I am planning on a custom build .416 Rigby and have to decide on the barrel length. What would be your advise?
Thanks,
Ron

About 21 or 22 inches not over 22 for fast handling in the bush. Better yet, build the
gun then cut the barrel to a length that will
balance the gun between your hands. It will be a
pleasure to carry and shoot... Good Luck

24 for a 416,23 for a lott,25 for a 375

I like short...22" max for any heavy cal bolt action and particularly for a rifle with a full length magnum action.

Most of the CZ's that come past me end up with a 21" Barrel in .416 and 20" in .458 Lott. (and any in .458 win end up as 20" .458 Lott's....

quote:

Originally posted by Ganyana:
I like short...22" max for any heavy cal bolt action and particularly for a rifle with a full length magnum action.

+1
22 is plenty of barrel for a 416 you could go to 21 inches.

What tetonka said

24" minimum. Anything less is a waste of that LARGE capacity case. If you want a short light weight 416 build a 416 Taylor or 416Ruger.

I like the 23 in. on the Ruger RSM, I dislike a rifle that doesn't have a bit of muzzle weight.

Anything between 22" and 24" should do the trick! Best yet, build one of each! I always like the longer barrel on PG, its easier on the ears. Going after buff in the thickets, a shorter barrel is pretty handy. The important thing is to get it to where it points well and comes up to the shoulder naturally.

IMO 20" barrels and less are too short, most powders in the rigby are fairly slow burning to get them to fill that monsterous case and stay in the specified pressure range. As such, the noise coming of a 20" barrel is horrendous, akin to having a muzzle brake on the rifle. You also tend to get quite a bit of muzzle flip, which will slow down follow up shots.

If you want a 20" bbl, skip the rigby and look at a 416 rem or 416 ruger. The noise is still deafening, but you might be able to hear on the plane trip back home.


John

At least 23 or 24 inches.