Shot my friend's 416 Rigby at the range the other day and was impressed with all but one aspect. The rifle has the magazine release on the inside of the trigger guard, in front of the trigger. One time, when I first fired the rifle, the magazine became partially dislodged. If this was during a "moment of truth", the consequences could have been deadly. It did not occur on subsequent shots. The only reason I can think of that this happened is perhaps I was not holding the rifle securely enough and the recoil forced my trigger finger against the magazine release.

My question is, do I trust the rifle during an upcoming cape buffalo hunt, duct tape in the maga zine securing inside the stock, or what?

SBT I've had my bolt action gun's floorplates
"pinned" Its a simple inexpensive gunsmith
operation in which the spring is replaced with
a Steel pin of the proper diameter and lenght.
The result is that the floorplate can not be
opened. You can still get in there for cleaning
by removing the entire trigger guard/floorplate
assembly.

SBT,
We heard from a lot of people in the tactical crowd about a simliar problem. We developed the Combat-Latch System to eliminate that problem. Guaranteed not to come loose under fire or normal hunting conditions, but allows easy one-hand operation when you want to get a cartridge unjammed or dumping your shells.

From your post, I think your talking about the floorplate release, unless you mean you have a .416 with a removable magazine. If it's a floorplate, pin the thing or just use Duct tape ( It's not elegant but will prevent that "bomb bay door look).-Rob

I have just realised as well after my recent pig hunting trip that if I were to hunt DG I would need to get problems with my .416 Rigby ironed out. It recoil's enough just to start creating problems. I have just sent mine back to get a couple of issues ironed out. Mainly my follower started to stick between the mag box and a tiny gap between the reciever thus jamming. The resin in my stock holding the little bit of lead shot he put in my custom stock also loosened causing the shot to rattle. This has only ever happened to one other stock he has built and he has done thousands. I am unlucky like that. But at least all the probs are getting fixed now. And at least your aware of this problem before your buff hunt and can have it fixed.

Robgunbuilder,

I do mean magazine. The rifle is an HS Prescision, and has a removeable magazine. Talk about accurate, this rifle is unbelievable! From the factory, it shot a four shot group in the same hole. I have only shot it off hand and in field positions, but it's still great!

SBT,
Accuracy is the least important thing about a DGR, One hole groups mean little on a Buffalo at 40 yards or a Leopard at 25 yds.

Like dogs, horses and men, reliability is first and foremost...Your rifle needs a stronger latch, probably a stronger sping. but a DGR should not have a clip to start with and should be control feed, and I'm adoment on that. but that is just IMO.....

All DGR in Mauser and M-70 configuration should have the release spring replaced with a stronger spring, I do this as a matter of course...

Most important is too iron out all these things BEFORE you go to Africa and not while you are there......otherwise be sure and include a bayonet and bayonet attachment on your DGR.....