Oklahoma boy likes "pretty boom-boom"!

Second, why would I want a CZ as opposed to a Dakota???

Third, why would I want a scuzzy old nostalgic Rigby?

All kidding aside, do you guys know anything about U.S. Optics?

Thanks,
Wes

Mike375:

I know, based on reading your posts over the years, that you
have more experience loading these than I do. However, I have to disagree with you on versatility vis-a-vis the 378
and 460. In the 416, the 400 gr will hit almost like the 460
and the 350 gr. will, I believe, perform as well as the 378
and better than the 460 for distance.

Anyway, I appreciate your response.

Thanks,
Wes

Wes I just poking fun at you.......I grew up in the big town of Ada Okla.

As far as the optics, I can't comment but the guys on optics page on this site can commment I bet.

<just my 2� and applicable only to me>

As for me, it's more of practability than nostalgia on the rigby... I haven't shot a 416 weatherby without a muzzle brake, and I strongly dislike brakes.

BTW, the cz comes about the correct LOP for you... I THINK it's 14.25, which is just changing to a better pad to fit you.

My thoughts, seriously? as I rub a scope cut from a light 416 rem...

1: get the cz... try it out... sell it if you hate it (620-630)
2: load the riby up... use barnes data... that'a warm
3: sell the cz later if you hate it

keep the rest for hunting!!
Why the cz rather than dakota?
2500 LIST from brownells vs 620 for the whole gun for the cz...
http://www.brownells.com/aspx/NS/store/ProductDetail.aspx?p=6755&title=DAKOTA+76+ACTION

200 for the safety...

Just my thoughts, as I am CHEAP, that I wouldn't pay even 80% of the dakota price for just an action, when you could rework a cz in 416 for less than just the price of the action.

Since the dakota is not SS, the barrel being SS (which I personally dislike) is of little gain... and the teflon brings the color back to normal...

seriously, other than the action (which I think is far over priced) the concept is grand... since the weatherby and 416 rigby can be loaded to BASICALY the same levels, it's personal preference there.. and you know the weatherby's, if you have to buy factory for some reason, are going to be loaded HOT, and will shoot the same. If you loaded a rigby up, the ammo you might have to buy will definatly be less hot

Scope? Man.. I've been cut twice, from the same gun, in a week... you'll want a VERY long eye relief.

Wes

I would not disagree with your logic. However, if playing about with loads was a key issue then the 416 is short on bullets except for the premiums. My opinion there is also undoubtedly influenced by living in Australia as life gets more difficult when you can't get what you want from either Hornady, Sierra, Speer or Woodleigh.

My guess is that for the genuine big game hunter the 416 Wby is probably the pick of the three and in fact Kevin Nunes in the Wby custom shop said that also tends to be reflected in the type of sales. They probably sell a lot more 416 Wby factory ammo in relation to the number of rifles sold as compared to the 378 and 460.

Mike

Gringo,

I figured that. Anyway, my neighbor in the trailer court when I was in college at Norman a zillion years ago grew up
at Holdenville. I think he called your hometown "Greater Ader" if my fading memory serves me correctly.

Also, another reason I want a "fancy rifle" is that my granddaughter just turned 7 months old and I'm sure before
long she will be wanting to shoot Grandpa's 416!

Have a nice one,
Wes

While I'm not a Weatherby fan, the gun sounds like a good package. The only thing I'd change would be the scope, though I admit it is simply not being familiar with US optics. I'd get two scopes, both fixed powered leupolds, the 2.5X compact, and the 6X X 52mm. In a good q/r base, you have variable power, and a backup scope; what more could you ask for?

A 416 w/ a 325 or 350 gr bullet is indeed a formidble round, to both you and the game you hunt

What about a drop-box magazine? What do you expect in terms of magazine capacity without one?

Brake?

What do you expect the weight of the rifle to be? You may want to add some recoil reducers to the stock.

George

Wes,

Thats not a bad reason to buy/build a new gun, better than one of mine. After a few to many at the bar, I bought me a new gun for my second wifes birthday and gave her a sack full of green stamps. Bought the gun at grocery store of all places, therefore the green stamps, didn't go over well.

Back to the gun, I think the CZ action is a good base for a gun. I think the actions can be bought for 450 ffl cost if you don't want to mess with the whole gun thing and want match grade barrel etc. But there is nothing wrong with the Dakota, just a little steep for me. I would personaly go the lessor amount for the action and stick the delta in a really nice piece of english walnut. I've just recently discovered wood, I'm on a wood buying spree.

Please consider chambering the 416 RUM. This is simply a 375 RUM necked up to 416 and there are already reamers and dies out there. At least get an extra bbl in this caliber, so it is an easy option to the Weatherby.

Most of us are now aware that the 375 RUM and the 378 Weatherby are equivalent, in spite of the 378s 15% increase in powder consumption. My 375 RUM launches 300 gr Sierras 2950 fps all day long with IMR 7828, and if you hold the rifle vertical and lift the bolt, she slides open and ejects on her own.

Necked up to 416, the RUM with 400 grainers will fall dead center in the burn rate for H4350...in fact my 416 Rem Mag is on the edge, and clocks 2470 fps at 46,000 CUP with 105% load density. As you know, this is one of the best of Hodgdon's Extreme powders, and is insensitive to temperature. There is little question that you can come within 50 fps of the Weatherby in a case that has the potential to shoot sub-MOA right out of the box.

You get an extra round in the magazine, and can go to COL 3.8 if you want. That's good for 7 grs of addtional capacity and it might even shoot hotter than the Weatherby...

Hi Wes,
Your gun sounds great. The only thing that I would change is the teflon finish. I have it on a couple of rifles and it does chip. Take a look on my site and look at the Ryan Breeding rifles. He uses GunKote for a finish and it can be applied equally as well on stainless. That would be my only thought. Make sure you post pictures when your done.
Take good care,
Dave